Secrets of the F-14 Tomcat: Aircraft Preflight Walkaround

[@Ken19700]

Even retired it's still one of the best looking planes ever made.

[@robertallenloos]

Hey Ward, I really appreciate your channel. I was a Aviation structural mechanic and was assigned to VAQ 132 a electronic warfare squadron. I really enjoy hearing your perspective of figher life. the squadrons assigned at the time I was on board the Eisenhower were the pukin dogs and the grim reapers. I worked on the fightdeck as a trouble shooter so I worked 12 hour shifts on the flight deck and we had a great admoration of the men (at the time) who flew those missions. 1980-1982 CVN69

[@andreweppink4498]

Yeah. Very good looking plane. But a very expensive Hangar Queen. Very expensive M & R. Hard to fly. Lotta problems.

[@olechristianhenne6583]

Even when upgraded technology within Iran Americans are lost more wars then 165 destroyed f14s

[@HildegardActual]

I'm an F-35A crew chief and while our aircraft is much easier to maintain than most, I know I'm not the only guy in the F-35 community who's envious of the Navy guys who got the chance to work on the F-14 while they were in service. Simply an amazing machine for it's time.

[@foofghtr]

The opinion that this plane was expensive and a beast to maintain, people forget that all maintenance records at the time were done on pen and paper. MAF and SAF cards, most of it was pencil whipped to make us appear busy at all times. So we kinda screwed the F-14 out of service due to BS maintenance stats. What’s high time on an F-35 engine? The Tomcat was 500 hours, then off to AIMD it went. The only problem with the TF-30 engine during engine changes was that the AB fuel control had a hundred lines on it and nothing in NATOPS to show you where they go. So they had to look at the other engine to put all the lines back one by one. The other saying we had about the Tomcat was, if it’s not leaking, it’s broke. 😂 Thanks for your service, Fly Navy!

[@tims9493]

Breaks my heart every time I see a F-14 parked outside. Every remaining plane should be stored inside and cared for. We have one in Fort Worth, when I retire I'm going to volunteer over there and start a fund raising drive to get a pavilion built to protect these marvelous aircraft.

[@Solid-Matrix]

The aviation museum right?

[@olechristianhenne6583]

How about you fix your country first rather than destroying F14s

[@roelkomduur8073]

Just my thoughts...

[@joejoe2658]

pretty sure they're waterproof, unlike people.

[@leonardmoore2833]

Since you mentioned it, I went back and checked my log book. Turns out that I had about 10 flights in that bird. Ironically, none of them were VF-124. All were at VF-51. We never took that bird to the USS KITTY HAWK, so no green ink. Nice to relive those days though!

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

Man, how surreal must thst be to know you actually climbed in that specific F-14 and flew it, X number of years ago? Yet there it is in front of you, and you can visit it any time you want. What an amazing connection to our history, but uniquely yours!

[@horatiobeaker]

This channel is just top notch. No hype. Plenty of good stories. Engaging. Calm, reasoned, detailed explanations. Professional.

[@Reaper_03-01]

I've never seen a Tomcat up close before. I feel like I was ten years old again watching this. Getting a walk around the aircraft with an actual crew member, even if by video format is a real treat. Thank you Mr Carroll

[@63worf]

Who the hell are the 23 people who gave this a thumbs down? Seriously? Thank you for passing on the knowledge. I love your clear and calm delivery. It inspires confidence.

[@keithholland3928]

Probably eagle drivers lol. I love both.

[@63worf]

@@keithholland3928 🤣

[@mrandrossguy9871]

They only like the D ? Lmao

[@turbo-6.7l21]

Soviet bear pilots.

[@brucedavidson5400]

Democrats

[@oldgoat142]

I'm proud to say I was a Tomcat maintainer on a couple of different maintenance levels, (O-level, which means on the flight deck), AIMD, (VAST shop), and the micro-min repair shop. Learned the basics of my trade while assigned to VF-101, (the east coast RAG), before moving on to VF-142. Some of the best years of my professional life. Commander, this walkaround brought back a powerful bunch of memories for me. Gracias.

[@markhollier1]

As a current F-15 crew chief, it’s very cool to see another legacy fighter up close and in detail with someone who has experience with the bird......I will mention though, the variable geometry intake is also a feature on all f-15 models along with variable intake ramps

[@LRRPFco52]

F-15 intake and inlet design is the highest evolution of the A-5 Vigilante intakes and boundary layer door management approach. Is it a pain to maintain those variable angle inlets on the -15? Where are the actuators to even make the intakes move?

[@sawtoothchris24]

22 crew chief here. Even though I'm on 5th gen aircraft, and the 22 is undoubtedly the best aircraft in the world, I still in my heart think the 15 is my favorite, as seeing it at an airshow when I was a kid inspired me to join up and work on aircraft.

[@joeruger5858]

Having only worked on Phantoms, I wasn't really interested in the Tomcats on the flight line. But I have one Tomcat story. It was early '82, and I was working nights in VF-74 Airframes, and I was short, only a few weeks before finishing my active duty. I can't remember which hanger we were in, but we shared it with an F-14 squadron. I would have to walk through the hanger on my way back to the barracks. So, one day I went to work, walked into my shop and two guys in suits were sitting there, waiting for me. They introduced themselves politely, as NIS agents. I was surprised and curious about why they wanted to talk to me. They first asked me why did I think they were there. I really didn't know, and really wanted to find out. They seemed to believe that I really didn't know and told me that someone pulled the canopy ejection lever on the Tomcat in hanger that I walked by the night before. I told them that it must have made a lot of noise, but I didn't hear anything. I said that I wonder what it sounded like, and one of the suits laughed and said, don't get any ideas.

