F-14 Tomcat: Demonstration by Dale Snodgrass :: 1996 Cleveland National Air Show

Top Gun pilot Capt. Dale Snodgrass flies the USN F-14 Tomcat of Grim Reaper Squadron during the 1996 Cleveland National Air Show.
[Recorded: 09.01.1996][WS]

[@garethdyos8018]

F14 performing at an airshow with the Topgun music blasting out.. The only recruitment tool the US Navy ever needed!

[@stijnvandamme76]

Ain't no way an F14 Demo makes anybody think "hey I wanna go surface or submarine" So i'm sure they still needed other tools

[@BLACKMONGOOSE13]

@@stijnvandamme76 don’t be jealous because you got rejected by the Navy to fly and ended up scrubbing toilets in a submarine.

[@Kgio-2112]

Final countdown baby

[@2ZZGE100]

R.I.P 'Snort' You died doing what you loved all your life. I will always remember you as the best Tomcat pilot who ever lived. The airshows I watch are 35+ years old and even in modern times, the spectacular demos even from 1984 still blow our minds because you could make the Tomcat dance like no other. Remember you gunning down 3 F-5E Tigers with your single F-14A Tomcat. Hope you are flying Tomcats up there in heaven alongside angels. 'Anytime baby!'.

[@johnnymichaelangelo9264]

What happened to him??

[@2ZZGE100]

@@johnnymichaelangelo9264 He was taking off in his Cessna going to where he was building his retirement 'Snort Fort'. His Cessna crashed at the end of the runway, unfortunately and caught fire. By the time the fire crew arrived, he had passed away.

[@johnnymichaelangelo9264]

@@2ZZGE100 man that is soo damn sad.....

[@johnnymichaelangelo9264]

@@2ZZGE100 all that pushing the envelope and that took him out...😔

[@2ZZGE100]

@@johnnymichaelangelo9264 That is the first thing I thought. He did some crazy stuff like pulling 9 - 10 Gs and not passing out or standing the Tomcat at high AoA at only 100 knots just 100 feet over show center while doing a slow speed pass not fearing compressor stall etc. and it is sad how it all ended for him.

[@greatquotestoliveby]

A Thousand years from now the F14 will still have that wow factor, it is timeless.

[@TheblueTraxxasRustler]

Just like the P-51

[@coldwynn]

@@TheblueTraxxasRustler lol.

[@Scotzie69]

@@TheblueTraxxasRustler you mean just like the F4 U Corsair

[@Hustler9g]

@@Scotzie69 hell ya love em both but f4u is >

[@nascar8and20]

Still no fighter like it!

[@beckett191145]

its a damn shame that we didn't keep 2 of these glorious fighters to be present at air shows in our great country!

[@kenprier7413]

Still the most badass heavy class fighter ever built! Bring on the Super Tomcat!

[@SHiNFORCE]

Ken Prier , the F-14 - anytime, baby!

[@shooter7a]

Dick Cheney killed the Super-Tom and his cronies lied their asses off about the F-18 to do it. Cheney had it out for Grumman, and he basically killed the company because of petty politics. The adoption of the F-18 platform instead of the SuperTomcat diminished US Navy capabilities dramatically, and the serious consequences (lack of aircraft range) persist to this day. With new GE-F110-129 engines, longer range, vectored thrust, Mach 1.3 super-cruise, 77 degrees AoA, the SuperTom would have been probably the highest pure performance aircraft ever made. It was expected to be able to our rate an F-16 despite its massive size. The only base aircraft platform (air-frame/engines/basic aircraft performance) that comes close is probably the SU flanker family.

[@kenprier7413]

@@shooter7a Why am I not surprised? Leave it to Dick to dick up a perfectly great platform for personal gain!

[@kpsig]

@@shooter7aThe Flankers outclassed the Tomcat by a big margin… great the Tomcat had been, no doubt.

[@shooter7a]

@@kpsig I was referring to the Super-Tomcat, an aircraft that Grumman proposed, but was never built. It was dramatically more capable than the F-14. This was an aircraft that used the basic airframe design of the F-14, but was completely re-engineered inside and out, to fix the F-14s flaws, and leverage its strong points. It would have been the most capable airframe / powerplant pairing ever. It would have outclassed just about everything...even today. The powerplants, thrust vectoring, and swing wing would have given it an unmatched range of capabilities. Imagine an aircraft that with the wings swung out and thrust vectoring could out-rate an F-16...and with the wings swung back could supercruise and hang with a Mig 25, all while carrying a massive payload. THAT is what the SuperTom would have been.

