Academy
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History
The history of the Grumman F-14’s design and development is pretty well documented. Conceived in the late 1960s and designed around the multiple targeting Phoenix (AIM-054) Missile system the F-14 would become the “Cold War’s” ultimate fleet defense fighter. Without question the Tomcat’s roots were established when the US Navy rejected the Department of Defense recommendation to use the ill conceived and poor performing General Dynamics F-111B and go its own way. Although the F-111B did have the benefit of a variable sweep wing this decision, as time would prove, would be the correct one.
As noted above the use of a variable sweep wing fighter, especially one that operated from an aircraft carrier was a very desirable attribute considering its ability to fly well at both high combat speeds and low landing speeds. However, at the time, the sweep wing design concept was relatively untested and as such Navy design requirements for it new air supremacy fighter did not mandate it. Grumman, on the other hand, and because of its 1950s swing wing experiments with its own XF10F-1 Jaguar program, as well as its more recent experience with the failed F-111B program did chose to incorporate this feature in its proposal. As a result, and because of Grumman’s unequaled variable sweep wing experience the Navy selected them to develop the F-14.
Again Grumman’s F-14 design, development, production and fleet deployment history during the “Cold War” is well documented. However, and as it is with all things, change occurs. With the end of the “Cold War” and the collapse of the Soviet Union the F-14s fleet defensive mission became less essential. As such both Grumman and the Navy looked for other uses for its big fighter including attack capability. The “Bombcat”, the subject of this kit, is the result of the F-14A’s increased capability as a strike fighter. Now not only could it perform is original role of fleet defense but also precision bombing.
The Kit
First off, the “Bombcat” is of course a re-release ofAcademy’s very well done F-14A kit. However it has been updated and now includes some very nice new ordinance. I should note here that although this kit has been around for a little while I feel safe in saying that it still can be considered state of the art. The kit comes molded in gray styrene 
on nine sprue trees plus one for the clear parts. It, of course, has engraved panel lines as well as a number of finely done 
recessed vents and secondary intakes. The cockpit, wheel wells, landing gear, etc. although not super detailed are certainly sufficient. Other details and options include displayable radar antenna (radome open), achoice of engine nozzles, open air brakesand adjustable wings.
However, the best part of this re-release is the ordinance that is provided. Included in the kit are the F-14s original weapons load of a full complement of AIM-54 Phoenix missiles (6 ea), external fuel tanks (2 ea), AIM-
7M Sparrows (4 ea), AIM-9 sidewinders (2 ea), GBU-31(V)1 JADM (2 ea), GBU-24 Laser Guided Bomb (2 ea), an AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN Pod, and a Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS).
Markings:
The decal sheet provided is a large one and includes not only markings for the aircraft itself but also the ordinance. Starting with the aircraft; markings are provide for a choice of two F-14As from VF-154, the “Black Knights”, while assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk in May of 2003. Both aircraft have identical color schemes, with the only difference being the aircraft number and the pilots name on the canopy frame, one of which is the CAG. The rest of the marking, and there is a lot of them, are either the aircraft detail stenciling or the marking for the weapons. Quality looks to be excellent, which is usually the case for Academy decals.
Conclusion
This is a high quality kit with very interesting markings and an outstanding selection of weapons. Also at $39.00 (suggested retail price) a pretty good buy.
My sincere thanks to MRC, (www.modelrectifier.com) for the review sample.
