My dad assembled and painted a scale model of a Tomcat when I was maybe 4 or 5 years in the 1970's and it has been my favorite aircraft of all time. I've learned so many new things in this video. Outstanding. I appreciate it.
Thanks for the great video. Unfortunately though, I find that one of the most exhilarating chapters of the combat life of the F-14 has gone very much unnoticed. The performance of the F-14 in the 8 year-long Iran/Iraq war (1980-88) has received almost zero attention and study by the Tomcat enthusiasts and community. In that war, the F-14 went head to head in hundreds of sorties and battles against the Iraqi flown Russian MIG and the French Mirage. There is however, a great book on that subject, titled 'IRANIAN F-14 TOMCAT IN COMBAT' (2004.) The Tomcat proved its absolute superiority over every other fighter aircraft, with some impressive numbers and facts. The Tomcat is one more reason why America is Great.
Beautifully and professionally done. It couldn't be better than this. I loved it. Thank you sir for your service to the nation and off course your service to the audience. A brilliant effort indeed.
This man is not only a excellent pilot but also excellent teacher and storyteller... Almost hypnotic, I wanted just to see couple of seconds and on end stayed to watch entire "class" 😁
Mr. Grant Begley thank you for a great presentation of the F-14 enjoyed your story in respect to honor you as a veteran it's great to hear from veterans like you, and remember the things you did and now you share with your memories with others now on video, thank you for your time. When veterans share there stories on record it's stays in history, but what would be better veterans like go up flying again in the airplanes that is remembered and have the honor to back up again for a joy ride or flying to the airshow Oshkosh Wisconsin.
Fantastic presentation. I love his harrowing carrier stories. Such an exciting thing to hear to showcase the intended design of the plane. I'm going to watch this again :)
A formidable airframe . They're surprisingly large when you get to see them up close . Thanks to the many men and women that, like this gentleman, have and are keeping us safe .
Wonderful video, sir. I love the F14 and wish I had the chance to work on it. I was an engine mechanic and worked on F-15, F-16, and T-38 aircraft engines in the Air Force. Just wanted to mention that a small mistake with the engine class of the GE-F110, as they power F-16s too; The -110 is also a low bypass turbofan engine like the original TF-30, but was simply designed to be a little tougher. Someone else has probably already mentioned this, and I looked briefly in the comments but could find none, so I hope you don't mind. Thank you very much for your service and for sharing your experiences with us on this beautiful airplane.
My god, surviving an idle no hook is a miracle. One of a handful. Thank you for sharing your stories and knowledge of the F-14. The F-14 was a childhood favorite of mine, along with the B-1. Swept wings are so cool 😎.
Little did I know that after hating Top Gun in '86 and desmiss it as a wimpy girl movie I would fall in love with the F-14 all these years after. Great video. Seasons Greetings from Portugal.
Interesting anecdote. A "friendly" engagement (since F-14s and F-15s were on the same side during the AIMVAL/ACEVAL against rival fighters) of 2 F-14s vs 2 F-15 during the AIMVAL/ACEVAL evaluations in 1978, resulted in both F-15 being shutdown in close range gunfire by the 2 F-14s.
Yes, AIMVAL/ACEVAL was with F-14A and F-15A/B versions. Both with P&W engines. Not only did the F-14 outperform the F-15 in dogfights, it had a better kill ratio against the F-5E with a 2.55:1 compared to 1.79:1 for the F-15A/B
this is one top quality piece of posting, CAN NOT thank the Peninsula Seniors enough for this video as well as the pilots candid professionalism and integrity, thumbs up and subscribed from Jacksonville, Florida. Thanks Again!
yes but no reason they could not have done a new production of a hundred or more F-14's with all new parts. The F-18 can not do what the F-14 excelled at nor can the F-35.
