In Memorium to The Last "Cats"

[Talyn]

who's last active service is coming to a rapid end courtsey of the IDF.

An F-14D of VF-31 “Tomcatters” during the type’s last operational cruise in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005/2006, armed with a GBU-12 Paveway II.

The Last Cat: The F-14 Tomcat and its Fleet Air Defense Role

The final member of the Grumman cat family, the F-14 Tomcat, with its signature variable-geometry wings and twin-engine design, became an iconic symbol of

theaviationist.com

IAF Stray Cat "A"

 

[powerboatr]

i loved watching tom cats when i was on carriers..
they could make the deck vibrate pretty good, getting ready to take off with afterburners on...zipppppp

 

[Jester560]

One of the loudest jets i ever heard. The F15 is the loadest.

 

[Talyn]

F-4s, F-16s, F-14s & F-15s are down right quiet compared to an F-35.

Makes your ears hurt even with muffs on.

And watching demo flights its manuverability is not impressive.

 

[KillerFord1977]

F-4s, F-16s, F-14s & F-15s are down right quiet compared to an F-35.

Makes your ears hurt even with muffs on.

And watching demo flights its manuverability is not impressive.

But it will sneak up on an adversary unlike a legacy jet. Just ask Iran

Apples and oranges that comparison is, but you being GAO, you know that

 

[Shibadog]

Tomcat was a great aircraft. Hated to see them pulled from service and then being destroyed rather the put in storage simply to keep Iran from getting parts. Now of course all Iran has left are parts

 

[powerboatr]

Tomcat was a great aircraft. Hated to see them pulled from service and then being destroyed rather the put in storage simply to keep Iran from getting parts. Now of course all Iran has left are parts

sadly tomcat got obsolete in as much as parts and time required between flights to make it ready to go again.
its an awesome aircraft, but man hours versus flight hours ultimately was its demise
HOWEVER nothing made your hair stand up like a tomcat at full bore flying by the ship....
not the the f18 is that much better, but it is presently

as a helicopter guy
h3s killed us in man hrs vs flight hrs. even simple daily inspection took 4 to 6 hrs to do it right, then another countless hrs to fix the stuff that was wrong.

h2s weren't much better, but they were small so less things to break....but still ate our lunch after 24 flight hrs or a quick turnaround. yep quick is not the word.. i suspect most of my shoulder damage is from H2s maintenance

h60s were a leap fwd
fly 24 hrs, spend 2 inspecting for another 24
even 30 hr and 60 hr inspections took a few hrs vice a day.
they are like tractors, dont shut down and keep adding fuel fly until you run out of time
unless something broke... they are very dependable aircraft in the navy varaint

 

[Shibadog]

sadly tomcat got obsolete in as much as parts and time required between flights to make it ready to go again.
its an awesome aircraft, but man hours versus flight hours ultimately was its demise
HOWEVER nothing made your hair stand up like a tomcat at full bore flying by the ship....
not the the f18 is that much better, but it is presently

as a helicopter guy
h3s killed us in man hrs vs flight hrs. even simple daily inspection took 4 to 6 hrs to do it right, then another countless hrs to fix the stuff that was wrong.

h2s weren't much better, but they were small so less things to break....but still ate our lunch after 24 flight hrs or a quick turnaround. yep quick is not the word.. i suspect most of my shoulder damage is from H2s maintenance

h60s were a leap fwd
fly 24 hrs, spend 2 inspecting for another 24
even 30 hr and 60 hr inspections took a few hrs vice a day.
they are like tractors, dont shut down and keep adding fuel fly until you run out of time
unless something broke... they are very dependable aircraft in the navy varaint

Yeah, operational costs were brutal