F-14 used as a tanker?

[Mike Weeks]

Can anyone address this:

Defense News on 28 June had this snip: "With F-14s as the only other
carrier-based aircraft flying tanker duties, ..."

It was in reference to the S-3 being retired and the F/A-18F [doesn't mention
the -18E <g>] having the ability to act as a tanker.

Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially during
the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks

MW

[Mike Kanze]

>Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
during the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks

If true, can anyone say, "Tankcat?" <g>

--
Mike Kanze

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650-726-7890

"They had a profile of John Kerry on the news and they said his first wife
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after the wealthy in this country, he's not just talking. He's doing it!"

- Jay Leno


"Mike Weeks" > wrote in message
...
> Can anyone address this:
>
> Defense News on 28 June had this snip: "With F-14s as the only other
> carrier-based aircraft flying tanker duties, ..."
>
> It was in reference to the S-3 being retired and the F/A-18F [doesn't
mention
> the -18E <g>] having the ability to act as a tanker.
>
> Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
during
> the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks
>
> MW

[Thomas Schoene]

Mike Weeks wrote:
> Can anyone address this:
>
> Defense News on 28 June had this snip: "With F-14s as the only other
> carrier-based aircraft flying tanker duties, ..."
>
> It was in reference to the S-3 being retired and the F/A-18F [doesn't
> mention the -18E <g>] having the ability to act as a tanker.
>
> Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker;
> especially during the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks

Never heard of such a thing. Have you asked the author of the article about
it? Defense News does put e-mail links to the authors; I have no idea if
you'll get a response, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. The name isn't
familiar to me, so I'm guessing he's new at the job. He'd probably welcome
a little correction, as long as you do't start off with "hey you idiot!" :-)

--
Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
"Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when
wrong to be put right." - Senator Carl Schurz, 1872

[John R Weiss]

>Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
> during the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks

Tanker capability was in the original specs, but the requirement was never
developed (it MAY have been demonstrated once in early development).

[Doug \Woody\ and Erin Beal]

On 7/6/04 4:28 PM, in article ,
"Mike Weeks" > wrote:

> Can anyone address this:
>
> Defense News on 28 June had this snip: "With F-14s as the only other
> carrier-based aircraft flying tanker duties, ..."
>
> It was in reference to the S-3 being retired and the F/A-18F [doesn't mention
> the -18E <g>] having the ability to act as a tanker.
>
> Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
> during
> the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks
>
> MW

Not true, Mike. As you know, the F-14 is retiring soon. There are no
Tomcats flying with buddy stores, and there are no plans to.

Both F/A-18E and F have the capability. In fact, I seem to remember VFA-115
performing single-seat tanker duty--no different than the A-7.

--Woody

[John Carrier]

"John R Weiss" > wrote in message
news:yMJGc.3411$WX.1296@attbi_s51...
> >Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
> > during the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks
>
> Tanker capability was in the original specs, but the requirement was never
> developed (it MAY have been demonstrated once in early development).

Oh really? Never heard it, even in the days of a non-functional mock up and
the dog 'n pony show brief.

OTOH, there's a great picture of an F-18E (F?) configured with five tanks
tanking an F-14. Kinda like having an alcoholic bartender serving drinks to
a teetotaler.

R / John

[Allen Epps]

In article >, Doug \"Woody\" and
Erin Beal > wrote:

> On 7/6/04 4:28 PM, in article ,
> "Mike Weeks" > wrote:
>
> > Can anyone address this:
> >
> > Defense News on 28 June had this snip: "With F-14s as the only other
> > carrier-based aircraft flying tanker duties, ..."
> >
> > It was in reference to the S-3 being retired and the F/A-18F [doesn't
> > mention
> > the -18E <g>] having the ability to act as a tanker.
> >
> > Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
> > during
> > the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks
> >
> > MW
>
> Not true, Mike. As you know, the F-14 is retiring soon. There are no
> Tomcats flying with buddy stores, and there are no plans to.
>
> Both F/A-18E and F have the capability. In fact, I seem to remember VFA-115
> performing single-seat tanker duty--no different than the A-7.
>
> --Woody

Or even an A-4 tanker

http://www.a3skywarrior.com/jpg/a4.jpg

Pugs

[Mike Weeks]

>From: "John Carrier"
>Date: 7/7/2004 10:42 Pacific Daylight Time

>"John R Weiss" > wrote in message
>news:yMJGc.3411$WX.1296@attbi_s51...
>> >Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
>> > during the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks
>>
>> Tanker capability was in the original specs, but the requirement was never
>> developed (it MAY have been demonstrated once in early development).
>
>Oh really? Never heard it, even in the days of a non-functional mock up and
>the dog 'n pony show brief.
>
>OTOH, there's a great picture of an F-18E (F?) configured with five tanks
>tanking an F-14. Kinda like having an alcoholic bartender serving drinks to
>a teetotaler.

I asked the second part because in looking over available early published
material on the Tomcat's testing and intro there's reference to bomb racks and
some type of a photo/fuel tank combo, but nothing about being a tanker -- which
makes sense given the A-7s, A-6s and KA-6Ds in the inventory at the time.

So here's a followup; regarding the F/A-18A & C Hornets not being able to pass
gass. Why is that exactly? The buddy packs don't have ground clearance?
Something lacking w/in the Hornet itself relating to the hard points perhaps?

Just wondering.

MW

[Mike Weeks]

>From: "Doug \"Woody\" and Erin Beal"
>Date: 7/7/2004 04:23 Pacific Daylight Time

>> Anyone know of the Tomcat being used in the role of a tanker; especially
>> during
>> the current period? Can the F-14 pass gas? Thanks

>Not true, Mike. As you know, the F-14 is retiring soon. There are no
>Tomcats flying with buddy stores, and there are no plans to.

Thanks Woody. The story didn't seem to make sense for simply that reason if
nothing else.

Just chalk it up I suppose to most likely a misunderstanding by the original
author.

MW

[Pechs1]

Mike-<< If true, can anyone say, "Tankcat?" >><BR><BR>


'Turkey with gas'?
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer

[Pechs1]

John-<< OTOH, there's a great picture of an F-18E (F?) configured with five
tanks
tanking an F-14. Kinda like having an alcoholic bartender serving drinks to
a teetotaler. >><BR><BR>

When in VF-151, Fox"have ya seen my moovie' Farrell put a tanker store on a
F-4S, with wing tanks and refueled another F-4...Have a picture somewhere, for
an airshow off the boat.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer

[Frank Minich]

"Allen Epps" > wrote in message
...
>
> Or even an A-4 tanker
>
> http://www.a3skywarrior.com/jpg/a4.jpg
>
> Pugs

It must have looked funny when they sent an A4 with buddy store down from
Cecil to Key West to give us practice tanking in Vigilantes.

BTW, the Vigi had tanker capability at one (early) point, but it had been
dropped long before the end. Like John Carrier said, kind of like a lush
serving them up.

Frank