The F-14 Tomcat: The Ultimate Fleet Defender and the Grumman's Ultimate Cat

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat the ultimate fleet defender is a twin tail, variable swept wing, two seat fighter and the first of the "teen" series of aircraft (F14, F15, F16 and F18) The tomcat is also widely regarded as the first fourth generation fighter and is the result of lessons learned from the Vietnam War.
Initially intended as a naval air to air fleet defender the F14, also eventually served in aerial reconnaissance roles and as a precision ground attack platform. Notable features of the F14 include: variable swept wings which automatically adjust to flight conditions or can be manually controlled, twin engines and tails, a two man crew, the use of the AIM54 Phoenix missile, and a tail hook for carrier operations. Although retired from the US Navy's inventory in 2006 the Tomcat has gone on to become a favorite of aviation enthusiasts globally and was showcased in several movies which brought it world wide mainstream attention. Loved by many and feared by its adversaries, the F14 is an iconic aircraft that has an unforgettable appearance and represents a revolutionary leap in fighter aircraft design.
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0:07 - Overview
1:18 - Specifications
2:18 - Armament
3:59 - Sensors
5:21 - Development
10:21 - Operators
12:08 - Operational History
18:55 - Legacy
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Credits/Attributions:
"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
Achille Lauro Cruise Ship photo:
D. R. Walker, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b..., via Wikimedia Commons
F-14 developed by Grumman:
www.northropgrumman.com/
Music from filmmusic.io "Hiding Your Reality" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (creativecommons.org/licenses/b...)
This video is an opinion editorial commentary.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use purposes such as criticism, commentary, parody, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
All works used in this video (Images, audio etc) belong to their respective authors
(This does not include the audio commentary or licensed BGM).

[@PilotPhotog]

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[@juliansimpson210]

The lines...the beauty in flight and the pure fear it gave to the enemy made the Tomcat a legend that will never be forgotten ...should have never been retired

[@larry2209]

100 % AGREE! Goes to show the mistakes that people CONSTANTLY make.

[@mgweible8162]

Last time I was this early the tomcat was still in service. Thank you for giving this legend it's well deserved lime light

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Aeronaut1975]

That's not what your boyfriend tells us ;P

[@HarrisonGoldfarb]

@@PilotPhotog One thing you missed is that due to Iran becomes an enemy after the Tomcat was retired, all parts and most planes were scrapped and shredded, to ensure that Iran wouldn't get their hands on any. That's why there are no flyable Tomcats anymore other than Iran.

[@PilotPhotog]

@@HarrisonGoldfarb great point and thanks for commenting!

[@luisfessel]

@@HarrisonGoldfarb (un)fortunately, the Iranians still flying!!!

[@bigvimfuego]

Jolly Rogers scheme is how i always picture this beauty.

[@simondavid2519]

The vf-2 bounty hunters looks great too, but yeah, Jolly Roger anytime.

[@BB-qv1vg]

The Jolly Rogers later adopted a low-vis grey on grey scheme that also looked amazing.

[@leefithian3704]

Or the playboy scheme

[@DirtNastyCivilian]

Sundowners > all

[@ozziearchangel9096]

@@DirtNastyCivilian for me it's the grim reapers baby. Best decal set of all time followed by jolly rogers sets and black knights

[@justinavery8664]

The Grumman TomCat taps into something primal inside all those that love it. Its an amazing piece of machinery. Loved by her aircrews temperamental to her groundcrews... but no disputing her iconic looks... and some of the greatest looking Squadron markings on those twin tails. You are missed baby!

[@PilotPhotog]

Couldn't agree more!

[@scallen3841]

So many fan boys , the f-14 was hated by it's ground crew . Hours to fix it

[@dannywilfred3007]

Opa is een bericht via Spanje laat de andere helft van de andere kant is good morning at de

[@knightlife98]

Something so small, yet it is one of my favorite things about the F-14. The squat right before it catapults from the ship!

[@PilotPhotog]

Yeah the nose wheel height could be adjusted - I should have mentioned that in the video

[@tumakbaluk]

The kneeling prior to the cat shot was to ensure proper airflow over the airframe. ✌🏽

[@GoSlash27]

@@tumakbaluk Actually, it was just the way the catapult launch bar worked.

[@GoSlash27]

My favorite was watching them break into the pattern with the wings fully swept, then gracefully transform into carrier planes.

[@knightlife98]

@@PilotPhotog Nah, the video was exceptional! This is not really important, just something I have always loved to see.

[@billtthatsme]

My Dad and Brother work for Grumman. My Father scheduled an airshow in St. Augustine Florida. The two Tomcats stole the show. Love the Tomcat!

[@PilotPhotog]

Very cool!