[@rtmdlawncare5774]

Dale was a hell of a pilot. Served this nation proudly and wowed us at airshows. RIP captain

[@adamgajewski81]

I was a young snot nosed Mechanic that was really inspired by my aircrews amd was introduced to Capt Snort Snodgrass by now Admiral Lung Aquilino. Always star struck by the two gentlemen. And was always polite when passing by. Fly High Snort, you and your gift to fly will ve missed

[@markhogan9435]

I am so proud that I was able to be apart of the F-14 Tomcat. Brown shirt with VF-41 black aces. The Tomcat will always be, to me, the best all around fighter aircraft the military ever had and will have....and for Capt Snodgrass, may you R.I.P. For all your accomplishments, I thank you and I solute you. You were truly one of the best aviators the F14 could have.

[@adamgajewski81]

I'm a Ripper what's up Shipmate

[@oldgoat142]

RIP, Captain. May you have CAVU with full bags forever! You bought it doing what you love to do. As General Patton once said, we should not mourn the passing of such men but praise God that such men had lived.

[@bmw_m4255]

When is snot flying his next show?

[@johncunningham4820]

@@bmw_m4255 . A Sorty , Weapons hot , to blow up YOUR House and CAR . Soon . Details are classified .

[@marktierney2986]

Ceiling and visibility unlimited with two full external tanks. Cleared to land check wheels.

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

​@@bmw_m4255: *Snort

[@picoloutube]

What a fantastic machine! Still my favorite fighter.

[@SHiNFORCE]

Yes indeed. F-14 forever!

[@micamanner4853]

that is what my licence plate says, F14 4 EVR

[@memovelazquez2278]

Yeahhhhhh!!! Forever the best THE F14 TOMCAT ❤

[@tommy_g35]

Not gonna lie going to an airshow to watch an F14 with Top Gun music playing must be amazing, America should have kept some of these around for airshows

[@scheldon2244]

I’ve seen reports that Dale Snodgrass may have died recently. He was truly the *real* Top Gun of the skies. Blue Skies and Tailwinds, Snort!

[@stijnvandamme76]

crashed marchetti on take off in Idaho.. rip

[@holton345]

Posted by Ward Carroll 25JUL21 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/laDJh4qcrdmFbs0

[@Mike-01234]

There is an actual video posted of crash on KZbin from a security camera with ATC audio while I get it people want to try figure out what happened the other side of me says something like that should not be public the man has family, and friends who are hurting.

[@stevegiboney4493]

@@Mike-01234 the gust lock was not removed, rendering the Marchetti uncontrollable.

[@fredprzf14]

From French F14 fan : Tomcat's for Ever !

[@SHiNFORCE]

Yes, F-14 Tomcat is my favorite!

[@philmontejano5971]

I wish France had F 14s instead of Iran!

[@Uncle_Shamrock]

@@philmontejano5971 I'm sure, no pilots from any nation can fly as well as iranian pilots.

[@mattmiller9591]

That sucks to hear.....I as a kid looked forward to the Kalamazoo Michigan Airshow every year usually just to watch the F-14 which was flown every year by Mr Snodgrass.......he was an awesome pilot!! I have his autograph on a pic of the Tomcat from one of those airshows..... RIP Mr Snodgrass and thanks for all you did for our country.... God bless his family.....

[@chowtimewithruss1411]

I remember the first time seeing a F-14 land on the USS Saratoga in 1985, I was in awe! What an amazing aircraft!!

[@MichaelSimmons10Jul1969]

RIP Snort you were the Pilots, Pilot. I am glad I had the privilege of knowing you when you flew in my Fathers Squadron the Pukin' Dogs.

[@bretttrommler756]

I had the pleasure of meeting Snort at one of our Fly-ins (International Jets, KGAD) back in 2009. One of the nicest, most genuine guys you could ever want to know. God rest his soul.

[@pg1171]

R.I.P. Dale Snodgrass. Clear skies and following winds...may you still be flying in Heaven!

[@kevinwheatcroft]

That sound sends chills up my spine, even from an old video. Nothing sounds better than a US fighter in full AB. Seeing the Tomcat demo at sea is one of my best memories in all my 48 yrs. it was so badass!

