Grumman F-14 Tomcat MDF 15 book

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable geometry wing aircraft. The F-14 was the United States Navy’s primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical reconnaissance platform from 1974 to 2006. It later performed precision strike missions once it was integrated with the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night LANTIRN system. The F-14 was developed after the collapse of the F-111B project, and was the first of the American teen-series fighters which were designed incorporating the experience of air combat in Vietnam against MiGs.

It entered service in 1974 with the U.S. Navy, replacing the F-4 Phantom II. It was later exported to the former Imperial Iranian Air Force in 1976, during a time when the US still had good relations with Iran. It was retired from the active U.S. Navy fleet on 22 September 2006, having been replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. As of 2008, it remains in service only with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

Brand new release from SAM Publications from UK is the new book from the MDF series and this one is The Grumman F-14 Tomcat and it is no. 15 book from the MDF series. In the 17 chapters and four appendices this book provide great amount of data and information important for the modelers but also all those who is interesting in this type of aircrafts. Making book about the Tomcat is not easy task but the author Andy Evans give its best in this release.

Starting from first chapter The Genesis of a Legend, book provide great number of photographs and many of them are not seen before. It is very interesting Tomcat in the early manufacture stage as well first operators. Very good is included various add like the full list of serials, unit operators and technical data. Only foreigner operator of Tomcat is Iran and there is one chapter dedicated sole to this country and info about the use and service of Tomcat. What is much preferred is the pilot view on the Tomcat and there is very nice chapter where is given much info from inside the cockpit. No doubt that this plane is much loved by its crew. Follow to this is given all relevant info about the Tomcat operations as well combat engagement.

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With chapter The Tomcat In Detail begin the pure modelers section of the book. Feature great number of the close up images, unit badge details, armament details, color schemes and special pages there is covered with the color profiles of this airplane made by book author, Andy Evans. On the eight pages author described all important camouflage patterns as well units that use it. Last pages are covered with the few stunning model projects and list of the model manufacturers. It is impossible to give all products released in last few decades related to this plane so author have give all what is the available on the market today. And when you think that you get to the end of the book you come across the fold outs with 1/48 detailed scale drawings of the F-14 Tomcat.

• Author- Andy Evans
• 128 page
• A4 form full color
• ISBN 9551858-6-1
• Publisher – SAM Publications

No doubt that this book is must have it for the modelers and it give maximum value. Maybe one small shortcomings could be absence of the drawings of all variants of the Tomcats and equipment evolution [like the vertical tail] but no matter of that, book give excellent coverage of all technical and historic aspect of the plane. Highly recommended!!

Sample book is provided by Neil Robinson, Group Editor of SAM Publications

Srecko Bradic