F-14 is a very expensive and computer complicated plane. Very often the EE Grumman trouble shooter has to be sent out to solve a mysterious problem.

A retired CPO once told me that the F-4 was proof that with enough engine, a brick could fly...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159063564.jpg


"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"

Years ago, Car and Driver did an article about the "last of the F-4" squadrons, and the F-4 drivers did not care too much for the Tomcat. I recall the author was presented with a Zippo lighter with the inscription, "Better to have a sister in a whorehouse than a brother flying F-14s!"

they flew an f-14 demo at the cleveland airshow a few years ago.....a couple pics.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159075403.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159075441.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159075545.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159075557.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159075619.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159075631.jpg

I used to fix F-4s when I was a young man and hated to see them go...I have heard the one quoted earlier that "an F-4 is proof that with enough horsepower...even a brick will fly" many times. It was one heck of an aircraft..especially after they upgraded the engines and they quit smoking so bad.

Re: F-14s being retired...
 

In actual fact, other than those lost to accidents and aerial combat, all Iranian F-14's are fully operational and have been substantially upgraded from their original configurations. The Phoenix missiles are substantially upgraded as well.

Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

And what is your source for this actual fact???

Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat and the Tomcat forum which is composed of former Tomcat pilots and crews, and other experts in the aircraft.

Re: Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

Got a link that works?

Apparently there are differing views...some links say the Russians re-worked the aircraft, others say Bravo Sierra.

Key is that the US has not supported these aircraft for decades...I am still looking for the configuration the Russians have put together.

Very cool video, thanks

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

Try this: http://tinyurl.com/mvm84

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

An Amazon site to a paperback book entitled "Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat"

That is your "in actual fact" source???

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

Perhaps it's a book written by Lew Rockwell. That would be enough to make it "actual fact" in Pat's eyes. :rolleyes:

Randy

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

Since you've obviously not read, or even heard of, the book, you'd do well to acquire a copy before you denigrate the information in it.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

The book was published in 2004, what does it have to do with their status as of today?

all Iranian F-14's are fully operational

Prove it and not by citing a paperback published years ago.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: F-14s being retired...
 

I've presented my information, you don't like it.

Let's see you prove your point of view.

As of 2000 it was estimated that only 40 of the 132 F-4Ds, 177 F-4Es and 16 RF-4E. Phantoms delivered before 1979 remained in service. At that time, approximately 45 of the 169 F-5E/Fs delivered are still flying, while perhaps 20 F-14A Tomcats of the 79 initially delivered were airworthy. Another 30 F-4s, 30 F-5s and 35 F-14s have been cannibalized for spare parts. One report suggested that the IRIAF can get no more than seven F-14s airborne at any one time. Iran claims to have fitted F-14s with I-Hawk missiles adapted to the air-to-air role.


GlobalSecurity

Randy

Hello.......I say, I say..... Helloooooo

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1159240988.jpg