USN Photo of Day: Forever-Fearsome F-14 Tomcat Fighter Jet's Last Official Launch, Flyby, Landing

United States NavyNews- Eye On the Fleet ^ | July 28, 2006 | Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird, USN

[EnjoyingLife]

Photo #1: 060728-N-7241L-026 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - An F-14D Tomcat, aircraft number 100, assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) makes a near supersonic fly-by above the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37555 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-026.jpg

Photo #2: 060728-N-7241L-015 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - An F-14D Tomcat, aircraft number 100, assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) makes a near supersonic fly-by above the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37558 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-015.jpg

Photo #3: 060728-N-7241L-005 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), aircraft number 112, prepares for launch on the ship's number three catapult during the final launch of an F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The last launch marks the end of an era for Naval Aviation. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37560 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-005.jpg

Photo #4: 060728-N-7241L-005 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) – Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), aircraft number 112, prepares for launch on the ship's number three catapult during the final launch of an F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The last launch marks the end of an era for Naval Aviation. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37561 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-004.jpg

Photo #5: 060728-N-7241L-023 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat, aircraft number 101, piloted by Lieutenant Chris Rattigan and Lieutenant Paul Dort assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), complete the last scheduled arrested landing of an F-14 fighter aircraft. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED) . Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37556 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-023.jpg

Additional F-14 Tomcat Photos, 28 July 2006, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Atlantic Ocean:

1. http://www.navy.mil/list_all.asp?id=24913
2. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37554
3. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37553
4. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37552
5. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37556
6. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37557
7. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37559
8. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37561
9. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37562
10. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37563
11. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37555
12. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37558
13. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37560

[EnjoyingLife]

Tomcat Chapter Draws to a Close

Story Number: NNS060729-02
Release Date: 7/29/2006 7:56:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark A. Catalano, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

ABOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (NNS) -- A long, storied chapter in naval aviation history came to a close July 28 with the final aircraft carrier flight operations for F-14 Tomcats, fighter jets that have spent more than 32 years in the fleet but are now retiring and making room for F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

The final aircraft carrier operational launch for Tomcats happened aboard the Norfolk-based Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) when aircraft No. 112 from the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron (VF) 31, piloted by Lt. Blake Coleman and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Cmdr. Dave Lauderbaugh, made its way down catapult No. 3 at 4:42 p.m.

"Bittersweet is a perfect term for this," said Tomcatters' Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jim Howe. "As a career F-14 pilot, I would be much happier flying the Tomcat until the end of my days in the Navy. But instead we have to enjoy this as long as we can."

The Navy's transition from the F-14D Tomcat fighter jet to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a strike-fighter aircraft, is all but complete, as Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8's Tomcatters now make up the final F-14 squadron.

As part of the final transition, F-14 pilots and maintainers will take on any necessary additional training and learn the ins and outs of Super Hornets, which Howe said is a much easier aircraft to work with.

"One of the reasons the Tomcat is going away is because it's so hard to fix," Howe said. "I'm happy for my young maintenance guys, because they've worked their tails off and they can fix just about anything. So, this transition to the Super Hornet, because that particular aircraft is so much easier to maintain, will be an easy one for them."

Dating back to its initial combat missions during Vietnam and spanning to its most recent combat missions in the Persian Gulf, the F-14 Tomcat has played a vital role in naval aviation.

The Tomcat entered operational service with Navy fighter squadrons VF-1 Wolfpack and VF-2 Bounty Hunters aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in September 1974. The F-14's purpose was to serve as a fighter interceptor, eventually replacing the F-4 Phantom II Fighter, which was completely phased-out in 1986.

Although its dogfighting superiority had already been made clear through simulated training missions, the F-14 was first tested in combat operations in August 1981. While on patrol outside Libya, two F-14As were fired upon by two Libyan Sukhoi SU-22s. The Tomcat pilots safely maneuvered from a defensive position to an offensive one before engaging and destroying both SUs.

Four years later in 1985, F-14s were called upon in response to the hijacking of an Italian cruise ship. The terrorists, who were from the Palestine Liberation Organization, attempted to make an escape after going ashore and boarding a Boeing-737 commercial airliner. Tomcats from VF-74 and VF-103 were launched from USS Saratoga (CV 60) to intercept the 737. The terrorists, realizing they were no match for the Tomcat's air-to-air attack capabilities, allowed the airliner to safely land in Sigonella, Sicily.

In 1989, the Tomcat was once again challenged by Libya when two MiG-23 Floggers engaged two F-14As from VF-32 that were flying combat air patrol missions from aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The MiG-23s were determined hostile and the eight-minute engagement resulted in the downing of both Floggers.

