F-14 Tomcat - the TOP GUN

[@joemoore4027]

I spent 14 years building them at Grumman on Long Island, New York ( The "Iron Works" ). It was a beautiful aircraft . I remember when we stuffed the first set of General Electric F-110 engines in aircraft Number #2 Chase (R/D test plane ) it scared evan the test pilot "Chuck" Sewell half to death with the power it produced ! First time I ever saw him shaking! The big cat was built like a tank. I'm proud to have been part of building the greatest Navy fighter, period. Sorry to see the Cat go.

[@81brassglass79]

Thank you for your comment and for all your work building one of my favorite jets 🙏 Im sure you have more than a few cool stories 😎

[@Alecxace]

The Tomcat is one strikingly gorgeous aircraft, from every single angle.

[@hmmyes8896]

She is a beauty

[@michael7845]

ABSOLUTELY 100% AGREED

[@Justdisco2]

Totally man, Gorgeous and practical and a bad MF if need be,

[@xGaLoSx]

40 some years old and it still looks modern. That's not easy to do.

[@gtc1961]

looks better than the F-18, that's for sure.

[@DxV04]

@@gtc1961 flies better too

[@WillyML4]

Timeless.

[@killian9314]

Like an M1911

[@xGaLoSx]

@@killian9314 exactly. The 1911 is timeless.

[@silvershelbygt500]

F14 Tomcat: The most visually stunning fighter ever built.

[@corbinstack]

There is something aggressive about it's stance either on deck or in the air. It was always my personal fave of the F-teen series and it definitely has aged well. Unlike me.

[@caitgems1]

Paired with the Phoenix missile, it was a formidable weapon system .

[@davidhernandez9985]

The RaptorFighter is rapidly catching up.

[@aadhithanu9070]

Sukhoi Su 30 🥰

[@failure705]

Honestly I like the SR-71 more but that’s just an opinion from a stranger on the internet

[@ervandrush3116]

One of the most beautiful military planes!

[@leovrf]

Agreed!

[@azuremalikimaliki5784]

Yuup agree!

[@py1211]

It's THE MOST beautiful fighter plane to me.

[@mizannek2605]

Still my fav

[@shaints3]

and the biggest piece of junk !

[@michaelmckinnon1591]

The F-14 was a work of art and handled beautifully.

[@TaGF_Tomcat]

Well, it could’ve maneuvered a bit better, but once it was tamed it was a fine beast

[@michaelmckinnon1591]

@@TaGF_Tomcat it rated 30 Gs but could pull 30.7 Gs and was highly maneuverable

[@shoutatthedevil189]

@@michaelmckinnon1591 30G's? That's unheard of. F-16's pull 8.5-9.5G's and is considered one the most maneuverable fighters ever made. F-15s have been reported to pull a quick instant 14G's in combat but, 30G's would absolute rip the F14 apart. USN limited the airframe to 6.5G's although the A/B models did not have accelerometers so pilots in certain scenarios pilots definitely exceeded that by maybe a G or 2. In a true one on one guns only dogfight a F-14 would struggle to fight a F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 Super Hornet, not to say it couldn't beat them which it could and did under a super competent pilot and RIO.

[@buckshot704]

@@shoutatthedevil189 ; I respectfully disagree. The A-model did have accelerometers. They were located in the main gear wells, mounted on the upper-part near the wing glove. As a Plane Captain, it was part of my post-flight inspection duty to record the numbers shown on these gauges to Maintenance Control both on the beach, and on the boat. That said, I do agree that there’s absolutely no way the aircraft was stressed for 30 g’s. Physically and mechanically impossible.

[@Andy-iq9pz]

“If you try and please everyone, you will not please anyone.” The story of the F 35s life

[@eddiehaskell1957]

I was thinking it but you said it, so there you go! Good point Andy!

[@SplitBumperLife]

My very first thought when i heard that lol history repeats as they say

[@marinepete9148]

F-35 meets F-14D with modern Avionics. F-35 tries really hard to impress F-14. F-14 flies faster, farther, higher, tighter and with way more style. F-14 locks onto F-35, F-35 pilot pisses himself. SuperHornet guy says you shouldn't mess with the old man, he knows more tricks and plays dirty.

[@andrewdoesyt7787]

Well the f35 is still better than the f14 tomcat

[@s4dg]

atleast it was adopted

[@brianrad68]

My older brother served on the USS Independence for 4 years in the late 70s early 80s. He took some great pictures of the F-14 at work and rest.

[@adityawaglearch]

Show them to the world

[@brianrad68]

I wish he would. Maybe he will soon

[@OpeoAslam]

Them Jolly Rodgers tails look so good!

[@Yehudah5768]

Roger that. I served with VF-84 from 1989-1992. Loved that jet, and that squadron.

[@gtc1961]

@@Yehudah5768 ...and like a lot of the classic squadrons....84's tail was transferred to 103 when 84 was decommissioned. Luckily, my squadron, VF-32, is still in existence.

[@11Stucat]

From the Nimitz. I was on there '84-'87

[@AgeofMachines]

I still get fired up seeing those.

[@aprilrichards762]

Everyone, thank you for your service. I love these planes, I'm a civilian btw. *extends virtual handshakes to everyone*

[@Flensburger82]

The F14 still the most beautifull Plane of all time. "Everytime, Baby..."

