F-14 Tomcat | Behind the Wings

F-14 Tomcat | Behind the Wings
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When is a good time to learn a bit about the F-14?!? "Anytime, baby!"
Join curator Matthew Burchette as he links up with F-14 pilot Lt. Richard "Spud" Webb and dives into the incredible history of the famed F-14. Uncover insider information on flying this amazing bird, get up close and personal with an M-61 Vulcan cannon, peer inside the dominant Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines and a whole lot more.
Extended F-14 Tomcat episode here: • MORE F-14 Tomcat | Beh...
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---------------------------------------­----------------------------
Host, Curator:
Matthew Burchette
Creator, Producer:
Ben Theune
Camera, Editor:
Scott Hennelly
Music:
Joakim Karud - / joakimkarud
---------------------------------------­----------------------------
©2019 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. All rights reserved.

[@Wings_Museum]

Want more of the F-14? Listen to our latest Behind the Wings Podcast episode with Mike Rabens, the President of the F-14 Tomcat Association. Rabens is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, Top Gun, a commander on US Naval Test Pilot School, with more than 4,700 flight hours in 58 aircraft, and more than 700 carrier landings. behindthewings.transistor.fm/

[@ToyotaTacomaOfficial]

Yeah

[@Kasimen-ws5qe]

❤❤❤❤❤ftfksuq71u11💗💘💗

[@Kasimen-ws5qe]

❤❤❤❤❤🎉7tfmksu17💗💘💗

[@RayShadow278]

Seeing Matthew standing on top of the F-14 really puts into perspective just how big it really is

[@gordonlawrence4749]

For a fighter "huge" just does not cover it.

[@firepower7017]

If you want huge look no further than the MIG-31. It burns purely on Manga which is why it goes fast but lasts short.

[@gordonlawrence4749]

@@firepower7017 I didn't realise it was that much bigger. Turns out the MTO is about 35% higher. 46 Tonnes as opposed to 33. Ya wouldn't want that falling on your foot!

[@firepower7017]

@@gordonlawrence4749 If you want a scale of the MIG-31 weight. It weighs 2 B-25 bombers or one fully loaded B-17 and a P-51

[@gordonlawrence4749]

@@firepower7017 tbh I am way more familiar with more modern aircraft. That said I always thought the Mitchel in some of it's iterations was possibly the inspiration for tome of the heavier strike fighters. Possibly part of the inspiration for the A-10 too.

[@retiredmilitary5048]

I remember when they decommissioned the A4 Skyhawk and I was reassigned to a F14 squadron so new, that when I arrived we had no aircraft. When the planes were delivered fresh from the factory, we would wait with our tool boxes to pilfer the Pratt and Whitney emblems from the engines and make belt buckles out of them. Great memories. I was proud to be a mechanic on the Tomcat.

[@retiredmilitary5048]

​@Joshua Ngau Ajang It's been over 40 years but the engines in the F14 were more easily accessible for changes, since we just opened large doors instead of removing the entire tail section like the A4, but the F14, being twin engines, took more maintenance. The ease of engine changes in the Tomcat made for a quicker turnaround.

[@retiredmilitary5048]

@Smith Wesson No. Just took the Pratt & Whitney emblems.

[@victorm56]

It absolutely broke my heart to see a F-14 gutted out like that.

[@kellyjackson7889]

Why didn't they retrofit the plane with mock instruments?

[@laa0fa502]

@@kellyjackson7889not enough people see in the cockpit for that much work

[@captainkrazee7726]

I totally agree

[@lunamaria1048]

Same here

[@kellyjackson7889]

@@laa0fa502 people/organisations` restore things with full attention to detail all the time despite how many will get to see to appreciate it. This is an odd exception.

[@220Hawkeye]

You know a machine is amazing when 15 years later, the pilots still get excited just talking about it.

[@shuttlespace04]

Iran use f14s🤣🤣

[@TheJustinJ]

SR-71, F-14, F-8 Crusader & F8F Bearcat, and Spitfire. Nothing else comes close to the energy and excitement and love of machine than those pilots.

[@henri3446]

Still the best looking plane ever designed

[@henri3446]

@@fanki1730 maybe in your dreams

[@fanki1730]

@@henri3446 Thats not correct

[@henri3446]

@@fanki1730 yea it is

[@lukasi.v4269]

AC5 taught me that the F-14 and the Berkut are really good looking.

[@hudsonhawk0016]

The Jolly Roger F14 was by far the baddest looking fighter of any time.

[@allenwolfkill2781]

One of the most beautiful jets this country ever made

[@MasonHall]

ALLEN WOLFKILL IS the Most beautiful jet ever made in the country

[@that1randomguy758]

Allen wolfkill incorrect this is the most beautiful planes in the world

[@barryb.benson7909]

"The most beautiful jet in this country" You had a typo, so i fixed it😉

[@awesomemcawesomeshorts9531]

4th. 1. Raptor. 2. Viper. 3. Shooting Star 4. Tomcat

[@gerald4133]

I once saw two f14s vertical take off then level off, then the sound of two sonic booms as they went supersonic! Awesome 👍👍 aircraft.

[@asa226]

Please give LT. Richard another 60mins to keep speaking out loud his stories !!! He is a professional pilot and a professional anchor !! And did he explain "SPUD" ? XD .... One of the best episode !! Thanks again!!

