The Tomcat Legacy; 35+ years from Fleet Air Defender to Recce to Precision Strike

[HuggyU2]

Tonight, I met and had dinner with Vance Parker, Tomcat guy from '76, and former Blue Angel. Great stories, which included events from the Tomcat's early years.

 

[RocktheBloc]

If you don't mind my asking, what is it about those two squadrons on that particular first operational cruise that interests you?

(Of course I wasn't there. But I may know some who were there, and may be able to help you, given a serious interest).

Simple. They were the first two (non-reserve) Tomcat squadrons and that deployment was the first ever for the Tomcat!

 

[Mumbles]

F-14 Airshow Demo from the HUD

Snort??


part deux

and the coup d' grace...
F-22 vs F-14 at Nellis

 

[MIDNJAC]

Great clips......they comment a little bit about that last one @ Nellis in the "Tomcat" book. Cool to see the actual show in question!

 

[sundevil_av8r]

Snort??
and the coup d' grace...
F-22 vs F-14 at Nellis

i just watched that clip and jizzed... in... my... pants...


that T/O with the low transition was INSANE!!!

 

[HueyCobra8151]

I love the way they are so nonchalant about everything on the radio.

 

[HAL Pilot]

I don't think that was Snort. Doesn't sound like his voice.

That looks like it is a Moffett Airshow.

 

[Schnugg]

That was a LOW transition.

He almost tied the record.

 

[tomcatfan]

i just watched that clip and jizzed... in... my... pants...


that T/O with the low transition was INSANE!!!

oh crap i believe the same thing just happened to me

 

[PropAddict]

and the coup d' grace...
F-22 vs F-14 at Nellis
(Distilled Awesomeness)

I was definitely born about 30 years too late. . .


Anybody know why the Blues never flew the Tomkitty? Not maneuverable enough?

 

[FLYTPAY]

Anybody know why the Blues never flew the Tomkitty? Not maneuverable enough?

Ouch

 

[MIDNJAC]

Reading through "Tomcat", it was funny to see a couple guys in there who teach our sims here in Meridian. Awesome photos and sea stories BTW for anyone who hasn't read it!

 

[Schnugg]

HJ,
See if Erik remembers me from the Rug Flop I brought him to in Bahrain in 06. He was doing a PAO trip to the boat in the gulf for the last Tomcat deployment.
Cheers,
G

 

[HeyJoe]

HJ,
See if Erik remembers me from the Rug Flop I brought him to in Bahrain in 06. He was doing a PAO trip to the boat in the gulf for the last Tomcat deployment.
Cheers,
G

He sure does as you rescued him when he was a stranger in a strange land. He should have sent you a book. If not, I'll tell him he has an unpaid debt.

 

[yak52driver]

Seeing the roll rate from the HUD view gave a real feeling for how quick the Tomcat rolled. Amazing how fast that big fighter got around!