Near Hickory in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Grumman F-14D "Tomcat"

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

1. Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" Marker

Inscription. 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.

Role Interceptor, air superiority andmulti-role combat aircraft
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 2x Pratt & Whitney TF30, later replaced by 2x GE F110-GE400 Turbofan
Unit cost US$38 million (1998)

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

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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.

General characteristics
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 x 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 2 x 267 gallon external tank

Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1,544 mph, 2,485 km/h) at high altitude
Combat radius: 500 nmi (575 mi, 962 km)
Ferry Range: 1,600 nmi (1,8840 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 x 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

Erected by Hickory

Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

2. Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" and Marker

Aviation Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is December 21, 1970.

Location. 35° 44.498′ N, 81° 23.366′ W. Marker is near Hickory, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on 9th Avenue Drive Northwest 0.6 miles west of 24th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. The marker and aircraft display are part of the Hickory Aviation Museum located at Hickory Regional Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3101 9th Ave Drive NW, Hickory NC 28601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" side view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

3. Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" side view

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" (a few steps from this marker); Grumann F-9 "Cougar" (a few steps from this marker); Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King (a few steps from this marker); Grumman OV-1D Mohawk (a few steps from this marker); North American FJ-3 "Fury" (a few steps from this marker); P-3 Orion (a few steps from this marker); Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" (within shouting distance of this marker); Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hickory.

Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" serial number 163902 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025

4. Grumman F-14D "Tomcat" serial number 163902

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.