[@helicopter2992]

this

[@halbrechts]

Give him more speachtime. Could Listen to him over and over

[@Meirele]

Also, what plane is he flying now?

[@harrylui309]

LT. Richard needs his own youtube Channel!

[@Warbro956]

Agree to all these comments

[@megaseis7849]

Man, I'm in super-awe of Spud. That dude can hold your interest and it's crystal clear he's always loved flying. Amazing how the recall of the uncontrolled flight situation protocol just started flowing out after15 years! If this is typical American fighter pilot training, we've got nothing to worry about! Kudos to all involved in this, and please give Spud more opportunities to fascinate us with his knowledge. Without blatant cuts!!!

[@aportman58]

You can tell this LT. is a highly intelligent a well spoken communicator with extreme gift to meticulously and clearly explain things! Love it!

[@cleverusername9369]

4:38 "you just got the sense that you were strapped onto the most powerful rocket ride ever, which you were..." *Saturn V Rocket* : "Am I a joke to you?"

[@mkozachek]

Not to mention he flew the A model, which had weaker engines compared to the B and D models. The B models took off at MIL power rather than AB - in fact in some of the takeoff footage here I’m pretty sure it’s footage of a B model because of the lack of AB.

[@ILSRWY4]

not to mention he lied about the f-14 not having auto-pilots.. the f-14 not only had a very sophisticated Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) designed into it from the earliest F-14A, it it also had Automatic carrier Landing system and Approach Power COmpensator (auto throttles).

[@Topgunbase]

@@ILSRWY4 To clarify my 'lie'... ACLS and APC were installed in the A & B models, yet were operationally defunct and unreliable... never worked. Period. The D model sorta had the kinks worked out but honestly the Hornet was the real winner for ACLS and APC.

[@bbarker5766]

@@ILSRWY4 it did not have an auto carrier landing system in the A, A+,B models. The F/A-18 Hornets did though. I was with VF-103 Sluggers/Jolly Roger's during late 90-92 and had many discussions about landing on the carrier with our pilot's. I was a plane captain so we worked close with the pilot's and rio's of our squadrons. Great times and I miss them everyday..... well except for our trip up into the North Atlantic for cold weather ops.... 🥶🥶🥶

[@pdexBigTeacher]

And when the Tomcat was fitted with the GE F110-400's, it really became a beast.

[@azmike1956]

Peter Ford, oh heck yeah!!😆

[@robertlucyksr667]

Roger that I went to school for the F110 but got out shortly after before we really got many A+ models.

[@gordonlawrence1448]

The Tupertomcat was due to have an extra 10,000 pounds of thrust on top of that.

[@cdjeeyore]

I remember a airshow that a super tomcat did a display, it was awesome. The engines had a loud low guttural moan that I've never heard from a fighter plane before or since. Definitely miss the tomcat .

[@motorTranz]

"Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full......."

[@bharatsv6409]

Sorry Goose it's time to buzz the tower 😅

[@Henby]

“Don’t do it mav...”

[@nicolasg-oviesperez6192]

I want some butts and i want em now!!

[@user-pe1ns8bd6j]

He saw Peggy Benjamin, the Admiral’s daughter.

[@Snugggg]

I want some butts!

[@CodyShell]

My Grandma worked for Grumman (Not yet Northrop Grumman at the time) at the Bethpage plant on Long Island, NY. She built parts for the F14 for years! I'm proud of my aviation background and love to see these amazing planes!

[@OnPointFirearms]

Cody Shell My Grandpa Fred worked at the same plant for 35 years. He lived in Centereach. Every summer we'd visit from Florida and he would take us out to the little field behind the plant where Grumman setup an airstrip/runway for radio controlled planes. Grumman really took care of their employees. Fond memories of the greatest generation.

[@CodyShell]

@@OnPointFirearms I agree 100%! Won't see those days again

[@OnPointFirearms]

Cody Shell Nope. That was a special time for America and very special men and women manufacturing these marvels of engineering. God bless the greatest generation. This video really took me back to my childhood and fond memories of grandpa.

[@ZeuZLoD]

This will forever be my favorite plane (sr-71 being second). Thanks to Top Gun in 1986 I became obsessed with the plane, building so many models, drawings, and far too many posters. Such a badass plane!

[@RandyBeretta-db5bg]

YEP! Mine too.!

[@alvinoflys7504]

This and the F-4 Phantom are my 2 favourite plane designs ever

[@mcdonaldsburntchickennugge8231]

Alvin of Lys *iran would like to know your location*

[@Johntube648]

I can definitely agree with that

[@renehinojosa1962]

My uncle was an F-4 Phantom jet engine mechanic. Decades ago, he took me on a tour of where these engines were being maintained,before all that security stuff came into being. Literally, if you were family you could walk in to base and walk around all this stuff! Anyways, how precise were the tolerances to these engines? Well, my uncle asked me to put one finger on the turbines and asked me to turn them. With very little effort I could move the entire thing! Freaking unbelievable!

[@darthslackus499]

During the Cold War the US Navy needed a fighter aircraft that could: #1 Protect fleet from launched missiles #2 Dogfight with bombers close air support and lastly.... #3 Transform into a mech

[@rado3880]

Robotech! 😂

[@Delta-es1lg]

Ayyyyyyy!

