GRUMMAN TFX(N) CUTAWAY MISSILE DESIGN MODEL.

GRUMMAN TFX(N) CUTAWAY MISSILE DESIGN MODEL.
Model in wood and metal, with cutaway details and labeled sub-assemblies, on painted wooden stand, with aluminum plaque engraved with Grumman logo, "TFX(N) Missile — Design 327" and the words "Confidential" at top and bottom, 39 inches x approximately 3-1/2 inches diameter main fuselage, in custom wooden box.
Provenance: Manufactured by a major aerospace model shop.

In February 1961 Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara directed the Air Force and Navy to undertake a joint effort to develop an aircraft to meet both of their requirements. Dubbed the Tactical Fighter Experiment (TFX), the contract for what was to become the F-111 was awarded to General Dynamics, opening up an opportunity for design of weapons systems for the new aircraft by other contractors. This design would probably have been an air-to-air missile proposal for the F-111. Disputes between Air Force and Navy requirements for the F-111A and F-111B led to the abandonment of the latter, and the eventual development of the F14 Tomcat by Grumman to meet the Navy's requirement.