Tomcat

There's one group still active, and they return in about March time - and that's the last time you'll see them in numbers. They said this show was the last public display of them (probably won't be at the next show). After this year's show, one plane was retired to AMARC's 'Celebrity Row'.

Be the first on your block to own one!
Nice shots! Too bad they're going to disappear soon!

A beautiful machine and will be missed!!

garbidz wrote in post #800142
Maybe they have to be retired because the military machine has to get new stuff sold...
(What is the role of these in modern warfare, anyhow?)

Obsolescense is a factor, but the main reason is maintenance.

The super 18 requires 10 hours of maintenace for every 1 hour flown, whereas the F14 requires 40-60 hours of maintenance per hour flown.

It certainly would be nice if they'd fly them now and then at airshows.

between the f-22 and the JSF the tomcat just isn't needed anymore, which is sad, it's one beast of a plane.

Yeah that is true between the F22 Raptor, F18 Super hornet, and the F35 A,B,C JSF
there is no longer a need for the F 14 tomcat.
the F 35 JSF has 3 designations, for the different variations it will have.
I believe the AV 8B Harrier 2 will be replaced by the F35C.
So I believe the F18's will slowly be replaced with the F35's

Great shots. I hate to see them go too.

Tim

The super 18 is unbeleivabley loud compared to the f14! I live in VaBeach & there is a lot of ruckus about this pro & con. I'm just glad my house isn't in their flight path. Jets are awesome though. My 24-105mm is due for delivery today ( waitin' on brown) maybe I'll head down to NAS Oceana for a few pics,weather permiting.
GREAT shots you have there.

Superb shots, and I never did get to see one fly

Stu