The F-14 Tomcat twin-engine, two seat, variable geometry swept wing, Mach2 air superiority Fighter developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program incorporating the air combat experiences of the F-4 Phantom and other types against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War. Designed to incorporate theAWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missiles, it also carried the AIM7 Sparroe and AIM-9 Sidwinder missiles. Later in it's career, the Tomcat was modified for limited ground attack abilty with the addition of the LANTIRN
The F-14 can track up to 24 targets simultaneously with its advanced weapons control system and attack six with Phoenix AIM-54A missiles while continuing to scan the airspace.
The Tomcat was first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise, replacing the F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor, and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform into the 2000s.

The Tomcat was retired by U.S. Navy in September 2006

Italeri, 1/72

This kit comes with three sprues, two in grey, and a clear sprue with the canopy.
Sprue A contains the fusilage sections. The cockpit instrument panels contains detail,but it's not real crisp but dry brushing should bring it out. The side intrument panels are more detailed and should drybrush well. There are no decals representing the instrument clusters or switch panels
Sprue B contains the wings, tail surfaces and basic weapons load

This kit provides markings for two different aircraft The subjects are:
F-14A, VF-142, AG/205, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Hi-viz markings
F-14A, VF-41, AJ/105, USS Nimitz Low-viz Markings

For those of you looking for the high end extinsive detail kit, this ain't it
A moderately priced kit and a relatively simple build. Not as involved or detailed as somr of the more pricy kits.
Missing from the kit are details such as navigation lights.
The formation lights are represented by decals. For those of us who like to collect and display Tomcats and all their colorful markings, this kit fills the bill.
The unobtrusive but raised panel lines won't go over with some modelers.

Academy, 1/72

This kit comes with 3 sprues molded in Gray plus the clear canopy/windscreen.
The parts are extremely flash free but many of the smaller parts have ejector pin marks

Engraved panel lines are shallow but effective,
Cockpit section is split vertically, interior detail is minimal, the instrument panels are represented by decals. The forward wheel well has detail, but there's a number of ejector pin marks. You have a choice of pods for the nose of the ship and the option of the boarding ladder stowed of deployed

The Wings in this kit are geared to open and close and the glove vanes extend with the wings in the "oversweep" position.

This kit provides markings one aircraft,
F-14A, VF-51, NL/105, U.S.S. Carl Vinson

With the exception of the seats, this kit goes together very well. Fit issues are almost non existant and all the holes for the inderwing armament are pre-drilled. The decals are minimal with none of the stencil markings to apply.
The large number of parts with pin marks relegate this kit is a weekend build, straight out of the box.
It doesn't look too bad when complete, and for under 20.00 not a bad value for the younger or casual modeler. There are just too many of these ejector marks to fill and sand to make this your primary display kit.