I know that this is not RC Jet related, but I thought it would be appropriate to share it. I got all choked up awatching it as I am a huge fan of the F-14 Tomcat.

http://www.navytimes.com/static.php?...ight080206.php

Thanks
Anthony

Thanks for sharing...

Well, I guess that this is something unexpected , but seems that the F-14´s will still be flying for a while... [:-]

Enrique

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/q0077.shtml

As a past Tomcat Tweeker it is a sad day to see the bird pass from the scene knowing that it is still one of the best fighters out there.

I would bet a significant amount of money that the number of Iranian F-14's that are still even flyable, much less can fight, is a big fat zero...

Bob

You know, the Tomcat was an awesome aircraft in its day, but the mission it was designed for, that of protecting a carrier group from over-the-horizon missles fired from Backfires and Bears, has gone away - as has the fire-and-forget, over-the-horizon capability of the Phoenix which the politicians never would have let been used in their intended fashion anyway.

That, coupled with the fact that its old, not particularly fuel efficient, capable, or stealthy, and was a typical Grumman complex maintenance hog, ment that it was time to go. The A6 was an awesome aircraft in its day too, but it was time for it to leave when it did as well.

The end of an era for sure, but I for one am looking forward to the first F-35 deployment. I hope that doesn't get strangled by the bean counters in DC...

Bob

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...craft/f-14.htm

Agree that the airplane aged a lot, but seems that it would be plenty capable if updated with more modern systems! there is a excelent article on this subject here:

http://www.flightjournal.com/fj/arti...8/f14f18_1.asp

Enrique

Thanks for sharing AAbdu.

The Tomcat is and will always be one of my favorite planes, and it is really sad to see it go. For me, and I'm sure I'm not alone, there is a certain romantacism about planes that have the right shape... kind of a sexyness to them.. and the tomcat had it all, from the swing wings, to the way the engines set angled outwards, to the big twin verticals, and who could forget the movie Top Gun.... I don't know, I guess its the kind of things that dreams are made of, just a beautiful figure that you can stare at for hours, there are few planes in history that just have that "thing" and the tomcat was one of them. RIP friend

Great link!!

Every now and then you need to reflect on something great, and the Tomcat was just that. I was an Air Force guy for the few who don't know. I was a Viper keeper and a keeper of the Black Jet in the years I crewed the line. But I can honestly say, we always stopped and watched when a Tomcat would enter the pattern and land at an Air Force Base. It was one of the great ones.

It is a design that is right; by the look, the performance, and the ability; there weren't many that could top it. It can be summed up by the statement of "Great American Ingenuity" and one "*****in' Bird".

All good things must come to an end, and for the F-14 its days are short. But as they say .... "heros may come and go, but Legends never die".

To those who maintained and flew her, great job and thanks for the work. To the birds which we all have come to love...... "God Speed" my friend.

2006 will be a really sad year for all Tomcat fans, for those lucky enough to live close to Oceana don't miss the airshow this year, the F-14 appearance is not yet confirmed, but where else can you say good bye to the baby.

http://www.oceanaairshow.com

Ditto Muggenkid. We understand each other mate. You said exactly what I would have said. Living in the UK I have never seen a Tomcat and I doubt I will ever see one fly now[&o]
Sad Day

I am a Tomcat lover since ever I saw it for the first time. Before Top Gun (a classic for that plane) was another movie called "The Final Countdown" (1980 !) in which the sequences of the confrontation between Zero Fighters and F-14 were awesome. Remember that F-14 passing below the Zero and pulling up in front of him, filmed in front of the action ? That plane is as sexy as a plane can be...

For it beeing the best fighter out there, you can be sure that if it was, the US Navy wouldn't have them depart the fleet.

Sk

Thanks for posting that link, Anthony.

nick

On what date did they OFFICIALLY retite the F-14? I was in a hospital from August 2004 and my short term memory is not so good. Now ask me about Carrie Helms under the "kissing tree" back in the second grade!

I was in virginia beach when they where practising for the big day
brian

The Full Size F-14 just retired, but our new EDF F-14 just come out....

Nice one Eric, what are the specs?
Is it ready know?

Michel

The EDF F-14 Length is 47 1/4" (1200mm), Wingspan 48.1" (1223mm). Suggest power for twin 70mm AirPower AP-700 fun unties. The plane come with not paint white, or painted gray or blue. you can buy the plane only or combo with power system.