Grumman F-14D Tomcat || VF-31 "Tomcatters" 164603 || CVN-71, 2005

I've been meaning to build this aircraft for a while now. This gorgeous F-14D, AJ101 number 164603, belonged to VF-31 "Tomcatters" and was part of the air complement of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). 

AJ101 is actually a very special Tomcat: it was the penultimate to roll off the production line, being number 711 of 712 built. It was delivered in May 1992, and when it retired in October 2006, it was the very last US Navy Tomcat to ever fly. It now resides in Bethpage, NY, where it serves as the gate guardian to Northrop Grumman Plant 25. 

Many pictures of this aircaft exist, compiled here are a few of my favorites. 

Markings for this aircraft come in the Hobby Boss F-14D kit, where the red rudders and fins are incorrectly depicted as orange in the istructions. Today i would have probably chosen the Hasegawa or Academy kit, but since i've had this one for a few years now, it' what i'll be going with.