[@andrewdoesyt7787]

No it’s the f22 lol

[@Flensburger82]

@@andrewdoesyt7787 Nope that is a Plastic toy plane

[@andrewdoesyt7787]

@@Flensburger82 wdum lmao

[@tombreeze2055]

The expression is "Anytime baby"...

[@shadow7901]

I've loved the F-14 Tomcat ever since I was a kid.

[@gehtdianschasau8372]

you have to love it from childhood onwards, because if you got into planes later, you would have realized, what a piece of shit the Tomfat is.

[@Brad-99]

Me too ,tried jumping into the cockpit when I was like 10 while on Turing an aircraft carrier .felt a strong arm yank me back ,can't go in their kid lol

[@twistedpixel2558]

@@gehtdianschasau8372 Sure, by today's standards maybe. At the time it was cutting edge technology. It was a great plane that was last used by the U.S. Navy as recently as 2006 so it wasn't that much of a piece of shit. When your military has a 600 billion dollar a year budget you don't fly anything that isn't better than what everyone else has.

[@gehtdianschasau8372]

@@twistedpixel2558 It might have been cuting edge technology, but the concept is all wrong. Its a jack of all trades and a master of none, but there already where masters at their trades available. It was a waste of money to buld a inbetween thing, with no real strenghts, but since the where there they of curse where used. If i don't have a 4-ply toilett paper, i use the 3-ply, or even 2-ply one, if its available, even in 2021, (cutting edge is 1-ply, btw) but that doesn't mean that 2-ply toilettpaper is good.

[@michael7845]

@@gehtdianschasau8372 That's the furthest from the truth...!!! That made me realize how little you actually know about a MULTI ROLE FIGHTER..THE TOMCATS WERE SOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST JET'S EVER TO BE BUILT AND ARE THE BACKBONES OF EVERY SINGLE FIGHTER JET BEING BUILT TODAY..!!! Learn before you comment ....!!!!

[@hldarte]

Great video! As one of the first Marines to work on them in 1974-75 as part of the Marine Air Detachment of VF124 at Miramar the plane amazed me on what it could do. It was a sad day in 1975 when we learned the Corp would no longer fly the F14 and I had to go work on A6s. The F14 will always be my favorite, Anytime baby!

[@Xman8184]

VF-124, 1982- 1984 NAS MIRAMAR. Made carrier quals on most of the west coast carriers during those years. Until transfer to West - Pac bound Squadron.

[@marc196050]

I spent some time on a couple of aircraft carrier flight decks. I witnessed the awesomeness of the F-14s. In one word they were monsters! Saw them break the sound barrier countless times too. Too bad we can’t recommission just one for air shows.

[@shaints3]

the f11 did that at its start ! check out its record !

[@viruspter1dactl]

Theres a f1r airshow!

[@viruspter1dactl]

F14 zrry

[@TheConvertable50]

That's because everyone has been pulled apart by the Navy to keep the Iranians from getting parts

[@mattheww2797]

The Navy was so nervous about Iraq getting their hands on any F-14 part they literally ran the planes threw a shredder to make them unusable

[@renzokukenleneyoyo522]

Been in love with that bird since I was 8... thank you Top Gun!

[@marcusrat4466]

@Why am I taking your stuff, cuz Obozo said I could go back to watching alex jones you inbred troglodyte

[@lfox02]

An A-10 pilot did an AmA on r/hoggit a few years ago. One of the questions was: "Which is the best-looking American jet fighter and why is it the F-14 Tomcat?" No explanation needed.

[@syphin94]

Hahahahaha! So true... :o)

[@joetee9135]

Nice!

[@patricksultan5882]

This F-14 Tomcat is my fav jet fighter although I'm not fighter pilot. Like the shape.

[@pinebankmarty]

The old girl did eventually take on the bombing role and did so rather successfully,being nicknamed the bombcat.

[@Bersilus]

In fact the targeting system was much better they relied on Tomcats for surgical strikes

[@張海鷗-t2t]

這部系統工程節目表演賽已觸犯貪污腐敗官員職務操縱下預謀犯案動機及滅族罪刑 親族共同市場營銷整合行銷活動期間內容違反公平交易法務保護篡奪執政權團隊精神生活品質保證經營性系統工程運作方式進行交流共鳴一致和諧相處融洽經濟危機同舟國策協議書記載集團法務保護執政司法界掌權官職職務上管治處分案情內容處分管理。擅自使用價值連城路線上遊戲規則毀謗科技業務界資源生技醫療保健產品設計廣告商機密文件資料來源。直播衛星導航功能應用程式交易量違法亂紀操縱下罪刑互通視訊聊天室聯盟生涯規劃廣告商機密文件流向不明不白損毀嚴重影響力的危機的債務龐大壓力下惡化信用卡通通慘遭滅頂之災股市災情慘重傷亡人數最多。劇毒身亡消息疲憊不堪過度使用導致醫師呼籲市民健康步道系統工程進度表演賽緩慢阻塞病患所受到影響力強震呼籲政府官員職務執政不當管制措施及危機意識型態各類產品設計通通都有蛛絲惡化瘟疫統戰操作不當戰略經營 。耗資產物資源是一種錯誤訊息及觀念。請務必仔細觀察力設想群組規範下服務業界信譽良好基礎教育態度。永續經營團隊精神生活品質保證非常重要角色扮演。

[@alexfaini8287]

​@@張海鷗-t2t ASÍ ES!!!... Tal CUAL!!!... OPINO EXACTAMENTE lo MISMÍÍÍÍÍSIMMMOOOO!!!... Ni una ´COMA MENOS´, EH????!!!!... Ja... Ja...Jaaaaaa!!!!!...