@Gareth Fairclough F-14A were mostly retired by the early 2000s. The F-14D was heavily updated in the 90s with full glass avionics and the GE-110 engines. They came out in 1996. It was killed by Hornet mafia lobbyists who had Dick Cheney in their pocket. All of the airframes Navy fought tooth and nail to keep in service had less than 10 years of use on them. They wanted to keep the 55 F-14D and have another 60 new one's built. but Dick Cheney would not give what Navy wanted. Navy fought tooth and nail. They were actually NEWER than most Super Hornets that were from 1987. If F-15 and F-16 are still flying, there is no reason why F-14 could not be flying. F-18 itself is 42 year old airframe. No Naval aviator would ever tell you the F-18 could match the F-14 in ANYTHING other than very slow speed, high alpha authority. It was never a replacement for the F-14 and never wil be because it was developed as a multi role with high drag airframe. F-14 was developed in the cold war to win the war at all costs. To take the fight to the MIGs and win at all costs. F-14 was much superior to the F-18 and F-18 Super Hornet in terms of air-to-air capabilities.F-18 had a better roll rate, but F-18 bled energy like a stuck pig. F-14 could roll unloaded even if it rolled slower. F-14 was much faster, accelerated much harder for turn and burn maneuvering and vertical fights, more aerodynamic with lift/drag ratio advantage for high mach speeds, could sustain energy through series of turns much better and had longer range, more payload, could carry much more fuel which means it could stay in full power much longer in a dogfight adding energy in the vertical. As in the words of an F-18/F-14 pilot, "give me an F-14 and a mission, I will run F-18s down all day". That was from an F-18 pilot himself.
@@Littlewing1977 Agreed. As I can name a list of just about every Naval aviator who flew both these planes they would all tell you F-14 was superior in ALL respects except at slow speed with a very high nose AoA maneuvering because the F-18 had no AoA restrictor and also had computers to control the airspeed/knots.
This is awesome! I love all airplanes, both civil and military. The Tomcat though was always a special airplane to me. She's so big and intimidating and sexy. Don't make 'em like that anymore. Worthy successor to the legendary Phantom.
Huge thanks for this incredible and ongoing series of talks! But HEY... What's this GORGEOUS music at the beginning and the end of every show? Greetings from Germany!
The painting of VF 1 wolfpack and VF 84 looks great too.... Love this eighties decade paintings they say to the anemy you are going to die, and I have no reason to hide from you. 👍🐈.
I was told something many years ago by a psychiatrist. US navy and airforce and marine fighter pilots are a special breed of men who have 3 traits in common. 1 they are highly intelligent. 2 they are exceptional at what they do. 3 last but not least they are border line lunatics. You have to be to strap a jet engine on your ass and violate laws of physics daily. Much respect for those guys and gals.
Joined the Navy became an ABH3 V1 Div crash and smash! all ABs have an affinity for the Tomcats! Big spooky beautiful aircraft! I always thought that the aviators in the f14 squadrons were the coolest dudes on board! In my eyes they were the real cowboys!!! They had that swagger! All of the aviators I met were just different than your everyday black shoes! From the Airboss to our div-o, just great guys! Never once had one talk down or treat me as a "less than". Only respect and real leadership. I know they kinda hate being ships company and can't wait to get back to a squadron! But definitely a different mindset than the surface officers! " Wings of gold balls of brass Naval aviators are truly bad ass"!!!
This guy has a charisma score of 06. Now that said, its also worth pointing out that he keeps refering to the GE F110 as a turbo jet, but its not, it is in fact a full turbofan engine
d3c0y they made love to the A7 tanker, wiggled/ground a$$ into the seat cushion aka princes and the pea syndrome, stuck the landing on the boat. dunno why some kitty drivers were bolter kings. it sure wasnt the birds fault. try an A7 in the dark, in high seas, one power plant,no ab. them boys come in fast and hard in the dark.
He talked about the pucker factor, I cannot think of more stress than landing at night in bad weather and high seas with the carrier blacked out because its in a war zone. Not surprised it has the most stress.
Ok, I have one issue with this video. He pointed out the glove vanes that come out at mach one being a very important part of flight stability. The glove vanes were initially used for that purpose when the aircraft first came out but it was realized that they were not needed. In the early 1990s the glove vanes were removed from the aircraft and weights were put in to cover the weight loss. I know some people may think that I don't know what I am talking about but I will let you know that I spent 16 years as an Aviation Electrician on the F-14 Tomcat and I was actually in the last U.S. Navy F-14 squadron, I even did the last Med and West Pac cruises with VF-31 Tomcatters and of course I transited to the Super Hornet and I must say please bring the Tomcat back...lol
This must be a parted together plane. It's got the old P&W turbofans on it(at least the nozzles) which were from the F-14A but it's got the camera pod on the front which came on later models.