[@zakupilot0080]

Macross

[@zakupilot0080]

VF-1S Skull Leader.

[@ozzy7763]

Love me some veritechs!!

[@incubrian]

the editing was cool, but i think i speak for all the viewers when i say, EDITOR, please re-release this so we can hear rich's interview in full! this guy loves to talk, and i would love to hear every word of his! it's always really amazing when you can find these guys who are willing to share it all like rich!

[@MrDemonicDan]

I agree, the multiple cuts where he was describing the challenges of carrier landings felt kinda disrespectful - like a kid zoning out during a lesson or something like that :S

[@derrickfarrar5736]

I also agree I was super interested in why the last 30 seconds of the flight was so scary and felt like I was in a Charlie Brown classroom . I committed to 12:39 I would have committed to 22:39 lol

[@MemphisBelle291]

@@MrDemonicDan that was my first thought as well...felt like he considered him just to do some blah blah blah and this is somethings a Tomcat Pilot does not deserve, let him finish his stories as these are real stories

[@gaelan2k9]

I felt like the cuts were there to represent the length of things the pilots actually have to do rather than being disrespectful but I definitely agree with getting to see the unedited footage

[@MrDemonicDan]

@@gaelan2k9 I'm sure that was the intention, and I doubt they intended any disrespect, but it still feels a bit like "blah blah blah pilot stuff, whatevs" - especially considering the people likely to watch this have more than a passing interest in the details. But yeah, for sure, the unedited (or less edited) version would be most welcome.

[@fluff2001]

Dont make fun of me but In 1986 I was 20 years old........ I saw Top Gun in the summer of 86 -- I joined the Navy 3 months after seeing the movie with Tom Cruise- which btw all the girls compared me to ......... I'm from a small West Texas town and had never even thought about joining the military until seeing the movie ....... Well, I joined and went to bootcamp in Orlando and a few months later I was driving the USS Nimitz with 30 of these F 14's around the Mediterranean and Pacific for 2 years........ Funny how life works huh........ So, thanks to Tom Cruise and the awesome F 14 tomcat ...... The F 14 is still the coolest fighter in history of NAVY ..........

[@jonecuntapay9561]

The f14 is the old mustang.

[@kelharper7971]

So you became an F-14 pilot "a few months later" after joining up from a Small West Texas Town with no prior experience. You must be a very exceptional person. Most people go through a few months of basic training before they even start their pilot training. Then they spend several years learning to fly, working from theory to small planes to larger planes to jet trainers to jet aircraft. Finally, at the end, the most aggressive ones with the best eyesight are chosen to be fighter pilots. Some of them even get a chance to fly from carriers on duty. I could believe that you signed up and went through basic and were on board the Nimitz a few months later...as a deck crew member.

[@BikerDash]

@@kelharper7971 From how I read it, sounded like he is saying that he was part of the bridge crew, and not a jet jockey.

[@BikerDash]

Amazing how Tom Cruise failed to ruin a good movie that starred an F-14 Tomcat and Anthony Edwards.

[@fluff2001]

@@BikerDash kel harper You should read slower it will help your comprehension. Biker is correct. I did not say I was a pilot. I said I was driving the Nimitz.... Helmsman ... Pilots dont go to bootcamp in Orlando ... I watched F 14 for hundreds of hours of flight ops for 2 years from the Bridge of the Ship with the Captain himself ......

[@skyhawksailor8736]

I have always loved the Tomcat. Grumman was going to call the F-7 "Tomcat" instead of Tigercat. But due to sexual overtone of Tomcat, they instead named it Tigercat. During my 41 years as a Naval Avionics Technician, I got to see the retirement of so many great Naval Aircraft. Was stationed at China Lake when the last squadron of RA-5's were flown in on their last flight, so the Navy could turn them into drones. Favorite aircraft I worked on was the A-4 Skyhawk, followed by the A-7 Corsair II and the A-6 Intruder. Favorite Navy jet overall was the F-14 Tomcat, followed by the F-4 Phantom. Other aircraft retired during my career was the S-3 Viking, (which should have been converted into KS-3 tankers), the A-4, A-7, A-6, H-3, EA-6B, F-8 and the P-3, all I have worked on except the F-14, F-4 F-8 EA-6B and S-3

[@michaelpolk9802]

I was an F-14 Plane Captain in squadron VF-31 83-85. Man does this bring back memories. Many of the terms are the same we used in the Tomcat community 35+ years ago. Wow!

[@dobermanpac1064]

The f14 still has swag. It’s like a 67 427cid Corvette...they both remain scary. 😂😂😂

[@chrisbaker2903]

Yeah, I got a ride in one of those from a guy from a ways north of Las Vegas. Back then Nevada didn't have speed limits on the non city roads. He had a wide ratio 4 speed and 2.56/1 rear gears. Scared the crap out of me almost, when he shifted into 4th at an indicated 160 mph while still accelerating hard enough I was pretty much pinned to the seat back.

[@dobermanpac1064]

Chris Baker Indeed, scary! I know scary when I see it. LOLLLL 😂😂😂

[@abryson7429]

That's an apt comparison. Some designs are timeless!

[@jacobblair6181]

@Just Wryt dont ever say that again

[@Broadwaymungo]

It's got that SR-71 / P-51 / Spitfire / F-15 Cache to it. It really does...and it always will.