[@alexfaini8287]

@@張海鷗-t2t ASÍ ES!!!... Tal CUAL!!!... OPINO EXACTAMENTE lo MISMÍÍÍÍÍSIMMMOOOO!!!... Ni una ´COMA MENOS´, EH????!!!!... Ja... Ja...Jaaaaaa!!!!!...

[@verticalflyingb737]

@@張海鷗-t2t sorry I don't speak minecraft enchanting table languange

[@PpAirO5]

I have always loved the F-14 Tomcat 🐱 and always will.

[@lifeshort]

That's nice.

[@SpudEater]

Simply a beautiful aircraft and in what I lovingly call “attack mode”, one of the most aggressive looking fighter jets

[@Bearairboatrides]

It really is!

[@Ronnie-Jones]

The most forbidden documentary in history.... “Europa The Last Battle” at archive dot org

[@Ash-qc9os]

If i was rich, like stinking rich, i'd buy a Tomcat and park it on my driveway. Sexiest plane ever!

[@richardrussell7082]

I remember when Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear did that with a BAe Lightning.... wife was unimpressed to say the least lol

[@richardrussell7082]

'Gate Guardians' stationed at many military bases, and some companies associated with the armed forces, are usually life sized fibre glass mock ups. Maybe that could be an option. I used to work at one such company here in the UK, Aircraft Maintenance Support Services (AMSS). They produced ground vehicles for several airlines around the world and also the RAF, for whom they designed and manufacture the Atlas Loader.

[@LordHolley]

lol, love it.

[@МахалЫваныч-и5и]

The most beautiful and most successful aircraft of its era. I remember how back in the 80s, when I first saw the film as a child of "Top Gun", I watched this film many times. Although I am from Russia, I love this plane the most. Its magnificent forms can be admired forever.

[@Phrancis5]

Wow, you saw Top Gun in Russia in the 80's? I didn't think that would be allowed under Soviet rule.

[@МахалЫваныч-и5и]

@@Phrancis5 haha, do you think that Russia was a totalitarian state? And that we have -50 degrees all year round, and drunk bears walk the streets with balalaikas? I first saw the film in 88 when I was a child. I then watched without translation. After school, I wanted to study as a pilot, but, unfortunately, my eyesight is poor for a fighter pilot. If everything worked out, then now I would fly on the MIG-29, Su 27 or Su-35. Also very nice cars. I envy those who patch on such planes.

[@МахалЫваныч-и5и]

@@Phrancis5 A F-14 tomkat is a magnificent plane

[@Phrancis5]

@@МахалЫваныч-и5и Yes, it is a magnificent plane. I saw them up close on an aircraft carrier when I visited my uncle in the navy when I was a child. Well it seems counter-intuitive that an American action movie such as Top Gun or Red Dawn would be shown in Soviet theaters during the Cold War, since the "bad guys" were Russians. IMDB doesn't list Top Gun as ever released in Russia at all. Are you sure you didn't see a bootleg copy?

[@МахалЫваныч-и5и]

@@Phrancis5 I watched a movie on a videotape without a pervod. Of course, such films were not shown at the cinemas of the Soviet Union at that time. In the late 80s, they began to enter the country via video tapes. Of course, it was a little inconvenient because of what was in American films when Russians were portrayed as evil barbarians of that time, but it was just propaganda. The film, part 2 of Top Gun Meverik, is coming soon. I’ll go to the cinema with pleasure.

[@robertlloyd7167]

When I was in grade school I dreamed of flying F-14s off the U.S.S. Enterprise. Things don't always work out like we wish. Still, the coolest Navy fighter ever conceived.

[@overthelimitp4275]

I saw mugs mckeown do that many times

[@HalNordmann]

"Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz the tower." *Top Gun Anthem starts playing*

[@mynameisaj8500]

*Maverick gets yelled at*

[@timothygreen7689]

Awesome

[@kickassssnation027]

*HIGHWAY TO THE DANGER ZONE*

[@kgedeongedon5933]

fric du

[@fabianmarcoschau]

I love top gun quotes in the comments

[@HYDRAdude]

The F-14D's performance was actually very exceptional and noteworthy. It was the only plane in the fleet that had the required range and payload to carry the Paveway III bunker buster during Iraqi Freedom, hence earning the name "bombcat". Just as with the F-15 the F-14's large airframe and powerful set of engines proved that the airframe could make for an effective multi-role aircraft. The reason the F14D was removed so early from service is because the Navy lied to Congress about how cheap the F/A-18E/F was going to cost, and they also lied about how soon the JSF was going to enter service.

[@Johnnycdrums]

@Jay Blacq ; Cheney had a hardon for Grumman.

