F-14s being retired...

[RoninLB]

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.

[pwd72s]

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

[Steve Carlton]

"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"

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by mikester
It is a shame but it was just as much a shame when the F-4 was retired from service.

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!"

[bell]

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

[fintstone]

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.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by IROC
"The only other country flying F-14s after today will be Iran, Pike says. Starved for spare parts, the Iranians struggle to keep the jets in flight."

Mike

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.

[wrecktech]

Originally posted by fastpat
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.

In actual fact

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

[fastpat]

Originally posted by wrecktech
And what is your source for this actual fact???

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.

[wrecktech]

Originally posted by fastpat
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.

Got a link that works?

[Seahawk]

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.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by rcecale
Semper fi, Tomcatters! OOH-RAH!!!


Randy

Very cool video, thanks

[fastpat]

Originally posted by wrecktech
Got a link that works?

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

[wrecktech]

Originally posted by fastpat
Try this: http://tinyurl.com/mvm84

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

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

[rcecale]

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

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

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

Randy

[fastpat]

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

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

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.

[wrecktech]

Originally posted by fastpat
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.

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

Originally posted by fastpat 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.

all Iranian F-14's are fully operational

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

[fastpat]

Originally posted by wrecktech
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.

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

Let's see you prove your point of view.

[rcecale]

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

[kqw]

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