Tomcats gone by fall of 2006

"Doug "Woody" and Erin Beal" wrote...

You know me, John. Kool-Aid drinker. I'm telling you though. 2v1 or
1v1,
that high alpha's a big positive deal--against F-14's, F-15's, and F-16's.

....but only if you let them get close!

kboatright- How does the range of the F-18 E/F compare with the F-14 Bombcat,
with both
carrying equivalent attack loads? BRBR

Good point but the answer isn't the F-14D. NAVAIR missed the 'boat' in the 80s,
when everything was being upgraded, new models introduced while the F-14
languished. It 'should' have been the USN version of the F-15E, the 'strike
Turkey' but wasn't, isn't.

The F-14D was a compromise from day 1, and it pales in comparison to some of
the other modern aircraft, many of which were much older, like the F-15E.

It needs to go. Upgrading the F-14 is just not possible today.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer

"Pechs1" wrote in message
...
kboatright- How does the range of the F-18 E/F compare with the F-14
Bombcat,
with both
carrying equivalent attack loads? BRBR

Good point but the answer isn't the F-14D. NAVAIR missed the 'boat' in the
80s,
when everything was being upgraded, new models introduced while the F-14
languished. It 'should' have been the USN version of the F-15E, the
'strike
Turkey' but wasn't, isn't.

The F-14D was a compromise from day 1, and it pales in comparison to some
of
the other modern aircraft, many of which were much older, like the F-15E.

It needs to go. Upgrading the F-14 is just not possible today.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye
Phlyer

Agreed. And the previous post hit it on the nail's head, logistics support
for the airframe is a nightmare.

I always found it odd how little was done to upgrade the Turkey when
compared with many previous and contemporary designs. Strike Tom ala F-15E
back in the mid-80's was the answer. Unfortunately nobody of significance
bothered to ask the question.

R / John

John- Unfortunately nobody of significance
bothered to ask the question. BRBR

I think the question was asked, certainly by the F-4 guys that ended up in the
F-14. Too many 0-6 and above types weren't listening tho.

NAVAIR/DCNO-Air types.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer

(Pechs1) wrote in message ...
kboatright- How does the range of the F-18 E/F compare with the F-14 Bombcat,
with both
carrying equivalent attack loads? BRBR

Good point but the answer isn't the F-14D. NAVAIR missed the 'boat' in the 80s,
when everything was being upgraded, new models introduced while the F-14
languished. It 'should' have been the USN version of the F-15E, the 'strike
Turkey' but wasn't, isn't.

The F-14D was a compromise from day 1, and it pales in comparison to some of
the other modern aircraft, many of which were much older, like the F-15E.

It needs to go. Upgrading the F-14 is just not possible today.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer



I thought the A and B models were gonna go first. Wern't the Ds gonna
stick around till the Navy JSF comes online? Speaking of the JSF does
the Navy really want it? They've already got a medium range strike
fighter in the shape of the super hornet whats gonna be the F-35's
job? short range strike fighter and fast FAC?

From: (Prowlus)
Date: 6/17/2004 16:14 Pacific Daylight Time

I thought the A and B models were gonna go first.

The A's are gone w/ 211, and supposedly 31 (w/ the D) will be the last to
convert.

The compressed time-frame really means it doesn't matter which airframe is
last.

Wern't the Ds gonnastick
around till the Navy JSF comes online?

Already the JSF has slipped. As has been mentioned, it all comes down to money
in any event.

Even the S-3 retirement has been pushed forward.

MW

"Mike Weeks" wrote in message
...
From: (Prowlus)
Date: 6/17/2004 16:14 Pacific Daylight Time

I thought the A and B models were gonna go first.

The A's are gone w/ 211, and supposedly 31 (w/ the D) will be the last to
convert.

The compressed time-frame really means it doesn't matter which airframe is
last.

Wern't the Ds gonnastick
around till the Navy JSF comes online?

Already the JSF has slipped. As has been mentioned, it all comes down to
money
in any event.

Even the S-3 retirement has been pushed forward.

MW

All the O&MN and COW funding issues will be solved by BRAC. OBTW, Rummies
got a couple acres of swampland in Florida he's trying to sell too.

R / John

bfoong- I thought the A and B models were gonna go first. Wern't the Ds gonna
stick around till the Navy JSF comes online? BRBR

The 'D' was essentially an 'A/B' airframe with some whizbangery avionics wise.
It still is an OLD design that is really hard to maintain.

Speaking of the JSF does
the Navy really want it? BRBR

It's gonna need something to replace the 'Bug', which is now an old design.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer

(Pechs1) wrote in message ...


It's gonna need something to replace the 'Bug', which is now an old design.
P. C. Chisholm
CDR, USN(ret.)
Old Phart Phormer Phantom, Turkey, Viper, Scooter and Combat Buckeye Phlyer

thats what the "Superbug" is there for aswell

Prowlus wrote:
I thought the A and B models were gonna go first. Wern't the Ds gonna
stick around till the Navy JSF comes online? Speaking of the JSF does
the Navy really want it? They've already got a medium range strike
fighter in the shape of the super hornet whats gonna be the F-35's
job? short range strike fighter and fast FAC?

The F-35C has a greater range than the Super Hornet, not to mention stealth.

-HJC