[@tmwright0066]

Hangar 404 in oceana?

[@d4j4r58]

I grew up on Phantoms :)

[@beaver_creek_outdoors2010]

I watched a new line guy pop one open.....yikes !

[@charlie_onesix7665]

As a grunt I never really appreciated what it took to get air support off the deck and overhead. Thanks shipmate. I have a whole new respect for Naval Aviation. SEMPER FI.

[@sylentlight6771]

Support in the air and the sea, and boots on the ground - All roles are crucial. Thank you!

[@walterzweifel4652]

Hey Jarhead, yup a whole bunch of work....Marines never flew the Tomcat, but on average, an F-14 required nearly 50 maintenance hours for every flight hour, while the Super Hornet requires five to 10 maintenance hours for every flight hour. it was a complex Maintenance heavy beast...

[@h.r.puffnstuff8705]

You grunts on the beach are a key motivation during every launch. Deck crews work their a$$es off to turn birds around. We still load ordnance the old fashioned way. Brute physical labor. There's a blur of various tools and body's in motion. Plane captains dangling 10 stories above the water line on top a slippery airplane that's spotted in a manner where there's more bird hanging over the side of the ship than actually on the deck itself. When somebody gets hurt or killed during the process, and they do. Nothing stops. The machine keeps marching forward. Every body is mission dedicated to make sure the grunt on the beach has angels overhead.

[@brianfottrell1170]

I am a retired GM1 (SW/EXW), and my first command was the U.S.S. Enterprise, between 89-92. I absolutely loved the F-14. There's always been something so tough and mean about that aircraft. I loved watching them from vulture's row and checking them out on the hanger bay. Magnificent! I can tell you loved it too.

[@mj1234321]

Such a beautiful aircraft! My grandfather was one of the Grumman engineers in Bethpage who worked on that design. Wish the Super Tomcat 21 had given the Tomcat a new lease on life, especially when I see other 4th gen fighters like the F-15 getting new orders still today.

[@WardCarroll]

Tomcat 21 would have been AWESOME.

[@gregoryh4601]

@@WardCarroll yes and the Caretaker would be Happy Too. Ward thanks for your info. Is it True Two Heads better then One in Today’s Jets fighting World?

[@gtbproductions1]

I use to live about 5 miles north of Miramar and driving north on I- 15 in the afternoon, I use love seeing the the Tomcats coming in to land with their wings back and as they broke for the turn one by on, the wings would swing forward. Always impressed me. Such a beautiful but nasty and mean looking plane.

[@0888raymundo]

You just delivered a flood of emotion. I love and miss many of my mates from those days. Thank you for the memory.. AMS3 Charles "Ponyboy" Reeves, VF-124 GUNFIGHTERS, FIGHTER TOWN U.S.A. NAS MIRAMAR, SAN DIEGO, CA. 1985-89

[@WardCarroll]

Rock on, Ponyboy! Good days.

[@chrisestebo5836]

I was attached to VF-124 for training before transferring to VF-2 Bounty Hunters in 89. NAS Miramar

[@prism8289]

And carne Assada burritos, right?

[@noelwade]

@@WardCarroll & @Charles - I grew up in O'side in the 80's and spent a lot of summers down at NAS Miramar for the air shows. It was good days for us civvies, too! Eventually I even got to spend a bit of time on-base, as part of a JROTC-like program a buddy of mine helped set up (it was "just" a Greyhound/Hawkeye group that sponsored us, but as a teenager it was still trip to get a few minutes of flying time in the full-motion sim). My dad's a Ringknocker (class of '70) but wound up getting pulled into subs by Adm Rickover; still, he instilled a lifelong love of Naval Aviation. Love the content, can't wait to see more.

[@robertburnam885]

I was in 124 Line Shack from 86-88. Good times!

[@MrHappygolfer]

Good vid. I was an instructor at VF-124 FRAMP for four years, as an AQ, and did the Friday indoc walkaround for the new F-14 maintainers for a year or so. It was always a thrill to me, for those folks to get their thrill, to see and touch the F-14 for the first time. After that, spent two cruises with VF-51, and then back to VF-124, as a shop supervisor. Of course, I have to say, I got the special treat to work on the F-4 J, S, & N, while assigned to VF-21 before that. Two cruises with the F-4N. Long story. . .

[@Tomcat1322]

I'm a die hard fan of the F-14 Tomcat. Thank you for posting informative videos of this incredible fighter aircraft and for your service to our country.

[@WardCarroll]

Flying Tomcats beat working! 😜

[@Cocokingable1]

Absolute Die hard F-14 fan here as well, my most favorite plane and wish i could sit in a complete cockpit just once

[@jlbrebels]

Same here.

[@hunglikeahorse120]

@@Cocokingable1 I was lucky enough to be able to sit in the cockpit of an F-4 Phantom. It was super fucking cool.

[@dalebraun5497]

Took my very young daughter to Top Gun. On the way home we stopped at the local model shop and bought the F-14A model. We put it together and it now hangs in her former bedroom. Thanks for your insight on the plane and your role as a RIO. Thanks too for your service.

[@acr4809]

My dad was an attack submariner who loved aviation. After leaving the navy he worked in anti submarine warfare. Living in San Diego through the 80's we would go to Miramar for the airshow every chance we got. Love the Tomcat. That was one loud plane! Thanks for the info on it!

[@warshipsdd-2142]

All the birds and gear from my days 63-67 and 77-82 are now in museums. Listening to you I can almost smell the hydro fluid walking across the hanger deck. Thanks Ward.