[@GrizzAxxemann]

Imagine that... CF-144 Tomcat. TOMCATS!

[@georgezhu1135]

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@Joshua_N-A]

Can Canada afford to maintain them?

[@georgezhu1135]

@@Joshua_N-A prob yes if we dont waste money on f18s

[@nuanil]

@@Joshua_N-A If we don't buy F-35's

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

@@Joshua_N-A no. They probably be retired without replacement before 2003.

[@chesterbaumgart7381]

I am a 63 yo Architect from Long Island NY. Grew up near Bethpage (Grumman), my uncle who served in the Navy in WW2, worked there as a machinist. I shortly after graduating collage, worked there also in 82. My Mom and Dad ((Dad)who was a motorpool mech in WW2) both are buried right next to the Calverton airfield where Grumman tested the Tomcat. My son as a young kid's favorite movie was "Top Gun". I was lucky enough to be able to watch test flights at Bethpage & Calverton of F-14's. ❤❤❤

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you for your family's contribution to the Tomcat and other Grumman aircraft...and thanks for being a subscriber!

[@user-ip8df4nf8g]

خداوند آنها را رحمت کند 🇮🇷♥️

[@Pau_Pau9]

I had a lucky opportunity to see this plane perform at an airshow. Let's just say Blue Angels were just OK.

[@PilotPhotog]

Same - it looked surreal watching the F-14 fly, such a large fighter and very maneuverable for its size. Thanks for commenting!

[@skyserf]

I saw an F-14 at an air show at Dover AFB years ago. It didn’t do much but I do recall feeling a bit uneasy seeing that huge fighter approach doing a high speed pass.

[@spartanx9293]

Too bad we never got to see the f14 in the blue Angels color scheme

[@Pau_Pau9]

​ @the O.D.S.T spartan You see those Angels when you die and go to heaven.

[@scotcoon1186]

Saw the blue angels at Dayton in the late 90s. One flew low speed past the replica of the Wright flyer, as another came overhead from behind and scared the crap out of everyone. Too bad it wasn't supersonic.

[@LRRPFco52]

I think those numbers are for uninstalled thrust with the GE motors. The F110-GE-400 in the F-14B/D would generate a lot more thrust than that installed, with at least 28,000lb in burner and rising as the mach number went up at certain air densities. The A model had a lot of installed thrust at lower altitude as well, not as shabby as it was made out to be with the -414A. TF30-PW-412A was the main problem child motor for the F-14A fleet, and was replaced with the -414A to deal with reliability issues. Even as a student of the Tomcat since the 1970s, I wasn’t reminded until a few years ago that the Navy spent some $300 million on the intended F-14 engine, which was the Pratt & Whitney F401-PW-400. There’s a GAO report on the F-14 with PW F401--PW-400 expenditures listed. It’s like reading one of the latest anti-F-35 reports if you go through it. They were working on the F-14B at the time, which was to have the F401, but it had a lot of the same problems as the TF30-PW-412A so the Navy just got left with the TF30 until the GE motors came into reality in the 1980s. They had them on the B-1A and B-1B, and did the F-14/F101 testbed if I recall correctly. It was painted red and white. There were several AvLeak articles on it at the time.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thanks for commenting and indeed - I wanted to go into how the GE motors were ready well before the F-14B made its debut, but the engines kept getting shelved. Ultimately I decided not to go into that detail as this was meant to be a broad overview of the airframe as a whole, but it can be the subject of upcoming follow up videos on the F-14. Thanks for commenting and an excellent summary of the Tomcat's engines!

[@LRRPFco52]

@@PilotPhotog There were 2 different F-14Bs. The first one was the intended Tomcat/engine with the F401-PW-400 that never got produced in the 1970s. The A models were supposed to be a stop-gap. The 2nd F-14B was the A+ re-named with the F110-GE-400 engines.

[@logannicholson1850]

I feel like the f14 could have had not only the most potential but also been the best out of the teen series

[@billreal76]

I had a GREAT work-life with F-14A! The CSDC, VDIG, and the Left & Right Wing Flap Glove Vanes were some of my favorite WRAs to work on in the VAST Shop. Maintained the CADC SRAs and others on the CAT-IIID. I worked on those and the whole F-14A suite of VAST avionics at the Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) from 1979-1984, then advanced to the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) F-14A TPS In-Service Engineering Department (1984-1990), where we investigated the reason(s) why the VAST WRA TPS didn't correctly identify the defective SRA. Then advanced to the VAST Offload Division (1990-1994), where we worked for NAVAIRSYSCOM to offload the VAST F-14A TPSs to CASS (NAVAIR RedTeam). 1978-1979-NADEP F-14A Final Flight Line Build-up 1979-1980-NADEP VAST-F-14A Avionics Repair 1980-1984-NADEP F-14 In-Service Engineering TPS Hardware and Software Support (ILSMT) 1990-1994-NADEP & NAVAIR VAST Offload Program & CASS TPS Hardware and Software Procurement (NAVAIR RedTeam)

