Aircraft Data Sheet

for F14 Bu. No. 158978

 

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was conceived to meet the Navy's requirement for an advanced carrier-based air superiority fighter, a role which the General Dynamics F-111B had failed to fill. The 1969 design that was proposed was a variable geometry, two-seat, twin-engined fighter aircraft. First flight of the F-14A was in December 1970, with deliveries to the US Navy beginning in December 1972. The aircraft was armed with one 20mm cannon, as well as two Sidewinder missiles and either four AIM-7E Sparrow AAMs or six AIM-54A Phoenix AAMs. (source: United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 by Gordon Swanborough and Peter Bowers)

Click on a picture to see larger version.

Before

US Navy photo.

US Navy photo.

US Navy photo.

 

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remarks: This was a display aircraft at NAS Miramar prior to Miramar's transfer to the Marine Corps.  Recently, this exhibit was enhanced to show the Vulcan cannon installation.  As of early February 2007, it bears the squadron markings of VF-114 Aardvarks on one side and VF-213 Black Lions on the other.

EXHIBITED WEAPONS LOAD

  •   2 – AIM-54 Phoenix missiles.

  •   2 – AIM-7 Sparrow III missiles.

  •   2 – AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

  •   1 – M61A1 Vulcan cannon.

Photos by Frank Warren.

Nickname: Cat

Bu No 158978 Assignment Record

Date of manufacture: 14 October 1973

Manufacturer: Grumman Aerospace, Bethpage, NY

 

F-14 Tomcat Association Web Site

 

Photo of this aircraft in a previous paint scheme and assignment.

Click to enlarge.

Photo provided by

Michel http://www.vogue-web.ch/f4

 

This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation. 

Click here to view their web site's F-14 page.

Page updated on 19 December 2007