F-14

Tomcat RIO tells the story of when he and his pilot destroyed a supersonic target drone by means of an AIM-7 fired by their F-14 flying at more than Mach 1

Tomcat RIO tells the story of when he and his pilot destroyed a supersonic target drone by means of an AIM-7 fired by their F-14 flying at more than Mach 1

“Halfway through the turn my “radar lock” lights went out. I had messed up the intercept! ‘Broke lock,’ I growled… Read More

4 days ago

The story of Joe “Hoser” Satrapa, the F-14 Tomcat pilot who scored two simulated gun kills on two USAF F-15s for two times in the same mission

To add a little more insult to his adversaries’ loss, Lt. Commander Satrapa impersonated a junior grade lieutenant during the… Read More

1 week ago

Tomcat RIO tells the story of Pat O’Brien, the Civilian Engineer that Made Dozens of Flights in the F-14, F-4, TA-7, and Others

After working as a college intern at North American Rockwell, Pat O’Brien decided he wanted to be in flight test.… Read More

2 weeks ago

“We reached 18,000 feet in less than thirty seconds!” Tomcat RIO tells the story of when on his third F-14 flight his pilot did a memorable unrestricted climb

“I looked at our rapidly increasing airspeed as we neared the end of the runway, and Crush yanked back on… Read More

4 weeks ago

Tomcat RIO tells the story of when he and his Pilot flew to Beale AFB in their F-14 to discuss “operational matters” with SR-71 Blackbird crews

“We learned about the SR-71’s missions and capabilities. The SR-71 crews were very professional, and they respected us fighter pukes… Read More

2 months ago

In late 1970s the British MoD concluded that the F-14 was the only fighter that could meet Britain’s defence needs but RAF never bought the Tomcat. Here’s why.

The prospect of an RAF F-14 Tomcat buy was discussed. One method of lowering the bill might have been to… Read More

3 months ago

From doing a flyby of the tower at over 400 knots to ejecting from an F-14: former Tomcat RIO answers your questions

‘I have actually done a fly by of the tower at over 400 knots…and I have photos to prove it,’… Read More

4 months ago

From the F-14 retirement to dogfighting against the F/A-18: former Tomcat RIO answers your questions

‘The Hornet and Super Hornet would be challenging opponents in an engagement. As a baseline initial move, the F-14 Tomcat… Read More

4 months ago

Tomcat Vs BUFF: B-52 pilot recalls the dogfights he and his crew had against US Navy F-14 fighter jets

‘The F-14 Tomcat could sweep its wings forward to nearly seventy degrees from its swept-wing, high-speed configuration and match my… Read More

5 months ago

Getting Grumman and the Tomcat through Difficult Times: the story of Bob Belter, the man who bought the first 70 F-14 Fighter Jets for the US Navy

Bob Belter. You’d think more people would know the name of a man who bought 70 F-14 Tomcats! Bob Belter.… Read More

7 months ago

F-14 pilot tells the story of when he landed his crippled Tomcat with the wings swept back

‘Since the wings weren’t budging, we were getting ready to have one wild landing.’ Mark Vizcarra, F-14 Tomcat pilot. Advancements… Read More

7 months ago

The Original Tomcat: Did you know the Grumman F7F Tigercat was originally to be named “Tomcat?”

On Memorial Day 1996, the F7F Tigercat flew its only airshow routine with its more modern descendant, the F-14 Tomcat,… Read More

9 months ago

Taming the Tomcat: test pilot in the F-14 Program tells the story of the “Great DLC Fight with Grumman” and explains why the Tomcat handled better at 15 than it did at 17 units AOA

Since Commander Emory Brown's background as a test pilot in the Tomcat Program is widely known, we believed his perspective… Read More

9 months ago

From Missileer to Tomcat: The saga of the development of the F-14 out of the ashes of the Joint Service F-111B program

The saga of the development of the F-14 Tomcat out of the ashes of the Joint Service F-111B program is… Read More

9 months ago

F-14 Tomcat RIO explains how he and his pilot were able to face alone 5 gutsy F-4 Phantoms and come out on top

“As we flashed past their formation at 1,000 knots closing speed, Jaws immediately cranked our jet into a crushing 6.5-g… Read More

9 months ago

IRIAF F-14 Tomcat crashes near the central city of Isfahan. Both crew members eject safely.

The IRIAF Tomcat involved in the accident is believed to be F-14A serial 3-6054. An Islamic Republic of Iran Air… Read More

9 months ago

The story of the US Navy F-14 Tomcat aircrew that inspired the Legendary Top Gun Movie

Learning to fly and fight the Tomcat in combat was the main goal for both the F-14 aircrews and the… Read More

10 months ago
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