This is a 1/72 scale F-14 J Type die-cast collectible model in the scheme of the “VF-1J” from Robotech.
The F-14 Tomcat was retired from operational service by the US Navy in 2006.
But unbeknownst to many, the F-14 would serve another 4 years as a developmental craft for the UN SPACY.
Test pilots from the US & Japan were involved in this program and logged an undisclosed number of successful test flights.
The F-14D was modified and fitted with vector thrusters on 7 panels distributed evenly across the airframe for aerodynamic stability. 2 variants, Block 20 & Block 40 were code named the J Type and S Type respectively.
Both were fitted with an advanced intelligent IFF weapons system equipped with fire-and-forget guidance on modified AIM-54D Phoenix missiles - this would evolve into the RMS-1. This technology was amongst the cornerstone that paved way to the ANGIRAS (system) which were deployed in 2012 on the Advanced VF-1.
The program was satisfactorily concluded on 11 November 2010, with the positive results transitioning into the next phase VF-1X program.
The UN SPACY engineers and scientists deemed the F-14’s airframe ideal for its variable fighter development and kept its fundamentals including elements of the sweep wings for the Advanced Valkyrie prototypes.
The final mass produced VF-1 became the mainstay of the UN SPACY armoury.
