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If you guys haven't noticed, the F-14 very quietly is making a strong showing in the CAS role. The VG wings and large internal fuel load give it excellent loitering ability over the battlefield...20mm doesn't hold enough ammo, but its starting to become the fast mover of choice (other than the A-10) for CAS request's........Damn hornets can only make a few passes before they have to head back to the boat.

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

Perhaps it will have a renewal of life.

Yeah, but this renewal of life would probably have an effect on the Hawg?

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

You gotta explain that.
In the mission it was designed for the A-10 is untouchable.
It's not my favorite plane, but since I visited here, my respect for it has grown.


Edited by - tritonal on Jun 12 2003 1:31 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Yeah, but this renewal of life would probably have an effect on the Hawg?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

No way........A-10 is the undisputed king at what it does. Ask any Marine or Army groundpounder what his favorite jet is, and hje will say the A-10. I was just bringing to light that the F-14 is still not finished yet...35 years and counting and its still the most versatile of the 14-18 series...And that was just exploited in the last 10 years....

Tarps, Bombcat, Maritime Air Superiority, Fleet Air defense, and CAS

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

That is all very true.
Unfortunately, it comes at hefty price.

If you like to see it, I have a posting of a Tomcat crew chief detailing the time that's needed to keep it in the air.



Edited by - tritonal on Jun 12 2003 6:40 PM

aprox figure I have heard is 30 maintence hours per 1 hr flight time..........So yeah. Very expensive.

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

This guy has reported 50.

BTW what kind of ship is the <i>USS The Sullivans?</i>



Edited by - tritonal on Jun 12 2003 7:18 PM

I can believe it.

I am off the cusp here, but USS "The Sullivans" is a Ticoderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser..CG.

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

nope............belay my last.

The USS The Sullivans is an Arleigh Burke Class Aegis Guided Missile destroyer...DDG-68

My bad, and I have no excuse for that snafu.

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

Sullivans is a Flight II Burke.

"Trample the wounded...hurdle the dead"

It's an Odd name. Was it named after those brothers that were killed on one ship which led to the Navy placing relatives on different stations?

Yes it was.

It is at least the 3d USN Ship to bear that name that i know of.

But hey, when your family gives up FIVE sons to your nation, you've earned that right.

Anyone disagree?

"Trample the wounded...hurdle the dead"

You damn right its justified...a sidenote to that, their younger sister, after learning of her older brothers death joined the WAAF.

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

Edited by - chadrewsky on Jun 12 2003 11:54 PM

I thought you'd be 'onboard' with that sailor.

Now if we could only convince you of the undisputed greatness of the Super Hor.....NO...i just can't say it. Not even kidding around.

"Trample the wounded...hurdle the dead"

you know dude I have come to accept the Super Hornet, even appreciate it in some ways.........It helps deal with my frustration. I want to support my Navy brethren, but...........
F-14 will always be what could have been, despite how good it already is. Kind of like Robert Redford, in the "Natural" We really only got a glimpse of what the Tom could do.....and now that we have access to more of the details of its combat operations in Iran's war against Iraq, the F-14's legacy will grow stronger. Its to bad that wasn't drummed up more in the 80's, but we didn't want to bring attention to the IIAF's capabilities for obvious reasons.

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

In my opinion, Tomcat's are better than Hornet's just cause Top Gun was full of Tomcat's and had absolutely no Hornets. That's good enough for me.

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

Top Gun was a chick flic........
But some of the flying scenes are cool, but the movie is unrealistic as they get. Like Maverick, Iceman, Slider, and Hollywoof all deploying to the Indian Ocean...........No work ups...And the fact that the F-14's RIO's were abysmal in aquiring the "Mig-28's" But the lack there of of F-18's was cool.

The F-18 though, is the coolest looking jet I have ever seen trap.....I dunno what it is, but the Hornet looks cool when it hits the three wire.



If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

If anyone wants to read an upfront perspective on how the Tomcat can perform strike missions then read this training mission written by an RIO:

[url="http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Stories1/001-100/0012_F-14B_Bombcat/story0012.htm"]Bombcat[/url]



Edited by - tritonal on Jun 13 2003 07:09 AM

"the F-14's RIO's were abysmal in aquiring the "Mig-28's"

Well, the "mig28s" were actually just a couple F5s and T38s. Both of those in a close in fight can do OK (initially)against an F14 with minor turn performance weaknesses compared to the tomcat and an initially higher G available (both planes have higher G limits than the F14). After about 1-2 turns though the extra thrust of the F14 gives it the big advantage and the fight will end with the F14 on top, so to speak.

However, back to that statement about the RIOs going blind. Have you ever fought an F5 or T38?? That is the only way to beat the real fighters like F14s, F15s, F18s, F16s....the T38/F5 is SMALL and VERY hard to see from ALL aspects. Just get to the merge, extend a bit before the fighter can get a hard lead turn and he has a large chance of going blind...then you can simply move wherever you need. It is not easy and the other planes come out on top but I have seen it done and the 88th FTS here at Sheppard has a greatest shot video of gun tracks on F15s, F16s, etc...all flying the T38.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Well, the "mig28s" were actually just a couple F5s and T38s. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Yeah....I was being sarcastic more than anything...When I was berating the Rio's performance, I was talking about their radar intercept skills using the AWG-9.....Not talking about the visual aquistition, which I am told is very difficult with the F-5, or T-38.....as well as A-4. Primamry reason the USN still uses the F-5 for DACT...as does the USAF...I do have a question though, does the USAF still use the F-5 as well, or do they only use the T-38?

If your not having fun, your not doing it right!

I also have a DL of a demonstration with a fully-loaded Super Hornet found here:
Luke and other pilots- I'd like to read your professional comments if you have the time.
[url="http://anthonyjhicks.com/ajh/media.nsf/albumview!OpenView&Count=999&RestrictToCategory=avalon2003movies"]Weapons-loaded SH demo[/url]



Edited by - tritonal on Jun 14 2003 01:22 AM

Sounds like you are honing those tactical skills Luke. Glad you were kind enough to share your views on the matter.

"Trample the wounded...hurdle the dead"

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>If anyone wants to read an upfront perspective on how the Tomcat can perform strike missions then read this training mission written by an RIO:

Bombcat <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Pretty interesting stuff. I like the way they handled the A-4's



"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

You've read the text; Now, watch the video!