CW-001620 F-14A Tomcat Diecast Model, USN VF-41 Black Aces, AJ100, USS Nimitz, 1978, Landing Configuration

For 2016, Century Wings are celebrating their 10th Anniversary with this very special, limited-edition release. Paying homage to the first models in the series, Century Wings are releasing an all-new rendition of one of their earliest releases, a VF-41 Black Aces F-14A Tomcat (AJ100). While the markings are the same as the original, the tooling has been updated to incorporate some exciting new features that allow this new model to be accurately displayed in "landing configuration":
Fixed wings with leading and trailing edge flaps permanently deployed.
Interchangeable extended/retracted magnetically attached landing gear.
Interchangeable extended/retracted arresting hook.
Interchangeable open/closed exhaust nozzles.
Subtle weathered paint finish (as with the original model).

Please note that in order to accurately model the wings in the flaps-down configuration, the wings are fixed in the forward position and cannot be folded backwards. Also, unlike previous "launch configuration" models, this model does not include the compressed nosegear with launch bar extended.

US 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.

Scale 1:72