Re:Tomcats!

[rander]

a couple more from Grand Junction - the rest are in the link...

my record of the whole event can be found here (report plus 33 photos):
http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/co/f14final/index.php

farewell baby! 

Nice Pics from Grand Junction, great background also !   

Rander Veteran Tomcat Tweaker

[Skys7]

At NASNI, FELIX 102 was parked on the transient ramp toward the rear, amongst the other aircraft, as if it were just another plane coming in on a Friday afternoon.....thought that was kinda strange. Here it is with engines running, just after getting chocked.

[KevinJackson]

Looking forward to seeing all the shots from the final flight, but not looking forward to the final flight.

[rander]

A few more of 163904

The first photo shows why we had to kneel the aircraft. We also had to knock the silver colored caps of the fence posts so that the wings would clear the posts. The last pilot also left the wings in the 68 degree position instead of oversweep. That only gave us 2-3 feet of clearence towing the aircraft down West Moffet Road.

Second photo looking down the right wing shows the SDACM A-1 Skyraider BUNO 127922 a little behind the A-1 is SARDIPed F-14a BUNO 161281 the left tail fin is the pic in my avatar.

Third photo show the right tail fin of Felix102 and another SARDIPed F-14A BUNO162696.

[ChrisM]

A few more of 163904

Thanks for sharing. Are those 'Cats in the background being scrapped or restored??

[Jan-Arie]

ronder,

I think you answered my question Take care of this bird! Do you know what is the future of this particular plane?

Greetings, neu

It's going to the Hawaiian Air Museum on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. It should be there some time in the later part of November.  If your in the San Diego area nest weekend October 7and 8, The F-14 D will be a display aircraft at the Coronado Speed Festival onboard NAS North Island. THere will be current and vintage race cars using the runways and taxiways to attempt as much speed as possible.

Rander Veteran Tomcat Tweaker

  now that will be intresting if everything goes to plan i will be there so after all i can take a last pic of the real deal

[rander]

A few more of 163904

Thanks for sharing. Are those 'Cats in the background being scrapped or restored??

They are being SARDIPed

[LastGL]

Skippyscage  All I can say is beautiful work.
If I had a vote the shot with Mt Garfield would be my picture of the month.
 

 Felix 101 is sitting in Hanger 500 at Oceana Last Cat standing.

Amen to that!!

[skippyscage]

Sky7, M.M., Skychief, rander and last_GL - thanks for the kind words - we all get lucky sometimes when the light and situation are prefect.

and Skychief - I definitely owe you a beer for the info, otherwise I would have missed the great opportunity at Grand junction on the day 

(groan - another picture I need to get blown up and framed)

[Steven Holzinger]

I've got coverage for Wednesday and that means I can make it to Republic!!!

[ED RIVERA]

Hey Dave,

[Skys7]

Final taxi for FELIX 103, AF Plant 42 Palmdale CA Sept 28 2006.......

[phantomphan1974]

In to history... FELIX 103

[rander]

havent heard from mr. tomcat in a lil while, hope he hasn't done anything crazy like becoming a hornet fan 

Maybe he took a little time off  to relax after being a sort of grand central station of news on hour to hour changes in aircraft movement of the U.S. Navy's last few remaining Tomcats. And remember there is still one to go Felix101 is the sole remaining Tomcat still flyable at Oceana.

Dave and anyone else who kept us all informed a heart felt thank you for all you did. This Bud's for you    

Rander Veteran Tomcat Tweaker

[phantomphan1974]

FELIX 103 is behind you Dan!!!