[@RT060789]

Ward, I was a member and volunteer at the Quonset air museum for 20 years until it's demise. The aforementioned museums sad demise is another story. I am pleased to learn the fate of our F-14. It was cool that most of the time we received intact aircraft, which included all the fluids (some leaking more than others), engines and avionics. As you said, and as mechanic I can imagine how time consuming it was to keep an older gen. and complex aircraft flight worthy. Love your channel and thank you for your service. Ron

[@1997cjt]

My dad took me to an airshow when I was a child and I've been hooked on airplanes ever since, the F-14 never disappointed during demo's. Thanks for your service, love the videos.

[@bcask61]

I love the no-nonsense, information driven content on this channel. Ward is a great communicator with a gift for telling a good story and the real experience to explain these machines in detail. Deserves way more subs.

[@MarkSWest]

Brought back many memories from the 70’s and 80’s when I worked in VF-211 Power Plants as an AD (Jet engine mechanic) on the F-14A’s at NAS Miramar. We were at Hangar 1 back in those days then after the 1980 cruise moved to Hangar 3. My favorite times back then were post-maintenance test turns down at the Hush House by I-15 on the far eastern side of the base. Taking the TF30-P-414A’s into Zone 5 Afterburner was always a huge kick in the ass!! The poor power to weight ratio on these engines is the reason for the GE engine replacement in later Tomcats. I was even able to recruit my younger brother into the Navy by sitting him in the RIO seat during one of my hundreds of 3am maintenance turns. He was hooked! Ward, you’re bringing back a lot of good memories to the Tomcat community! Keep up the good work! Loving it!

[@stephensaines7100]

I'm entranced by this, and at the invite at the end to comment, I realized what's so special about this channel: You talk *to* your audience, not yell at them. It's incredibly instructive. I've learned far more about the minutiae of this aircraft, and modern analogues, than I have watching a hundred other vids on aircraft. I'm subscribed!

[@lesterbeedell9725]

Turn the volume down!

[@xmhanna]

I agree 100%

[@FPdesignfab]

Summer after high school I worked mechanical hvac construction on multi level commercial building rooftops in VB. I couldn’t keep my eyes off all the Tomcats flying around Oceana! & Loved the sound. Thanks for the fun flashbacks with this video.

[@johnsweeney4257]

Love the Tomcat as my brother was a RIO with VF-124 and VF-211 out of Miramar, later becoming an instructor at 'Top Gun'. Brings back memories.

[@mckseal]

Loving it in DCS, you can fly with a human RIO in VR. Never experienced anything like it.

[@MrHappygolfer]

Is your brother David Sweeney? If so, I was a squadron mate, as an AQ with VF-21, flying F-4Ns in 1981-1982, on board the USS Coral Sea.

[@johnsweeney4257]

@@MrHappygolfer Brian Sweeney 'Moose'. Unfortunately Moose boarded United 175 on Sept 11, 2001.

[@MrHappygolfer]

@@johnsweeney4257 My most sincere sympathies.

[@olentangy74]

I worked Depot level maintenance on the Tom at Norfolk in late 80’s and through the mid 90’s. My specialty was the Environmental Control Systems, the plumbing that provided cooling air conditioning for the cockpit, as well as the ANWG-9 radar. I practically lived in the nose wheel well,where so much of the plumbing was concentrated. The condenser box for the air conditioning system was located in the right side of the fuselage, and I somehow was able to squeeze my 6ft frame up into that area to reinstall that condenser after overhaul. We also had to remove and reinstall the cooling plumbing for the Sparrow and Phoenix underneath. We also converted several A models to D’s. Part of the conversion was omitting the plumbing for the Phoenix, as well as deactivating the glove vanes, which were located just aft of the wing sweep actuator. The Tomcat was a beautiful airplane as well as the last Navy dedicated fighter plane. It is still the most maintenance intensive ball breaking aircraft I have ever worked on. Who knows Ward, you probably flew some of the Tomcats I worked on.

[@drbobopt]

I’ve been a fan of the F-14 since I worked at Grumman in summer 1969 and got to walk around on the plywood mockup of it in the factory. Couldn’t believe the size - easy to see why the topside was eventually nicknamed the tennis court. Off-topic, but I also got to see several of the lunar modules under construction - a real thrill!

[@jamesvalenti9288]

So you were working at Gumman when Apollo 13 happened? Is it true the guys at Grumman sent North American Aviation a towing bill for towing their spacecraft back to earth? They have a replica on display at The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Long Island. I am just not sure how accurate it is.

[@drbobopt]

@@jamesvalenti9288 Funny, but I don’t know whether it’s true.

[@frankknoll2064]

I really miss getting to see those beasts fly! I was a troubleshooter in VF-14 from 96-00 and when you say the plane was maintenance heavy it truly was! I still love them and thank you for your videos. Watching them helps keep them alive for me!

[@NotaVampyre111]

The M61-A1 gun was always my favorite part of the A7E. It in an amazing piece of hardware. I used to have a couple of old 20mm inert rounds as foot pegs on my bike back then. We had an incident involving the M61 back when I was a young E4. I was finishing up some maintenance when I was told if I want lunch I'd better go now or I'd miss it. I said okay and detailed what needed to be done to finish up. All it needed was two bolts safety wired. The piece being safety wired was the transfer unit.. it transfers the ammo from the belt,, into the weapon.. After I got back,, I saw the plane was buttoned up and the paper work was done.. I went on to my next assignment. The next day the plane was flown to Falon for target practice on the gun range. The gun misfired and stopped working. I was called into the maintenance office to explain why the gun came apart right where I was working. This was very serious. The rounds move so fast that when the belt couldn't run properly, they still had enough force to go through the internal walls in the plane. The next compartment forward was where the LOX bottle is. A round missed that bottle by just millimeters. I told them I was sent to lunch and I had told explained what needed to be done. I saw the plane buttoned up and the completed paper work. I was cleared of any wrong doing or neglect. The two people that signed off the work weren't so fortunate. I was horrified when I was shown the damaged plane.. There were several mangled panels.. the hole going through the LOX bottle`s compartment and the totally trashed transfer unit was not a pretty picture. As bad as it was, it could've been much much worse.

