Posted on 07/24/2014 11:38:33 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
because the F-14 was an awesome beast?
I work for the DoD at a depot facility that used to overhaul and rework those birds. The artisans/mechanics that are still around that used to work on them have fond memories and miss them. A lot of those same folks now work the F-18s, their feeling towards the Hornets are not quite as pleasant.
Hornets by mandate! Tomcats by choice!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58QOBqAWNzE
Top Gun—Highway to the Danger Zone
F-14, take a bow.
From 1986—when we had a real President.
I served on board 2 carriers that flew F-14’s. Impressive craft.
Great stuff!
I was at Edwards AFB in the mid 70s doing some flight testing on the ‘15, and we did do some air to air with the ‘14s. The descriptions provided pretty much match what I remember. One thing we ‘15 types learned quickly is that the ‘14s could engage (via the Phoenix) at ranges well beyond anything allowing us to respond. If we could get close, it was a different story, but beyond that...prepare to get “Phoenixed”.
Ping.
We had the Turkeys on my first cruise.
It was a great interceptor, but dogfighting not so much (I’m sure every F-14 driver will scream otherwise).
Luckily being a great interceptor was more important.
Interestingly, when I went through P-cola a few years before this gentleman, the F-14 was generally the #3 or #4 choice for NFOs after A-6s, EA-6Bs, and S-3s.
Between that movie and Mad Max — no sidekick should ever want the moniker of “Goose.”
Still, Topper Harley was one heck of a pilot.
I’m curious, what happens to UCAV when a stutznetz hits the whole system?
Is the war over?
Or if one nuke goes off at Nellis?
Speaking of movies:
F-14 Tomcat Scenes from “The Final Countdown”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SwgU42XSpw
I have heard that the Super Bug sims all have NAS Miramar programmed into them; a pass by the tower is a right of passage for nuggets.
bump
Bump
When I went through NFO training, there were more F-14 billets than volunteers. To each his own.
F-14 Tomcat: Demonstration by Dale Snodgrass :: 1996 Cleveland National Air Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLDR8jWUJJE
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