F14 Retired
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
The new F/A 18 Super Hornet is its replacement. It is 1/3 larger than the original F/A 18 Hornet.
The Tomcat served it's time very well. Is was very limited on its "bomber" roll. It primary functions was carrier group defense. Essentailly air to air combat. Since the end of the cold war and no huge naval threat to any U.S carrier battle group its day were numbered. Multi-role fighters are what the pentagon wants. The Tomcat sure did try to be a bomber/attack but the Hornet is far superior in that role.
The Tomcat served it's time very well. Is was very limited on its "bomber" roll. It primary functions was carrier group defense. Essentailly air to air combat. Since the end of the cold war and no huge naval threat to any U.S carrier battle group its day were numbered. Multi-role fighters are what the pentagon wants. The Tomcat sure did try to be a bomber/attack but the Hornet is far superior in that role.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Yorktown, VA
No, it can't carry a Phoenix. It's also very loud, and can't land with ordnance on a carrier because the wings can't handle the load (or at least that's the way it used to be). The 18's are capable, but the F-22's will mop the floor with them.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: tucson/luray usa
it is a sad day the F14 is being retired, but it is getting far too expensive to maintain. as for the "super hornet" replacing the tomcat, never happen. its too slow, has less range, less weapons load capacity, handles fewer weapons in the arsenal, and cant land with weapons still slung under the wings. in fact the "super hornet" isnt even a match for the standard hornet. perhaps gruman will get ahold of the YF23 and make an F14 replacement out of it.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
From: fallon nv
We had a nice little saramoeny when the last f-14s came through fallon.The big cat was a stapple at Top Gun and we will definitly miss her.
Hopefully we can have one for the base entrance,on a pedestal next next to our f4 phantom and our a4 skyhawk.
I second the notion about the yf23.In the compatition aganst the f22 the yf23 was the only carrier capable aircraft.It takes a speical airframe to handel tail hook landings.
Hopefully we can have one for the base entrance,on a pedestal next next to our f4 phantom and our a4 skyhawk.
I second the notion about the yf23.In the compatition aganst the f22 the yf23 was the only carrier capable aircraft.It takes a speical airframe to handel tail hook landings.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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Originally Posted by rbohm
[snip]and cant land with weapons still slung under the wings. [snip].
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
We should have kept the A7 and upgraded it - even if it was a single engine bird.
A Corsair II was an awesome piece of hardware as it was, and carried a lot more than a "LAWN DART".
Outran it too - WITHOUT afterburners.
If I recall right, the follow on program was a longer ranged afterburner airplane that would have done a lot more than that plastic piece of JUNK!
(Just my opinion)
But they bought the F-18 because it was twin engined...
I suppose what that really means is that it would run out of sky somewhere out of country, while still falling out of the air.
I wish the F-18 was a lot more like the Phantom II.
True - it was a flying brick, but they brought more crews home when shot to hell than any aircraft I can think of.
I used to yank chains of F-18 squadron people...
Q: "What do you have when two A7's are on the runway?"
A: "An F-14"
Q: "What do you have when you cut an A7 in half?"
A: "An F-18..."
- This is bound to catch me hell, but I don't care.
A Corsair II was an awesome piece of hardware as it was, and carried a lot more than a "LAWN DART".
Outran it too - WITHOUT afterburners.
If I recall right, the follow on program was a longer ranged afterburner airplane that would have done a lot more than that plastic piece of JUNK!
(Just my opinion)
But they bought the F-18 because it was twin engined...
I suppose what that really means is that it would run out of sky somewhere out of country, while still falling out of the air.
I wish the F-18 was a lot more like the Phantom II.
True - it was a flying brick, but they brought more crews home when shot to hell than any aircraft I can think of.
I used to yank chains of F-18 squadron people...
Q: "What do you have when two A7's are on the runway?"
A: "An F-14"
Q: "What do you have when you cut an A7 in half?"
A: "An F-18..."
- This is bound to catch me hell, but I don't care.
Last edited by Greywolf; Feb 19, 2006 at 10:35 PM.
Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach
My first job in the Navy was working on A6's. An awesome bird with huge ordnance carrying capability, but it was more of a carpet bomber. The Hornet is better suited for precision bombing- which is a good thing, 'cause it can't carry squat! We used to say, "One Hornet, One Bomb, One thousand miles, One hour... or you better have a tanker available."
Sorry to see the Tomcat go. It has always been my favorite jet. (And certainly not because of "Topgun").
Sorry to see the Tomcat go. It has always been my favorite jet. (And certainly not because of "Topgun").
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
From: fallon nv
Stu you hurt my fealings.I was not talking about the movie,But you should know that.Im just jokeing,some of us have been in the same places at different times,and some the same.
In the first gulf war i can remember a flight of tom cats covering us as we enterd iraq for the first time.Theres nothing like having an angel on your shoulder for good luck.
In the first gulf war i can remember a flight of tom cats covering us as we enterd iraq for the first time.Theres nothing like having an angel on your shoulder for good luck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
I like the F/A 18... its a good bird... the Tomcat is a good bird as well...
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/index.html
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18.htm
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/index.html
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18.htm
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
The A6 was an amazing platform. Built like it was made out of a Gilbert Erector Set, looked like Snoopy holding a baseball in his mouth, louder than Ozzy Osbourne at the Capitol Center (something about the exhaust stovepipes does that), but modifiable beyond belief, and carried more stuff than a homeless person with two shopping carts....
They're not pretty, but they are capable.
They're not pretty, but they are capable.
Last edited by Greywolf; Feb 21, 2006 at 03:32 AM.