[@LRRPFco52]

Were you aviation ordnance or a maintainer on the A-7E in particular? I love the A-7. It had awesome legs to it as far as mission radius goes and an excellent Radar and FLIR sensor suite that was far ahead of its time, as was the Moving Map Display and INS. Great strike aircraft.

[@NotaVampyre111]

@@LRRPFco52 I was an AO. My second year with the squadron, before we were deployed I went TAD to AIMD. Never worked the flight deck.

[@busterqhorse4226]

It's amazing how big these planes are. They seem small in the movies but when I first stood next to one at an airshow I couldn't believe something so large could perform as they do!

[@karlreinke]

I never have seen a Tomcat in person and didn't realize how big these planes are. I have seen a F105 Thud and was impressed as to how seriously monstrous that plane is.

[@beaver_creek_outdoors2010]

It's seriously huge !

[@christopherpolychronis9074]

Wow I just traveled back in time. I was at VF-124 from 1990 to 1993 before going to VF-24. I was an AMS and know that AC better than my truck. I also spent tome in the corrosion control shop where I had the opportunity to paint the show bird for the annual airshow. I still have a great picture of it. Love this channel and thanks for the memories.

[@bghammock]

Coming out of High School in 1988 and being a huge fan of Top Gun, I wanted to join the Navy to fly. Recruiter looked at me and asked "So, you need those glasses to see?" Yes, sir. "We have a nice submarine for you!" Needless to say, I didn't go into the Navy. Still love the F-14 though!

[@ghostrider-be9ek]

consider your self lucky - many joined, thinking it would be a party - only to find out the harsh reality of hollywood BS

[@dennisstorie4604]

I graduated 87 and was hoping to get into Navy on aircraft carriers. They were going to send me to nuclear power school to learn how to run the reactors. Friend said they have more subs than carriers with nuclear power.

[@smatejka1]

I went into my recruiter’s office in Nov ‘79 and saw all the F14s on the posters and when he asked me what I wanted to do, I told him ‘Fly those’. He said “How much college do you have?” I told him “None”. He said “What else do you want to do?” I actually wanted subs so that’s where I ended up for almost 14 years.

[@svenschwingel8632]

@@dennisstorie4604 true story. The US Navy was running a fleet of like 80 nuclear Los Angeles-Class Hunter/Killers and ~ 20 nuclear Ohio-Class Boomers during the 80s if memory serves.

[@sogwatchman]

Yeah both the Navy and Air Force said I was too tall.

[@razoroccum]

The greatest day early in my Navy career is when when we had a hurricane coming for Pax River. Two F-14s, from Strike (SATD) had to be towed down to our barn at VX-1 to ride out the storm. Being able to walk around those planes was so cool.

[@somdhomestead9031]

Ward I miss that airplane. I was a NAVAIR employee retired in 2019. I worked on the TARPS system late 80's and thru first Gulf War. I did some of the design when we converted the aircraft for Night Vision goggle compatibility right up until 2005.

[@WardCarroll]

I need to do an episode about TARPS now that you mention it.

[@kenwilson3304]

@@WardCarroll I was a TARPS tech in VF-2 from 89-93. Would love to hear your perspective on it.

[@chompeyboy]

I'm a 54yo Australian, it's always great to listen to someone that did what they're talking about, especially when they speak well. Top work! Also, i'm a big fan of the Tomcat from books as a kid then The Final Countdown (1980) movie came along. Gotta love a Tomcat. Thank you Ward, for sharing your life with us strangers, pretty sure we're all smarter for it.

[@robertstevens7118]

New sub here. Back in 2002 I was working at Vance afb as a civilian, and coworker and I were closing a T-38 up. I heard what I thought was a T-37 taxiing and when I turned around and jumped and stood back that I saw an F-14 rolling down the taxiway. I remember tapping coworker on shoulder saying hey, an F-14 just went down the taxiway.

[@markstott6689]

I fell in love with the Tomcat circa Christmas 76/77 (I think, it's a little hazy after all these years). My godparents bought me a Revell kit. I was a little too young so my father built and painted it for me. He used leftover paints in the garage. So the upper paintwork was a creamy yellow. Somehow by mixing paints we ended up with a duckegg blue undersides. Nowhere near accurate but I loved it, with its movable wings. It lived on top of the TV for years. Sadly I have no idea what happened to it (it will be my mother's doing no doubt). So in 1986 I was at University in Oxford when Top Gun came out. A group of us walked down from Headington to go see the film. It was the coldest walk of my life -16°C. My ears were burning in the cold. Thankfully the cinema was somewhat warmer. This was the film that cemented my love for the plane. Thank you Ward for your videos. I look forward to many more.

[@marklags2396]

The TV station under the nose is what I and other guys installed when in Rota, Spain that I was telling you about earlier. The F14's were on the Kennedy and cruising the Med. Thanks again for these videos, really brings back memories of working on the Tomcat and with Grumman.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Mark.

[@dmutant2635]

I seem to recall at one time there was a shortfall of the camera units? Aircraft going on the boat would get cameras swapped out from the aircraft going ashore....?