[@rcstann]

I installed the avionics instrumentation into the cockpit of Bird Number One when we were first developing the F-14. Somewhere on KZbin there are Rows of monitors inside a cargo Chase Plane showing the Cascade of data coming out of that one time instrumentation package that was put on the initial prototype. This was the plane we lost coming in for a landing caught in a downdraft, with the two aviators ejecting at the last minute. After watching the FX 111 struggle for years trying to prove the concept of a Swept Wing Fighter with an aluminum frame it was a dramatic breakthrough to see the achievement of the nearly doubled horsepower combined with the titanium airframe. This bird was in a class by itself

[@huaweimaman7530]

My father was ex pilot of Iran airforce back in shah's time.. I have so many memory with this plane.

[@user-ip8df4nf8g]

سلام من از ایران هستم عاشق خلبان‌ها سرزمینمان هستم. و تامکت f14. اگر ممکن هست نام پدرتان را بگویید خوشحال میشوم ♥️🇮🇷🦁🇮🇷♥️🦁🇮🇷♥️🦁🇮🇷♥️🦁

[@rodnicksedighian1417]

Fun fact: the worlds best f14 pilot was “jalal zandi”. An Iranian Air Force pilot that shot down over 50 planes during his service. (11 of which in a single dogfight) He died in a car accident near Tehran in 2001.

[@SurfnTurfdfl]

Loved this plane during my time in the NAVY, was onboard CVN-71 USS Theodore Roosevelt. Worked on the AWG9 radar systems and then later on the Vulcan cannon, loved my job when I was in and wished I could have stayed but budgets cut came down and got out. Have many pictures of VF-41 and VF-84 tomcats during my time, even met the pilots in the line of death incident of the two Libyan migs being shot down by VF-32.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you for your service and all the work you did to keep these incredible aircraft flying - VF-84 will always be my favorite squadron and I tried to feature them in the video as much as I could.

[@SurfnTurfdfl]

@@PilotPhotog I enjoyed the video very much, I actually wanted to stay in, even did a re enlistment in the RIO seat with CAG but my re enlistment got cut short when budget cuts came around, man the times I had on board ship was so much to take in, especially being young and fresh out of high school back in the 80's, ahhh, those were the days...

[@PilotPhotog]

@@SurfnTurfdfl I remember those budget cuts very well. You did get some actual F-14 time which is AWESOME! If I did that I’d end every debate with “yeah but I flew in an F-14” and then drop the mic 🎤

[@SurfnTurfdfl]

@@PilotPhotog ha ha, 🤣, yeah it was a blast, had some friends that got it hooked up and it also helps when you can know some higher ups that can get things done. I will say that not too many of my friends can say they went supersonic and I classify that as a once in a lifetime experience, gonna have to go thru my photo albums to relive some of those days....

[@GT-mq1dx]

Glad to see another sailor on here that served during that time. I never got to get close up and personal with the Big Cats, but we did rescue and recovery operations with the Carl Vincent. I absolutely loved the flybys they did. This is a sore subject I’m sure for most of her fans if not all, especially if you served in that time period, having to retire these fine works of art, but I try to keep the memories good.

[@walkingcarpet420]

Still the most beautiful jet to ever take flight!

[@leefithian3704]

Agree , what a bird ! , hey we may see future birds on Mars , electric ofcourse , I mean designs of merit , that stoke the aviation creativity

[@rogerpr364]

Yes! The Tomcat F14 is the sexyest aircraft on this planet and I was lucky to see one on the docked carrier in New York City museum!

[@PilotPhotog]

On the USS Intrepid - I've been there and when you see the Tomcat that close you really appreciate how they flew that thing off of carriers!

[@_ace_defective_]

Surprised you didn't really mention the reasons for the Tomcat's retirement, such as the costs or maintenance hours. An excellent aircraft for sure, but it definitely had its fair share of issues and it makes sense why it was ultimately retired.

[@PilotPhotog]

Indeed and I just got to the point where a 30 minute video was going to be too long - but it would make a good topic for a future video!

