Hobby Master 1/72 HA5207 Grumman F-14A Tomcat 159610 VF-32 Gulf of Sidra 1989 MIG Killer

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a twin-engine, variable sweep wings capable of supersonic flight. The aircraft is crewed by a Pilot and a Radar Intercept Officer who share the tasks of navigation, target acquisition, ECM and weapons usage. The Tomcat was operated by the United States Navy and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force only. The name Tomcat is said to come from the call-sign used by Vice Admiral Thomas Connolly which conformed to the USN tradition of giving Grumman aircraft feline names.

Grumman F-14A-85-GR was built as BuNo. 159610 AC-215 c/n 157/DR2. On January 4, 1989 while assigned to VF-32 Swordsmen as AC207 onboard the USS John F. Kennedy this F-14A along with its sister F-14A 159437 AC202 destroyed two Libyan MiG-23's. The MiG's normally retreated when detected but these two continued their attack. AC202 and AC207 fired AIM-7 missiles, AC202's missile missed while AC207's missile destroyed his target. AC202 re-engaged and was successful. Both MiG pilots ejected safely. 159610 is located at the National Air and Space Museum as VF-31 NK105.