{"product_id":"free-shipping-grumman-f-14a-tomcat-usn-vf-41-black-aces-aj107-fast-eagle-107-uss-nimitz-hm-172-ha5257","title":"Grumman F-14A Tomcat \/ USN VF-41 Black Aces, AJ107 Fast Eagle 107, USS Nimitz \/ HM 1:72 HA5257","description":"\u003ch1\u003eGrumman F-14A Tomcat\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch1\u003eUSN VF-41 Black Aces, AJ107 Fast Eagle 107, USS Nimitz\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch1\u003eHobby Master 1:72 HA5257\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn August of 1981, President Ronald Reagan deployed a large naval force to conduct \"Freedom of Navigation\" operations off the coast of Libya. Libya responded by deploying fighter-bombers and interceptors, resulting in a tense standoff that peaked when two VF-41 F-14A Tomcats from the USS Nimitz - \"Fast Eagle 102\" and \"Fast Eagle 107\" - were ordered to intercept a pair of Libyan Su-22 Fitters. One of the Su-22s fired upon the F-14s and missed, and when the Su-22s tried to escape the Tomcats returned fire. Fast Eagle 102 shot down the first Su-22 and 107 shot down the second. The incident was over quickly, but history repeated itself in 1989 when two F-14s shot down a pair of MiG-23s in the same region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUS Navy Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) Black Aces was commissioned on June 1st, 1945 flying the F4U Corsair. The squadron transitioned through the F2H Banshee, F3H Demon and F-4 Phantom II before upgrading to the F-14 Tomcat in 1976. The Black Aces deployed several times on the USS Nimitz, often sharing the deck with F-14s from VF-84 Jolly Rogers. It was during one of these cruises, on August 19th, 1981, that Black Aces Tomcats shot-down two Libyan Su-22 Fitters over the Gulf of Sidra. This was the first ever combat incident involving US Tomcats. The squadron's final cruise with the F-14 took place in 2001 aboard the USS Enterprise. Upon return, VF-41 transitioned to the F\/A-18F Super Hornet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/powersearch\/?Search=CAT_TYP_JET_FTR_F014\"\u003eGrumman F-14A Tomcat\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color:#0000ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHobby Master \"1:72 Air Power Series\" diecast airplanes feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMolded metal construction with plastic components.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRealistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eopening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtended \/ retracted interchangeable landing gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisplay stand to display the aircraft \"in flight\".\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49049622347931,"sku":"HA5257","price":231.53,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0657\/9214\/7611\/files\/68319.jpg?v=1791914397","url":"https:\/\/passiondiecast.com\/products\/free-shipping-grumman-f-14a-tomcat-usn-vf-41-black-aces-aj107-fast-eagle-107-uss-nimitz-hm-172-ha5257","provider":"Passion Diecast","version":"1.0","type":"link"}