[@CD-wv2bd]

The F-14 was a monster. Saw them being launched off the flight deck of the USS Kitty Hawk 1993-94. It's an amazing fighter jet. It's huge but fast!!

[@s0nnyburnett]

This pilot makes me feel like I'm back in school with one of those intense teachers who expects a lot and pushes you to do more than you thought you could.

[@YeOldeAccount27]

The pilot reminds me of one of my history teachers, who was once a Navy Seal, among other things. While they did very different things, my teacher and the pilot look, speak, and act similarly. He was a cool teacher who pushed us as you said.

[@0Zolrender0]

@@YeOldeAccount27 and what they all share is a passion for what they are talking about. That comes through their body language and voice tone. Its much easier to be egnaged with someone thats obviously passionate about, and loves what he/she is talking about.

[@greghm]

you did go to school ?

[@YeOldeAccount27]

greghm Don't know who you're talking to, but if you’re asking me then yes.

[@greghm]

@@YeOldeAccount27 haha ! that was a joke. Have a nice day

[@Gabthar]

Desire to enter the danger zone increases.

[@brkbtjunkie]

This and the A10 are my favorite childhood aircraft.

[@VAltoFH]

A best and most beautiful fighter as ever! Tomcat F-14!!

[@davidsalcido383]

Voando Alto: “F-14 Tom Cat NO longer on CRUISE control - Now on Mohammed ‘Cruise’ control. LOL! 😇

[@smoke_eater_]

It’s about time, dcs has had this thing out for a while. Thanks for the tomcat!

[@trentszachnitowski4628]

yes comrade

[@helicopter2992]

GAMERS

[@pgtmr2713]

Not really a game when it's taken as seriously as it is and modeled on de-classified information. The detail is spectacular. I made a comment in a KZbin video about how the canopy opening/closing sound was wrong. It was corrected in less than 24 hours. You could learn real dog fighting skills playing that "game."

[@evoman44]

@@helicopter2992 It has been my experience that I have learned more about a particular aircraft through DCS than I ever could just by reading up on it and seeing documentary videos. Learning to operate an aircraft in DCS is the next best thing to flying the real thing. And I said learning to operate it because you actually have to take the time to learn how to operate all of the systems. You just can't hop in and go and hope for the best because you wont even be able to turn it on.

[@MongooseTacticool]

Heatblur did an amazing job. I love it. Jester is a cheeky s.o.b. ;)

[@abisairuiz8312]

highway to the danger zone INTENSIFIES

[@jrpascarell6049]

Ba dun dum, ba dum dum da da

[@MongooseTacticool]

Lana, Lana... LAAAANAAA! ...Dangerzone

[@lonniebean1149]

This guy's intelligence floors me thank you for your service

[@xreconusmc3156]

lonnie bean thanks for your kind words and support. SEMPER fi ta dah death.

[@ILSRWY4]

@5:49 ... then google F-14 automatic flight control system (AFCS) , f-14 automatic carrier landing system (ACLS), and f-14 approach power compensator (auto throttles) and then you will know how "intelligent" he is.

[@ILSRWY4]

@5:49 ... then google F-14 automatic flight control system (AFCS) , f-14 automatic carrier landing system (ACLS), and f-14 approach power compensator (auto throttles) and then you will know how "intelligent" he is.

[@devandemarino5979]

My grandfather was in the design team for the f-14

[@HoLeeChit11]

So was my grandmother

[@kellyjackson7889]

Oh so thats who implemented the ashtray! cool

[@kylemontgomery399]

Devan DeMarino SO WAS MINE!!! That’s crazy! My grandfather also worked on the hydra project, and several others for the U.S. Navy! And my great grandfather was a full bird colonel.

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

So was my granduncle

[@johnsheehan3671]

prove it

[@jekporkins2337]

Seeing him stand on the back of the tomcat really shows you how big it is.

[@CanIgetsubsforsellingbathwater]

Yeah it had to hold 14 feet long missiles

[@ScimitarRaccoon]

I've stood on the back of one as well.. There large aircraft

[@s0nnyburnett]

Same here, extra thick.

[@JesseWright68]

When you see one of them next to a B-25 medium bomber, their size really becomes apparent.

[@KidnapSix]

This is great, wish you didn’t skip through his explanations while in the cockpit. Hope you release the full footage.

[@durex31011988]

Oh yes please!

[@winstonzeb2842]

Totally agree, I get so annoyed when people cut things out because they don't find it necessary information. I would listen to this guy for hours.

[@devildog3246]

My favorite fleet defense fighter of all time. Love this aviator! Men like him saved my ass more than a couple times in a 24 year Marine Corps career. Semper Fi Spud!

[@philipe7937]

The tomcat is my all time favorite plane, it is a beautiful plane

[@waynerafferty1048]

Greetings from northern Ireland. And thank you for the video the F14 tomcat is for me the greatest plane usa ever made.

[@NealyLL]

Yeah that and the B757… With RB211s of course.

[@moow950]

So much admiration for the Iranians who still keep flying the F-14 Tomcats and maintaining and improving them.

[@DommoPA]

You sound like a traitor. Iran's f14 are trashed for the most part. Very much hindered vrs. Our version. They have no place to go.

[@moow950]

DommoPA Haha 😆 I am European, so GTFO. The Iranians are geniuses because while the Americans tried everything to obstruct them, they managed to maintain the F14 very well and enhanced it to meet modern days needs. It shows how smart the Iranians are.

