Sig Saur & Son

NEU, I HAVE IT, I HAVE CONFIRMATION! Guess I missed this with my last Tomcat book. I have a copy of a document from the VF-124 squadron history as found at the USN History Center. It lists the receipt of Tomcats by VF-124 from Grumman. F-14A 159600 was received from Grumman Bethpage on 08-18-75. It was transferred to VF-101 on 05-06-76. Stamp this one as CASE CLOSED!

Here's a shot of Gary Kopp, (in the orange hat), the man who made this all happen. He stayed with the project after I became too frustrated with the Navy's bureaucracy.

Sorry it has taken this long to get these images to you. I just spent a very chilly weekend camping with the Scout Troop. Anyway, I was on hand bright and early Friday morning to capture the lift and placement of 162916. Despite the chilly temps, with wind chills around zero, the all volunteer crew lifted, placed and reassembled 162916 in record time. BRAVO-ZULU. Tomcats Forever Baby!

The delivery of 162916 yesterday ended a four year quest for a Tomcat. We lost one over a year ago because of a glitch in the paperwork. Then we were informed we could have 162916 because the USNA had passed on it in favor of a Blue Angel Hornet. Then we were informed we needed $20K for transportation 10K more than we budgeted for. The local community and post raised the required funds in no time. I must say, Helen Watson at Pensacola has been outstanding through the entire process. Good friend and post member Gary Kopp stayed with the project long after I gave up all hope of obtaining a

I would use the word remanufactured rather than converted. The correct designation is F-14D( R ). Good job. Thanks, Dave

The Group Build begins tomorrow at 1000 hours when the crane arrives.

Total length was 85 feet.

Do you mean this?

Going In Circles Home at last.

On The Road

At 0730 on 15 February, I headed out toward the Maryland border in search of 162916. As I approached the Mason-Dixon Line on US 15, I noticed the distinctive outline of a tailless Tomcat parked in the rest stop there. The hood was up on the truck tractor and a pair of PSP inspectors were under the trailer. By the way, the trailer was custom built by Grumman for hauling Tomcat fuselages. It is scheduled to be sold following this shipment. Anyway, things did not look good for getting 162916 to the post today. It turned out to be nothing major, minor adjustments to the brakes and steering l

I agree, 16 July 1975 is the delivery date. My information comes directly from the inventory card on file at the USN History Center. Cheers, Dave

She may not have served with 201 or 202 but she will be displayed at Fort Worth, home to 201 and 202, former Tomcat Squadrons. I think that connect alone should permit display of their patches. And BTW, just heard our Tomcat, F-14B 162916, Gypsy 100, is north bound and has left the building via flatbed truck on route to my local VFW. They may overnight in Maryland and wait for the road conditions to improve. It should be here tomorrow or Friday at the latest. Stand by for photos. Cheers, Dave

BRAVO ZULU NEU

Neu, I like it, I like it. Glad to see you took my advise. Cheers, Dave

Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Thanks for posting.

Well you can't argue with that entry into a log book now can you?

Yeah, what you said, Executive Decision. It sucks growing old. I have edited the orignal post.

You have constructed a great site. Glad I could contribute. Cheers, Dave

I possess copies of the majoirty of inventory cards. yes, you are correct, it was delivered 16 July 1975. I would still like to see proof that 159600 ever served with VF-201 or 202. If it did, I need to add the updated information to my next Tomcat Book. I cannot find any record of its service with either Texas based squadron here in my extensive records. Still, I'd like to see proof to back up the statement it served with VF-201. I hope the museum keeps the Cat in VF-31 markings and does not plan to paint it in a VF-201 scheme. After it stops snowing, maybe next week, I plan to visit t

Careful or you'll end at....

Which A-10 do you need images of?

How can I forget? It was shot down.

I liked the Wenago F-117 in Executive Decision