[@jeffreyhill8040]

When were you in Rota? We made two Med Cruises (1975, 1976 and 1977) and were part of the Task Group with the Kennedy that whole time. Rota was usually the first stop after crossing the Atlantic, spending a few days "checking in". Tomcats were the latest and the greatest at that time, and we were treated to many 'airshows' when operating near the carrier.

[@marklags2396]

@@jeffreyhill8040 1984-1985.

[@jcmprml]

I appreciate this so much. It’s so cool to hear an actual F-14 pilot sharing this much insight and detail on what in my opinion is still America’s favorite fighter jet. Thank you very much.

[@KrzyAZ]

I fell in love with this aircraft when you were still flying. I've been a fan since and finally got up close and personal to one when I was 14 aboard the USS Carl Vinson for a day cruise - that day and this aircraft also happened to be my first sonic boom experience. To this day, I'm still amazed by it and I'm grateful to you for not only your service but your willingness to share your knowledge.

[@sjones8738]

Great video

[@tomgio1]

Thanks for this great walk around! Brought back a good memory - Was fortunate enough in ‘88 to visit Mirimar and see an F-14 up close - even got to climb the ladder and look inside the cockpit. Was 19 years old, and it was a couple years after Top Gun, so of course I was psyched! My mom had moved to San Diego from Jersey, and her neighbor was Navy and worked there, so I got lucky as hell getting a mini-guided tour, mainly in the repair hangar. Would guess this isn’t possible post-9/11 without some serious advanced planning and clearances. The pilot was cool and down to earth and gave me a couple of patches, which I appreciated. Magnificent fighter jet.

[@nephinabrotzky451]

Excellent video! I'm a military jet fan, modeller! I have about 80 military jets hanging from my den ceiling all 1/72 scale and the F-14 is one of them. It actually has the distinction of being the model that has made the most unscheduled landings on a concrete floor so the one that I have had to repair and reassemble the most! Nice to hear the voice of experience talk about the F-14!

[@timmccoy7209]

Great program, brings back memories. I was in VF-124 in 1967 when they still had F-8s. I was in the Aviation Fire Control Tech Shop. Wish the Tomcat was around then. thanks again.

[@LarsLilleby]

For me one of the big reasons to why I loved the F-14 was the tv-series "JAG". Tomcat was and is a beautiful plane, and it is fantastic to hear these stories and how-to:s from someone who actually flew them. Love the content!

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for watching, Lars.

[@AKStovall]

Love this content. Really bringing back some great memories from the early days of my Navy career. I never actually worked with the Tomcat. I was initially on the legacy Hornet (VFA-125, VFA-192, VFA-25). Got to do the FIT with the super hornet, before VFA-122 was established. Then rolled to P3 Ordnance (VP-69, VP-46) before being cross-rated to IT to finish out my career. 1996-2021. Loved working the flight deck, loved being on the flight line... definitely something I miss, even today. Keep up the great content Ward.

[@robertatkisson31]

Hey Ward! I love your channel! I view it from having been a washed out student Naval Aviator, who was then relegated to being a CIC Officer on the "Willy Victor" (Navy WV-2, AF RC121). We were called a Naval Air Observer (Controller), NAO(C), and had no career path in the Navy. We could not apply for Regular Navy when I entered into this existence. I was assigned to VW-2 based at NAS PAXRIV and we were the AEW support Squadron assigned to the Sixth Fleet. On deployment to the Med, we based out of RNAS Halfar, Malta, until late in 1960 when NAS Sigonella, Sicily opened up and we moved our operation there. When the Fleet was operating in the Eastern Med, we sometimes supported them from Souda Bay, Crete, where we would be quartered aboard a beached LST, or we would operate out of Athens. We also deployed and flew a lot of missions in support of the Atlantic Barrier out of Argentia, Newfoundland and Keflavik, Iceland. After leaving the Navy, I affiliated with the Naval Air Ready Reserve in JAX, quallified as a Navigator in the SP2 Neptune, and later the P3 Orion. When I got my Nav qual I was redesignated as a NFO (Naval Flight Officer) and really enjoyed my time particularly in the P3. I appreciate your perspective from being the non-pilot part of the Navy flying team! I would have liked to try the Carrier Aviation NFO job! But I can tell you there is a lot to be said for doing the ASW job in the P3. Great airplane in my book. Naval Aviation has been a great experience in my life! Bob Atkisson, [e-mail]

[@colonelkurtz2269]

This plane and the Phantom are still beautiful and aggressive looking machines!

[@Cramblit]

Phantom and F-14's are my two favorite planes. Aggressive, yet beautiful.

[@robreed5820]

Mooch - In flying the -A, we didn't go to Zone 2 and salute. When we needed AB (which was required above 56,000# on a normal temp day), we went to stabilized Zone 5, then saluted. We got away from zone 2 launches in the early 1980s when it was discovered that the engine was less stable in Zone 2 than in Zone 5.

[@ericlovewell6415]

I used to see this exact Tomcat all the time back when she was a QP museum exhibit!! Had the privilege of sitting in the pilots seat a few times at air shows. I was devastated when the museum shut down, but I'm so happy to find out that at least this beautiful bird got a new home, and is in good hands.

[@skid2151]

Great job Ward. Soup Lauderbaugh brought a Tomcat to the Barksdale airshow just before the airframe was retired. Amazing jet! Cheers!

[@justinmurphy2227]

9:04- 9906 Landings.....wow!!! Just when you think you learned there is all to know about the F-14....an "expert" comes along.... Thank you sir. Thank you.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for watching, Justin. Appreciate the support.

