F-14 Tomcat

[emtp563]

This is on display at a local VFW post. It flew into the local airport several years back, was loaded onto a tractor trailer and driven to this VFW post. The engines and avionics were removed. Apparently, the Government still owns it and the VFW post must keep it fit for future flight- if ever needed.

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480707384_mcwFY-XL.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480708947_jPuqV-XL.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480711238_aKELF-XL.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480727388_bLaA2-XL.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480738627_YPZue-XL.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480742146_hZegJ-XL.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480716772_oCQPD-XL.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/480698406_GfHv3-X2.jpg

[equetefue]

my favorite plane. Sucks it's retired

[A2EVOMR]

You did a fine job capturing a beautiful aircraft. #4 with the perspective on the missiles is my favorite, nice shot.

[emtp563]

I for got to mention, I have a full gallery of images from this shoot HERE. (http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/gallery/7452476_9AxHM#480685458_go5Yc)

[Gone Boating]

my favorite plane. Sucks it's retired
Same here. Great pics though.

[Scout7id]

Very nice shots. Some great shots in your galleries as well.

[FlyingPhotog]

Wow...

The fact that the sign mentions "Top Gun" being at NAS Fallon Nevada means this was one of the last Tomcats retired.

I hope they take very, very good care of her.

Nice series.

[fishfoto]

USS Enterprise? Aren't those the markings of VF-84's Jolly Rogers? I thought they were Nimitz based

....great VFW post gear out front!

[speedypalomino]

SWEEEEET!!! :)

[jomeezy]

dang i want one

[Devil 505]

USS Enterprise? Aren't those the markings of VF-84's Jolly Rogers? I thought they were Nimitz based

....great VFW post gear out front!
VF84 was disbanded in 1995. VF 103 took the markings from VF 84. I believe that VF 84 was on the Nimitz, but I don't know if VF 103 was on the Enterprise for sure. But this might explain why it says it was from the Enterprise.

[Desertraptor]

What no pheonix missles. Wasn't this plane built specifically to carry them?
Yeah a real shame they are gone but it was time.

[emtp563]

VF84 was disbanded in 1995. VF 103 took the markings from VF 84. I believe that VF 84 was on the Nimitz, but I don't know if VF 103 was on the Enterprise for sure. But this might explain why it says it was from the Enterprise.

I don't know how accurate the markings are. When the F-14 arrived, it was "well used." The VFW cleaned it up and re-painted all the graphics. These guys are all hard-core veterans, I have no reason to believe they would re-paint the jet inaccurately.

At night, they have the plane all lit up with lights illuminating the jet AND all the jets marker lights turned on. It's pretty awesome. I shot these night-time shots three years ago. You can see those here: http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/gallery/1314027_5iZxf#61957129_jWudB

"The VFW aircraft was transported to the Post via truck over PA Routes 22 and 45 on October 21, 2003 making local headlines and TV news broadcasts, tying up traffic as it transited. The fighter jet is on loan to the Post from the National Museum of Naval Aviation (NMNA) in Pensacola, FL and will be ultimately opened as a public display after formal dedication ceremonies on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend 2004. NMNA is the control point for all Navy aircraft on public display.
This particular aircraft, coincidentally, was recently used to train pilots in advanced dissimilar air combat maneuvering (dog fighting) at the Navy's "Top Gun" facility in Fallon, NV. Top Gun pilots delivered the jet to Allentown and were very appreciative that she was going to have a good home.
As a suitable and appropriate final resting place for Navy F-14A Aircraft Bureau Number 158617, Post 7293's location on Spring Hill Road just off of Macarthur Blvd in Northern Whitehall, offers an elevated and panoramic view of the greater Lehigh Valley. The site is already historically significant for its WWII, enemy aircraft watch tower, which is still in place but currently closed to the public."


Here's some info on VF-84: http://www.almansur.com/jollyrogers/jollytomcats.htm

[emtp563]

Here she is at night:

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/61957241_2wWP2-L.jpg

[adamsti]

Nice pics. They are not keeping it in good shape to ever fly again. The F-14 is never going to fly again, period, in US hands. The only F-14 that may take to the air again is the few that Iran has.

[PhotosGuy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif

[kclancy]

Wow great images what a beautiful aircraft. I love that night image some really cool stuff.

[be_good]

i want the call sigh "cheese"

[doubleo6point9]

Awesome photos. Love the shot of the missiles as well. For all the Tomcat lovers, there's a nice 11x14 photobook dedicated to the life of the Tomcat at bookstores. It's got some great stories in it.

[johnathan]

Very nice photos. I have to say that is a very nice display area ! Thanks.

[sixsixfour]

very nice! where was this at?