[@26th_Primarch]

@@PilotPhotog Sounds like a part 2 to this video

[@FRGBlackBurn]

@@PilotPhotog if you ever make a part 2, could you also talk about the Super Tomcat 21 (ST21)? Few people know about it, it was an evolution proposed by Grumman at the time, but never was built due to the fact the F-14 was already expensive. (Edit: just finished the video ans saw that you did cover it, sorry)

[@PilotPhotog]

@@FRGBlackBurn no worries, and I also mention it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp3YgaRpgJeSoKc

[@FRGBlackBurn]

@@PilotPhotog I'll watch it, thanks

[@davidsherman7868]

I worked on F/A-18's when I was in the Navy. But I have always loved the Tomcat. Both beautiful and menacing.

[@Krystalmyth]

F-14 = The most badass jet that ever existed. The F/A-18 makes my ovaries crumble into ash by comparison.

[@booker370]

Ummmmm okay then

[@808G8GT]

Riiiiight

[@roberts9095]

I'd argue the Hornet family is pretty badass as well, that jet's nose authority is nothing to overlook, it may not be the fastest, it may not have the greatest thrust to weight ratio, but it is a monster when it gets slow. The Super Hornet gets even more dangerous in WVR with JHMCS and the AIM-9X. The jet is a workhorse and does its jobs well, but admittedly, the Navy could use a more competent deck based air superiority design to make up for the Rhino's deficiencies in the air superiority role.

[@Krystalmyth]

@@roberts9095 Eh I'm warming up to it. Going to depend on Top Gun 2's volleyball scene. Lots to live up to. lol

[@roberts9095]

@@Krystalmyth lmao

[@knightlife98]

I just got done watching an F-15 Pilot talk about dogfighting with the F-14. He said something I never really thought about before. He said, the wings of the F-14 told them, what it was going to do next.

[@burningpotato9447]

Ah ok that's really cool. Even tho the f14 is more manuvarable knowing what your opponent is going to do is a better advantage.

[@PilotPhotog]

I never thought of that either, thanks for pointing that out!

[@danieledelfino6527]

Well, it has been used intentionally to deceive opponents too :)

[@spartanx9293]

@@burningpotato9447 Actually the f15 might be more manuerable than the tomcat

[@_ace_defective_]

@@danieledelfino6527 I've heard that before but that it's something that really only works once.

[@carlvincent12]

Imagine how competitive the f-14 and f-15 pilots were feeling when they were about to engage the enemy. Imagine before they engaged the conversation would have gone like this: F-15 “whoever scores the least amount of kills buys everyone drinks” F-14 “yes you will”

[@jernejfunkl8300]

F-14 Tomcat...Iconic,beautiful and unforgettable airplane. I agree !

[@-nixwite-]

Oh man I was listening to the defender of the fleet soundtrack and saw this and the Tomcatness went up by 1000%

[@angelodedios8025]

I was lucky enough to see flying F14s doing take off and landing exercises and some parked at the tarmac in Subic Naval Base back in the mid-late 80s. Some, can also be seen parked on deck on an aircraft carrier while docked or departing the base. It has been my favorite jet fighter ever since. Then I saw Top Gun, it even made me want this jet even more. Definitely the best looking fighter.

[@PilotPhotog]

That must have been an incredible sight - and sound! Thanks for commenting

[@F22raptor46]

Certain things I'd like to point out, the F-14 was regarded as a 3.5 gen fighter not 4th gen, even by it's own pilots. Also the GE F-110s produce up to 29000lbs of thrust each

[@kingdomofvinland8827]

What generation do you think the asf-14 would have been regarded as? 4,4.5?

[@F22raptor46]

@@kingdomofvinland8827 no idea, Mayne 5th gen or 4.5 who knows

[@kingdomofvinland8827]

@@F22raptor46 I think 4.5

[@F22raptor46]

@@kingdomofvinland8827 yeah possibly

[@asherkosmos4312]

Ah I love this legendary fighter. Top Gun and Macross is part of my childhood

[@emaheiwa8174]

The Vought F7U Cutlass looked like a F14 Tomcat baby

[@PilotPhotog]

I can't unsee that - but we should call it a Tomcat Kitten 😎

[@burningpotato9447]

It really is a baby tomcat

[@GoSlash27]

Unfortunately, it's engines had all the thrust of a propane heater :D

[@get2dachoppa249]

At 16:50, that bird should be in markings for VF-103 Sluggers. They didn’t change over to the Jolly Roger markings till 1995. Good vid.

[@PilotPhotog]

Great catch and thanks for commenting!

[@mikeh.1130]

We definitely should have kept the Tomcat in the fleet for much longer than 2006.

[@boejiden7093]

This was such a cool fighter jet

[@yehanmudalige6596]

You are my least favourite American president

[@MrRathel]

How can you remember that?

[@squirrelsquirt]

The RAF also looked in to purchasing the F-14.