[@edwin3928ohd]

The introduction is so typical of this channel. Hes just standing on an F14 like its no big deal. Love it!

[@stormtroopercommander7947]

F-14 Tomcat!? *"Anytime baby"* 😎

[@GearZenChannel]

I think that was the Tophatter squadron motto?

[@richardpettys4928]

She was a true joy to fly and serve as a NFO in them. I loved that plane.

[@Domazsakalauskas]

Def one of the THHEEE coolest and most iconic fighter jets.

[@danielbyers7360]

The F-14 with the Red Wolf.... VF-1... my squadron and not only that... As a plane captain with VF-1, 113 was my bird!

[@donmonteith775]

Me too. VF-1 AT's 1986-1989

[@TheSerpentineFire]

Witchita Baby :)

[@darylrocks2753]

Lucky bastard...love the f-14 even through my dad was a plane Capt for f-8s and e3s.

[@stevehenrichs5091]

It's sad the Navy decommissioned this beautiful plane.It served the U.S fleets beyond its expectations.

[@weldonwin]

And the real injustice is not that they decommissioned a gorgeous plane, but that they then came and ripped the guts out of every airworthy and museum example of it, to deny Iran a supply of spare parts

[@blueofthelightanddark6273]

weldonwin even though the US destroyed old F-14s to keep spare parts away from falling into the hands of Iran, Iran managed to overhaul their F-14A Tomcats without help from outside.

[@earlnagle2037]

They should have built the Super Tomcat 21. The Hornet has never had the "legs " that the Tomcats did .

[@williamedmonds9581]

You forgot to mention us maintenance personnel. When I was in VF-154 back in 97 to 01. It was 50 maintenance hours for 1 hour of flight time. Yes the pilots get all the credit. But without us they wouldn’t have had the chance at glory. Always remember “It took a college degree to break it and a high school diploma to fix it”.

[@MyNewUserName47]

you did what i wanted to do. i had enlisted in late February or early March of 86 on deferred, got to great lakes first of june. i forget my exact MOS, but i joined to work on fighter planes, specifically avionics. because my oldest brother had served on her from about 67~69, Enterprise was my first choice of duty station. knee problems in basic ended any future i may have had in the military. was kind of funny, a lot of my friends told me i was nuts for enlisting, when top gun came out most of them thought it was great i joined.

[@kellywren9215]

I remember working on these myself, VF-124 out of Miramar.

[@pauljaeger1652]

I worked avionics for VF-101

[@SeminarChauffeur]

Being a maintenanceman for the Tomcat, do you believe its design could still be improved in order to cut down on its maintenance hours? Can you point out some examples? 😆

[@williamedmonds9581]

Flame Haze Mithril I was working on F-14A’s. The oldest Tomcats in the fleet. They were beat up. I’m sure the squadrons flying B’s and D’s has much lower maintenance hours. I do believe the Navy should have contracted Northrop Grumman to build new Tomcats with updated systems and materials to lighten the aircraft. Instead of going with the Super Hornet. But the Navy wanted to get away from multiple airframes and just have one that did it all.

[@Rikko7]

Great Pilot. I was glued to his comments all thru the clip. Long live the TOMCAT. ANYTIME, ANYWHERE BABY!!!

[@qhughes4555]

he's so passionate about flying you can tell. love to see it

[@richc.3100]

When I left VF-211 in 1992 we were flying the F14 A+. It had GE engines and top speed (unclassified) was mach 2.6 not 2.4. It also has ACLS (Automatic Carrier Landing System). Sounds like they rolled back to the A before going to the F18.

[@gaelan2k9]

Absolutely love getting to hear the pilots talk about their planes and the stories they have with them

[@michaelreed1380]

What an episode! That plane had the russian pilots scared to death, what a beast it was/is. That plane is what sparked my aviation enthusiasm and I could listen to Spud all day!

[@llsrrll6930]

I remember the first time I saw Top Gun as a kid. Man they don't make movies like that anymore. Beautiful plane, will always remember that one.

[@jhmcglynn]

I worked at Grumman from 1967 to 1970 when we won the VFX contract. I was a 20 old Computing Science major at New York Institute of Technology when I got the internship at Grumman. I worked on this project with an engineer to build a Database Engine so we could match/merge engineering data files and create sorted reports of the results. Years later along IBM’s DB2 that used a Sequential Query Language (SQL) to perform similar functions. I continued as a full time employee and finished my BS at night school. What a great time. BTW - we also built the LEM Lunar Lander during those years.

[@TomP-148]

Damn should of been a longer episode

[@predattak]

At least 1 hour long, i'm sure they had the content.

[@StephensCustomModels]

LT's enthusiasm is awesome! Man, I could listen to him for a while. He must be an instructor.

[@feathetstone7290]

F-14 Tomcat is definitely the epitome of poetry in motion

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

Wish my grandpa was still alive to watch this good shit with. Hell, reckon he's right beside me now.

[@acinonyxjubatus1073]

F-14 Tomcat - A truly remarkable aircraft. My father was a mechanic in the Navy, and he worked on these at Mira Mar, and on board the Enterprise/ "Big-E". He retired sometime in the late 80's, and I think he regretted it, because he was happy with his job. Great video! Thank you!

