It has been said that “bombers make history; fighters make movies.” In the case of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, both are true. It made history as a fleet defender, reconnaissance platform, and strike fighter. The Tomcat was also featured in such Hollywood classics as Top Gun, The Final Countdown, and Executive Decision, followed by television appearances on JAG. This new illustrated look at the iconic Tomcat features a concise, detailed look at its design and construction, followed by its service in the US Navy from 1975 to 2006. Also covered is a rare look at its use by the Imperial Iranian Air Force, and continued use by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. All USN units that flew the Tomcat are featured, including squadron patches, markings, and nose art. Combat operations are discussed, including aerial combat over Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat has been celebrated in countless publications, but this new title from Schiffer is a useful and concise guide with an authoritative text by David F. Brown, an author and photo reporter who collaborated with the Newsweek magazine too. He analyzes the glorious career of the Big Cat that spanned more than 30 years all over the continents. The genesis is quite fascinating, based on the failures of the incongruous F6D Missileer and the faulted F-111B. From these failures Grumman picked up the engines and weapons system and put them in a superlative airframe, the most innovative and sophisticated for many years to come. Author Brown then illustrates all the USN squadrons and the Iranian units, describing the rich and articulated career of this impressive fighter that was also developed as an impressive fighter bomber. All the 231 photos are well printed and sharp and are a true celebration for all the Cat fans.Marco De Montis