[@PilotPhotog]

I was not aware of that, thanks for mentioning. Imagine RAF Tomcats

[@nathanmorrow6981]

I had my honeymoon in Virginia Beach home of Naval Air Station Oceana. Every morning at 7, exactly at 7, a Tomcat gave us a wake-up with a low altitude fly-by. I loved it. We also got to see them pull high-g turns over the beach heading back inland banking at 90 degrees as they turned. F-14 Tomcat, definitely badass.

[@HammerRocks]

Long live the Tomcat. Despite new 5th gen planes, the Tomcat is still my favourite fighter plane of all time.

[@DragonJ-ui9gg]

I couldn’t wait for this Tomcat video and as always it is a great video and lots information. Thanks for your work on this video great job.

[@Predator42ID]

Yea range and speed is sadly the one thing lacking in the US Navy. However the F-18s versatility and ease of upgrading can't be denied. While the F-14 had greater range, it was expensive to maintain and upgrade.

[@LRRPFco52]

F-35C has 100nm more radius and endurance compared to even the F-14D with 2 tanks, with the F-35C using internal fuel. Has far greater detection and tracking range with cooperative fleet air defense, simultaneous Maritime patrol/ISR, and sea surface scan capabilities the F-14 never even dreamed of. Some of the best F-14D test pilots worked on developing the Navy’s JSF, and have praised it.

[@jordanmascarenhas7974]

Just imagine if the F-14 wasn’t suffocated by lack of funding fir major upgrades. Imagine the Tomcat with AESA radar, replacing all those those high maintenance hydraulic lines with lower mainentance modern hydraulic technology that now exists, or even electric motors to swing those wings. And if the same tech that went into the F-15EX wings went into the internal wing structure of upgraded Tomcats, that would drastically increase the number of flights hours the plane is capable of flying. Now imagine if that same F-35 sea surface scan capability was adapted for the Tomcat. Basically the Navy’s F-35C would rally out of front of the upgraded Tomcats where it can feed the Tomcat targets. The Tomcats would hang back safely behind the stealthy F-35C and fire off all its missiles creating a FORCE MULTIPLIER effect. Oh, and the Tomcat is the only carrier based fighter that has the real estate and trust to carry any hypersonic missiles.

[@robertfaust9406]

@@LRRPFco52 with all that tech advancement; the F-35 is still among the ugliest aircraft ever to fly.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@robertfaust9406 Frontal, planform, bottom, and rear aspects look great. It's the side view that requires a mother's love. Same with F-22. F-14 just looks great from all angles, but the beauty contest is in the eye of the beholder of brutal capabilities that only the JSF series possess.

[@East_Coast_Toasty_Boy]

The newer ones wouldn't have been, while also being versatile and easy to upgrade.

[@white-dragon4424]

VF-103 weren't known as The Jolly Rogers during Desert Storm, they were called The Sluggers during this period. Only in the mid 90's did they take on the Jolly Rogers name after VF-84 was disestablished.

[@thetreblerebel]

I knew a guy how was a hydrolic mechanic for avionics on the USS KITTY HAWK in 73 or 74. His cruise was the first cruise out with the new deck to handle the USN's new fighter , the F14. He had a cruise book showing deck deflectors being installed and the mighty F14 launching off the Kitty Hawk. Cool stuff, it was brand spanking new!!

[@PilotPhotog]

That must have been amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@pike100]

*Hydraulic, not *hydrolic.

[@flokko258]

love your videos dude 💖💖

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you!

[@SouthWaterlooArea]

never ask a fighter pilot what he flys, if it's a Tobcat, he'll tell you, if it's not, why embarrass him?

[@laminderien4626]

Classy! Same With Mirage.🫡

[@mike7652]

Not technically a fighter, but if it's an A-10 I kinda wanna know about that.

[@pike100]

*Tomcat

[@kaitmmvi1744]

great video man!

[@PilotPhotog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@martinandree1]

The Tomcat was cool indeed. Every inch of it!

[@eiselbay]

Absolutely beautifully well made video. Great Work!

[@amcds2867]

Amazing video doc. Thank you. Sad in the end, but it was popular in the eighties in Top Gun when it hit the theatres. Nostalgic beast.

[@marcusott5054]

"... the FIRST of the teen series of aircraft". Gumman F-11 Tiger cries in the corner...

[@thunderboltcougar5626]

😂😂😂

[@jaywright9820]

My absolute favorite fighter. That RIO quote summed it up perfectly.

[@thehotseat4498]

Mosul 2005, We had an F-14 provide close sir support when one of our FOBs was under attack. It was awesome to watch the Tom Cat work.

[@PilotPhotog]

That must have been incredible - thank you for your service!

