HANGAR 14
THE F-14 TOMCAT VIRTUAL MUSEUM
About the museum
Hangar 14 is the first virtual museum dedicated to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat fleet defender. Our main mission is to preserve the legacy of this iconic aircraft by digitally recreating and exhibiting every one of the 632 Tomcats produced by Grumman for the US Navy between 1970 and 1989, BuNo by BuNo and Modex by Modex (Persian cats will also be included if the information is available). Initially, the project starts with 150 Tomcats on display, but new models are added every week. Hangar 14, however, is not just a collection of airplanes. It is also a tribute to the naval aviators, mechanics, flight crew, engineers, technicians, and naval aircraft designers who made the F-14 Tomcat a symbol of U.S. military power.
A Unique Journey
Our virtual museum is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines art, technology, and a love for aeronautics. We examine the F-14, its role in combat, and its impact on military aviation, focusing not only on meticulously recreating each Tomcat manufactured but also on collecting, illustrating, and publishing the unique stories behind each F-14, most of which we hope to collect and publish with the help of those who had the honor of flying or serving on the most deadly and feared US Navy fighter ever built. Whether you are an experienced veteran or just a fan who wants to share your enthusiasm for the Tomcat, the doors of Hangar 14 are always open for you.
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THAT DAY WHEN VF-21 US NAVY F-14A TOMCATS SHOOT DOWN ALL F-15J EAGLES ADVERSARIES IN SIMULATED COMBAT
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THE Stories
Hangar 14 is a gathering place where you can share your personal F-14 experiences, from simple opinions to full narratives. Whether it’s personal stories from airshows, deck crew tasks, maintenance operations, or accounts of combat missions, we at Hangar 14 believe these tales—many of which are remembered only by those who have lived them— deserve to be valorized and shared, and we encourage the public to do so. We plan to illustrate the best stories and make them available in eBook format for free to all museum members. If you wish to collaborate on this initiative, you can contact us using the designated space for it. We will warmly welcome any contributions.
THE exhibition room
Hangar 14 presently showcases over 150 meticulously replicated Tomcats in all its variants. The exhibit is arranged by Bureau Numbers, or BuNos, which are the serial numbers assigned by the U.S. Navy to its aircraft upon their induction into service. Each F-14 is arranged sequentially according to its BuNo, along with the corresponding liveries for each squadron or air unit in which it was deployed. Although the collection is incomplete, the museum aims to showcase at least one livery for each of the 632 Tomcats built by Grumman for the U.S. Navy.
THE VIRTUAL WALK AROUND
Take a virtual tour of the F-14 Tomcat to discover more about its construction, components, and fighting prowess. The dynamic nature of multiple sections of the virtual walk-around allows extensive exploration of the most important aspects of the Grumman's cat. Many elements in this section are fully interactive, allowing users to take a close look at the content. This immersive experience not only highlights the impressive engineering behind the F-14 Tomcat but also provides insights into its operational history and significance in naval aviation. As users navigate through the tour, they can engage with detailed animations and expert commentary that bring the aircraft’s features and capabilities to life.
What you will discover
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Black LIon 101
According to the markings on its side, Black Lion 101 (F-14D BuNo 164341) participated in the Global War on Terrorism campaign conducted by the United States following the September 11 attacks in 2001. As part of this operation, the VF-213 "Black Lions" squadron conducted 454 bombing sorties in Afghanistan and 198 in Iraq.