[@BASavage81]

I knew of the "BombCat" when I was in the US Army Reserve component as a attack helicopter mechanic. It was my understanding that one of the main reasons for the "early retirement" of the F-14 was not due to some conspiracy's about GWB or Cheney, but primarily the core of the plane where the wing controls, wing roots and where other critical fuselage components are attached showed signs that most of them, if not all of them, would have to be replaced due to massive wear and tear, corrosion and cracking problems and every one of them would have to be torn down to their base and reconstructed.

[@stevenearlsmith2595]

@@BASavage81, which would have been a much better choice, performance & cost wise!

[@DudemeisterNL]

@@Johnnycdrums Cheney had a hard on for Boeing, not for Grumman. If Cheney had a hard on for Grumman, the F14 fleet would've been properly upgraded and still in service by now.

[@ZoldZsolt]

@@DudemeisterNL Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Just look at those F-14's still in service in Iran, without any US support, shows how versatile and durable the aircraft is. It was too good to be true for long, nevertheless, it had its glory.

[@hendrixfirstone8975]

F 15 and f 14 are the most beautiful planes ever made

[@SlickRick4EVER]

F-16...

[@dannynievesperez6690]

Wrong f22 is the one

[@lmao.3661]

F-22

[@lmao.3661]

In the past month I’ve grown to love the YF-23

[@r_d_l_m]

@@SlickRick4EVER f16 is absolute treasure.

[@jsboening]

So fortunate to have seen all the different generations of Grumman cats fly in formation at an air show. What a sight.

[@rikvermar7583]

1:22 "the story of this handsome devil" - perfectly said and so true

[@belka8618]

Saw one of these bad boys taxiing across in Isfahan international airport in Iran. It was incredibly big, scary and menacing but also kinda sad. It looked tired and old.

[@T3hderk87]

Would be awesome to see! The biggest problem is that Iran's supply of replacement parts comes from cannibalizing all the other f14's that don't really work...

[@raymiles691]

Intrusion into Tomcat airspace is still not warrented.

[@VisibilityFoggy]

@@raymiles691 - An F-22 pilot is not going to care about an F-14, which it can see and kill before an engagement ever happens.

[@VisibilityFoggy]

@@raymiles691 - An F-22 pilot is not going to care about an F-14, which it can see and kill before an engagement ever happens.

[@OOZ662]

@@VisibilityFoggy An aircraft that makes the argument against the Tomcat for being too expensive and specialized seem rather silly.

[@ecmorgan69]

I feel old. I remember seeing those beautiful aircraft in documentaries. It greatly saddened me to see what they did with those airframes when they were removed from service.

[@gsmd770]

I grew up around this plane. My father was in the U.S. Navy. I remember the Tomcats very well. When we lived in Key West in the late 70's I remember watching them doing military exercise's and was just blown away!!! I remember when the F/A 18 Hornet's came in as the new fighters. The new kid on the block! Those were the days?!

[@filamrider]

I had 1 of this a toy gift when I was 8 yrs old and still remember the awe of my friends in the Philippines.

[@TheTygertiger]

My brothers and I had a small plastic F-14 too. The wings moved and everything. I wonder if it's still somewhere in our parents' house. If we find it, I will surely keep it. Such a beautiful military aircraft!

[@filamrider]

@@TheTygertiger I still have it to this day bro, To see this plane in real life during my time in STAN and SAND BOX giving air support gives me goosebumps. My dream was to become a pilot when I was little but I end up a ground pounder instead. Take care bro. Peace

[@Youre_Right]

The Tomcat was the badass plane when I was growing up. I loved it. It is just a beautiful piece of American ingenuity.

[@filanfyretracker]

F-14, what the artists on the anime Macross based the VF-1 on, I believe they even used the Jolly Rogers tail art on one of the combat groups too.

[@AlvinREDDELTA]

it was flawless and awesome

[@thomascopeland5111]

The F-14 was a big part of the Vf-1's design but not all of it. Surprisingly it was my initial love of the tomcat that drew me into Macross as a kid. Funny enough at that time the F-14 was still in service. It's my most used aircraft in the Ace Combat series as well

[@DxV04]

@@thomascopeland5111 Rasgriss F 14 was one of my fav. And yes the Jolly Rogers tail was on the combat groups too in the Anime

[@angelvil-maz9250]

MACROSS /ROBOTECH... Amazing anime !!!! Este video también me hizo imaginar un LIVE ACTION con Rick Hunter & Roy Fokker👍

[@lockheedx33]

I looked up that plane. It DOES resemble the Tomcat.

[@mkepler5861]

I like your ending tag line, "fast flights and soft landings" it leaves me with a good feeling, thank you

[@AgeofMachines]

0:54, 1:10, 5:28, 5:41, 6:57, 9:05, 15:35 - OMFG!! I thought I outgrew getting goosebumps seeing this plane in flight. This shot is visceral.

[@stevenewman1393]

I was an Airmen in the Navy from 1977 to 81 and assigned to an F14 squadron VF-24 the Check tails Stationed at NAS Miramar San Diego Fighter Town USA of the Top Gun Training school for Navy fighter pilots and We were assigned to the U.S.S. Constellation CV64 during WesPac cruises!👍.

