Anyone like aircraft?

[Ganossa]

I have heard that most of them in USA was cut for razors because some american companies sell them for parts to Iran but I am not sure of that.

It really is a marvelous machine, but unfortunately the old 'dogfighters' are all getting phased out because there aren't many countries out there that can compete with our long ranged tactical systems.

You were talking the same with F4 Phantom

cyal8erloser - marvelous picture. This black painting, it is not typical. Somebody know something about that?

[cyal8erloser]

It was designed as a stand out color scheme with all the paint jobs that plane had. that F14 was more for show and to get attention, rather than practical color choice and efficency.

It was part of a demonstration, and was ment to look glossy

[Baron_Bukkake]

It was probably sponsored by the CEO of Playboy Industries, Hugh Hefner.
It was painted to match Hef's private jet BIG BUNNY.

[Usimyoc]

seems a bit much for me, but those Navy guys have a wild funny side. You'd never see the Air Force or Marines painting a weapon like that, no matter how much money Heffy threw at them.

But, I'm not saying it's a bad thing...

[Baron_Bukkake]

The Playboy rabbit is trademarked until August 2019, even the military can't ignore the law.


Interesting footnote: the Playboy Bunny costume is the only non-military uniform granted a trademark by the US patent office.

[Usimyoc]

Really...Hmm, learn something new every day.

[Ganossa]

I don't know if it was sponsored by Hefner but it's a symbol of VX-9 Vampires squadron.

Sorry for the quality, it's screen from the movie.

F4 is from VX-4 Evaluators

[runninsilent]

Originally Posted by Usimyoc

The AC-130 is much more interesting up close, especially with the 105 BeFour cannon sticking out its side. But you won't believe how aggravating it is to prep on of those things for ops. (You gotta load munitions, check fuse timers, check electronics, the list goes on and on, a lot of work for 15 minutes of utter decimation.)

Actually the F-14 is still in service in some places. When I was stationed at Lackland, I got to see inside a training variant. Would have loved to go up in it, but only officers are allowed to fly fighters, except for extremely rare rewards.
It really is a marvelous machine, but unfortunately the old 'dogfighters' are all getting phased out because there aren't many countries out there that can compete with our long ranged tactical systems.
Anyway, there's this place in Nevada. (I can't remember where exactly but if you do some research you might be able to find it.) But its a storage area for aircraft and they keep around forty of the old 14's in prime condition in case we should ever need them. It's a civilian operation as well, so if you can get out there and ask nicely, they might let you take a gander at one.

You sound like you speak out of experience about the ac-130. How long you work with them? About the tomcats, I've heard how they're keeping a huge number in storage in az. That would be sweet to go and check them out. I wouldn't mind getting the throttle controls to one and put it on the shifter of my car. Make the switches and buttons work different things on it like the head lights. The ones still in service, are they for training purposes only now?

[Usimyoc]

I served with the Air Force, stationed here and there. My career field was loadmaster, so I was responsible for loading and off loading various aircraft. Systems like the AC-130 were among my favorite. Old Spooky is just a fun plane. Never got up in one though. Always had another cargo load to take care of.
Anyway I worked that route for a while, a year or so. But I had a heartattack, (It's a genetic condition in my family.) and the Air Force cut me loose.
Anyway, most Tomcats serve as what we called 'starter planes.' An LT might shift from their trainer to a F-14 for their first 'lone pilot' craft. Personally, I don't see why they didn't just jump straight on over to the F-16 or YF-22. I suppose OFFICERS aren't as trustworthy as they would have us ENLISTED believe.
Also, more distant posts like the WOLFPACk in Korea may still have a few 14's in active service. Its really just finding out who is lowest on the resupply list to who as the oldest planes.
Also, I don't think there's a single civilian vehicle out there with enough add-on features for all the buttons on a 14's controls. There must be around fifty buttons on that thing. Way too many.