[@arnold9526]

Rest In Peace Snort. May God gift you Angel wings in Heavan Sir.

[@mccoybyz1099]

The Tomcat is so badass, this legend will never die!

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

RIP Brotha..we are gonna miss you! Nickel on the grass for ya and a scotch in hand! Blue Skies Snort, Blue Skies 🙏

[@RevitStructureBlog]

What an aircraft, looks and sounds great even in 2021! A beautiful beast.

[@KLRGT500KR]

F-14 Tomcat Forever "Anytime Baby!". The real life Maverick piloting the F-14. How ironic? The guy in a simulated 1v3 dogfight shot down 3 F-5E Tigers in 1984 with his F-14A. He was simply incomparable as a fighter pilot.

[@NicB-Creations]

Too bad there was no HD back then. The best quality footage of an F14 you're ever going to see is still the Top Gun movie.

[@SHiNFORCE]

It's not too bad for a VHS recording.

[@ilovebohol]

There are plenty of high quality programs about the f-14, including fire power, history channel and the likes... its just hard to find them all due to copyright laws... but ive seen them on tv... good stuff.

[@ilovebohol]

Pinterest got great images of the f-14 as well... including hard to find photos such as an f-14 on straps pulled out from the sea. Airframes and guts.

[@psycho2596]

There’s a few recent Iranian air show videos where you can see a few clips of the tomcats

[@NicB-Creations]

@@psycho2596 Ooh thanks I'll search for that!

[@lbatt6543]

Cool. I flew backseat F-4's off USS America Wespac cruise 1970. VF-96

[@MarksUselessChannel]

God Bless you and thank you for your service, brother.

[@BN-lo2rj]

Proud to say I met Snort a few times on the airshow circuit. God speed my friend,God speed.

[@Anuj-2]

Came here after watching Dale Sondgrass's interview.

[@DafyddPhillips]

Great pilot

[@johnnymichaelangelo9264]

That ending gives me chillllllllzzzzzz.. what a pilot.. what a fighter🥶

[@stevenzilinsky3766]

Never realized how loud it is. Love it.

[@joemulatto19]

Yeah, I was there for that... Absolutely AWESOME! Did a pass that just about shattered your eardrums.

[@SalemGhassanHanna]

It can't match newer fighters for manoeuvrability but the presence it brings to an air show in terms of sight and sound is undeniable. Fabulous plane in its day - and Hollywood knew how to make it look good.

[@2ZZGE100]

It did exceptionally well in the hands of 'Snort' against other 4th gen fighters. He knew how to push it beyond the edge of envelope and keep it there without nannies limiting him. He was called 'Master of Spank' for that reason. However, 5th gen fighters like F-22 are a different league.

[@deanwarnock7304]

How I miss watching that beautiful bird fly!

[@MatthewAGilbert]

24 MiG-28 pilots dislike this video. RIP Snort. 😢

[@user-ks7qn6tv9m]

I saw Dale flying the f14 at the Pratt and Whitney Air show many years ago what an amazing pilot and representative of the navy.!!!

[@JimHalpertFromTheOffice]

I love and miss the F-14. The 1980 movie "The Final Countdown" was my favorite, and it had a brief appearance in "The Hunt For Red October".

[@mrandrossguy9871]

Damn I missed it in Red October, gotta watch that again lol

[@nizloc4118]

Final Countdown for the win. Tied w Red October (funny enough) for all my all time fave movie

[@jeri7320]

this is my LOVED superb-multi-roled fighter forever

[@burtmcreavy7695]

Dale was the Atlantic division TOP GUN winner years ago. I seen Dale fly the Tomcat at the Canadian Internation Airshow in the 80s. Great performance,,,

[@RottenAce]

First Air Show I went to and I still remember this day and I was only 3 years old! Especially the F-14 and ever since I wanted to fly one..

[@skywarp1]

Rest in peace to the legendary Tomcat pilot. You're flying high with other legends in the big blue sky. Fly high "Snort"!!!

[@daviddisbrow1567]

I grew up very close to Miramar to see a squad of Tomcats fly over my house in Delta formation I will never forget, Miramar air show Tomcats never let you down always BADASS!!! ♥️

[@airman329]

RIP and God bless! Thanks for your service and leadership!

[@neodynamite]

RIP Snort. Thank you for all the great memories. You are a legend.