[@tomahawk1556]

F14 Tomcat & the Aircraft Carriers >>> They're made for each other ... Top~Gun Pilots' preferred Fighters of the 1970s to 1990s ... Thank You So Much for the many fond memories ... Godspeed! 🕯🌷🌿🌍🇺🇸

[@davidmckasson3770]

Honored to have had the opportunity to have flown one of these amazing machines. I saw my first tommy at a military-themed airshow in 1986 near Atlanta Georgia when I was 16, there for a future service member youth group through my school. I was sold the moment it lifted off the ground and the impact of that horizontal wing span hit me as I stared into the hot glow of afterburners as it rolled left and up into the air. I was originally set however on being a helicopter pilot however I owe my instructors for setting me on another path. What I'll remember most was my first flight in one which was not as a pilot but my first flight off a carrier deck as I sat in the rear RIO seat - and the vibration and sound as we throttled up into clouds and I glanced at the wings as they began to sweep further and further back. The VG sweeping wings were always my guilty pleasure. Nothing looks as graceful or sleep as a tommy in full sweep at high speed carving the air... Then the impending presence she gave from her sheer size and form with her wings in a forward sweep which if you were friendly was likely an unwelcome sight. I'd be lying if the Star Wars loving kid in me didn't come out a few times as I'd imagine in my head "Lock s-foils in attack position". I did not get to make use of much of the firepower at my finger tips as generally my tour of duty was the gulf war and a few years afterwards. We were primarily reconnaissance and patrols above the water which saw very little activity. The most my brothers and I got to do was unloading our 20mm rounds into suspected IED hotspots and even those were few and far between. Regardless it is not an experience to be forgotten and I'm warmed by the eternal love these birds get from those even half my age. In 2008 I spoke with another former F14 pilot who flew these birds when they were still rolling off the factory floor in 1978 and he told me the technology was the hardest part to walk away from. At the time he discharged in 1985 he told me the tommy felt like it was from the future and there was nothing like it in the civilized world. He alluded in 2008 when I met him that he feels like he finally sees technology around him that reminds him of climbing into the cockpit for the first time in 1978. I served from 1990-1997 and I still left with a similar feeling. God bless these old birds.

[@mikesaacks9333]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR.

[@alinili5569]

That was nice the way you said your story of your life. Shortly. Lucky man god bless you

[@clay9333]

I got to see one of these things flying around solo at an air show. Putting on a jaw dropping performance. I saw a lot of jets that day but this one... I was awe struck. It was one of the most amazing and memorable things I have ever seen in my life.

[@Durango280zx]

I can't get over how well this jet holds up by today and just how damn good this thing looks!

[@rolltidelbc2832]

A Rio once took my camera up with him over Iraq/Kuwait. Still have them 30+ years later! Awesome Bird!!!! Miss her!

[@jeffingram8279]

This was very well done - this has always been one of my favorite plans up there with B-52, SR-71 and my all time favorite the P-51 Mustang

[@marklags2396]

I had the honor of working on these beautiful planes when I worked for Grumman on Long Island. Even did a refurbish trip to Rota, Spain to work on some avionics.

[@Rogge73]

6:55 wow! look at that tail fin art!!!!

[@ryankc3631]

That's VF-101, "Grim Reapers". During the time of the Tomcat, they served as an F-14 training squadron out of NAS Oceana, VA.

[@Rogge73]

@@ryankc3631 Great info Sir, thanks!

[@bigdaddyjoosseee]

I remember as a kid this was always my favorite plane! Then I got older and did a family cruise on the air craft carrier my sister was stationed on in the navy and they did air shows. That's when I fell in love with the F A 18 super hornet amazing plane doesn't get enough love! Honestly any jet capable of taking off and landing on a carrier is ridiculously impressive!

[@morskojvolk]

Excellent, as always! Watching F-14 flight ops was a sight to behold, what an aircraft.

[@nickthompson2023]

Most beautiful aircraft ever built. Change my mind.

[@SlickRick4EVER]

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Bitch!

[@QasimAli-to5lk]

SU 57

[@baseboy1241]

Concorde

[@TK-cap]

F 22 Raptor

[@baseboy1241]

SR 71 Blackbird

[@giorgiopatri]

We miss you dear Tomcat......forever the coolest!

[@dodoubleg2356]

I'm 40yrs old, & have been an AVGeek for 40yrs. Commercial or military, this is my all time FAVORITE aircraft!!! 'Top Gun' didn't hurt that statement either, ha.

[@ericlozen9631]

I was an Aviation Electronic's Technician in the USN. I worked on various aircraft models. The Tomcat and the Hornet (F/A-18C) were the ones I absolutely loved. Both were phenomenal fighters. I didn't mind getting dirty when I worked on them.

[@ericcindycrowder7482]

Eric Lozen I can imagine when the f14 first came out, it represented the bleeding edge of technology of the time, especially its avionics computers and electronics

[@JM_Smith1]

I love all fighter jets..but the TomCat is by far my absolute favorite..my mom took me to see TopGun when I was 3 and I've been in love with jets every since..thanks for the video!

[@shuggiehamster]

Watched top gun last night ....... the tomcat was just gorgeous.

[@shaints3]

were you high ?

[@robertdevino4109]

I am 62 now. As a kid in the late 60s there was a to scale handmade model of both the Tomcat and F11. I of course played with them when no one was around. They were used in presentations to the Navy. My father headed the design team. He retired as the Chief Flight Test Engineer for the F22 Raptor. Funny thing he still worked for Grumman when Lockheed got the contract, but the navy insisted my father head up the project and made Lockheed hire him.