During its first 17 years of operational service in the Navy, the Tomcat played a vital role as an interceptor with its air-to-air capabilities. However, during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, where there was more need for air-to-ground abilities, the need for the Tomcat's air-to-air capabilities diminished.

Despite its many upgrades over the years, from the F-14A, to the F-14B, and finally the F-14D with its powerful GE F110 engines and more sophisticated weaponry and surveillance equipment, it appeared the Tomcat's days were fading fast.

However, this state of uncertainty wouldn't last for long. Shortly following the Persian Gulf War, Navy leaders decided to devise removable bomb racks for Tomcats to allow them to carry MK-80 "dumb" bombs. The Tomcats were also given the Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) targeting system to allow for delivery of laser-guided bombs. With its new upgrades the Tomcat's were soon dubbed "Bombcats."

"This aircraft has done a lot for naval aviation history," said Senior Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic (AW) Fred Parker. "It's obviously been through, and played a vital role in, many wars and evolutions."

During the proceeding years, the F-14s took on a new, more effective role as a fighter-bomber.

In Operation Deliberate Force in Bosnia, the Tomcats delivered laser-guided bombs while other aircraft painted the targets with lasers. The Navy was credited with 30 percent of the kills against forces in Kosovo as a result of the bombing performance of the Tomcat.

The F-14 also demonstrated its ground attack capabilities in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2002, VF-14 led the first long-range tactical air strike, flying more than 1,700 miles round trip to Mazar-e Sharif, destroying Taliban aircraft on the ground. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Tomcats lived up to their "Bombcat" nickname with their air-to-ground missions, continuing to save the lives of coalition ground forces.

"I will never forget flying a ‘show of force' over a city in Iraq where our troops were taking fire from insurgents," said Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Knepper, a pilot for VF-31. "After making a high speed/low altitude pass over the shoot-out, the insurgents fled and hopefully, we saved the lives of some of our Soldiers. The Tomcat has been a phenomenal part of naval aviation. It will be sad to see such a storied fighter decommissioned."

The Tomcat has been leading the way in naval aviation for some time now, but just like a senior Sailor retiring to make way for a new up and coming junior Sailor, it is time for the Tomcat to retire and make way for the Super Hornet.

"A lot of the guys in the squadron have been upbeat and we've been having a great time, but this is bittersweet," said Lt. Chris Rattigan, a pilot for VF-31 who piloted the final arrested landing today. "Now we'll transition to the F/A-18E, which is a single-seat version of the Super Hornet. It's okay though. I'm just glad to have gotten the chance to be a part of this aircraft. It's been a lot of fun. This is something I've always wanted to do growing up, and I was lucky enough to be able to do it."

TR is currently training as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in the Atlantic Ocean.

For related news, visit the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn71/ .

Source: http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=24913

[Ken522]

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but what is a "Mass Communications Specialist?" When I was in the Navy they were called Photographers Mates ...

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Good morning, ping

[Fury]

A ping for you re: naval aviation...

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Don't let reuters get these photos! They'll add Lebanese children being bombed.................

[shekkian]

Sweet, and sad.

[Thunderchief F-105]

.......good question...!! this rating was JUST established by the U.S. Navy, effective 01 July of this year... it combines the rates of Journalist (JO), Photographer's Mate (PH) and (I think...) the rates of Lithographer and Draftsman.... lots of changes in the U.S. Navy these days....!! old ratings disappearing; new ratings being established (I'll bet you didn't know that the old rating of Commisaryman (CS) is gone.... was changed years ago to Mess Management Specialist, and withing the past couple of years to Culinary Specialist or some such..... oh, well; progress....!!!!!

[JamesP81]

bttt

[brothers4thID]

Mark for later.

[spanalot]

Amazin Pix - and what beast of a machine! Hard to think its outdated.

[Pukin Dog]

Brought a tear to my eye.

Thank you for the post. Nice pics.

Interesting that they used only the 2-3 wires for landing.

I especially like the picture at # http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37552 with the very nice tribute by the launchers (yellow shirts) and it shows just what a big beast the F-14 is. No aircraft will ever be missed more then the big Cat coming into the break. A damn shame her days are over.

[ThinkingMan]

As an 19 year old kid, being a plane-captain and watching "my" F-14 launch off the cat at night will always be one of my fondest memories.

[Thunderchief F-105]

.......indeed.....! on the other hand, and I believe I recall this correctly, on the History Channel or some such, with all of the upgrades, improvements, airframe modifications, and other enhancements already in place and projected, the U.S. Air Force's Boeing B-52 fleet will be close to 90 years old when those aircraft are slated to be retired....!! simply incredible....

