F-14 Tomcat Blue Angels

Grumman F-14 Tomcat Blue Angels airplane model. After a series of accidents and maintenance problems with their McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom IIs in the 1973 air show season, the Blue Angels stood down for an overview of the program by the Secretary of the Navy, John Warner. Ken Wallace, the 1954-55 slot pilot and 1961-63 team leader, was called upon to guide the team through rough waters. The F-14 Tomcat was considered as a replacement for the F-4 but operating cost proved to be prohibitive, and the A-4 Skyhawk was chosen.

Mahogany wood. Scale: 1/48. Wingspan 10-16 inches, Length 16 inches.