Fine Molds – FX05 – USN F-14A Tomcat VF-2 Bounty Hunters

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a U.S. F-14 Tomcat carrier based variable-sweep wing fighter.

The F-14A Tomcat was the first production variant of the legendary Grumman F-14, a twin-engine, variable-sweep wing fighter developed for the U.S. Navy in the early 1970s. Equipped with the AWG-9 radar and capable of carrying the powerful AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missiles, the F-14A was designed primarily as a fleet defense interceptor to counter Soviet bombers and cruise missiles. Its variable-geometry wings allowed for excellent maneuverability at various speeds, making it a formidable dogfighter as well. However, the TF30 engines used in the F-14A were prone to compressor stalls, which affected reliability and performance.

One of the squadrons that operated the F-14A was VF-2 “Bounty Hunters”, a U.S. Navy fighter squadron established in 1972. VF-2, alongside VF-1, was among the first units to receive the Tomcat, deploying aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 1974. The squadron played a crucial role during the Cold War, Gulf War, and other operations, using the Tomcat for air superiority, fleet defense, and precision strike missions. In 2003, VF-2 transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, retiring the F-14 before the Tomcat was fully phased out of U.S. Navy service in 2006. Kit include a decal sheet with two markings, one for VF-1 and one for VF-2, both deployed on the USS Ranger in 1988.

Fine Molds’ 1/72 scale F-14A Tomcat is considered one of the best 1/72 scale Tomcat kits on the market due to its high level of detail, precision engineering, and accurate shape.

Some of its standout features include finely recessed panel lines, detailed cockpit instrumentation, and highly accurate landing gear and weapons bays. The kit also incorporates movable variable-sweep wings, allowing modelers to display the Tomcat in different configurations. Unlike older kits, Fine Molds designed this one with a smart parts breakdown, reducing the need for excessive putty or sanding.

Overall, this kit is highly regarded for its accuracy and build quality, making it an excellent choice for both experienced modelers and newcomers looking for a modern, well-engineered F-14A in 1/72 scale. F-14A was first time released by Fine Molds in 2017, after the initial F-14D kit a couple of years earlier.

*Payload in the pictures is not included, it can be acquired separate from Fine Molds – FP31 – US Air-to-Air missile set including AIM-54A/C Phoenix x 8, AIM-7F/M/P Sparrow x 4, AIM-9L/M Sidewinder x 4, and AN/AAQ-25 Lantern Pod x 2.