The Last days of a legend

[Jakemaster]

According to a news report from google news, the F-14 Tomcat is in its last days  The last 22 Tomcats of the US Navy have a few weeks left before they are retired.

I dont care how unreliable or hard to fly they are.  The tomcat is a marvelous aircraft.  The engineering is unbelievable, the plane is beautiful (best looking fighter jet IMO), and it is sad to see it go

Heres the report: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/17/content_3933058.htm

[ozzy72]

Without a doubt the best looking USN fighter ever

[Ecko]

Not the F-16 kind of beauty, but it's own- more raw beauty, but definitely a lot prettier than those Hornets in my opinion.

[Nexus]

This may be a stupid question (I don't know much about military jets)
The F-14 shares many similar traits to the F-15, but from what i gather, the F-15 has fixed wings?

[Craig.]

This may be a stupid question (I don't know much about military jets)
The F-14 shares many similar traits to the F-15, but from what i gather, the F-15 has fixed wings?

correct.

[C]

Without a doubt the best looking USN fighter ever

Mmmm, maybe...

[elite marksman]

Without a doubt the best looking USN fighter ever

For me its between the Phantom II and the Tomcat. I think the Tomcat is leading though.

[Ivan]

With 30 or so still flying in iran not exactly 'last days' but i think the author of that article is right in one thing: these aren't really the original Grumman F-14's anymore...

[elite marksman]

They really should make the navy's version of the F-35 able to carry thos Pheonix missiles. If I remember correctly they have a 120 mile range, but the only plane able to carry them was the Tomcat.

[Craig.]

They really should make the navy's version of the F-35 able to carry thos Pheonix missiles. If I remember correctly they have a 120 mile range, but the only plane able to carry them was the Tomcat.

that missile was at best innaccurate. I think Bman or someone else fammiliar with the aircraft could tell you more, but I think it was retired years ago?

[cspyro21]

Phantom II

*Shudders*

Sorry, they aren't my "cup of tea as we would say.

It's sad to hear such a great US aircraft leave, but luckily it will be replaced with (what I believe to be the most advanced tactical fighter EVER) the F-35.
The good thing is, we (RAF) are getting a few as well! Yippee!!

Still, back on track, the F-14's are some of the best aircraft there are in the US, but I'm sure many museums and aircraft preservation groups may get their hands on a few.

The Tomcat is one of the US aircraft I get an urge to salute at......
Cheers

[TacitBlue]

For some reason, I've never been all that fascinated by the F-14. An impressive machine of course, but I'm more of an F-16 kind of guy. It is kind of sad though, when I was in North Carolina a few years ago, I spotted an F-14 flying over the beach, and now I know that was probably the last time I'll ever see one in the air. Something tells me this aircraft won't going to any preservation groups or flying warbird displays, simply because of what it's capable of.

[Jakemaster]

Okay, it may not be 'beautiful', but it looks POWERFUL!  By far, the tomcat comes across with a look of power greaty than that of any other plane (the A-10 looks mean, but not powerful).  The tomcat is brute force.  Huge airplane, unbelievable power, fast as lightning, and with incredible weapons systems.  While the F-18 may be smaller, easier to fly and maintain, nothing beats the tomcat IMO.  Phantoms are cool, but now they are target drones. Even future aircraft dont look this great.  The F-22 Raptor, looks fast, but dainty.  The F-35 is ugly (its fat!).  Even European planes like the Typhoon will never become as much of an Icon as a tomcat.  The tomcat is the most recognizable plane, and IMO, the greatest looking fighter jet of all time.

[Ivan]

that missile was at best innaccurate. I think Bman or someone else fammiliar with the aircraft could tell you more, but I think it was retired years ago?

at best inaccurate???
Accurate enough for the Iraqi airforce to implement a special procedure to back off as soon as a F-14 radar was switched on.
USAF never used them in anger, but IRIAF managed multiple kills with one missile against Iraqi Mirage F1s

I bet that the USAF learned a lot about their missiles between 1982 and 1988, even though IRIAF had the A model and USAF the C model.

[Craig.]

Considering the USAF never used it
I mean at its absolute range.