signonsandiego.com — The 36-year-old F-14 Tomcat jet fighter is scheduled to make its final launch from an aircraft carrier off Virginia today. "Most civilians know the Tomcat simply as the plane flown by Tom Cruise in the 1986 movie ?Top Gun"." "But many veterans see it as an icon of the Navy's greatest capabilities."
Jul 28, 2006 View in Crawl 4
foejoJul 29, 2006
My husband was in the Navy for 14 years and was an AT who worked on the F14's. Truly onee of the best fighting machines we had in our arsonal.
Closed AccountJul 29, 2006
watched and felt many a tomcat take off and land while on the USS RANGER (CV61) . It was hot s**t back then. I was on the last cruse that had the A7 on it, the next cruse it was replaced by the FA/18 and the writing was on the wall for the F14.
eclectroJul 29, 2006
We'll probably see a few in museums. It's inevetible. When they are out of F-4's converted to drones (for missile tests) they could use the F-14.
coronaboyJul 29, 2006
This was one of my favorite fighter jets, sad to see it retire.
balooJul 29, 2006
Thanks for that page..that page really is a trip down memory lane.. or through history...imagine what the world (middle east) would be like today if the Shah had remained in power!!
eclectroJul 29, 2006
Also when the much superior JSF is just around the corner. Pilots who fly it love it. Sad to see an icon retired though.
sflorgJul 30, 2006
I am ex USAF so I had not the chance to see this Navy bird often, but I have always been impressed with her record, but her time is up...We now have the 5th generation fighter the awesome F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.They will keep this wonderful Country safe and or advisories in fear. The F-18 Super Hornet will also take care of matters till this new generation is in full force. Let us also not forget the F-16 Fighting Falcon... not a Navy bird but still an air superiority fighter that will run long into the 21st century. To the Tomcat drivers... Remember her well and keep the stories of her legacy alive for us that love this bird.Heidi-Ann~