Wow, thank you for this lecture! So interesting. You taught me alot. Such an impressive and sexy plane, it must have been one of the highlights in your life!
That aircraft is as big as a semitrailer but just watching it fly you'd think it was a lot smaller, considering everything it can do. Aesthetically, it looks like it was designed by an impressionistic artist when it blurs by the camera.
So interesting to hear this from a veteran. Serious hardware. Makes me wonder how the f18 goes up against a TC. Likely operating costs for older airframes make it less of a contest. 165knots in 2sec! First time I’ve hear a pilot say it hurts! F35 pilots will be spoiled.
His brain is flowing non stop with knowledge. No pause, no delay it just flowed constantly. Awesome.
I would pay money to hear the rest of this guys "Sea Stories." Great video, I"m so glad I watched it.
Its crazy how good the F-14 is and how much technology it really has! That thing would still be lethal even against today's aircraft I think
Navy F-14 AWG-9 Radar Tech 1977-1981... DOD NAESU F-14 AWG-9 Radar Tech Rep 1985-1992... The Tomcat was a Great Fighter!!! Anytime BABY!!!
I was obsessed with this naval fighter aircraft when I was a kid then...for me this is the best fighter/ interceptor aircraft of its time.
My dad assembled and painted a scale model of a Tomcat when I was maybe 4 or 5 years in the 1970's and it has been my favorite aircraft of all time. I've learned so many new things in this video. Outstanding. I appreciate it.
"Any Time, Baby!" Tomcats forever.
Thanks for the great video.
Unfortunately though, I find that one of the most exhilarating chapters of the combat life of the F-14 has gone very much unnoticed. The performance of the F-14 in the 8 year-long Iran/Iraq war (1980-88) has received almost zero attention and study by the Tomcat enthusiasts and community. In that war, the F-14 went head to head in hundreds of sorties and battles against the Iraqi flown Russian MIG and the French Mirage.
There is however, a great book on that subject, titled 'IRANIAN F-14 TOMCAT IN COMBAT' (2004.) The Tomcat proved its absolute superiority over every other fighter aircraft, with some impressive numbers and facts.
The Tomcat is one more reason why America is Great.
Beautifully and professionally done. It couldn't be better than this. I loved it. Thank you sir for your service to the nation and off course your service to the audience. A brilliant effort indeed.
I could listen to this guy all day. very interesting
Nice listening to someone that speaks very clearly n fluently no ahhhhhhhh,ummmmmmmm,like, ehhhhh n so on
This man is not only a excellent pilot but also excellent teacher and storyteller... Almost hypnotic, I wanted just to see couple of seconds and on end stayed to watch entire "class" 😁
Story time with Captain Begley. Thank you sir, and thank you for your service. Good Captain still got has the gig line straight I see. Outstanding.
This was one of the best Peninsula Seniors video yet!
Mr. Grant Begley thank you for a great presentation of the F-14 enjoyed your story in respect to honor you as a veteran it's great to hear from veterans like you, and remember the things you did and now you share with your memories with others now on video, thank you for your time. When veterans share there stories on record it's stays in history, but what would be better veterans like go up flying again in the airplanes that is remembered and have the honor to back up again for a joy ride or flying to the airshow Oshkosh Wisconsin.
Excellent walk around. And I enjoyed the sea stories too.
Great video. Thanks for posting!! Love to hear actual pilots telling stories about their aircraft.
Thank for your service Mr. Begley and thanks for sharing some amazing stories.
Fantastic presentation. I love his harrowing carrier stories. Such an exciting thing to hear to showcase the intended design of the plane. I'm going to watch this again :)
Absolutely fascinating, lots of things I never knew (and never knew I didn't know). A stunning piece of human engineering and piloting skill.
Excellent.!I love the F-14 Tomcat.Brilliantly explained by a very experienced F-14 pilot.
I'm British ex Royal Navy. Hats off to my professional US Navy colleagues.