[@warbuzzard7167]

Bro, you dragged me down memory lane.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you and I am glad you enjoyed the video - it would be incredible if the Tomcat was still flying here in the US

[@ironman6527]

Love the use of DCS

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you, I actually got to do some DCS flying to make this video so it was fun.

[@Charles_Bro-son]

Props to Heatblur for their excellent F-14 Module! Beautifully done implementation and attention to detail.

[@PilotPhotog]

@@Charles_Bro-son indeed and it’s a great DCS module to fly!

[@thomasephraim3651]

Beautiful aircraft

[@susanartigas7498]

Execellent video. Thank you.

[@PilotPhotog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@shapiro5000]

F-14 model in DCS looks so good!

[@PilotPhotog]

It really is amazingly detailed - I had fun flying it for the video!

[@BrockwellLanemodelrailway]

Fantastic tribute and some great information on its service life. I love the tomcat because of The Final countdown movie I saw when I was a small boy and then later Top Gun. I only got to see one once at RAF Mildenhall air fate in about 1992. The RAF looked at buying them briefly before going for the Tornado F2. I wish we had gone for the F14

[@PilotPhotog]

I wasn't aware of the RAF going for the Tomcat, I could have done some footage of an RAF 'cat flying around....thanks for commenting!

[@jonathankerr4859]

Great quote at the end. 👍

[@budd1331]

The f14 is a icon. The 15 is still the better platform. Its why it's stood the test of time.

[@FJ80Coop]

Tomcat was my first true flying love and to this day,some 31 years later it's still the sexiest airframe ever...

[@jermf35]

Man I am so happy you did a long video of the F-14 Tomcat. Your channel in my opinion is by far the best out there for fighter jets.i just sent this to my dad. I grew up going tk air shows with my grandpa and dad and brother. My grandpa was in ww2 in the navy. Sk he always had a live for fighter jets. And that went down to my dad and me and my brother. Anyways this video is great. Thanks for putting in the time to make such a great and informative video

[@dennisgray7509]

Yes, they should have been further developed! Most awesome fighter ever!!

[@rudypieplenbosch6752]

Thanks for this summary

[@PilotPhotog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@v0id683]

Looks great! Was waiting for this one hehe

[@PilotPhotog]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and thank you for all you do on our discord!

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks for the vid sir.👍🏼👍🏼

[@PilotPhotog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@spartanx9293]

Consider doing a versus type video with the f14 and f15 weighing their pros and cons

[@steveeisenburger6011]

Sorry bud. Been away for a while working. Love your work. First vid I've seen for a while cause only using an old Samsung phone. Will watch all when computer is back on line

[@creekwalker62]

Grumman: When something has to be absolutely positively destroyed...I offer the F-14 Tomcat for your consideration. Me: 'Tis a fine beast, I shall fly it into battle.

[@TheChad138]

I was on the last carrier deployment with VF-31 ( I was not in that squadron) they were amazing to watch. No matter how much I saw them, I would always catch myself just starring at them.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you for your service and it must have been absolutely breathtaking to watch the Big Cats in action on the flight deck!

[@TheChad138]

@@PilotPhotog It was the best time of my life, lol. There is nothing like being on a carrier flight deck. There were F/A-18C, F/A-18E, F-14D, EA-6B, E-2C, S-3B (what I worked on) C-2 (actually got to land and take off in one of these) and some 60's. I really miss those times.

[@ParsaB1]

F14s sold to iran are still in service and its first mission was during Iran-Iraq war in which Iranians set many world records that it still stands to this day.

[@edl617]

Best fleet air defense fighter ever

[@ovk-ih1zp]

The US Navy will miss the long range Anti-air & anti-missile capabilities of the Tomcat if there ever is another near peer conflict. As good as the SPY-1/SM-6 combo is, the Tom's gave the navy a much larger & longer engagement envelope.

[@spartanx9293]

The aim 260 is coming in to existence which has fairly great range

[@andrewszigeti2174]

Modern AIM-120s have the same range as the AIM-54, better radar, better maneuverability, and weigh less so more can be carried.

[@LRRPFco52]

F-35C with any AIM-120C/D variant out-classes what the F-14D/AIM-54C had by quite a bit. Same with detection and tracking ranges, multi-TGT track, with cooperative networked detection and tracking across multiple spectrums. F-35C with SPY-1/SM-6 networked, as well as SLCMs and surface-launched cruise missiles is a different world. F-35C brings things the S-3B Viking couldn’t do in the ASW role as well. Navy just increased their planned force structure for carrier air wings to make the F-35C squadrons 16 unit entities, while Super Hornet Block IIIs will be 12 birds per. F-35C increases the mission radius over the Tomcat by 100nm, which is a huge capability enhancement to the air wing.

