Hobby Master Archive

In early 1981 VF-31 received the Grumman F-14A Tomcat and in 1992 upgraded to the F-14D Super Tomcat. In 2002 VF-31 was onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and heading home from Operation Enduring Freedom when they were ordered back to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Like many squadrons that were deployed over the Christmas season they painted an aircraft with a Santa theme so F-14D 164601 was chosen. Felix The Cat was painted on the tail wearing a small Santa hat still carrying his fused bomb.