A formidable airframe . They're surprisingly large when you get to see them up close . Thanks to the many men and women that, like this gentleman, have and are keeping us safe .
Wonderful video, sir. I love the F14 and wish I had the chance to work on it. I was an engine mechanic and worked on F-15, F-16, and T-38 aircraft engines in the Air Force. Just wanted to mention that a small mistake with the engine class of the GE-F110, as they power F-16s too; The -110 is also a low bypass turbofan engine like the original TF-30, but was simply designed to be a little tougher. Someone else has probably already mentioned this, and I looked briefly in the comments but could find none, so I hope you don't mind. Thank you very much for your service and for sharing your experiences with us on this beautiful airplane.
My god, surviving an idle no hook is a miracle. One of a handful. Thank you for sharing your stories and knowledge of the F-14.
The F-14 was a childhood favorite of mine, along with the B-1. Swept wings are so cool 😎.
I could just sit there for days... hearing his stories. Good job!
Thank you, sir. Im so proud of you and all of the great men, past and present, that protect us in the sky with these amazing fighters.
That sea story was really fun to hear. Loved every second of this video.
Little did I know that after hating Top Gun in '86 and desmiss it as a wimpy girl movie I would fall in love with the F-14 all these years after. Great video. Seasons Greetings from Portugal.
Great video I learned a lot. its amazing to hear an expert.
Interesting anecdote. A "friendly" engagement (since F-14s and F-15s were on the same side during the AIMVAL/ACEVAL against rival fighters) of 2 F-14s vs 2 F-15 during the AIMVAL/ACEVAL evaluations in 1978, resulted in both F-15 being shutdown in close range gunfire by the 2 F-14s.
If those were TF-30 powered Tomcats then the outcome is even more compelling.
Yes, AIMVAL/ACEVAL was with F-14A and F-15A/B versions. Both with P&W engines. Not only did the F-14 outperform the F-15 in dogfights, it had a better kill ratio against the F-5E with a 2.55:1 compared to 1.79:1 for the F-15A/B
Awesome video and explanations about various F-14 systems and technologies.
The most beautiful,the most feared interceptor aircraft ever.
Amazing plane, and amazing pilot. I bet he has more great stories to share.
Never mentioned his RIO once in the story regarding the detected missile. But that's who would have been helping him track it.
this is one top quality piece of posting, CAN NOT thank the Peninsula Seniors enough for this video as well as the pilots candid professionalism and integrity, thumbs up and subscribed from Jacksonville, Florida. Thanks Again!
Thank you for your service Grant. I don't quite know how Peninsula Seniors Videos got into my feed but I do enjoy them. Informative! Thank you.
That sea story of the night landing was fantastic! I love these videos.
its sad that the US navy took the F14 Tomcat out of Service....the Tomcat is the Most beautiful looking Fighter aircraft....
yes but no reason they could not have done a new production of a hundred or more F-14's with all new parts. The F-18 can not do what the F-14 excelled at nor can the F-35.
@Gareth Fairclough F-14A were mostly retired by the early 2000s. The F-14D was heavily updated in the 90s with full glass avionics and the GE-110 engines. They came out in 1996. It was killed by Hornet mafia lobbyists who had Dick Cheney in their pocket. All of the airframes Navy fought tooth and nail to keep in service had less than 10 years of use on them. They wanted to keep the 55 F-14D and have another 60 new one's built. but Dick Cheney would not give what Navy wanted. Navy fought tooth and nail. They were actually NEWER than most Super Hornets that were from 1987. If F-15 and F-16 are still flying, there is no reason why F-14 could not be flying. F-18 itself is 42 year old airframe.
No Naval aviator would ever tell you the F-18 could match the F-14 in ANYTHING other than very slow speed, high alpha authority. It was never a replacement for the F-14 and never wil be because it was developed as a multi role with high drag airframe. F-14 was developed in the cold war to win the war at all costs. To take the fight to the MIGs and win at all costs.