[@MyNewUserName47]

if i had been able to stay in, i may have gotten to meet your father, the big E was my first pick of duty station in the late 80s

[@FrankyGee3]

Matthew, three things: 1. You've let the hair and beard grow, which is good. Short hair, no beard? Not your best look. 2. Go longer on the vid, please. You barely scratch the surface. Hard core aviation nerds always want more. Yes we do! 3. Glad for the ref to Speed and Angels. Awesome flick. Also, keep up the good work. Thanks for all your effort.

[@canadianoutdoors498]

Truly ones of mans most beautiful creations

[@michaelcap9550]

Along with A-5 Vigilante

[@SanBrunoBeacon]

F-14 - the greatest combat aircraft of its generation.

[@Colorado_Native]

I am retired from the USAF, but I love the F-14 Tomcats. I got to go to Fallon in Nevada many times. It was always great to see the 14s doing pattern work. They would come in, the wings transitioning forward getting confugured for landing. I was traveling on Hwy. 50, the Loneliest Road in America, and got swept by two Tomcats. Awesome aircraft.

[@Kerry0101]

I was in the Navy on a The USS Ranger CV-61. My very first underway working in the hanger bay and my former self witnessed the first time I saw an F-14 semi up close we were doing carrier quals. The F-14 came in and ripped out the number three wire and the pilots ejected just before the Tomcat feel into the water on the port side. I was a blue shirt who was manning the port side main mount of an F-18 ready to go topside on elevator number three. I looked up when I heard the piston which stopped the aircraft not stop and a winding noise slowing down, and out of this hole in the floor with a missing round plate came liquid that was brown right at me. Hydrologic Fluid. I side stepped two steps and it landed where I was Standing. The first time I saw the F-14 Tomcat was in the water only could see the tail wings. Mind you this was the first of two accidents that happened three days apart. The second was a A-6 Intruder broke its tail hook. The ship had a other name, The Danger Ranger. Thank you for sharing this. It brings back memories. I did have a chance to sit in the seat of a F-14 Tomcat for a couple minutes and I was allowed to touch the stick. It fit my hand like a glove. Find memories. You kinda miss it.

[@bdh985]

Love it. But was expecting at least a 30 minute episode

[@themangix357]

The best looking aircraft ever! YES! YESSSS!!

[@scotthilliard7177]

A beast!

[@rswpt]

This was an amazing plane so reliable and ahead of its time!

[@JBliehall]

I was stationed at the 444th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Charleston, SC in 1961 with Denny Romano. We were in the Fire Control Unit working on the F-101B Voodoo AWCS. [Air Weapons Control System] Denny went on to get his degree and became one of the test pilots for Grumman in Long Island. He flew the RIO seat. He went on to be a high level admin person at Grumman and we have stayed in contact over the years. A great guy with a great story to tell. Stay safe James

[@davidh8924]

The description of that launch off the deck was terrifying.

[@tyberious3023]

Ahh I wish you guys didn't edit the pilot talking, I would have loved to hear him speak about carrier operations in detail. Great video.

[@erikstephen8042]

The F-14 is one if not the one of my all time favorite airplanes. So versatile, and capable. I was very upset that the Navy retired them, and then the DoD destroyed them at the Grave Yard. They could have been upgraded them with all the modern tech and still been one of the most dominant Air to Air Naval aircraft in the world.

[@DRAEK05]

Reality speaking - it wouldn't have worked out. The problem is the Aerodynamics - its built like a drag car. It goes great on straight aways but it's turn speeds are sub par even for 70s. The F-18 and F-22 could run circles around it and F-14 would still not have done its first turn. The F-14 would have needed a total redesign from the ground up - at that point you would just be making a new jet

[@IJN_Guy]

​​@@DRAEK05 If the F-21 "Super Tomcat" program had went through, it would be interesting to see how different everything would have turned out. Stronger radar, engines, avionics, and armament makes this aircraft an ideal strike-fighter. Former F-14 pilot Ward Carroll gave his side on a "what if" scenario and it seems pretty reasonable that this would have been a preferable and cheaper stop-gap alternative to the F-35 while it fully developed. Also, no [_] the F-18 and especially the F-22 can out-turn the F-14. This comparison is like that of a hawk and a pigeon - they were made for completely different reasons. The F-14 was a "strike-fighter," the job that the expensive F-35 keeps wavering on. The F-18 is a multi-role fighter meant to replace things like the A-6. The F-22 (being even more expensive and problematic than the F-35) is an air-dominance fighter, so of course it dominates in the dogfight. But, we are talking about Navy fighters here, which has more limitations. The F-14 excels in arwas that the F-18 doesn't, such as range and max take-off weight, and vice versa.

[@Toby-pq7dr]

Spurlock

[@astrofrk]

I would see those wings sweep back and think: "Adios baby!"

[@dh2360]

The F-14 is such a great jet which speaks to the incredible ingenuity of the men who put it together and flew it for decades.

[@valerie80yearsago90]

I could listen to Lieutenant Richard talk about the Tom cat for hours. He's just so passionate about it and you can really tell. His eyes were blooming the entire time. I love seeing people that passionate about things.

[@heavyassaultcollectables1731]

We need this Fighter Back in service. With a few upgrades and lower cost to maintain. Sweet fighter.