[noname07718]

If you want to see one of these beautiful machines, go the Ronald Reagan library in Simi Valley, California. They have on of these aircraft outside and the actual Air Force 1 (Tail # 27000) inside the library. Quite an impressive visit for a VERY impressive man.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Hard to be these are obsolete.

[Riptides]

Awesome! Go Navy!

[spanalot]

"the U.S. Air Force's Boeing B-52 fleet will be close to 90 years old when those aircraft are slated to be retired..."

Whats gonna replace these workhorses? I wonder if it will be unmanned.

[hiramknight]

The most impressive demonstration of U.S. technology and American skill that I ever witnessed was at the hands of Navy Captain flying a flight demo in an F-14 at an airshow in 1987. The awesome power of the machine, coupled with precise skill of the pilot left the entire crowd at NAS JAX open mouthed and speechless. The finale was the aircraft flying into an open area between the two runways. He came in dirty with flaps, gear, and arrester down and wings extended. He then banked and began flying a low slow circle. After a couple of revolutions the gear came up, on the next pass the tailhook was up, the next pass flaps up, the next pass the wings began to sweep. Now this guy was completely perpendicular to the ground at about 100 feet agl spinning in cirle with full afterburners gaining speed with every pass. After about a half dozen revolutions, as he passed outbound from the crowd, he straightened up and yanked back on the stick, went completely verticle and was a gray speck against the blue sky in about 5 seconds time. He then just disappeared.

At the time I was attached to P3 squadron, and many in the crowd were active duty Navy as well and you could sense the pride in everyone around. Everyone was just looking around in total disbelief at what they just witnessed. It remains today the most impressive thing I have ever seen a machine do and that includes being witness to a few dozen Shuttle launches.

[rahbert]

progress.

[Thunderchief F-105]

...you are probably right on that one.... also, the Boeing KC-135 tanker fleet is, if anything, even older than the B-52 fleet... and the KC-135s have been given many, many upgrades and improvements over the past few years, and like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep on goin' and goin' and goin' .........I'm not sure where the KC-135 tanker replacement aircraft is in the scheme of things... there was a lot of controversy several years ago over that project.....I guess, though, if you have unmanned bombers and fighters, probably no need for refuelers, either...

[Renfield]

Any navy zoomies on this thread? What do you think of the Super Hornet?

[CTOCS]

The KC-135 is the USAF version of the Boeing 707. Can't swear to it, but I don't think they are older then the 52's.

I heard at one time the KC-135 replacement was going to be the Boeing 767. Anybody else heard anything like that?

[EnjoyingLife]

UPDATE: The caption for Photo #4 is incorrect (as is the text used in the photos's ALT tag). Here's the corrected version:

Photo #4: 060728-N-7241L-004 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), aircraft number 112, completes the final catapult launch of an F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The last launch marks the end of an era for Naval Aviation. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37561 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-004.jpg

[NCC-1701]

With a projection like that, it would be quite interesting to find out how much of the ORIGINAL metal would be in those BUFFS. BTW, it looks like the Tomcat in Pic. #3 is getting a royal sendoff. Looks like the three guys under the left wing had been practicing their "cleared to lauch" motions a lot for that launch. I hate to see the Tomcat consigned to museums like the SR-71 has been. They are still usefull tools of the trade.

[Thunderchief F-105]

...the first KC-135A was purchasedby the U.S. Air Force in 1954; I know the B-52 "BUFF" went through several models, the earlier ones (A, B, D...?) having been retired to the "boneyard." The current B-52s are G and H models, I think.....??? and so I doubt they are as old as the KC-135s that are currently flying (the last KC-135 ride I took was on an aircraft with a 1957 tail number....!). I am not sure; never worked on any bomber aircraft; all of my Air Force service was on fighters and the A-7D series... the Boeing 767 series might very well be under consideration for the Air Force's next-generation tanker....

[CTOCS]

You make a valid point. However, I was referring the introduction of the "airframe", not how many revs and updates it's gone through.

[Paleo Conservative]

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

[raygun]

Nice shots of transonic Prandtl-Glauert singularity phenomenon.

[jpsb]

Good-bye to a great American warrior, maybe events will give the old war horse one last gift.

[freedumb2003]

Very cool pic there.

So sad such a valiant and beautiful warrior is being retired

[USNBandit]

Good legs, decent payload, but really slow.

[OregonRancher]

The book "TOMCAT Bye-Bye-Baby...!" is a huge image and text coffee table box that is awesome. Two hundred thick,
glossy photos of the bird that have never been published before. Worth every penny and more. And the stories that go with the pics are priceless.... Just published.

