Northrop Grumman

The history of Northrop and Grumman is reflected in some remarkably different aircraft. From carrier-based fighters of the Second World War to the unusual flying-wing design of the B-2 Spirit, these machines represent very different approaches to military aviation. The COBI Northrop Grumman collection brings several of them together in one range, giving builders a chance to explore how aircraft design changed over the decades.

From the Wildcat and Hellcat to the Tomcat

Some of the oldest aircraft in the collection date back to the Second World War. The F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat were carrier fighters developed for the U.S. Navy, while the TBF Avenger was designed as a torpedo bomber. Their appearance in the collection adds an important historical dimension: these are aircraft from a period when naval aviation relied heavily on piston engines and carrier-based operations.

The F-14 Tomcat represents a completely different chapter. Developed for the U.S. Navy decades later, it became known for its variable-sweep wings and distinctive two-seat configuration. COBI offers both the F-14 Tomcat and F-14A Tomcat, giving collectors two closely related versions of one of the best-known Grumman aircraft.

Northrop F-5 and the B-2 Spirit

The Northrop part of the collection covers another set of design ideas. The F-5A Freedom Fighter and F-5E Tiger II are compact supersonic fighters that became widely used by air forces around the world. Their relatively small size and straightforward aerodynamic form make them particularly interesting subjects for brick-built models.

At the other end sits the Northrop B-2 Spirit. Its broad flying-wing configuration looks unlike a conventional aircraft and reflects an entirely different approach to reducing radar visibility. As the largest model in this selection, it also has a strong presence as a display piece.

Build a cross-section of military aviation

The Northrop Grumman collection works especially well as a chronological display. A Wildcat or Hellcat can be placed alongside the F-14 to show how naval fighters changed after 1945, while the F-5 models introduce the fighter concept of the Cold War. The B-2 then provides a striking contrast to all of them.

Rather than focusing on one aircraft or one historical conflict, these COBI building sets offer a compact look at several stages of American aircraft development. They are suited to collectors interested in military aviation as well as builders who want models with a clear historical background and distinctive shapes.