US Navy F-14 Tomcat Fighter "Anytime Baby" Roundel Shirt
US Navy F-14 Tomcat Fighter "Anytime Baby" Roundel Shirt
The F-14 Tomcat, a legendary supersonic, twin-engine fighter introduced by Grumman in the 1970s, symbolized American naval air superiority. Its variable-sweep wings enabled versatility in both dogfights and high-speed interceptions. Equipped with advanced radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missiles, it could target multiple threats at long range. Widely recognized for its role in the U.S. Navy and its iconic appearance in Top Gun, the Tomcat, retired in 2006, remains celebrated for its exceptional performance and influence on modern aerial combat tactics.
The iconic F-14 Tomcat logo was created by Grumman’s Dick Milligan and artist Jim Rodriguez at the request of Norm Gandia, a former Blue Angels pilot. Rodriguez based the design on a tabby cat named "Tom," drawing it as a tough-looking tomcat with boxing gloves, trunks, and a six-shooter—mirroring the F-14’s weapon placement—with two tails to represent the aircraft's design. The slogan "Anytime Baby!" was Gandia’s addition, challenging the Air Force’s F-15 Eagle.