[@andrewszigeti2174]

@@LRRPFco52 : Which brings us to the two main problems with the F-35. 1) It costs a mint, each. The Navy may want 16 aircraft squadrons, but to do it they'll have to halve the number of squadrons OR drop a carrier. 2) It's mother-naked in IR... and the Soviets had pretty good mid-to-long rage IR detection back in the '80s. Who knows how good Russian and Chinese long-range IR detection is now? We may go to war and find IR missiles downing F-35s like lemmings. Or worse, tankers and AWACs, leaving the F-35s stranded and short on fuel deep in enemy airspace. Oh, and 3) It only carries, what, two AIM-120 internally? Four? An Su-37 carries a dozen missiles. Russian and Chinese forces can run the F-35 out of ammo and then swamp it with dozens of older but cheaper designs. Yeah, MiG-21s will die like flies going up against F-35s... and then once the F-35s are out of ammo the Su-37s and who knows what else shows up for the real fight. Now if you have an F-35 bird-dog for a squadron of F/A-18s, or better yet F-15EX with 14 missiles each, now THAT's a terrifying capability...

[@LRRPFco52]

@@andrewszigeti2174 One if the most overlooked, misunderstood aspects of VLO is the IR stealth on all the JSF variants. If you look at Lockheed's generations of expertise in this field, then look closely at the F-35, you'll start to notice some things. There are at least 4 layers of IR signature concealment systems integrated into the F-35's surfaces, fuselage, wings, and engine nozzle. There are large air scoops that take ambient air (which is anywhere from -20 to -60°C) and flow it over and through the LOAN engine nozzle. The massive fuel volume is used as a heat sink to pull aerodynamic heat off the wing leading edges, and heat exchangers are integrated into the cool air bypass fan stage on the motor. Then there are things integrated with the RAM to virtually eliminate solar radiation from the surfaces. The engine exhaust spirals within the cool air flow mass since the afterburner flame holders are angled and concealed in the RF spectrum, so there is a synergy of RF and IR concealment that is revolutionary from a signature reduction perspective. So all the assumptions and claims you see about F-35 IR signature being huge are very uninformed and opposite of the truth. It's an extremely cold TGT in the IR spectrum. The presence of IRST on the MiG-29 and Su-27, plus IR sensors on Russian mobile IADS platforms drove the IR signature reduction program within JSF. They were given billions to solve that problem, with test ranges and expertise that dwarf what any other country has at their disposal. So the IR spectrum is a place the JSF and ATF dominate. JSF has more sensors that are fused with each other to detect, track, and PID at BVR better than anything out there. If you wanted to configure a certain number of F-35Cs for A2A focusing on Fleet Defense, you could load them with 4x AIM-120C/D, and 2x AIM-9X Blk III. F-14s typically only flew with 2-4 missiles because of loading time for ordnance across several squadrons, weapon wear from carrier ops, and bring-back limits. With F-35, you get more kills due to higher pk than with legacy fighters because there is no mutual detection timeline, counter-moves, and re-attack sequence common to 4th Gen. That's why the F-15 and Flankers have the magazine depth that they do, because they were envisioned in a mutual detection BVR scenario where the initial missile releases are usually posturing for who will be offensive first. 5th Gen fighters don't play in that space. They hunt from the shadows on their terms, with extremely unfair missile WEZ parameters that immediately go into NEZ with no missile approach warning.

[@Tordogor]

Love the Tomcat in German paint scheme!!

[@markmullins7990]

Great video I think it should have been upgraded to tomcat 21 I think the US Navy would admit that they miss the planes abilities plus it looks intimidating and sexy such an iconic Navy aircraft

[@pike100]

The fact that it looked "intimidating and sexy" is completely irrelevant. You fan boys crack me up. It's like arguing about who possesses the most impressive genitalia.

[@kingdomofvinland8827]

The tomcat 21 should have been built, I bet it would come in handy against China.

[@dwaynethewokjohnson5931]

True

[@Dexter037S4]

Not really, the AIM-260 is basically an AIM-54 with the size and maneuverability of an AMRAAM and is planning to be carried by the F-15EX and F-35s.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Well, you might get your wish, the Navy's list of specifications for their next fighter is basically a description of the F-14.

[@gregorymarrone3666]

I have the need the need for SPEED!!! growing up in San Diego California and right across from the TOPGUN FIGHTER TOWN USA fighter school was great got to see Tom Cats all the time!! As well as the very sexy FA 18 super hornets. Every year the world famous Blue Angels would fly over the house screaming by it's such a rush to see these iconic machines.. I was blessed to have seen both!! Thank you so very much for your great video!!! God bless the USA may we stand United!!!

