http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-lastcatshot.htm
The last F-14 catshot
When you're out of F-14s, then you're out of fighters!
Well, now it's really the very very last time: A VF-31 F-14D (modex AJ112, BuNo 163417) is launched from USS Theodore Roosevelt on July 28, 2006
Tomcat Chapter Draws to a Close
A long, storied chapter in naval aviation history came to a close July 28 with the final aircraft carrier flight operations for F-14 Tomcats
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-history-tomcatsunset.htm
F-14 Final Flight
On September 22, 2006, the official final flight of a US Navy F-14 Tomcat was celebrated at NAS Oceana.
In front of an audience of several hundred US Navy and civil spectators, representatives from Northrop Grumman, the city of Oceana and the US Navy held speeches about the fabulous time with the Tomcat.
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-history-f14a-1x.htm
F-14A 157991
Grumman chief test pilot Charles A. "Chuck" Sewell in front of F-14A (157991) 1X in January 1981.
From 12/21/1970 ( I was primary test pilot for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat first flight and for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet program ) To 7/2/1976 ( I intercepted Comet Lucifer in the outer solar system and set to work at diverting it ) is 2020 days
From 3/3/1959 ( my birth date US ) To 9/12/1964 ( I am United States Navy officer ) is 2020 days
From 1/31/1964 ( I was Innsbruck Olympics gold medalist on this day ) to 12/21/1970 ( I was primary test pilot for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat first flight and for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet program ) is: 3 days, 359 weeks
'33-59' ( my birth date US )
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-history-f14a.htm
F-14A: The Beginning
In 1968 the F-14 program was born with the Navy's proposal for the VFX (Navy Fighter Experimental) and resulted in Grumman's general design 303 (see below). The VFX required a fighter with a two-man crew with tandem seating, two engines, an advanced weapon system with a powerful radar plus the ability to carry a variety of long-, medium- and short-range high-performance air-to-air missiles and an internal gun. Furthermore, the VFX should be able to land on a carrier with a full armament load
The first flight of the #1 prototype F-14A took place on December 21, 1970. All in all, fourteen aircraft were used for the development programm, 12 of them instrumented. Of those 12, two were used for the development of the Hughes Phoenix Missile System at Hughes Aircraft Corporation at Point Mugu, CA
Day 1, First Flight!
The photograph (click on it to view larger format picture!) shows #1 prototype shortly before its maiden flight on December 21st 1970.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-14
F-14 Tomcat
Maiden flight 21 December 1970
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable geometry wing aircraft. The F-14 was the United States Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical reconnaissance platform from 1972 to 2006. It later performed precision strike missions once it was integrated with LANTIRN. It was developed after the collapse of the F-111B project, and was the first of the American teen-series fighters which were designed incorporating the experience of air combat in Vietnam against MiGs.
It entered service in 1972 with the U.S. Navy, replacing the F-4 Phantom II.
"Space: Above And Beyond"
"The Angriest Angel"
February 11, 1996
Episode 15 DVD:
00:04:02
Mr. Howard Sewell: Aero-Tech anticipated his emergence, but never this quickly. Now, we concur with Naval Intelligence reports that the existence of this advanced alien fighter jeopardizes any further development of Operation Roundhammer. There can be no massive offensive until it is destroyed.
Admiral Broden: Destroyed? We sent 15 squadrons after it at one time.
Lt. General Alcott: And only 13 came back.
Mr. Saber: We don't have the means to destroy it.
Mr. Howard Sewell: But they do. This material was secured on the Kazbek Mining colony during the 58th Squadron's rescue extraction. At The Company, they call this "Sewell Fuel." And for the record, it is the property of Aero-Tech Industries. Simply put, it's organic ore which could have only been manufactured in the unique factory of the planet Kazbek, forming 10 billion years ago. Refined correctly, it becomes a living, complex system fuel, perpetuating itself, creating more energy than it expends. The amount in my hand could power the Saratoga for a decade. Most importantly, the exhaust is clean, thermal temperature is negligible - 0.015 microns. That is primarily what keeps the enemy invisible to our infrared sensors.
Commodore Ross: We had one of their bombers. This is not what fueled it.
Mr. Howard Sewell: Evidence indicates that the enemy has only recently developed this process. That's why there is only one alien Red Baron. For now.
Mr. Saber: We need to develop a jet that can run on this stuff.
Admiral Broden: That would take years. Meanwhile, this prototype craft would become the enemy's standard attack jet.
Mr. Howard Sewell: Well, there may not be time to develop a plane. But there is time for a missile. Imagine the force of a complex perpetuating explosive.
Admiral Broden: How many missiles can you build?
Mr. Howard Sewell: After refining, we can only make one. Meanwhile, you have to prepare a plan on how to take it to them.
"Space: Above And Beyond"
"The Angriest Angel"
February 11, 1996
Episode 15 DVD:
00:08:07
1LT Kelly Winslow: You flew with the Angry Angels, huh?
00:08:32
1LT Paul Wang: Get outta here. I'm trading you. Hey, Colonel, come on. I need a new guy on my team.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: Guy?! What do you think, we're back on the blocks smoking and joking? Hear this loud and clear, Marine. I am not your guy. I am not your joe. I am not your damn drinking buddy. And I sure as hell am not a mark in a singles bar. You hear this, C.F.B. I am not here to make friends! When this war ends and you go back to raising money for charity and you're eating dogs at Wrigley - and you go back to Mayberry - I'm still going to be out here - waiting for the next one. That's why I'm here.
00:10:37
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: In summation, gentlemen, my proposal is to flush out the bogey via the use of a diversionary squadron whose rules of engagement are to turn tail and run while an SA-43, equipped with the Sewell Fuel missile, executing a forward quarter intercept, rises from behind cover of the retreating squadron, fires the missile and terminates the enemy target.
Admiral Broden: Outstanding, Colonel. Outstanding.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: Thank you, sir.
Lt. General Alcott: Now, if we can only find this Chiggie von Richthofen.
Commodore Ross: Intelligence is combing every known sector.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: Gentlemen, if I may.
Admiral Broden: Go ahead, Colonel.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: It would be the most glorious honor of a long military career if this Colonel was assigned as pilot of the intercepting SA-43.
Commodore Ross: Colonel McQueen, your flight status is grounded.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: Yes, sir, this is due to the surgical insertion in the inner ear of a myoelectronic feedback device to counter the vestibulocochlear nerve damage sustained in battle, sir.
Commodore Ross: Then you know as well as anyone that an M.E.F. device cannot withstand the g-force demands placed upon an attack jet pilot.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: I'll take that chance, sir.
Commodore Ross: Chance? Colonel, even the device in your thick skull does not full-on erupt during A.C.M., it would, at the very least stress your temporal lobe to the point of loss of consciousness, seizure and death. I refuse to hand the Chigs a 'gimme.'
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: Then I will have the device removed, sir.
Commodore Ross: You'll be vomiting every five steps.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: Gentlemen, if I commit to the procedure of having the M.E.F. device removed, pass the physical requirements and achieve approved flight status will I be assigned?
Admiral Broden: Colonel, this is the single most important mission of the war.
Lt. Colonel T.C. McQueen: That's why I should be the one to fly it, sir.
00:13:16
Mr. Howard Sewell: Refining process is nominal?
Missile technician: Yes, Mr. Sewell.
Mr. Howard Sewell: Then it's ready to go?
Missile technician: We're inserting the blast fragmentation warhead now.
Mr. Howard Sewell: This missile will change the nature of the conflict. The world will no longer be fought over galactic territory but over Sewell Fuel.
