Tamiya 1/48 F-14B Tomcat & Shipboard Towing Tractor

This Tamiya 1/48 scale plastic model kit combines the F-14B Tomcat with a shipboard towing tractor, handling crew, ordnance and carrier deck accessories. The F-14B measures 398mm long with a 408mm wingspan when the wings are swept forward, while the tractor measures 98mm long with its air start unit fitted.

The F-14 Tomcat served as a U.S. Navy carrier fighter for more than 30 years before retirement in 2006. The F-14B introduced major upgrades including the F110-GE-400 turbofan engine, and these features are represented alongside the aircraft’s familiar variable-sweep wing configuration.

F-14B Tomcat Detail

The aircraft includes moving variable-sweep wings and detailed F-14B features including the head-up display, instrument and side console panels. The F110-GE-400 engine front fans and nozzles are represented, together with the sensor pod incorporating the AN/AXX-1 TCS camera and the AN/ALQ-126 ECM antenna beneath the wing glove.

The ladder on the left side of the nose is depicted half-open, and the nose landing gear angle can be adjusted. Decals provide three marking options: VF-102 “Diamondbacks” CAG Bird, VF-103 “Jolly Rogers” Commanding Officer’s Aircraft and VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” CAG Bird.

Shipboard Towing Tractor and Crew

The newly designed 1/48 towing tractor can be connected to the F-14B using the supplied towbar. Its front wheels can be shown straight or turned and remain interchangeable after assembly, while the rear wheels have double tyres. Air hoses are also reproduced.

The MSU-200NAV mobile air start unit attaches using poly caps and can be removed, with a rear counterweight fitted in its place. A magnet-attached seat lets you change the tractor to a parked configuration after removing the driver figure.

Ordnance and Carrier Deck Accessories

Four figures are included: a tractor driver, two handling crew and a plane captain or brake rider. Carrier equipment includes wheel chocks, ALBAR towbars, tiedown chains and a flight deck sheet.

The ordnance selection includes two AIM-9L/M Sidewinders, two AIM-7M Sparrows, four GBU-12 Paveway IIs, four GBU-16 Paveway IIs and four Mk.52 500lb low-drag general-purpose bombs, providing the components needed to build a detailed F-14B carrier deck scene within Tamiya’s 1/48 aircraft range.