[@Dusty96]

She’s still the best fighter jet even though she’s retired and my favorite

[@dstavs]

How!? How does each new video keep getting better than the last!? Another awesome video 👍

[@mtbjim]

That RIO NAILED IT !!!! Tomcat was such a cool AC

[@themittonmethod1243]

Funny how the F-14 was originally drawn from a very similar group of specifications as the (cancelled) Avro Arrow... I wonder what the F-14 would have been like if the Arrow had continued to full service..

[@xprettylightsx]

Fantastic video

[@PilotPhotog]

Thanks! 😃

[@SahanModelbuilding]

Great video, I’ve built 2 Tomcats and I was both times so surprised how cool this jet looks.

[@PilotPhotog]

It is a thing of beauty and you can never have too many Tomcat models. Thanks for commenting as always!

[@hoghogwild]

The reason why the AMRAAM AIM-120 was deemed too expensive to employ, was because F14 already employed a long range missile. I think AIM-120 would have been implemented if the Sparrow was the longest range missile. Phoenix was retired in 2004, F14 in 2006. In air super. mode, 6 AIM-7s could be carried, with 4 semi recessed in the tunnel. F14 was a different animal when Phoenix and its heavy launchers were employed.

[@PilotPhotog]

Great point and thanks for commenting!

[@alexandertheissl808]

Never forget the plane inspire me too become a Aviator ❤️🐈.. Most beautiful long range Interceptor ever built ❤️. It's shame the USA don't a handful F14 D holds in a good shape condition for Airshows. From Austria 🇦🇹.

[@PilotPhotog]

Couldn't agree more!

[@charleseriacho3734]

Great shows.

[@Nucleus51]

Very well done sir Salute.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you!

[@lionheart9205]

I only have two love of my life, Tomcats & 22 Raptors nothing else comes close.

[@dnlitsuh]

Great vid

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you!

[@Triple87]

Good stuff. Sexy is definitely the best way to describe the kitty. 😍

[@fishsquishguy1833]

Some vehicles just have that look: e-type Jaguar, E body Mopar, P 51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire. The frontal view of an F 14 has to be the sexiest lines of any fighter jet that I’ve ever seen. Too bad they couldn’t have upgraded the power plants and avionics. I’m sure the Navy would have some use for them still? It’s a shame they shredded all those airframes. Heard they were worried about parts getting to Iran?

[@bdh985]

Excellent vid as always! I'm biased but the ST-21 should have been built, definately my favorite "what if" aircraft.

[@PilotPhotog]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed the video, I appreciate all of your comments and engagement here...and yes ST-21 would have been awesome

[@bdh985]

@@PilotPhotog Pretty sure I speak for everyone when I say that we appreciate the quality of your videos! I was getting tired of re-watching old docs from the 80's! 😂

[@PilotPhotog]

@@bdh985 thank you - I really appreciate that 👊

[@JohnDoe-ho7pd]

Great video.

[@richardstansbury9788]

My last ship was a bird farm. She had F-14’s, I thought they were magnificent! I foolishly never thought about the F-14 being retired, I wish I had paid more attention to them.

[@paddy1952]

Great video. A little discussion of the issues that compelled retirement of the type would have been welcome, but an outstanding video all the same.

[@okisoba]

3:13 The funds were actually moved from AIM-120 integration to LANTIRN integration thanks to Dale Snodgrass. He states that a few interviews. Still, great video!

[@PilotPhotog]

Great point and thanks for commenting!

[@glenndwyer5786]

Damn thats a nice jet. How awsome does it look

[@pottierkurt1702]

He did it, the madlad actually did it !!

[@tumakbaluk]

Thank you for another great documentary on another of my favorite fighters. Your attention to detail is impeccable. You even brought a few tidbits that I didn't know! Well done ✌🏽

[@PilotPhotog]

Glad you enjoyed it and thank you - I try to dig deep and provide details that are not widely known. Cheers!

[@briantaylor8197]

The Tomcat was ended too soon. Grumman made the ultimate fighters when called upon to do so. He left out the Bearcat. The Bearcat was meant to replace the Hellcat, but WW2 ended before it made it too the carrier force. The Bearcat was quickly adopted by the Blue Angeles. Hats off to Grumman for many years of great aircraft designs that served to protect our country.

[@yan_4523]

Yesss finaly TOM CAAATTTSSS 😍😍😍

[@michaelhorner4011]

F-14 with F-22 engines = Super Win

[@Toryscout]

Yes!!!!! MY FAVOURITE JET F14-Tomcat. Greetings from Malaysia ✌️.

[@DOI_ARTS]

Everytime I see a TomCat I always thought it would transform into a mobile suit like the one in Macross/Robotech.