[@oldguy1528]

Some fighters look beautiful and some look bad`ass , the F14 just looks "BAD`ASS" !!!

[@mknewlan67]

I would say it looks both beautiful and BAD ASS.

[@kmfiz]

The Tomcat was a crowd pleaser at airshows, so glad I got to see it perform. The thunder from those engines in full ab was something else.

[@Markle2k]

Terminology tip for the "Eng" channel: I noticed you also calling the vertical stabilizers "the keel" in the previous helicopter video. That's not the alternate name we use in English. We will usually use "fin" as an alternate. Just plain old "fin" or "vertical tail" for those aero devices that stick up from the rear fuselage. "Ventral fin" for those that point down, even for those like on T-tail and cruciform tail jets that are there to help with deep stall recovery (Lear jets, etc.) Sometimes you will hear "twin tail" for something like the F-14, F-15, and the like. "V-tail" for the Model 35 Bonanza and the various German gliders "Keel" in aeronautical circles usually refers to an internal structural member that runs along the ventral part, the bottom of the fuselage. This is akin to a keel on a non-sailing ship that doesn't need to tack. The first member laid down when building in drydock.

[@stejer211]

Also: Pratt AND Whitney, not Pratt Whitney. No further complaints, please carry on.

[@Markle2k]

@@stejer211 Who's complaining? I have been a subscriber for ages and never noticed him doing this before. I figured that I would step in before some asshole called him an idiot for not using the correct terminology.

[@leeludlowart237]

Great to see a decent f14 documentary I’ve looked for a while and not found much

[@jasonatkinson2280]

A stunning plane. Beautiful design and development, love it.

[@cameronhuddleston8664]

my grandfather was a mechanic in Iran that worked on the f-14

[@khordad1216]

Your grandfather lived in Iran's golden era. I'm only 21yo and despite I was born after the Iran's suicide (1979 revolution), I desperately pray, wish and dream of a day that Iran can one day be what it was again (perhaps even better). Many of my fellow Iranians feel the same. Topcat is a reminder of Iran's once a golden era. What did I do that I deserve these pedophile tireheads to be in power today? I pray for a day, that our countries can be as close as it once used to be again!

[@alphab4368]

A brilliant exposition for an amazing fighter. Well done sir.

[@BracesandBoots1]

I was an Avionics tech in VF-84 from 85-89. Of all the places I could have ended up in the Navy; I consider this assignment a blessing.

[@danf6975]

Outstanding video The only thing I would’ve added was not only in relation to the maintenance of the F 14 but also the carrier catapult maintenance was a huge issue as well

[@chandlerwhite8302]

Dan Festag It took a lot of force to get that big brute into the air. I can see it working the catapult a lot harder than an F-18 would, so great point.

[@stephentate5076]

She was hard on cats and arresting gear. Her arrested landings counted as heavy hits. Basically, two landings in one.

[@johnfosteriii5792]

IMHO - The baddest bird in the air. I worked at NADEP NAS JAX when they were doing F-14D upgrades. Seen several flown in and even a few trucked in (several trucks, flatbeds, and boxes) in pieces. Watched as they were taken apart piece by piece, overhauled, rebuilt, new wiring, engine upgrades, and electronics improvements. The most impressive jobs were pushing out the wing pivot pins and in the assembly side, putting them back into place. Very sorry to see this aircraft retired. But I will always be a fan of the Tomcat.

[@petercan1020]

I remember when Grumman was in Bethpage I used to see one of these fly over my house so close and I could see the two pilots

[@Neo2906]

F14....a breathtaking piece of flight art. There`s nothing that reminds me more to my childhood that this insane plane. When i think back, F14 and Bell UH-1 were the most impressive things for me in the 80`s.

[@tomflanker]

"... the handsome devil... " you're right Sky.... I love it....

[@tiberiusgracchus4222]

I was obsessed with the Tomcat when I was a kid.

[@Juraberg]

Very interesting history of the famous F-14. 👍🏼

[@hitmanhydraulics645]

I actually went to Rehab at TopGun. Miramar Baby..... Learned a whole lot. The Navy has been dealing with Alcoholism for almost 300 yrs. Betty Ford Students were there to learn the USN Model. I quit and never looked back.

[@jackylimaiksiang]

The movie "The final countdown" demonstrated the awesomeness of the F14 Tomcat. Just look at the facial expression of the emery fighter said it all.

