1:72 F-14A TOMCAT VF-103 Jolly Rogers AA100 2004, (Final Cr. Ver.)

F-14 Tomcat, VF-103 Jolly Rogers AA100, 2004 — 1:72 Century Wings

A finished model from the Wings of Heroes line, not a kit. Mostly metal alloy with plastic parts and tampo-printed markings that will not fade and will not peel off the way decals do. The manufacturer released it as the Final Cruise Version in a limited edition of 2000 pieces.

The real subject

The F-14 Tomcat was a two-seat carrier-based fighter with a variable-geometry wing and the AWG-9 radar. The VF-103 Jolly Rogers squadron was one of the best-known bearers of the skull and crossbones, and at the end of the type's career it flew the F-14B version, powered by F110 engines. That is also the version the manufacturer's distributor gives for the model, so check the designation on the box before you file the item in a collection by version.

The squadron's last cruise with the Tomcat went to the Persian Gulf in 2004 aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy; the squadron came home to Oceana in December 2004 and in 2005 it was redesignated VFA-103 with the Super Hornet type. The AA code belonged to carrier air wing CVW-17.

Markings and version

The model carries the number 100 and the AA code in the colors of the squadron's last Tomcat cruise. The line includes a display stand for showing the aircraft in flight, an opening canopy with removable crew figures, a swing wing, interchangeable landing gear and removable external stores with descriptive labels.

Who the model is for

• For collectors of Tomcats and of the type's final years in service
• For a display case: the model is finished, nothing is glued and nothing is painted
• For collections focused on the Jolly Rogers squadron

This is a finished item, not a kit. Check the version, the state of assembly, the painting and the extent of the package on the box.