F-14 was much superior to the F-18 and F-18 Super Hornet in terms of air-to-air capabilities.F-18 had a better roll rate, but F-18 bled energy like a stuck pig. F-14 could roll unloaded even if it rolled slower. F-14 was much faster, accelerated much harder for turn and burn maneuvering and vertical fights, more aerodynamic with lift/drag ratio advantage for high mach speeds, could sustain energy through series of turns much better and had longer range, more payload, could carry much more fuel which means it could stay in full power much longer in a dogfight adding energy in the vertical.
As in the words of an F-18/F-14 pilot, "give me an F-14 and a mission, I will run F-18s down all day". That was from an F-18 pilot himself.
@@Littlewing1977 Agreed. As I can name a list of just about every Naval aviator who flew both these planes they would all tell you F-14 was superior in ALL respects except at slow speed with a very high nose AoA maneuvering because the F-18 had no AoA restrictor and also had computers to control the airspeed/knots.
Sven Wollenberg: “F-14 Tom Cat still doing yomen’s duty in the Iranian 🇮🇷 airforce - careful AmeriKKKa!!!”
@@davidsalcido383 Yeah but it's the F-14A with the craptacular TF-30 engines.
Really enjoyed that, thank you for sharing some of you're stories.
5:15 The most badass gorgeous fighter ever made. Grumman has some legacy.
Thank you for your service .
This is awesome! I love all airplanes, both civil and military. The Tomcat though was always a special airplane to me. She's so big and intimidating and sexy. Don't make 'em like that anymore. Worthy successor to the legendary Phantom.
Awesome presentation. Thank you. F14 is one of my favorite jets.
Great dude! Could listen to him all day. Hopefully he will get to DCS sometime ;)
Real f14 pilot with real story's very interesting, educational.
Sincerely hope US recovers all of the f14 tomcats residing in Iran
ASAP !
Huge thanks for this incredible and ongoing series of talks!
But HEY... What's this GORGEOUS music at the beginning and the end of every show?
Greetings from Germany!
Excellent, albeit basic, walkaround and talkaround of the capabilities of the F-14
That’s my favourite F-14 squadron the VF-2 Bounty Hunters witch is now VFA-2 with the F-18.
The painting of VF 1 wolfpack and VF 84 looks great too.... Love this eighties decade paintings they say to the anemy you are going to die, and I have no reason to hide from you. 👍🐈.
Great memories of F14s taxing & taking off from Oceana in Va Beach VA 😢
All these great videos are the reason I will visit the museum when I'm in L.A. next year! :)
You couldn't do it better I wish you could go through everything and every part of the air craft thanks for it
Awesome tell. Well done sir... especially the story of the rookie pilot..
What a great video and I love the stories. Good history lesson on the F-14. Tommy Cruz needs to be the wingman for this guy!
Mr pilot why u never mention of Iranian great pilots for some of them with over 5000 hours on f14 ?
I was told something many years ago by a psychiatrist. US navy and airforce and marine fighter pilots are a special breed of men who have 3 traits in common. 1 they are highly intelligent. 2 they are exceptional at what they do. 3 last but not least they are border line lunatics. You have to be to strap a jet engine on your ass and violate laws of physics daily. Much respect for those guys and gals.
Don't know why he called the GE-110 a turbojet. It's a turbofan.
I enjoyed every bit of this video.
Thanks, Grant Begley!--you're pleasant, knowledgeable, and interesting.
Joined the Navy became an ABH3 V1 Div crash and smash! all ABs have an affinity for the Tomcats! Big spooky beautiful aircraft! I always thought that the aviators in the f14 squadrons were the coolest dudes on board! In my eyes they were the real cowboys!!! They had that swagger! All of the aviators I met were just different than your everyday black shoes! From the Airboss to our div-o, just great guys! Never once had one talk down or treat me as a "less than". Only respect and real leadership. I know they kinda hate being ships company and can't wait to get back to a squadron! But definitely a different mindset than the surface officers! " Wings of gold balls of brass Naval aviators are truly bad ass"!!!
Think he meant to say AWG-9 upgraded to the APG-71 radar. Also he referred to the GE110 as a turbojet. I'm sure he meant to say Turbofan engine.
Great narrator.. very good explaining and very thorough .. i didnt miss anything good job!!!!
Just AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great video, thank you for sharing.
