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Got to spend a few hours on the F-14 lines at AMARG at Davis Monthan AFB today. 3 hours of pure Tomcat esctasy!! :D Saw a few other things as well - the 6 B-1Bs, 1 of which is returning to service, a few A-6Es, a bunch of F-4 - QF-4 conversions? And as I drove on base, of course without the camera out - an F-4 Phantom in the break!!!!

Here are a couple quick shots!

Saw a few of the old favorites. 3 separate areas of Tomcats, including the 47 waiting to be destroyed once they have a new contractor. Oh, and before it even comes up, let me address the issue - Yes, I kissed a Tomcat, and no, there was no tongue involved.

First a teaser - a Strike Hornet

FA-18AStrike162445.jpg

This one will be seeing decal form very, very soon...

VF-143100amarg.jpg

Here's 100's nose art. Even the signatures are fading...

VF-143100noseamarg.jpg

These seem to be pretty popular as well. Several of the reserve jets were the original boat tail. These are from the 'waiting to be destroyed' line.

VF-302112amargcopy.jpg

Look close at the tail - Jolly Rogers fans can cry now.

VF-84amargoldF-14Aline.jpg

Got a few hundred shots to go through, so check back over the next couple days!

I'm going to go have a stiff drink.

-brian

Edited by Brian P: Fightertown Decals
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Great pics. :D And if you wanted to share even more, they would not go unappreciated (hint, hint :banana: )...

Out of curiousity, do you know if there are there any Viggies still remaining there? Probably not, but it just occurred to me when I initially mistook one of the F-111s in the background for one...

Daniel

Edited by AP_Hancock
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Update!! First I have to say 2 things.

1. Dave Brown - you absolutely ROCK!! My escort praised Dave's work on a number of occasions and she regularly refers to Dave's book as the bible for Tomcat histories. She told one story of a Congress-person recently visiting asked about the history of a random Tomcat. She grabbed TOMCAT ALLEY, and had info for her on the spot.

2. And I think this echo's Wally's comment earlier - AMARG is so backed up w/ requests for Tomcat visits and photojournalist types that they have become INCREDIBLY selective as to who and why people get out there. It does take some major credentials to even get consideration. I felt extrememly lucky and grateful to have the opportunity I did today. It was a most unique and special project!

Ok, more pictures!

These are the 4 confiscated airframes, 3 from Chino and 1 that was in Victorville (the former JAG airframe) They occupy their own special, fenced in and untouchable spot next to some Vietnam era C-119s that they said are 'never touched'. They were former test airframes.

ChinoandJagconfiscatedF-14A.jpg

A line up of F-14B

F-14Blineamarg.jpg

Big Nose Fighter! anybody care to guess which jet this is?...

BignoseVF-103103Amarg.jpg

Last one for the night. Another shot of VF-143 100 aircraft. Of note here is the star and bar under (and above) the wing is a different shade of blue than the rest of the blue markings! (This could be a fine detail point that a certain decal sheet will contain :D )

VF-143100amargunderwing.jpg

Nite, Baby!

Edited by Brian P: Fightertown Decals
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For Marcin - sorry bud, no time for details. No kidding it was point, shoot, run! I watched thousands of shots that I would practically kill for go by...

flapdetail.jpg

Gotta have at least one beauty shot. This one hasn't been edited or touched up. Just a natural Tomcat line sunset.

TomcatlinesunsetAmarg.jpg

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You got on AMARG.....I am in awe of you.... :blink: :doh: Do you have any more VF-103 Tomcat shots, or VF-84. When I took the bus tour a few years back, I did see a couple of the old VF-84 jets in thier final markings before they got axed. Unfortunately, they were far off and the camera that I had at the time sucked (I left my good camera at home by mistake :doh::thumbsup: ).

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Next round!

This is the Big Nose Fighter shot from earlier.

VF-103103amarg-1.jpg

Another reserve VF-302. This aircraft used to be on the distinguished visitors line, but is now slated for destruction.

VF-302200AmargoldF-14Aline.jpg

Can barely tell what squadron this F-14A is from - the vagabond stripe is the give away that this was a Vf-84 F-14A

VF-84amargoldF-14Aline90s.jpg

This one's for Wild Man - D-Rob - Darren Roberts.

VF-11lineAmarg.jpg

Once upon a time a VF-2 F-14A all but faded out.

VF-2F-14AAmargoldline.jpg

Finally an F-14B from VF-101

VF-101113F-14BAmarg.jpg

-brian

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I couldn't think of a better guy to get out there than you, buddy! Thanks for the line up of Rippers' jets. I bet you got a TON of reference material for future projects. I'm especially liking the VF-301 and -302 shots...hint, hint, hint! :cheers:

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