[@KiddGalaxxy]

@@evoman44 I saw a documentary about the Tomcat. And it's replacement the Super Tom Cat. It looked amazing! And it had similarities to the Air-Force's F-22 in service today.

[@heavyassaultcollectables1731]

@@evoman44 I hope that the Navy will someday reconsider.

[@evoman44]

@@KiddGalaxxy Yes, that is the concept rendering of what a future F-14 successor could look like. The Super Tomcat 21 was to look similar to the old tomcat but way more improved. Here is an interesting description of what a former Grumman engineer said about that project. "A side note: I once talked to an accomplished engineer that worked for Grumman on the Super Tomcat 21 proposal. He told me that the performance models they were seeing with the Super Tomcat design were absolutely stunning and the jet's low speed handling, especially with thrust vectoring and the bigger engines, and the sheer amount of territory it could cover in a single mission were unprecedented. This man went on to work for "other contractors" on major fighter programs, but he maintains that the Super Tomcat's maneuvering performance and ability to operate as a fighter independent of tanker assets over large distances has still not been accomplished in any US or foreign design to this day. He did mention that he does see a large degree of the Super Tomcat's potential in the Russia's late model Flanker series, especially with its thrust vectoring and large internal fuel, but according to him it still does not really compare. "

[@naturetrails8217]

F-14 Tomcat where all other aircraft in the world are measured by.

[@TheblueTraxxasRustler]

fernando gonzales it’s the Porsche 911 of Naval jet fighters

[@dukeofmecklenburg-strelitz8030]

The F-15 was the gold standard, not the F-14

[@RazgrizF14]

The F-14 could fly circles around the F-15 which was proven when Grumman and McDonald Douglas showcased their planes for the Shah of Iran when they were still our allies. The Shah chose the Tomcat because it outperformed the Eagle.

[@dukeofmecklenburg-strelitz8030]

@@RazgrizF14 Sources? The F-14 doesnt have the energy retention and can only out maneuver the F-15 at slow speeds, if I remember correctly

[@1987ZerO]

@@RazgrizF14 You are right for most of it but there are no sources that the F14 outperformed the F15. Both manufacturers send their Teams and the Grumman Crew put up and outstading Performance. However i think they choose it because it was more similar to the F4 Phantom's they got their hands on earlier. Money didn't play a role for the shah so they coose the F14.

[@NorceCodine]

One of these is parking on my book shelf, since I was 14!

[@ramal5708]

Facts: 1. the Horizontal stabilizers of the Tomcats are as big as the wings of the A4 Skyhawks 2. Although the Phoenix missile is superior to any Air to air missile at the time, it took about 3 seconds to launch or fire the missile after you pull the trigger 3. The problem of the ejection seat, it became clear in the movie Top Gun where the canopy would hover above the aircraft after ejection and 0.5 seconds later when the RIO or WISO seat is ejected, the RIO would sometimes hit the canopy during ejection. I think in the variant B or D this problem is fixed by using the canopy ejection first before ejecting the seats

[@ey7290]

Fact 3 is false. The cause of Goose's death is not from canopy failure, The whole ejection sequence mechanically was flawless, you are thinking of the F-4 where if the RIO ejected first the pilot was unable to eject. Rather a low pressure system that occurred above the F-14 in the flat spin, it caused the canopy to linger around longer than normal. There was no mechanical fix to this ever installed, only new training for Tomcat crews which advised the pilot to manually eject the canopy before pulling on the ejection handle to allow the canopy more time to clear the aircraft

[@iCatchLupin]

Wow! I recognized the Wings over the Rockies exhibit instantly from the thumbnail. Such a striking example of the F-14, definitely visit this museum if you ever stop by Denver!

[@MegaRayland]

I wished they had discussed what it was to fly such an agile plane which, by all intents and purposes, defuse the huge, bulky look it had was extremely maneuverable. The discussion of landing and takeoff was great but the flight was missing

[@TheJustinJ]

Its all based on thrust to weight ratio, wing loading, lift coefficient, and aspect ratio/sweep. The F-14 compared favorably in all areas against other 4th gens but had waaaay more aspect ratio and reduced sweep in slow speed maneuvering. It also had spoileron, which are not great for good roll control esp inverted, but had stabilatorons (full flying elevators that also serve as roll control). Which made up for this. They used spoilerons on the outboard wings because ailerons create additional lift, which the structure couldn't handle, spoilers only reduce lift and create drag. No extra lift, no extra load, smart lightweight structural design for a swing-wing.

[@joeknudson1340]

"Son, you can either be a fighter pilot... or a jockey."

[@LuisMiguelGarciaTorres]

THE best looking gen 4 fighter, maybe best looking of any gen.

[@kashsingh4623]

THE LEGEND OF LEGENDS! F14 Tomcats are next level cool!

[@mojohns44]

The best part of sailing on carriers was having the Tomcat on the roof. I was utterly disgusted by the Hornet when it arrived and it still falls short of filling in for the F-14.

[@ftgrat1]

Amen brother, I served onboard USS JFK 1980-82 ships company airedale. Those were the days! Many impromptu air shows during the Med cruise. The sexiest best looking jet fighter ever!

[@brianjj1647]

I agree I love this bird.

[@Vanskynyrd]

The hornet rocks man, its capable of a lot.

