Grumman F-14A Tomcat

USN VF-33 Starfighters, AB201, Dale Snodgrass, USS America, 1990

Hobby Master 1:72 HA5242

In 1988 flying F-14A 162705 c/n 551 Captain Dale "Snort" Snodgrass performed his (in)famous super low banana pass off the port side of the USS America while at sea. Snodgrass was the high-time F-14 pilot with over 4,800 hours flying the F-14. Snodgrass was a member of VF-33 Starfighters, formerly the Tarsiers, a small South Asian mammal. Between December 28, 1990 and April 18, 1991 VF-33 was deploy onboard USS America in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm. Unfortunately Snodgrass died in 2021 piloting a light aircraft.

Grumman F-14A Tomcat  

Designed to carry the formidable long range AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat was first flown on December 21st, 1970. Made famous by the Hollywood film Top Gun, the F-14 replaced the F-4 Phantom II as the US Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter. Its design includes a variable geometry wing that can sweep back for high speed supersonic intercepts and forward for improved positioning in air to air dogfights. Nicknamed "Bombcat," the F-14 spent much of its late career in an air-to-ground role, carrying the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) system.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

1. Molded metal construction with plastic components.
2. Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
3. Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
4. opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
5. Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
6. Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
7. Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.