[@cpunut]

R.I.P. Snort. Saw him at NAS Oceana flying the F14 and F86 and it was some of the best flying I've ever seen.

[@gragrn]

Now that's an Aviator! Salute to Capt. Dale Snodgrass!

[@scottharris5714]

Arguably one of the best tomcat pilots ever.

[@xfiazc07]

The Force is Strong with this one...

[@vanillagorilla8236]

Ahhhh.... Navy !

[@KarelDhoore]

I love that little bit of "Top Gun" songs on the background :)

[@juliannortheast2271]

great filming there Buddy dale Snodgrass is sure to be a brilliant top gun pilot of all time with this beautiful f14 tomcat is such a beauty I saw one in Iran airshow I was lucky to see it my dad was lucky to see it too ☺ best fighter top gun f14 ever 👍

[@jlmgibson3967]

It's not the plane it's the pilot Captain SNOGDGRAAS

[@SHiNFORCE]

The F-14 is a big, powerful interceptor that is undefeated in battle.

[@larryfoulke1088]

MrSHiNFORCE Well, there was one lost by the Iranians, but it was just one...

[@milvipes]

+Eagle Ace Iran lost more than 1 F-14 in A2A combat, but still managed to rack up an impressive 30:1 kill ratio.

[@larryfoulke1088]

Henry Yeh Well, that one was directly shotdown, the others I believe were due to compressor stalls in the engines.

[@Megalodon64]

+Eagle Ace Also one was lost in Desert Storm after it was shot down by a SA-2 SAM missile.

[@larryfoulke1088]

Megalodon64 we're talking about air to air combat, SAMs don't count, by that logic. every single combat aircraft has been lost in battle

[@jlmgibson3967]

Daytime, Night time, There was Captain SNOGDGRAAS

[@stijnvandamme76]

RIP Snort, happing hunting up there, say hi to Hoser from us mortals still here !

[@Daehawk]

Baddass old plane. I saw one I believe at the 1990 airshow in Chattanooga...loud and fast. Beautiful. All I kept thinking was Top Gun.

[@chimichangapoops6244]

Daehawk Do they still do the Chattanooga Airshow? I live there and I’ve not heard anything recently.

[@tylerbrehm2656]

R.I.P 'Snort'

[@raysanchez7359]

What a Beautiful sight, BAD ass driver!

[@pctshooter]

Damn! The Tomcat has the camera SHOOK!

[@KLRGT500KR]

Amazing! The best fighter ever made. Period.

[@jlmgibson3967]

The Best! Captain SNOGDGRAAS

[@miragesmack007]

R.I.P. Snort

[@juliannortheast8946]

Amazing display dale snodgrass is sure to be the greatest f14 tomcat pilot ever

[@nbt3663]

One of the two greatest airplanes ever... F-14 and the B-1, swept wing beasts.

[@earlmcferrin2495]

Was EM2 in the Navy, ships company aboard USS America (CV-66) when squadrons began transitioning from F4 Phantoms to the F14s in the mid-'70s. Both were wicked fighters but the Tomcat set the standard for the next 30+ years.

[@leroyliston7773]

I believe I caught his F-14 display at Willow Run about this time. The best single aircraft show I have ever seen. Loud , large, violent and from on the deck to clean out of sight straight up! wow.

[@Jpriest13]

Being a native of San Diego County, went to countless Miramar air shows from early 70s all the way to present day. Best Tomcat display I ever witnessed was early 90s at Edwards AF base of all places. Thunderbirds were there, glimpses at a B2 through half opened hangar doors(with security), and the obligatory F-16 and F-16 displays. Then came the F-14D...D emphasized(not 'Snort'). As my Tomcat pilot neighbor told me, the D made the Tomcat everything it was SUPPOSED to be. That Tomcat literally destroyed the AF displays that day. That big Cat beat the AF up and down that runway, and having witnessed countless displays to that point in my life, even surprised me. I'm sure any Navy personnel in attendance had to be grinning and chuckling after that display.

[@xchazz86]

Beautiful plane, fantastic engines, examplary pilots. Truly remarkable combination of the best of the best.

[@MamaEtna]

Even though she's retired, the F-14 still has that wow factor for me. The F-14 also distinguishes the era in which I served in the Navy. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why she is my favorite.

[@77Avadon77]

Dale has the F-14 on god mode!

[@randybarnhill3098]

Dale IS the F-14 god! My CO during the gulf war.

