[mhackl]

All images posted are for the collector’s benefit and may not be reproduced for commercial use without the written consent of On Mark International, Inc. USA

B11E400 NEW!
Grumman F-14A Tomcat
Commander Henry "Hank" Kleeman & RIO: Lieutenant David Venlet VFA-41 "Black Aces" Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW 8) USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
A 1/48th Scale Diecast model from The Franklin Mint's Collection Armour series


This was the first Tomcat to see combat by shooting down a Libyan Sukhoi Su-17 Fitter over the Gulf of Sidra, August 19th 1981.

On the morning of the 19th, two VF-41 Black Aces F-14As, Fast Eagle 102 (CDR "Hank" Kleeman/LT D. Venlet) and Fast Eagle 107 (LT "Music" Muczynski/LTJG "Amos" Anderson), were flying combat air patrol to cover aircraft engaged in a missile exercise. An E-2A Hawkeye gained radar contact with two Sukhoi Su-17 'Fitters' which had left Okba Ben Nafi Air Base near Tripoli. The Fitters were heading towards the Tomcats and the lead Fitter fired an AA-2 Atoll short range heat seeking missile at the Tomcats. The Tomcats evaded and were cleared to return fire.

Muczynski engaged the lead Fitter and shot it down with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. Kleeman engaged the wingman and shot it down with another Sidewinder. The official United States Navy report states that both Libyan pilots ejected and were safely recovered.

The international tensions and dogfighting incidents seen in the movie Top Gun (1986) were drawn in part from this incident.

According to a transcript from the USS Biddle, the Fitters were shot down before the controller was even sure that the F-14's had been fired upon. They did not receive clearance, but they were forced to defend themselves after being fired upon.

[mhackl]

All images posted are for the collector’s benefit and may not be reproduced for commercial use without the written consent of On Mark International, Inc. USA

B11E399 NEW!
Grumman F-14A Tomcat
CVW 8 Commander William Sizemore II & RIO: LT(jg) James "Mr. Hanky" Cunningham, a/c 204 with VF-213 "The Fighting Blacklions" Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW 8) USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
A 1/48th Scale Diecast model from The Franklin Mint's Collection Armour series


This aircraft flew the last combat mission for the Tomcat.

VF-213 was paired up with VF-31 Tomcatters for the 2005-2006 final F-14 Tomcat cruise onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. On February 7, 2006 was the last recovery of F-14 Tomcats from a combat mission. At 12:35 a.m., a VF-213 aircraft 204 landed on the carrier. It was piloted by CAPT William G. "Size" Sizemore II, Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, and his RIO, LT(jg) James "Mr. Hanky" Cunningham. During their final deployment with USS Theodore Roosevelt, VF-31 and 213 collectively completed 1,163 combat sorties totaling 6,876 flight hours, and dropped 9,500 pounds of ordnance during reconnaissance, surveillance, and close air support missions in support of OIF.

[Fly Navy 75]

I think they've got the photos swapped and that's the photo for the VF-213 "Tomcat's Last Mission" model. Both are great additions to the line. Thanks for the good info on the VF-41 Fitter shoot-down.

I was glad to see the addition of the Mirage III to the line, but am going to hold out until they release an Israeli Air Force paint scheme.

[mhackl]

All images posted are for the collector’s benefit and may not be reproduced for commercial use without the written consent of On Mark International, Inc. USA

B11E399 NEW!
Junkers Ju 52/3m Minesweeper
Minensuch-Gruppe 1, France 1943
A 1/48th Scale Diecast model from The Franklin Mint's Collection Armour series

[STARMAN 352ND]

Is that going to be a re-tooled F-14 ?
JP

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

Is that going to be a re-tooled F-14 ?
JP

They certainly look pretty grim compared to Century's 'Cats.....and for a lot more bread.... I guess you're just payin' for the extra metal since they're 1/48th...

FM's gonna crash and burn and they'll have no one to blame but themselves..

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

They certainly look pretty grim compared to Century's 'Cats.....and for a lot more bread.... I guess you're just payin' for the extra metal since they're 1/48th...

FM's gonna crash and burn and they'll have no one to blame but themselves..

Sadly Skunky, your words may indeed be prophetic ... perhaps your soothsayer potential has been underestimated and undervalued (until now that is)

[mhackl]

All images posted are for the collector’s benefit and may not be reproduced for commercial use without the written consent of On Mark International, Inc. USA

B11E390 NEW!
McDonnell Douglas - Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
VMFA-224 AW "Fighting Bengals" Unites States Marine Corps 2003
A 1/48th Scale Diecast model from The Franklin Mint's Collection Armour series

[mhackl]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

They certainly look pretty grim compared to Century's 'Cats.....and for a lot more bread.... I guess you're just payin' for the extra metal since they're 1/48th...

FM's gonna crash and burn and they'll have no one to blame but themselves..

There's quite a bit of extra metal here. Their Tomcat is a large model with a retracted wingspan of 9.5in or 24.1cm.

[Louie]

FM is done unless they catch up to the rest. Companies like witty, Century, FOV, and HM are taking the reins. I was so excited 7 years ago about Armor/FM now they are going the way of Revell and sunstar. Dragon will probably follow a bit later. Collectors are alot more discriminating, a llittle spoiled and demand excitement.