[@thomass4965]

Sorry for making a long comment but I wanted to add a part to the story. In 1976-1977 there was a program called Aceval-Aimval (air combat evaluation and air intercept missle evaluation). I was part of it on a detachment of VX-4 to Nellis AFB. We took six camouflage painted F-14's over there after a brief 4 week training stop at Yuma, AZ. The program involved our Navy pilots flying missions on the Red Flag range with an AF F-15 group also in sort of a competition and another AF group flying F-104's pretending to be Russians in MIG-like tactics. Our Tomcats had prototype Hughes Aviation optical acquisition devices mounted under the noses that from what I understood were capable of acquiring and tracking multiple bogies in flight with a range of nearly 100 miles. All of our pilots were top gun type quality and the AF guys didn't like us too much because we were at times flying circles around them. Our planes still had the Pratt & Whitney TF30-P412 engines so we spent a fair amount of time on the hot spot doing troubleshooting and trim adjustments. On one particular mission day, LCDR Satrapa was doing a steep vertical climb and both of his engines decided to flame out. He slipped backwards in the airstream and eventually was able to roll over and do an air restart once nose down into a dive to generate enough airflow into the engines. We had both Grumman and Pratt & Whitney factory reps on site with us pretty much all the time as they had to experience first hand what was going on with the aircraft under the challenging test conditions. Using creative maintenance innovations and procedures we averaged an O.R. rate in the 80th percentile at a time when the fleet average was in the 50th percentile. That among other things earned everyone a ComNavAirPac citation when the program wrapped up. And yes, we believed in the F-14 unofficial motto: "Anytime Baby."

[@perfection4749]

She was my baby!! Loved that bird!!

[@MilitaryVehicleReviews]

Tomcat.. an Amazing plane.

[@hawk7825]

This aircraft could have stayed in service or made over keeping all specs. This thing is the baddest most versatile all them all. No love lost F-4 Phantom lol.

[@ivanpeters7080]

YEAH SHE WAS ONE BEUTIFUL - UGLY BIRD 😉

[@shaints3]

f111 the of the middle east just ask sadams army and air force ! the f14 using same tech also using same tech for wings and the f111 could cary more ordance !

[@steven2212]

Bout time! Did the final cruise with the Tommy. Greatest fighter ever.

[@USMC-0311]

The Tomcat was and I believe the best in its class. Got to see it many times even as a kid at El Toro California. As times flies by they get expensive and more modern. Love the air shows from the Navy Blue Angels to the Air Force Thunderbirds. Air ships always have our backs when boots on ground.

[@علیبارانی-خ4ض]

گربه نر وحشی هنوز هم در ایران پرواز میکنه و نفس میکشه بیشترین رکورد های پروازی دست خلبانان ایرانیه زنده باد ایران ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@MikoMuru]

Fun fact the tomcats missiles actually outrange modern missiles found on the f15 and f16.

[@eventhorizon3117]

Phoenix

[@dumdumbinks274]

@Eric Velasquez Not quite. The biggest reason the USN didn't use it (much - 3 AIM-54s were launched, 1 as a warning shot, 2 failed to ignite their motors due to age) is because the USAF hogged all the opportunities since most engagements were over land.

[@dumdumbinks274]

@Eric Velasquez Correct. In the Libyan cases the F-14s were not equipped with AIM-54s as they would first have to identify the Libyans as hostile (not at war) and in the time it took to do so back then the Libyans would be able to close to ranges where using the AIM-54 would be a waste. During the Gulf war there were occasions where Iraqi fighters got close enough to threaten the fleet, but they always ran away when they knew an F-14 was in the area after experience against the Iranian F-14s, either because the Iraqi fighters detected the AWG-9 radar, or by the single instance of the AIM-54 being launched as a warning shot.

[@bryonscheer2759]

@@dumdumbinks274 Air Force rules!!!!.....

[@buckshot704]

dumdumbinks274 ; At $1 million each, (in 1980’s dollars) I seriously doubt any Phoenix was ever launched as a “warning shot”. I’d be curious to see the evidence.

[@saintnick8290]

Did a tiger cruise on the Ranger with pops in the 80s. They did a mid pacific airshow for us. Watched a Tomcat break the sound barrier at sea level. I was sold!!! Baddest a$& jet on the planet. Sad to see it retired.

[@ericcindycrowder7482]

THE F-14 Tomcat was the first application of the worlds first single chip Microprocessor CPU. It predated the Intel 4004 by a couple years

[@barriewright2857]

Amazing. 👍

[@waynetang1763]

Strange how that works isn't it? The processor goes into top secret vault only to have one pop on to the market a couple of years later. And I bet there were quite a number of congressmen and government officials that just so happened to plenty of Intel stock when 4004 was announced. Nothing to see here, keep moving along folks.

[@gsxerwhite]

@@waynetang1763 scumbags

[@icemanvf143]

The F-14 Tomcat pretty much the best plane ever made! No questions asked

[@paolobramucci3609]

Still one of my favorite jet fighters. Most likely, in part of its staring role in Top Gun, alongside of that Tom Cruise guy. 😉

[@linkfreeman1998]

that means= double Tom XD

[@PureBadBreath]

One of the coolest planes ever built. The long range air to air intercepting missile was something else.

[@raylandry1248]

It was a great fighter for the navy's aircraft carriers in its time!

[@kevinwilliams4137]

Very well done, someone that actually knows history.

[@justicewarrior9187]

Most beautiful fighter ever!!! Next is F22!!!

[@bestamerica]

hi J W... ' F-14 is a great airplane with front swept wing... F-22 is a not front swept wing

[@justicewarrior9187]

@@bestamerica Yes and?

[@bestamerica]

@@justicewarrior9187 hi J W... ' what AND ???... oh oh... B-1 / F-111 are great airplanes with FSWs

[@brutusvonmanhammer]

F-18 son

[@Bravo-Too-Much]

Mean looking plane. It’s incredible that this plain took off from carriers. It’s also crazy to think this flew missions in current theaters up to 2006.