[wjcsux]

I sure hate to see this wonderful bird retire. I spent a few years working upgrades to the F-14. I worked on the re-engine to the GE F-110 from the P&W TF-30. The weapons systems upgrade to the Hughes AN/APG-71 and the AIM-54C upgrade.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

what beast of a machine! Hard to think its outdated.

In capability it is not outdated. Although it was designed for a new engine which was cancelled by the Navy, most F-14s built were initially equipped with the obsolescent Pratt & Whitney TF-30 engine. That severely limited the airplane compared to its design capability, yet it was still far superior to any other Navy fighter and competitive in performance with the F-15 which had much more powerful engines.

Despite its many upgrades over the years, from the F-14A, to the F-14B, and finally the F-14D with its powerful GE F110 engines and more sophisticated weaponry and surveillance equipment, it appeared the Tomcat's days were fading fast.

That is silly. The F-14B (a more powerful P&W engine) was tested but never produced. In 1980 I was appalled to learn that the F110 engine would not be tested for years. The F-14A was built throughout the '70s and well into the 1980s; I wonder if any other aircraft model was built longer than the F-14A.

When the F101DFE was finally tested in the F-14 and redesignated the F110, it was a revelation. Not only far more capable than the TF-30, but far more operable since it was practically invulnerable to the stalling tendencies which were the bane of the F-14A pilot's existence. The adoption of the F110 engine was late in the F-14's production cycle; Dick Cheney cancelled the program fairly early in the GHW Bush Administration.

There were really only two versions of the plane, the A and the D. The basic aircraft was designed capable of air-ground mission, but the F-14 drivers actively opposed developing and testing that capability. Ultimately the F-14 became a good attack plane simply because it had good ordinance load capacity, and because with the advent of smart bombs it its no longer necessary to be able to release bombs with excellent precision to achieve excellent results.

If you would speak of a plane which actually has undergone "many upgrades over the years," look no further than the F-17. It was upgraded from the "lightweight fighter" competitor to the F-16 which was adopted by the USAF but rejected by the Navy. The Navy modified it into the F-18 carrying Sparrow missiles as well as sidewinders, and though various iterations into the F-18E/F which is bigger than, and almost 100% incompatible with, earlier F-18 models. Different engines, different wing, different fuselage. But it still is not the airframe that the F-14 was in terms of range, performance, and armament payload.

The reach of naval aviation is degraded by the retirement of the F-14.

[SkyPilot]

Thanks for the ping - these are great pictures.

[pepperdog]

Only H's left now, altho there may still be an earlier model left at Edwards that does the drops.

[phantomworker]

Love the F-14. The Blue Angels were in town, so I've been watching F/A-18's maneuver in the sky all last week. Amazing.

[JRios1968]

I have to admit, the Blue Angels are more impressive than the Thunderbirds, seeing how their maneuvers are done without G-suits.

[EnjoyingLife]

In post #18 hiramknight wrote: The most impressive demonstration of U.S. technology and American skill that I ever witnessed was at the hands of Navy Captain flying a flight demo in an F-14 at an airshow in 1987. The awesome power of the machine, coupled with precise skill of the pilot left the entire crowd at NAS JAX open mouthed and speechless. The finale was the aircraft flying into an open area between the two runways. He came in dirty with flaps, gear, and arrester down and wings extended. He then banked and began flying a low slow circle. After a couple of revolutions the gear came up, on the next pass the tailhook was up, the next pass flaps up, the next pass the wings began to sweep. Now this guy was completely perpendicular to the ground at about 100 feet agl spinning in cirle with full afterburners gaining speed with every pass. After about a half dozen revolutions, as he passed outbound from the crowd, he straightened up and yanked back on the stick, went completely verticle and was a gray speck against the blue sky in about 5 seconds time. He then just disappeared.

At the time I was attached to P3 squadron, and many in the crowd were active duty Navy as well and you could sense the pride in everyone around. Everyone was just looking around in total disbelief at what they just witnessed. It remains today the most impressive thing I have ever seen a machine do and that includes being witness to a few dozen Shuttle launches.

I got the chills while reading this story! Who was the pilot, was this stunning demonstration preserved on film or in photographs, and what would it take to get that F-14 crew connected to FreeRepublic.com?