[@sfduve]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Tons of great memories as an F-14 maintainer and a night shift final checker in the 80s on Nimitz (VF-84). Very exciting time in my life and probably the height of my physical fitness from pushing the NAN-2B cart up and down the deck every night filling the many nitrogen-thirsty systems. Appreciate your channel. Since I'm a fairly new viewer, I have a few years of catch-up viewing ahead of me and looking forward to it.

[@award280]

One of my fave teachers in high school flew Tomcats off of the Enterprise. He had the best stories including how he got his callsign (a near international incident) and flying with the actors from Top Gun. I'm sure the stories were exaggerated as any good naval story should be.

[@ryanhurley14]

Will you please tell me his call sign.

[@award280]

@@ryanhurley14 I believe it was Thumper.

[@privatepilot4064]

We called those “sea stories”. 😉

[@lucianestridge7964]

I met a man who said his call sighn was Bozo.

[@Nghilifa]

@@lucianestridge7964 Tom Cruise flew with him when they shot Top Gun. I think his name is Pete Pettigrew.

[@tf2529]

First off thank you for your service sir. Secondly, thank you for the video. I’ve gone to a couple of air shows but never got to see an F14 up close. Well done sir.

[@ojsefg]

Thanks for this, sir. You’ve pointed out and explained things about this airplane that no book or video has ever bothered to cover.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for watching!

[@sydneykennedy6928]

Ward, thanks for the walk around! I am a docent on the USS Hornet in Alameda California. And we have onboard a Grim Reaper F 14 A with a sidewinder and a phoenix. Very helpful to have a full preflight, as interest in the tomcat has quadrupled in the last couple of months in the run up to the movie. Again, appreciate the detail, as the guests enjoy hearing it. Thought you might be interested, one of my fellow docents flew F9 panthers off the Hornet[early 50s] and describes A cat shot from those early H4/8 Air/hydraulic catapults as” sitting in a heavy wooden chair on a frozen lake -- and being hit by a car! “ and the ejection seat was a 40 mm cannon shell that hit you in the butt. Not the nice gentle acceleration of the later rocket powered seats. Those guys that flew those early jets were really tough!

[@thomaschumley3904]

I spent a lot of time up on Vultures Row watching F14 launch and recovery in the early 80’s while stationed onboard Ike!

[@Thomas-fr8nx]

Retired GE engineer that got to see all the models used in about every airframe and ship out there but the F-14 Tomcat was always my favorite. Remember watching drop tests at Grumman where they repeatedly straight dropped the F14 from about 20 ft. or so to find weak points. Enjoy your clips.

[@georgemorley1029]

You manage to elicit a point of interest at every stage of this walk-around. That’s a good job!

[@Savage1-0-7]

WARD WE LOVE YOU BROTHA. Your channel came out of nowhere for me and has easily been my favorite channel to tune into, You're the best Ward! Incredible part of history that you've been a part of!!

[@RickBeato]

Love this Ward!🔥🔥🔥

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for the support, Rick!

[@alanhirayama4592]

Are you an aviation geek too? Enjoy your music channel!

[@bghammock]

Ohhhh, so this must be why this channel popped up on my suggested list. LOL You cheeky YT algorithm, you. Thanks Rick and Ward! Subscribed.

[@chaserosas5773]

Rick you are awesome! Love to see you on his channel.

[@eagle1371]

Awesome to see Rick digs guitars AND jets! Ward should do a series “What makes this jet great”. 😆 Totally addicted to your channel Rick. Your a good dude. Keep up the good work!

[@BrianMiller-ci5bp]

Your channel is awesome I was active navy 90-2010 and loved the F-14 I used to live next to NAS Oceana and they would fly all the time really low you could almost read the helmets. The F-14 was always my favorite aircraft.

[@jonronnquist]

Thank you, Mr. Carroll! This is what KZbin is all about for those of us who use it as an educational tool rather than a social media platform.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Jon.

[@cerny4444]

Well said

[@roadgeneral]

TY Mr Carroll. I love your channel. Ex-Navy enlisted here. I was briefly stationed with VF-124 when they were at NAS Moffet Field in 1960-61. The fighter in inventory at that time was the F-8 Crusader. I went on to “A” School at NAS Alameda from there to become a Photo Intelligenceman (PT) in the early days of that enlisted rate. I will definitely be getting your books.

[@jackassplus]

Was a F-111 crew chief (then later the EF) but always liked the F-14 more. Keep up the good work!

[@richardhoffmann1858]

I love the Tomcat because I'm a Long Islander! Love Grumman! Big part of our history. I used to write to Grumman at their office in Bethpage as a kid, and they sent me a few 8x10 photos of the Tomcats and Intruders, and E-4s...also patches, stickers, all kinds of cool stuff. Wish I still had some of it. That was amazing how Grumman reinforced my interest in aviation, what a great company and history!

[@SeminarChauffeur]

Much love for the Tomcat from here in the Philippines. I heard they also used to buzz around the skies of Subic Bay in the 80s. I really think they did not deserve to retire so soon and should've been reborn instead into that proposed Super Tomcat 21, like how the F-15 was recently renewed into the F-15EX. Many of the Tomcat drivers I ran into in social media were optimistic that the ST 21 could have solved most of the F-14s downsides.

[@juanmallqui9309]

The airframe are only supposed to be air worthy for some many years. After that, they shouldn’t be flying, too much risk.

[@marbleman52]

@@juanmallqui9309 But then....we have the seemingly ageless B-52 and the C-130, still going strong after 70 years...the exception to the rule.