[@kingvagar]

I was disapointed that you did not cover their GERWALK mode & Battroid mode 😉

[@hvallad]

you are right!! Robotech varitech planes are based on F-14 TomCat

[@Rhoadie1]

I could've given this report when I was 10..... in 1988. One of the best jets ever built.

[@lumen8r]

I can’t look at this aircraft and not hear Sterling Archer saying “Danger Zone!”

[@DRB-Octane]

not one second was spent in its design to make it look good... Yet, its probably the sexiest fighter plane ever made...

[@teamrelo217]

alot of the scenes in this vid are from the 80`s movie "the final countdown"

[@Phrancis5]

Yup - I was hoping to see some Zeros being shot down...

[@Prophet_waffle]

I love how many scenes from the final countdown there are. Favorite movie with my favorite plane featured so throughly makes me happy.

[@christopherbaker2632]

@8:20 Looking at the underbelly we see 6 yes count'em Six" PHOENIX" air to air missiles. Damn what a sight

[@Mr_Xaver]

which the radar was capable of tracking targets and guiding all six of them at the same time

[@christopherbaker2632]

@@Mr_Xaver gotta luv it

[@robertpolicastro1]

They built these less than a mile from my home and every Friday they tested all the planes they built that week. Flying directly over my home at about 250 ft maybe less every window rattling in the house it was GREAT 👍

[@davidhernandez9985]

Tomcat F-14 is really its design was built for flat-top's carrier's, in other words, USNavy, a plane is all over.

[@smeernoff7181]

I was a maintainer on F14AB&D models. WC 110 310 & 320.Then a Squadron Flight Deck Chief. Never looked at the Jet like a Hot woman like many of these comments. Yes it was lethally capable when all systems were up. It was a maintainers nightmare to keep flying. Seemed every flight the Electrical, Avionics, Hydraulics was always faulty. I spent 36 hours once with a (AE) electrician & (AM) air-framer trying to get the AICS system to work so the Skipper could do an airshow demo. The AICS cycles the air inlet control ramps to minimize airflow to the engines to prevent stalls at high speed. This is but one lf thousands of recollections I had keeping this Jet Up. Glad its gone. Hornet had dependability built into it. MSDRS in the Hornet nose wheel well gave you info like your car plug in diagnostics to notice faults in systems to troubleshoot. Tomcat did not have that. So like cars from the 70’s & back you hooked up gauges or test boxes to figure out every problem. Or just chased wires, connectors, grounds, hydraulic lines etc. Its an airplane that had many flaws. Kept us Airframe & Power Plant Mechs, Electricians & Tweeks or IWT(Idiots with Tools) off the liberty line. Hornet guys were leaving the ship to enjoy the adventure of their time in service. We were on the roof or hangar bay working to get the jets up for next-at sea period. Glad the F14 brings joy to many in the public. I saw that joy working airshows. But like many jobs the details are rarely exposed. It was a friggin arduous job keeping our mighty carrier based Supersonic Air Interceptor air worthy with all systems up. We had a disrespectful term for Hornet maintainers as there life was so easy. FA guys. Due to the Fighter attack role of their jet. But we used it in a negative tone like the slur against gay people. Only good comment I have is at the end of my Navy career I worked on Vandy 1. A gloss Black Delta that was for weapons system tests. After years of greasy, dirty grey F14A’s. This was rewarding as those GE F110 engines & MFD cockpit was so much better. The jet had not been to sea so the beatings a fleet jet took this jet had never experienced. It rarely broke and its airshow performance was admired as its sleek (no weapons or external fuel tanks) gloss black & red trim fuselage paint scheme gave it that visual aura spectators admired. So yes it was a good looking jet.The 16 years with my fellow mechanics keeping the Grumman F14 Tomcat airworthy and the fun we created, the pranks we pulled to deal with the arduous issues of this jet cannot be discussed as the world has gone all sensitive since then. Killing was the Jets mission. Looking good was just a fortunate attribute of its design.

[@Jarhead1086]

I would love to hear those stories honestly. I was a Marine Grunt for 10 years lol. 99-09, so I didn't get to fly or even mess with A/C. But to me the Tomcat was and always will be the sexiest jet ever made!

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

Love the Tomcat and your video. Btw... Long Island is part of NY🧐👍👍👍

[@eddiehaskell1957]

I just now found your channel. Looking at your library of videos,. I made a discovery that will last me into 2021. Thanks for this video. You did a great job narrating it as well....

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

Headin' into twilight Spreadin' out her wings tonight She got you jumpin' off the track And shovin' into overdrive

[@oubrioko]

jumpin' off the *_track_* ?!? 😂

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

@@oubrioko ¿what are you high on?

[@oubrioko]

@@w.s.soapcompany94 It's jumpin' off the *DECK* not _track._ Didn't expect you to get all bent out of shape about it. Btw, I'm way too cheap to afford drugs (at least not any good ones).

[@w.s.soapcompany94]

@@oubrioko well its wrong all over the internet then, cause i cut and pasted that from the furst ting on googhell

[@oubrioko]

@@w.s.soapcompany94 Oh, I know. Google Lyrics (which is usually the top choice) are notoriously erroneous. Pick a song you know really well, check Droogle Lyrics, and the errors will make you laugh so hard your stomach aches.