Re: the F-14...
The Tomcat was a fine aircraft, but it was a maintenance hog. The A-4 was much easier handle in close and was not as complex an aircraft. The F-18 is in between the A-4 and the F-14. It is closer to the F-4, in my opinion, for jet aerobatics.
Re: Quonset Point...
I can’t remember the holiday. It could have been July 4th as it seems it was in the middle of the summer. If I ever find the slides, I’ll post them.
I think Quonset Point was an ASW base and I think they housed some S-2F Tracker squadrons in that era.
Unless there were two shows at Quonset that year, it had to be Memorial Day. I was commissioned and shoved off on June 12th. I seem to recall the airshow was held on a cloudy day, but it was mild.