[@clintmuschamp7469]

As a former plane captain for VF-154, thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@jeremyhess7977]

Can you still walk yourself through a launch in your mind if you think about it for a few minutes?....crazy, right?! *- Power on, Air on -* *- Chains off, Chocks in, wings dirty -* *- Seats hot, canopy/ladder/steps closed, strut locks stowed -* Fire up port side....spool up 1....power off....fire up starboard side/(cross bleed if there's no huffer = long spool up time)...spool up 2...air off....LONG hydraulics wipe out.....flaps down/up, rudders left/right, waggle stabs, air brake open/close, trim checks 1-2-3, go Delta, go dirty, SHORT wipe out, hands off/PC walk around....pass to shops... hook down/up.... Mode 4... Go Delta (again)...flash taxi lights....fuel boom out/in....[warn ground crew for kneel/rise]... kneel/rise... quick wipe...get the "okey dokey".... pull chocks.... throttle up/taxi out... brake check... steer left/right.....turn the bird... salute/pass off...grab chains... go smoke & drink Mountain Dew. Holy shit!... I think I do still remember?! LOL

[@CobraOneTwelve]

Awesome video! my dad lived near NAS dallas for some time back in the 80s and loved watching F-14s fly around from time to time. guess the love for the tomcat was passed down to me cause im in love with the plane!

[@fanch1072]

vf-201 and vf-202

[@Decrapitate]

I remember working with vf-101 in el centro ca sometime around 2001 or 2002. One of the tomcats was turning on the flight line and during the pre flight inspection the engine doors were left open to do some visual check. The vf-101 guys couldn’t actually get the engine doors closed on one side. The airframe was so warped over its lifetime that they had to actually squat the nose to attempt getting it closed. It still didn’t close even with like 5 guys trying to use their backs as leverage slightly rocking the plane. They ended up having to scrub the flight. It was still awesome seeing those planes up close and mostly working right before they were retired. Edit: I was stationed with strike fighter wing pacific maintenance unit. Working there was odd because we didn’t have aircraft. We assisted rag squadrons with maintenance, and had a unique opportunity to get qualified to work on 4 different platforms. EA6B’s, FA-18’s, F-14’s, and the Super Hornet. It was a really weird first duty station.

[@kevdawg8668]

Hey Ward! Thanks for all your Tomcat videos, I myself was a Rhino guy in VFA-14 (Lemoore) 2005-2008 flying the E and later the F models! I missed out on Tomcats as VFA-14 had transitioned from F-14's to F/A-18E's a few years before I got there but had always wanted to fly Tomcats ever since I saw Top Gun as a kid. Keep up all the great Naval Aviation video's coming as you're great at keeping me entertained while I'm working from home and going in and out of Zoom Calls all day! -Kevin "Chili"

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Chili!

[@andradejurk]

Regards from Brazil. I was flight attendant at VARIG Brazilian Airlines and saw an F-14 for the first time in NY, on the Intrepid aircraft carrier museum. It was an amazing experience to see this super Machine up close!!

[@JUANWiCK_PR]

This is dope. I always wanted to be a fighter pilot, when I was growing up. Ended up joining the Army instead as an Infantryman. Im still super fascinated by jets and love watching them every chance I get. I’m new to this channel and already love all the knowledge I’m learning that I never knew before.

[@kenriehl464]

I worked in instrumentation and flight test, on the Tomcat, the Intruder and the Prowler at the Iron Works in Calverton NY during the 1970s. Thank you sir, I am reliving some of the best times of my life.

[@Tuffpaddy03]

Thanks Ward. I found the part about the Phoenix missile and fleet defence really interesting. It’s cool to appreciate these machines but it adds a nice bit of context when you learn what they were specifically designed to do. Cold War doctrine and philosophy is a fascinating subject

[@Yehudah5768]

Brings back memories. I was in VF-101 twice, and VF-14 and VF-84 during the 80's and 90's.

[@kevinwheatcroft]

I worked in the tire shop (AIMD IM-2) aboard Nimitz and remember replacing quite a few Tomcat main mounts during the 91 Westpac. They were much easier to replace than Hornet mains. I hated the Hornet tires: low sidewall. Tomcats had that big sidewall and you could break the bead much easier. Thanks for the videos Mr. Carroll

[@HEDGE1011]

Ward: Former USAF pilot turned airline pilot here, and I really want to thank you for this series. Your content is both interesting and educational, and your mad guitar skills are likewise impressive. Thanks for your recollections about this corner of tactical aviation that I know relatively little about. Salutes and much respect, sir!

[@Zvertnie]

I like the subject matter and how well Mr. Carroll narrates on the fly...smooth operator. 👍

[@exsanguinenation]

Gen X aviation nerd here - always loved the Tomcat! I'm an adult now and work in logistics, so I get why they had to go, but what a sad day. We used to have an airshow here, and the local museum had a flying F4F, F6F, F7F, and F8F. I remember a couple years they'd get an F14 on the airshow circuit, and they'd fly them all together as a display of the Grumman Cats. They looked great all together in formation, the F14's wings open wide and flaps hanging low to stay with the Wildcat. Then he would kick the throttle and pull up and out for the missing man formation. Man, the 80s were great.

[@rickwilliamson9248]

F-14 fan since "The Final Countdown."These videos are incredibly informative. Thanks so much for doing this.

[@svenschwingel8632]

You need to watch the interview with "Shoes" on CW Lemoine's channel then. Shoes was one of the pilots who drove a Tomcat in Final Countdown.

[@rickwilliamson9248]

@@svenschwingel8632 I'll definitely look for it. Thanks for the heads up!

[@mrandrossguy9871]

And the FINAL COUNTDOWN WAS B4 TOPGUN !! XD

[@jmf5246]

Or based on the plot...the final letdown😀

[@shapesandcolors2826]

Loved Top Gun so much, in 2017 I flew to CA to visit the former Top Gun base in Miramar, CA. Saw a bunch of F-18s from the fence and drove on the road where Maverick went full throttle on his motorcycle as an F-14 was taking off in the movie. It was so cool.