[OwensSi]

beautiful!

[emtp563]

very nice! where was this at?

It's HERE: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=allentown,+pa&sll=40.361196,-79.991112&sspn=0.178414,0.30899&ie=UTF8&ll=40.686364,-75.519269&spn=0.001338,0.002414&t=h&z=19

[emtp563]

Here are a couple of more shots that I like:

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/63302639_RSnpH-L.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/63302648_GGgAz-L.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/61957229_BGPGB-L.jpg

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/61957205_ac84j-L.jpg

Here's my favorite missile pic:

http://www.cyclingcaptured.com/photos/61957202_4MGXc-L.jpg

[Jon Foster]

I believe the shipping of maintenance and repair parts for all F-14 aircraft have been put on permanent hold as well. So basically any air worthy bird is flying on borrowed time.

Jon.

[sixsixfour]

It's HERE: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=allentown,+pa&sll=40.361196,-79.991112&sspn=0.178414,0.30899&ie=UTF8&ll=40.686364,-75.519269&spn=0.001338,0.002414&t=h&z=19

thanks much!

I've always loved the F-14. I grew up watching so much Top Gun its insane :lol:

[FlyingPhotog]

I believe the shipping of maintenance and repair parts for all F-14 aircraft have been put on permanent hold as well. So basically any air worthy bird is flying on borrowed time.

Jon.

AFAIK, they've all been retired and grounded... :(

[symbolphoto]

Must be one hell of a VFW post. How i miss the tomcat. Not to hijack, but those looking for some more photos from the last flights can find them here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/tuffguyphotography/NASOCEANA#

[banpreso]

this one doesn't have the aim-54 phoenix!!! how could they have left that out?!

great shot and great capture. the landing gear shot is pretty special!

[Morlow]

Awesome series. I like the missile shot the best.

[FlyingPhotog]

this one doesn't have the aim-54 phoenix!!! how could they have left that out?!

They deep sixed the Phoenix system quite a while before they eventually retired the airframes.

They moved to the AIM-120 AMRAAM as well as the ground attack mods which yielded the "Bombcat" program.

[UK_Tomcat_Fan]

Nice pics...

Shame its another Cat painted in VF-84 / VF-103

What about the other squadrons:

VF-213
VF-31
VF-32
VF-102
VF-1
VF-2
VX-9

etc

[nitrox28]

Best aircraft ever made. Ever. I've had a love affair with that plane for a long long time. GREAT shots!

[poltorakm]

nice job

[speedypalomino]

Best aircraft ever made. Ever. I've had a love affair with that plane for a long long time. GREAT shots!

I'd put it in 2nd,,, behind the F-4 Phantom,,, but still an AWESOME frame!!!

[Jon Foster]

AFAIK, they've all been retired and grounded... :(

Sorry, I was commenting on the birds "other" countries (like Iran) are trying to keep in the air.

Jon.

[FlyingPhotog]

Sorry, I was commenting on the birds "other" countries (like Iran) are trying to keep in the air.

Jon.

Pretty sure Iran is the only "other" country to ever operate the F-14.

I don't think there were ever any other foriegn sales.

[LBaldwin]

There are still several whole A/C in mothballs. New President, who knows maybe one of the several flying museums that asked the gov't will get their wish, and actually get a demil'ed TC. My Dad taught several of the systems at NAMTRAGRUDET Oceana. He has a friend that is in talks with a "certain" museum here on the west coast. They have re-submitted the request to the Obama admin already, so we will see in 8-12 months if they can purchase the A/C, engines and available spares. The problem are actually the spares themselves, most were junked, used up or destroyed.

There is also some ideas of retrofitting an airframe with civilian engines and avionics to fill those gaps. From what I've read and been told it would be very close to impossible to get one into the air for less than 20mil. and that is conservative, so very deep pockets are required.

To the OP, very nice images, you did very well!!

[jverran]

Still remember the low pass one made over Ft.Irwin in 1984, don't know how fast he was going but he was here and gone in "what the f&%k was that?" What an exceptional weapon platform.

[J_TULLAR]

man...I remember my 04 cruise on the stennis and the farewell takeoff of our f-14 tomcatters squadron...I cried lol.

[jverran]

All I know is sitting on a saddleback and having that big boy pass over I'm guessing at Mach (at least) and near NOE, then hearing it scream by like a second or so later was freakin AWESOME! I'd guess he was on his way to China Lake as we were close to the border of irwin and china lake.

[couleur]

that plane doesnt deserve to be there.

[FlyingPhotog]

that plane doesnt deserve to be there.

As sad as it is to see any classic plane on a pole, it beats the smelter IMO...