Here's what I don't understand: America's enemies, the ones with military air power, watch the U.S. airshow performances, right? Our enemies can see that U.S. fighter/bomber pilots are highly trained and are almost fused with the aircraft they are handling to the point that the aircraft is extension of their own bodies, or I am assumming too much? And they know that the shock-and-awe skills, techniques, precision seen during the airshow apply to the battlefield also, don't they? Then why did the two Libyan pilots risk their lives in 1989 after they saw (a) what happened in 1981 when two F-14 Tomcats pilots destroyed two Libyan Sukhoi SU-22s that provoked the F-14 pilots to a fight (see post #1 for the account) and (b) that in 1985 terrorists had enough sense to realize that although the F-14 Tomcat is smaller than an 737 airliner this was one battle the terrorists weren't going to win (again see post #1 for more details)???

[hiramknight]

"I got the chills while reading this story! Who was the pilot, was this stunning demonstration preserved on film or in photographs, and what would it take to get that F-14 crew connected to FreeRepublic.com?"


I don't have photos or video. I don't recall the pilots name, I just remember that he was a full captain, which I found unusual that someone of that rank would be flying a flight demo. It was one of those moments that started out like "yea, yea, yea. Ive seen dozens of different flight demos, let's go get a beer", that turned into one of the most unforgetable moments in my life. It was almost mystical so to speak.

[Northern Yankee]

LOL...

Great aticle!

[LM_Guy]

The end of an era is at hand......

[Tommyjo]

The B at Edwards got replaced by an H.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Are you sure about the range part of the SuperHornet???I've read numerous articles criticising it's combat radius when compared to stuff like the Strike Eagle or CFT equipped F-16s.Which is probably why those 2 aircraft still are winning orders,while the more modern Super Hornet still has a bare cupboard.I think there was an article in Janes last year or so about a proposed "Block-3" variant to hedge against delays in the JSF.It's supposed to be more stealthy,uprated F-414 engines & possibly conformal fuel tanks.Now that's a possible winner on the export front!!!

[Renfield]

THe Super Hornet is optimised for Carrier-based operation. The US is the major market for carrier-launched fighters; I wouldn't expect a huge export market for the Super Hornet. The F-16 is a much more cost-efficient platform for any buyer who will launch from land only.

[sukhoi-30mki]

So was the Hornet-but it won orders from around 6 countries!!! Being carrier-specific is in fact an advantage for some countries which need aircraft with rugged engines & reinforced undercarriages among other things.

[EnjoyingLife]

In post #40 on 8/8/2006 hiramknight wrote: "I don't have photos or video. I don't recall the pilots name, I just remember that he was a full captain, which I found unusual that someone of that rank would be flying a flight demo. It was one of those moments that started out like "yea, yea, yea. Ive seen dozens of different flight demos, let's go get a beer", that turned into one of the most unforgetable moments in my life. It was almost mystical so to speak."

Could the pilot have been USN Captain Dale "Snort" Snodgrass? The F-14 pilot that did this famous and amazing 1989 maneuver near the USS America?

(Photo source: http://aerofiles.com/f14flyby.html)

Captain Snodgrass talks about the maneuver, and much more, in the following interview with John "Spoons" Sponauer:

"Q&A: Capt. Dale "Snort" Snodgrass (USN, Ret)" by John "Spoons" Sponauer: http://www.sponauer.com/snodgrass/index.html

[EnjoyingLife]

Image link: http://www.aviation-fr.info/militaire/murduson/F14%20Tomcat%20066.jpg

Via: http://www.aviation-fr.info/militaire/IIB1.php (page 1), http://www.aviation-fr.info/militaire/IIB2.php (page 2)

Prandtl-Glauert Condensation Clouds and the F-14 Tomcat:
1. http://FluidMech.net/tutorials/sonic/prandtl-glauert-clouds.htm (Prandtl-Glauert vapor cloud tutorial)
2. http://www.GalleryOfFluidMechanics.com/conden/pg_sing.htm
3. http://ChamorroBible.org/gpw/gpw-20040817.htm
4. http://ChamorroBible.org/gpw/gpw-20040818.htm

[elc]

My dad (F-14 RIO) and I were talking recently about the Israeli-Hezbollah war. We were talking about the use of human shields and placing weapons near residential areas, mosques, etc. He vividly remembers taking photos of a (insert big a** gun here) on top of a mosque in Beirut in the 80s (83 I believe). A very good friend of the family was shot down maybe the next night. I was only 8 at the time so the timing is cloudy in my memory. I just remember getting the phone call and being glued to CNN. Does anyone remember the days that CNN just basically rolled headlines up over a blue background?

[EnjoyingLife]

A sobering F-14 Tomcat story: "Remember My Mistakes" by Lt. Christopher Alexander
http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/MEDIA/approach/issues/mayjun06/Remember_My_Mistakes.htm