CRASCA Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 (edited) All, OK, I just got home from the Sunset Trip. I had a great time! Not only seeing the beloved Tomcat for the last time, but also spending time with some of our ARC brothers. I roomed with Darren "Wild Man" Roberts, Brian "Smooth" Plescia, and Jeremy "Bear" Housdan. Also, not far away (but not sharing) was Brian "Meathooks" Marbrey. It was great! Just like being in college all over again! I have had only about 6 1/2 hours of sleep in 3 days, but it was great! The Final Flight was bittersweet. Very cool, but sad to see her go. I was honored to be there for such a wonderful ceremony. Everything was perfect, right down to the flight. While it could've been more....um.....Tomcat, it was still great to see it for the last time. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house...er....uh......on the ramp. (But that was because Marbrey had hot wings the night before! ) Anyway, without further delay.....here are a few pictures. Edited September 24, 2006 by CRASCA Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted September 24, 2006 Author Share Posted September 24, 2006 A few more....... Many more to come later, but right now I can barely keep my eyes open. Let me say that meeting Darren, Brian, Jeremy, and Brian (again) plus Dan Teker proved again to me that ARCers are truly class people. Enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites
mkimages Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Looking good, Craig; great shots! From the takeoff shots it even looks like the clouds in the sky were a perfect shade of Light Gull Gray to compliment the flight. Glad you had a good time. Thanks for getting out there and reporting back to us poor unfortunates stuck seeing it on the internet. Long live the Tomcat, Baby! Link to post Share on other sites
ThudDriver Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Looking good, Craig; great shots! From the takeoff shots it even looks like the clouds in the sky were a perfect shade of Light Gull Gray to compliment the flight. Glad you had a good time. Thanks for getting out there and reporting back to us poor unfortunates stuck seeing it on the internet. Long live the Tomcat, Baby! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nice shots, How about some narration as for what was happening with 107 ? Was she departing for a museum?: A final flyover?: did she return to the Oceana ramp ? etc etc etc.. Got to know baby ! ThudDriver Link to post Share on other sites
g0_command0 Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 She flew to NAS Norfolk and returned later on. However do you have a pic of the other retro F-14 with all the high viz super hornets behind it? Link to post Share on other sites
ARK HERKY LOAD Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Hello. Just wondering if aircraft 100 and 101 were at the sunset ceremony, and also does anyone know what museum those two will be at or are they going to the bone yard. Thanks so much. Link to post Share on other sites
ARK HERKY LOAD Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Also did anyone get any good pics. of the models at the sunset ceremony? I saw there were supposed to be a lot there. Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel_B Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 101 to Grumman-Bethpage, NY, 10/4. 100 to Miami, 9/28. Daniel And the pics of the Final Flight are great, but we've been seeing those since Friday. Where are the pics of the models from yesterday?! Link to post Share on other sites
ARK HERKY LOAD Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 THanks so much for the info. Bobby D. Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 *sigh* + Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 My understanding is, Marbrey will announce the results when he's able to get back to a computer. I think most of us should just be happy we were able to contribute in some way, from afar. It was an honor. Link to post Share on other sites
phantombullet Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Yeah, just to contribute a model that will be on display is good enough for me!! Link to post Share on other sites
aerofan Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 100 and 101 are going to museums....not sure which ones though...but I heard they are not going to the boneyard. I hope a few will be in Canadian aviation museums. I'm gonna miss seeing the Tomcat at airshows ;) . Link to post Share on other sites
Fanakit Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Thanks for sharing the pics. Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 (edited) Let me tell you, we could have made a killing selling them. I can't tell you how many people came up and wanted to know if they were for sale. We could have easily made over $3000. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to pack for Hawaii. Oh, BTW, the models are all on display at the O Club....really they are. Edited September 24, 2006 by Darren Roberts Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Hehe... Did I read somewhere that on a last-minute change,only the top 3 would be permanently displayed? Or did I misunderstand...and if so, what will become of the rest? Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Andrew, at last check, all the models were bound for a Northrop-Grumman storage trailer, with individual models fates to be determined later. Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 They're being put in storage???? That's where they were going as of last night when we boxed them back up. Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Andrew, at last check, all the models were bound for a Northrop-Grumman storage trailer, with individual models fates to be determined later. what?! Not even stored inside out of the heat? Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Brian might know better now what has happened to them... I believe it was only a short-term deal to store them there (something to the effect that the committee simply had too much on their minds in those hours to care much about models is my guess, but that's all it is) Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 (edited) OK Guys, It was my understanding that the models would be turned over to the Va. Beach IPMS chapter, who would be displaying them at the regionals. But, let's wait for Brian to return. I DO know that the models looked outstanding. Very impressive all lined up together, and the Tomcat folks were thrilled. It was really cool, and Darren is right.....MANY people inquired about buying them, and there is no doubt that they were much appreciated. We even met some of the people that designed the paint schemes that were on display etc.......And, it was REALLY cool when an old Tomcat guy would come walking past, see his old bird, and it would rattle those memories loose and then they would begin to share interesting stories. The only problem we had is when Darren would lose control, grab a model, and start running around playing "Mig Killer" making jet noises etc......Very embarrassing! So, I think you all were a part of something special, and the group build accomplished exactly what it was suppposed to. Nice job! Pics to come later............ Edited September 25, 2006 by CRASCA Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Ubber cool. Well.....I know mine didnt win a prize......so if anyone made and offer......I ACCEPT!!!! :D Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 Gents, No worries! I just got off the phone with Meathooks, and the models will be in the posession of the Va. Beach IPMS chapter. They will be displayed at the Regional IPMS contest next month. After that, the winning models will be displayed at the Oceana Officers' club, and the rest of the collection will be split - som going to the base ops ctr, and the rest will be going to the Va. air and space museum. So, no worries! Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 WOW! We seem to have got off track a bit - so back to the pictures. If you want pics of the models, go over to the Group Build forum and have a look. Here are some more "Real" tomcat pics from the ceremony. Enjoy! :D PS: Anyone notice a difference between the subject of these pictures Vs. the subject in the flight pictures?? :D Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 (edited) Speaking of 102(changing the subject to VF), did anyone offer to buy mine? :D (j/k) Edited September 25, 2006 by Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Link to post Share on other sites
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