[@legoman4983]

I can’t stop watching all these videos, the F-14 hands down is my favourite aircraft. It’s an honour subscribing to your channel. Thanks so much for making these videos!

[@mrandrossguy9871]

My Fav Aswell

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for the support, guys!

[@seancarrick2072]

I was at VF-101 FRAMP (1990) for my 'C' school to learn HSI, CSI, and CER on those big, beautiful TF30-P-414A engines. After graduation, I was at NAS Oceana AIMD (SeaOpDet to the FID in 1990-91), working in the CER shop. I know those TF30, literally, inside and out. Awesome workhorse!

[@chadpyett6441]

nice to see an ex service member who enjoyed his job great walkaround

[@stephenbracka2270]

I recently got up close & personal w/an F-14 static article for the 1st time aboard the USS MIDWAY (CVE-41) museum here in my San Diego hometown. Like the AIM-54 Phoenix I also came about in the 50's. I'm guessing that has been a kinetic weapon w/o any warhead. Growing up nearby in La Mesa in the 70's & 80's I watched formations of Tomcats & Skyhawks passing over my neighborhood at about 8,000 ft in a slow left turn away from their east heading then rounding Cowles Mountain. Heading west by then they ducked behind the east slope of that 1,600 ft summit and popped out from behind the west slope moments later lining up their final approaches to NAS Miramar. Since then TOP GUN has made way for the Marines. Now it's USMCAS Miramar. I noticed Rick Beatto dropped a comment. You two should get a band together 🎶 B R A C K A

[@drewm4914]

Seeing this video brings me back to the days where I was preflighting F-18s as a plane captain.

[@jeremyhess7977]

Tomcatters were always grinding away on the birds. You guys had it easy....lucky bastards. LoL

[@bradsworld2446]

I was a PR in VF 111 88-91’. Met a lot of great pilots and rio’s. Based in Miramar and USS Carl Vinson

[@AngryCarMechanic]

I have loved the F-16 and F-14 since I was about 3 years old. Unfortunately they scrapped the cats when I was 4 years old. Now I have to go DCS for my Tomcat fix.

[@jarrodeverhart9072]

Was a Plane captain in VF-101, 94-95, just found your channel last week . Love these videos thank you.

[@Ugasgit90]

Brilliant videos ward, im the Armed forces myself, from the UK, massive F-14 fan, infact a big fan of the US military in general, keep the videos coming, really interesting an alot of detail and really enjoy watching, stay safe.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for watching, mate!

[@dmsticabuse2731]

Those canards that pop out when the wings are swept are my favourite part of the A model by far.

[@lucasner463]

Great video! I just subscribed yesterday. Last year I watched a video of an F-15 pilot who talked at length about doing DACT against Tomcats...you can guess which jet he felt was better. LOL. Can you do a video about what it was like to fight in the F-14 with pros and cons of the jet? Fantastic content!!

[@WardCarroll]

Great idea for an episode! I’m on it!

[@TheLoneHaranger]

If you want a great read look for tales from Joe "Hoser" Satrapa. There's an iconic shot thru' the HUD of his F-14, nose-down, with the pipper on the F-15's canopy. I have seen this pic in one of Ward's episodes. *Spoiler alert. After the ACM hop Hoser was in the flight shack when the phone went. At that time he was L/Cdr (?). The Eagle driver wanted to talk to the pilot that had just eaten his lunch. But he answered "Lt (JG) Satrapa!" Imagine what went through the Eagle driver's head, hosed by a junior - and Navy - pilot. . . Hoser was a regular contributor to the "Tomcat Sunset" site. Some genius captured all the stories and compiled a digital publication. If I recall, the title was Hoser's battle cry - "No kill like a guns kill!" His early career was in F-8s. Go figure. Mr Carroll, perhaps that would be a worthy episode for posterity, sir? VR

[@timberskypilot]

I was worked TARPS at VF-124 1987-1992. I loved being around the F-14!

[@DBenX]

I watched Top Gun every day when I was a kid ( I'm in my mid-fourties now), so this plane is with me since a while, also because I played a lot of simulators over the years and loved the role of the fleet defender. Unfortunately, it didnt happen for me to become a fighter jet pilot in real life. Never the less, my love is still strong for this unique Silver Dove

[@RavishingSailor]

Same here buddy. I’m 45 now. Just like you, grew up watching top gun. Had the GI JOE skystriker which was pretty much an F-14. Also used to build models of Tomcats. Being a fighter pilot was a dream that never happened. Excited that my 6 year old son feels the same way I did when I was 6. Anyways, cheers.

[@tomahawk1556]

Remembered my much treasured Airfix 1:72 scale Grumman F14 Tomcat in my senior High School years ... Later the movie : Final Countdown >>> Showcasing the Grumman F14 Tomcats onboard an Aircraft Carrier ready to do battle again in 1940s during the Pearl Harbour attack scenes ... Grumman F14 Tomcats & Aircraft Carriers >>> Couple made in Heaven for each other! Thank You So Much for the Grumman F14 walk~around! Stay Safe & Stay Grateful! 🌍🇺🇸

[@roddeluhery2745]

I totally remember talking to the f14 pilot when I was like 16y old. It was at March AFB air show. I recall asking him two questions. 1. What happens to the fuel tanks when you drop them and they hit the ground? (answer, they bounce around). 2. What are the small wings that come out of the side of the aircraft for? (answer, they keep the plane steady during descents, like in bombing runs). Who knows maybe that was Ward Carroll I was talking to, that would be crazy.