Grumman F-14D Tomcat
The Hickory Aviation Museum’s F-14D Bureau Number 163902 (~Dec 07) is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation. VF-31 “Tomcatters” Modex 107 flew the retirement ceremony with LCDR Chris Richard and LT Mike Petronis at the controls. Coordinated by Kyle and Kregg Kirby.
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program following the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 was the first of the American teen-series fighters, which were designed incorporating the experience of air combat against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War. The F-14 first flew in December 1970 and made its first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet interceptor and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform.
National origin | United States of America |
Manufacturer | Grumman Aerospace Corporation |
First flight | 21 December 1970 |
Introduction | 22 September 1974 |
Retired | 22 September 2006 (US Navy) |
Status | In service with the Islamic, Republic of Iran Air Force |
Primary users | United States Navy, Imperial Iranian Air Force, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force |
Produced | 1969–1991 |
Number built | 712 |
Propulsion | 2 x Pratt & Whitney TF30, later replaced by 2 x GE F110-GE400 Turbofan |
Unit cost | US$38 million (1998) |

Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
Length: 62 ft 9 in (19.1 m)
Wingspan: Spread: 64 ft; Swept: 38 ft
Height: 16 ft
Wing area: 565 ft² (54.5 m²)
Empty weight: 43,735 lb (19,838 kg)
Loaded weight: 61,000 lb (27,700 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 74,350 lb (33,720 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-400 afterburning turbofans
Dry thrust: 16,610 lbf each
Thrust with afterburner: 30,200 lbf (134 kN) each
Maximum fuel capacity: 16,200 lb internal; 20,000 lb with 2x 267 gallon external tank
Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1,544 mph, 2,485 km/h) at high altitude
Combat radius: 500 nmi (575 mi, 926 km)
Ferry range: 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi, 2,960 km)
Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft (15,200 m)
Rate of climb: >45,000 ft/min (229 m/s)
Armament:
- Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon, with 675 rounds
- Hardpoints: 10 total: Missiles/Bombs/Other: Air-to-air missiles: AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, JDAM, Rockeye, MK80, Rockets, Reconnaissance and Targeting Pods