[@mojohns44]

@@Vanskynyrd Everyone has a valid opinion. Some people are even proud to drive a PRIUS. I didn't like the HORNET because it was a HUGE stepdown in almost every category especially range. They carried less ordinance, far less distance and could stay on station for very short periods. After many upgrades they *still* fall short of filling the TOMCAT fleet defense role.

[@tc1817]

why exactly does it fall short? You are a moron.

[@Josh-hr5mc]

No reason to shorten this video. Everything he is saying is interesting and stuff we haven't heard before. I say post up the full interview. Quantity would win in this case

[@CaptainBobSim]

I love these behind the wings, Thank you so much!

[@TheElnots]

Matthew is the best thing at the museum aside from the airplanes.

[@liammchugh95]

The "Check Mates?" What an awesome squadron name!

[@reubenmorris487]

That jet belonged to VF-211, The Checkmates. The last F-14A squadron. Launched Mr. Webb several times as a PC. He used a yellow-tinted visor at night.

[@nathanpope5826]

Webbs a little dude the final alpha cruise was cool.... We did Fuk up 3 tomcat but had some fun in the sandbox

[@Asgar1205]

video starts and I'm instantly going: "oh it's an A model" :D

[@bodazaphfa]

HerrStein haha yup. Look at the TCS and the nozzles.

[@MuscleDad420]

This is the one I was waiting for. Hell yes.

[@mako2350]

I remember when I was in boot camp in San Diego and an F-14 launched off of North Island and went vertical, I was RCPO for the company and had 80ish guys Salute the aircraft launch and you could feel it in your bones from 6-8 miles away... Funny now but it was amazing!!!!!!!!!

[@edmundappel206]

Luv our beloved F 14 Tomcat....... rulers of the sky......... thanks for the video.

[@erikkunkle9574]

It's hard to pick a best, but this has to be in the running. Great video! Just an awesome plane and an awesome job telling us aboit it.

[@Justice094]

You ask me? It is the best looking jet the US ever made.

[@SpecOps140]

Jet jet? Or fighter jet? The SR-71 is the best looking aircraft the U.S ever made.

[@Justice094]

Matter of opinion my guy

[@Stevonoles1]

Absolutely!

[@a_random_tank_152mm7]

But but but... F-86A Sabre...

[@SimplySpace]

Yes 😁 Another behind the wings episode! I'm happy.

[@TB-ModelRR]

Every time I see this gorgeous aircraft the intro to "Danger zone" runs at max volume through my head! Funny how the Phoenix was designed for it then very rarely used. Carrier launch description was awesome!

[@flyingblucher6682]

Matthew is the right host for this series he`s exentric and fun to listen to and keeps u engaged in the aircraft

[@thebikewatcher9819]

Grumman is awesome, they built the greatest spacecraft ever...the Lunar Module, and they built this bad@$$ fighter. Great video.

[@ejohnson2720]

Grumman was well known for building very durable, very capable airframes dating back to WW2. Witness F8F Bearcat and F9F-Tigercats.(Tigercats saw little if any combat but were very well regarded.) My pop(Edward Johnson Sr) was Grumman QC inspector & inspection supervisor in 70's and early 80's for Tomcats undergoing upgrades at Pt Mugu, Ca. It was a great airframe with tremendous potential. Sad but true, it is currently outclassed as air superiority fighter by most 4th generation aircraft. The Phoenix missile and AWG-9 radar/weapons guidance system are still kind of unique and useful for dealing with clouds of cruise missiles or small clusters of very high speed ASM's. The Navy eventually delegated that role to the Aegis system after the F14's retirement.

[@waynee5603]

@@ejohnson2720 F-7 Tigercat (Twin engine prop driven). F-9s were Panthers or Cougars (Straight winged or swept wing versions), there was the almost forgotten F-11F Tiger, then the F-14 finally.

[@ejohnson2720]

@@waynee5603 Correction Acknowledged! Thanks for the save!

[@thefrecklepuny]

Is that an F-111 next to the Tomcat? You can imagine the Aardvark and the Tomcat comparing thier swing-wings..."I did it first"..."Yes, but I did it better".

[@dukeofmecklenburg-strelitz8030]

Even tho they dont have comparable roles

[@thefrecklepuny]

@@dukeofmecklenburg-strelitz8030 It was about the swing wing tech, not their roles. Hence it would work with a MiG-23 and an SU-24 for example.

[@bryfunkenstein]

@@dukeofmecklenburg-strelitz8030 the F-111 was faster than the tomcat...but crews were told not to push the airframe

[@MilWeeb]

Mentioned returning to his callsign "spud," but it seemed like that wasn't discussed in the video. Otherwise, great video!

[@HorrorUberAlles]

Nor they didn't ask if he ever buzzed the tower!

[@SF7PAKISTAN]

I'm thinking that there might be a part 2 to this

[@andrewfischer8564]

spud webb was a short in height basketball player . know to be able to dunk

[@vtwinbuilder3129]

Andrew Fischer to expand on this, Richard is obviously not very tall so it’s probably not that complex of a story.

[@fireball676]

spud webb was the shortest basketball player to play in the NBA.....

[@vstockwell]

Beginning of the Video the pilot sighs 11 minutes into the video he's smiling laughing and cutting up. Love it.

[@robertlucyksr667]

I am an old f14 mechanic aviation machist mate, was a blast high powering this beast with the 5 stage afterburners, ahh good times!!!