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About F-14D (R) Tomcat 159600, the
longest serving Tomcat
Originally manufactured by
Grumman Aerospace as a block 85 F-14A model, 159600 would be delivered to the US
Navy on 16 July 1975. Much of her early career would be spent training nugget
Tomcat crews in both the east and west coast Fleet Readiness Squadrons; VF-124
Gunfighters at NAS Miramar and VF-101 Grim Reapers at NAS Oceana. In 1987,
159600 transferred to the fleet, serving, in order, with VF-142 Ghostriders,
VF-14 Tophatters and again with VF-142 Ghostriders with at NAS Oceana.
For the first few years of the 1990’s, 159600 would be at NADEP Norfolk
undergoing remanufacture into an F-14D(R). Emerging in 1994 as the fifth
remanufactured D model Tomcat, 159600 would rejoin the fleet in 1994 with VF-2
Bounty Hunters at NAS Miramar. During this tour, NAS Miramar transferred to the
Marine Corps and 159600 and the rest of the VF-2 Bounty Hunters relocated to NAS
Oceana. In 2003, 159600 would return to her roots and once again serve in Fleet
Readiness Squadron VF-101 Grim Reapers. The following year, 159600 would be
assigned to VF-31 Tomcatters where she would remain until the Tomcat’s
retirement in September 2006.
While participating in the Tomcat’s final cruise from September 2005 to March
2006, 159600 would suffer a structural failure. During routine maintenance a
bulkhead would blow out and she would spend most of the next few months in the
hangar, earning her the nickname “Christine”. Through a dedicated and determined
maintenance effort, 159600 would be repaired. Once returned to flight status
159600 would become a squadron workhorse for the remainder of the deployment, a
testament to both her Grumman “Ironworks” legacy and the fine men and women who
have maintained the F-14 Tomcat. After more than 30 years of service, F-14D(R)
159600 would finish her career with the singular distinction of being the
longest serving F-14 Tomcat in the US Navy’s inventory, and proudly earn the
right to claim “Anytime, Baby”!
Please see the composition below to get some
idea about the physical dimensions of this exclusive product!

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Words of Jim Hodgson,
President & SLJO of OV-10 Bronco Association:
Gents,
I cannot over emphasize how grateful we are for the tireless work
you have all put in on this project. When it started, I never
expected how much dedication, effort and heart would go into this.
Thanks to all of you for your attention to detail, diligence and
determination to get this tribute right.
Best regards and BZ to all,
Jim Hodgson
President & SLJO
OV-10 Bronco Association
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We'd like to say thank you for all
the help provided by the Tomcat community! Special thanks to David F. Brown,
Brian Plescia, Jim Hodgson, Steve Bamford, Brian Marbrey, and all the fellow
modelers and aviation fans of
ARC Community for their kind support for this project! |
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