Tomcat flys its final mission

[TankerDriver]

One of my favorite fighters. It's cool to be able to say I passed gas to some of the last Tomcat combat missions (Nov '05 through Jan '06).

 

[Weasel Keeper]

The Hornet is not exactly a new airplane. And the 16 is even older. If memory serves correct, the YF-17 was Navy's selection for the F-4 and A-7 follow-on after it was decided that the 16 wouldn't be safe enough around the boat with one engine. (Yet the A-7 was a single engine jet...) The 17 evolved into the Hornet. This from the Navy Fact File (available on www.navy.mil):

General Characteristics, C and D models
Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.Contractor: Prime: McDonnell Douglas; Major Subcontractor: Northrop.Date Deployed: November 1978. Operational - October 1983 (A/B models); September 1987 (C/D models).



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You're correct. My quote about the "new jet on the block" had to do with the Tomcat. Relatively speaking, the 16 and 18 were more the "new jets on the block" when the Phantoms were being retired. The Tomcats are almost as old as the Phantoms. They are about the same age as the A-10 and F-15...so which is next? :erm:

 

[VVJM265]

Weasel Keeper,

I see what you were saying now. Sad to see all these great airplanes being put to bed. At least half a dozen Navy types have gone to rest since I've been in.

 

[pkober]

Good Job Supa and Obie !

CLAMBAKE

 

[lowtimedriver]

I don't think ole Chuck could get it aboard.

Uh, I'd bet that ole Chuck could still outfly most of us pudnockers on this board.............

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Weasel Keeper,

I see what you were saying now. Sad to see all these great airplanes being put to bed. At least half a dozen Navy types have gone to rest since I've been in.

What's fun for me, I was at George AFB, CA from 86-90 and we had a squadron of OV-10s and five squadrons of F-4E/Gs. Since then my base closed and the OV-10s and Phantoms have been retired. I'm starting to feel a bit old.

 

[VVJM265]

What's fun for me, I was at George AFB, CA from 86-90 and we had a squadron of OV-10s and five squadrons of F-4E/Gs. Since then my base closed and the OV-10s and Phantoms have been retired. I'm starting to feel a bit old.

I know what you mean. When we got orders to Corpus I told my 7 yo that the Lex was there and that I had landed on her in training. Once we finally got here and she saw the old gal tied to the pier, my daughter connected most of the dots and said, "So Dad, the ship you used to land on is a museeeum now!" Out of the mouths of babes......

 

[SIG600]

Uh, I'd bet that ole Chuck could still outfly most of us pudnockers on this board.............

With his eyes closed, and drunk.

 

[maverick121]

Definately sad to see the Tomcat go. She sure was fun to drive.

 

[Traderd]

Maybe soon, they'll all be gone; J-UCAS:

Most likely not in my lifetime. Maybe yours, but not mine. I've been around too long.

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/x-45/index.html

A link on autonomous threat avoidance by the X-45:

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/x-45/news/2005/q2/nr_050624s.html

 

[JimNtexas]

What's fun for me, I was at George AFB, CA from 86-90 and we had a squadron of OV-10s and five squadrons of F-4E/Gs. Since then my base closed and the OV-10s and Phantoms have been retired. I'm starting to feel a bit old.

We should form a support group.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

You're correct. My quote about the "new jet on the block" had to do with the Tomcat. Relatively speaking, the 16 and 18 were more the "new jets on the block" when the Phantoms were being retired. The Tomcats are almost as old as the Phantoms. They are about the same age as the A-10 and F-15...so which is next? :erm:

Yeah, Weasel, but we are talking about F-14D's which were digital machines constructed not that long ago. The "D's" that are flying now are incredibly capable warfighters with LANTIRN, JTIDS, JDAM, IRST, PTID, APG-71, FTI, IR BOL etc etc etc. They are dinosaurs yes, but deadly, highly capable ones. I know, I flew them.

 

[VVJM265]

Yeah, Weasel, but we are talking about F-14D's which were digital machines constructed not that long ago. The "D's" that are flying now are incredibly capable warfighters with LANTIRN, JTIDS, JDAM, IRST, PTID, APG-71, FTI, IR BOL etc etc etc. They are dinosaurs yes, but deadly, highly capable ones. I know, I flew them.

I got to go to the D rollout at Grumman (where is that paperweight?). I've always thought the Navy should have continued to refine that aircraft instead of buying the Hornet E/F.

 

[SIG600]

I got to go to the D rollout at Grumman (where is that paperweight?). I've always thought the Navy should have continued to refine that aircraft instead of buying the Hornet E/F.

You can only rebuild a 35 year old jet so many times... their just worn out. Superhornet is a great plane, but I agree with everyone, the Tomcat just looks f'in cool. May have been a different story if Cheny hadn't ordered Grumman to destroy the tooling to build new ones during the A-12 fiasco.

 

[VVJM265]

Hadn't had all my coffee yet this morning; that's what I should have said - we should have kept the line open and continue to make improvments. Just my 2c.