[@jonn443]

@@randybarnhill3098 , you were under Colonel Snodgrass??!!

[@johnfallon6828]

I saw Snodgrass perform at Camp Edwards, Otis AFB on Cape cad back then, never forget!

[@Enid2Sacramento]

The stuff legends are made of... Thanks, Snort.

[@jlmgibson3967]

Thanks for your time Captain. You are a true Champion! R.I.P. Sir!

[@ladiesman1ate7]

F14 at max power = AMERICAN THUNDER

[@coldwynn]

F14 at max power = waste of money, It's retired.

[@ladiesman1ate7]

@@coldwynn it was retired when I made the comment smartass

[@eaglefirefly]

Woah now this is awesome! Just got recommended this video from 9 years ago!

[@mtumeumrani376]

Probably a covert counter to all the F35C hype.

[@joshuaecht]

Love the Top Gun Anthem at 3:40! I saw this Tom in '93 as well and every year after. I wanted to see the F-4 in 2011 but I was too late. We could hear it as far as Chesterland, 30 miles away. I bet it was even louder than the F-14!

[@IntrudersForever]

Snod was the best 14 pilot in history

[@EvMstein]

And don't forget Jalil Zandi too!

[@stijnvandamme76]

Snod would probably point to Hoser...

[@jaysefmacmanus8858]

Snort was maybe not the best F-86 pilot in history.

[@2view428]

The announcer did a good job. He narrates to spectators who have never seen a U S Navy Jet, experts, vets, family,idots, and future Sailors.

[@manofchaitea6904]

Got to see him fly at Oceana in the F14, awesome pilot. He passed doing what he loved to do the most, bitter sweet.

[@GateKeeperXL]

I love this beautiful airplane. Heck, everybody love this beautiful airplane. Top Gun was but a tribute to all the fans and this masterpiece.

[@getsideways7257]

Not really. While the plane is not too bad, it's definitely not THAT GOOD as some believe it to be. As for the silly flick... It's indeed a movie for fanboys only. Very cringy in many aspects.

[@mk6315]

RIP Snort, you had the coolest office for your job

[@robertralls8309]

RIP Snort

[@bvmad8570]

RIP, over 4900 hours in the f14, the most of anyone and also more carrier landings than anyone else in the f14, no one knew the tomcat better.

[@killingfields1424]

The Navy's favorite all rounder combat aircraft. Replaced by a Bug

[@sylvesterstewart868]

Back when the Cleveland National Air Show was worth watching.

[@nbt3663]

America was better because of men like Dale. RIP Snort.

[@jacksoncole6672]

Worked on the F14 while in the Navy. VF114 Aardvarks

[@RazgrizF14D]

Nobody could fly this plane the way Snort could, he will be sorely missed!!! Fair Winds and Following Seas!!!!!

[@theclimbingcadillac]

Long live the F-14❤. The most beautiful fighter jet ever!

[@stefanschutz5166]

A salute from Amsterdam.

[@matteo498]

Great Dale...beautiful f-14😍😍

[@vanillagorilla8236]

I watched this guy in Willow Grove Years ago. He also flew his mustang I believe

[@chrism9976]

Saw him fly during our 96 Tiger cruise aboard USS America. He pulled off the same maneuvers that the more nimble F-18C did, but better. Impressive flying.

[@memovelazquez2278]

The best fighter jet !!! Tomcat F/14❤

[@user-mk7fm3xg8q]

F-14トムキャットの勇姿はいつ見ても素晴らしいです。素晴らしい飛行の映像にも感激でした❗

[@janetquartararo7791]

thanks for the ride......wow

[@allgood6760]

Awesome.. thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

[@Aviation_Videos]

Rest In Peace Legend

[@SpaceGaucho_]

and they've even put the topgun anthem as background music ❤️

[@mrandrossguy9871]

Oh no ! Well Snort y snoddy was the REAL Maverick and we have These Video To Prove and Enjoy !! Man he Knew how to Fly that thing

[@thegeek3348]

big props to those pilots. I've been trying to learn the F-14B in DCS World and you really have to be on top of your game or it will fall out of the air.

[@Dragonfly35RacingTeam]

I have been trying to get proficient and it’s incredible how difficult it is to fly this airplane well

[@user-iu6sd8su3e]

Going from the hornet to the tomcat is hilarious. That thing will just flip for no reason it seems. I probably need to set my curves differently