BF2S Forums F-14 Takes it's last mission flight. Officially Retired.

Definitely the turn of an era if you ask me. Kind of like when the Concorde was de-commisioned for commercial use as a means to fly from destination A to B... they feel like kindred spirits here, yes.

A Very sad day indeed

Next thing we know, A-10's, F-16's (not my favorite, but still) and other machines we know and love, creating that icon of American Military might great... will be set away for retirement.

We can't love machines like we can love a human... but we sure as hell can love them like we love legends.

For all of you Tomcat lovers, there is a friggin' awesome tribute video to the plane on www.military.com in the "Shock and Awe" section.  You do have to register to view it though.  Well worth it.

Barney_T_Dinosaur wrote:

such a cool plane, and heres another tribute if anyones interested, i think it was posted on the forums a while back http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid … 2128183770

That would be the video that I'm talking about.  Thanks for posting it.  +1

Only ever got to shoot down two MiGs

easily the top fighter of the last century, the whole top gun school was built in recognition of the fact that a new breed of pilot was needed to take full advantage of it's capabilities, the worst thing about it's career was the fact that it took so long to design an engine capable of meeting the airframes expectations

alas, a great chapter in Aviation History comes to an end.

This is the full version of the vid I think.

Why are they even replacing them with Hornets? According to wiki, Tomcat has grater range, speed and service ceiling. Hornet has a better rate of climb though.

Why replace them now with hornets, when F-35 is coming so soon. Seems like a waste of money to me. But, seeing I am not a pilot nor a politician I guess I am not qualified to comment on either of the issues.

But that plane sure is hot(never thought I'd say that about a plane), and I'm sorry to see it retired .

Enter the Super Hornet.  Larger size, engines, better avionics, payload capabilities, and fuel efficiency.  Apparently, the airframe has better lift and loyerability with the new chines and wing layout.  The hornet is a killer, don't doubt it.  However it seems just like that, a hornet. Small, large numbers,  wereas the Tomcat had an animalistic aura about it.  A big bird of prey that'll sink it's talons into anything willing to challenge it.  Gotta give it up to the Grumman Corp.  They've been building heavy reliable planes that have made their marks through many wars.

Ha! Just as even I stated it, the video itself says that this is the end of an era LOL Ah yes, how sadly true that is