A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-20-06....End Of An Era -- Retiring Of The F-14

GodBlessUSA

[GodBlessUSA]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Hundreds of former Grumman employees and aviation buffs paid their last respects, June 15, 2006, to a soon-to-retire jet F-14.

During the 1970s, '80s and '90s, Grumman produced 712 F-14s. In its heydey, the F-14 was known for its advanced radar system and its speed. The jet could track 24 targets and hit six of them with its lethal Phoenix missiles. Its speed, up to 1,544 miles per hour, made it the fastest machine in the sky.

Type Fighter
Manufacturer Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Maiden flight 1970-12-21
Introduced September 1974
Retired 2006, USN
Status active service, Iran
Primary users United States Navy, Iran
Number built 675
Unit cost US$38 million in 1998

Pictured above, Sailors prepare an F-14 Tomcat for flight on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003).

Above Pictured, An F-14 launches an AIM-7 Sparrow

The Tomcat played a prominent role in Top Gun, the 1986 film about naval aviators that fly the F-14. The success of that film helped the Tomcat become the most famous fighter jet of the time, and spurred a game franchise and a surge in U.S. Navy recruiting.
Kenny Loggins ~ DangerZone

Above, Logo for VF-31, F-14D Super Tomcat squadron, also known as Felix the Cat Squadron

The Tomcatters’ command master chief, Master Chief Petty Officer Tom Gall, called being part of a Tomcat squadron an honor. Even after 25 years in the Navy, he said, the plane’s aesthetics still leave him awestruck.

“The Tomcat just looks sharp,” Gall said. “It’s mesmerizing to watch it fly. Especially as it sweeps its wings back and goes in for the kill. I’m quite certain that many people will miss it when it is gone.”

Certainly, this airplane is impressive, no matter what your preference as favorite! Its changeable shape, transforming before your eyes as it zooms by in fully wing swept delta, pulling into a fully extended wing high G load turn, is one of aviation's more unforgettable sights. Cmdr. Aaron Cudnohufsky, squadron commanding officer, said the Tomcat rightfully has become an American legend — and not just because of the film.
Official Tomcat Retirement Date is September 22, 2006

(information found: internet, Stars and Stripes, Newsday, All Avation Online, Wikipedia)

03-28-06 ~ Hall of Fame #15

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-19-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[MEG33]

Hugs to weinie ;)

[rabidralph]

More images can be downloaded at Navy.mil photo collection. Search for F-14 Tomcat and you'll get a ton more pics.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Aqua :)
Thanks. Good to see you. I enjoyed looking through the photos while making the thread.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi rabidralph
Excellent photo! Makes for an excellent desktop photo. :) Thanks for the link to the photos!

[GodBlessUSA]

MSM, NO. LOL :)
I keep up with most news on FR or radio too. I can only take MSM so long and not a long time at that. ;)

[MEG33]

Saving your link! Thank you!

[GodBlessUSA]

I just saved the link too. :)

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!

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Great thread, GB!

[rabidralph]

You're welcome. All the services have a digital repository, featuring imagery of the troops and their weapon systems.

Upon further review, that appears to be an F/A-18. The vertical stabilizers are slanted, whereas the F-14's are fully vertical. Maybe it's the fisheye lens that's distorting the stabilizers, I don't know.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Warthogtjm :)
Thanks! I hope you had a wonderful weekend with family. This photo is awesome!

[GodBlessUSA]

I have to look into more photo sites like the one you provided. Incredible to see those Military Photos.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning GB.

Great job on this wonderful farewell to the F-14 tomcat thread.

[Danae]

Sir, Thank you for our service! It is people like you that both make me proud to be an American and SAFE to shout it to the world!!
Thank you!!

Danae

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Mrs. N!!
Thanks :) How are you?

[Skooz]

Well, now that they are being retired, I should be able to get one at a discount, right?

[Billie]

Oh, GeeBee, what a beautiful post! Such a treat to log on and come here, not knowing what the day's thread topic is going to be. You never disappoint. Thank you, li'l sistah!

I wanted to share a very heartwarming video I received in email this morning. The song is the new single just released by this year's American Idol, Taylor Hicks.

A 14 year old boy put together a tribute to our troops, with the song "Do I Make You Proud". If you're on dialup, it takes a long time to download, being 4 1/2 minutes long, but I let it download this morning while I did other things.

Tribute to Our Troops: "Do I Make You Proud"

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Skooz
Great shot :)
LOL, Good idea. Maybe if you go to the old Grumman museum you can purchase one. If you do, make sure you fly over my house when you take your F-14 out for a cruise. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Billie :)
Thanks! How are you today? I tried to get on the tribute video. It must be so busy with traffic right now, it's not loading. I look forward to viewing it later. :)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I am doing fine.

Enjoying some time with my kids,now that school is out.:)

How are you?

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Billie - thanks for the ping!