This guy has a charisma score of 06. Now that said, its also worth pointing out that he keeps refering to the GE F110 as a turbo jet, but its not, it is in fact a full turbofan engine
Clear and concise brief like Navy do so well
gotta love the rear oblique view of the F-14, it's the sweetest of any fighter - the curves and geometry are just so smooth and strong - see 8:50
no the best view is from the front when its airborne, the way the jet intakes and the wing curve down is just beautiful
Am I the only one wondering what happened after that last go-around? Didn't you only have fuel left for one more approach?? Don't leave me hanging!!!
d3c0y they made love to the A7 tanker, wiggled/ground a$$ into the seat cushion aka princes and the pea syndrome, stuck the landing on the boat. dunno why some kitty drivers were bolter kings. it sure wasnt the birds fault. try an A7 in the dark, in high seas, one power plant,no ab. them boys come in fast and hard in the dark.
d3c0y in U.S America, aircraft carrier swam faster to catch the rooster tail of F14 to bring him back home.
I was suprized how big the F14 was when I first seen one. Big plane.
Loved your tailhook story - You tell it very well :)
Grant this is Steve from G-F. Wonderful video. I hope you are doing well. Great presentation. It sounds like you are ready to go again..
Great Narration Sir, better than what i would say that its like Flying a heavy Garbage truck! USN Captain, Retired
Great presentation, hung on every word. Well done
The GE F110 engine is, in fact, a turbofan engine, vice turbojet. Just a lot better turbofan than the P&W TF30.
Yeah i was thinking the same thing. Perhaps theyre a lower bypass than the tf30s, but still fans
He talked about the pucker factor, I cannot think of more stress than landing at night in bad weather and high seas with the carrier blacked out because its in a war zone. Not surprised it has the most stress.
This is interesting... If this technology was what these pilots received in those days, the technology in today's fighters got to be mind blowing...
OMG! I want this guy to read me bed time stories.lol.great video.
The f14B had F110 GE engines. Those are turbofans right? I think he said turbojet.
Yeah the TF30 and GE 110 are both turbofans.
No turbofan engines is what's on commercial aircraft turbojet is what's in fighters
You can tell this guy spent time instructing
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Whaww!! what a good pilot&presentation! I really ♥the F14!!! where can we see this VF2 F14 201?
Ok, I have one issue with this video. He pointed out the glove vanes that come out at mach one being a very important part of flight stability. The glove vanes were initially used for that purpose when the aircraft first came out but it was realized that they were not needed. In the early 1990s the glove vanes were removed from the aircraft and weights were put in to cover the weight loss. I know some people may think that I don't know what I am talking about but I will let you know that I spent 16 years as an Aviation Electrician on the F-14 Tomcat and I was actually in the last U.S. Navy F-14 squadron, I even did the last Med and West Pac cruises with VF-31 Tomcatters and of course I transited to the Super Hornet and I must say please bring the Tomcat back...lol
what a humble wonderful man
excellent insight
Great video and lecture...interesting.
Such a magnificent bird!
He hasn't discussed the Iran - Iraq war. The f14 had many kills, and like he said, would clear the airspace when the opponent knew it was there.
Loved it.
The “sea story” wow!!!
F 14 is the sexiest , handsomest aircraft fighter in the whole world!
No can
Grate vid, and what a plane!
The best fighter jet ever made!
This must be a parted together plane. It's got the old P&W turbofans on it(at least the nozzles) which were from the F-14A but it's got the camera pod on the front which came on later models.
Superb Ret. Cpt.
Thank you for your service to our Nation.
Wow, thank you for this lecture! So interesting. You taught me alot. Such an impressive and sexy plane, it must have been one of the highlights in your life!
This man is a champion.
That aircraft is as big as a semitrailer but just watching it fly you'd think it was a lot smaller, considering everything it can do.
Aesthetically, it looks like it was designed by an impressionistic artist when it blurs by the camera.
wow u did a superb job
So interesting to hear this from a veteran. Serious hardware. Makes me wonder how the f18 goes up against a TC. Likely operating costs for older airframes make it less of a contest. 165knots in 2sec! First time I’ve hear a pilot say it hurts! F35 pilots will be spoiled.
tons of experience
#Outstanding