As a F-14A pilot from the late '70s era, really enjoyed watching this video and especially hearing about the capabilities of the D model. I was able to watch this interview in its entirety, unlike some other former Tomcat driver interviews where the focus was much more on them and their "golden" arms and not the jet. I especially share his concern about today's young carrier pilots potentially losing the perishable skill of basic stick and rudder traps, especially at night and becoming dependent on HUDS/Magic Carpet etc... No more Greenie Boards in the ready room?! That was a shocker. It is the same safety concern in the airline world. A few years before I retired, I in good fun challenged some of the young FOs to turn off the magic and fly visual approaches and hand flown ILSs that required a few turns on the procedure before turning on final (HKG eg.). The display of incompetence was frightening. Steve, you ask very informed and insightful questions. You obviously do the 7 "Ps" before an interview. Thank you.
I’m a bit slow catching up on this interview but what a treat! Puck was a great guest in that he was really articulate, engaging and open about the F-14. I was surprised to hear the detail about the AIM-54 Phoenix but I guess time has moved on and so the facts are no longer sensitive. It was also interesting to hear how the best pilots got the best out of the jet (pulling CBs & over stressing/speeding the wings) and to compare that with how we flew the Tornado GR1/4, another v.g. aircraft. I once asked my boss if I could use MID flap in BFM but it was given the 👎 for fatigue management reasons. My opinion ref continuing to train without technology like “Magic Carpet” (for what it’s worth) is: continue to train in the degraded mode or without the tech if a) the system is unreliable enough that it might plausibly fail often enough or b) if enemy action could deny you its use. There is often increased risk associated with degraded modes and there comes a point where this outweighs any benefit due to the low frequency of failures and their consequences.
I am so grateful for these now retired pilots (particularly the F14 ones) as this was my favorite bird. My time in the Corps 84-88 I was stationed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk CV 63, 85-87 and I caught flight ops as often as I could. These guys now giving us a glimpse of life piloting that awesome machine is a dream come true for me. To them all, THANK YOU!
I've only listened to the IRST chapter so far. What an incredible sensor. Could track a tanker, and the chicks in tow, from 190 NM, and provide both a TWS style display, as well as an image mode that was capable of zooming enough to clearly see them at that range, and all with passive tracking. 🤯 Can't wait to watch the rest of this.
i was glued in front of the screen for 2 hours straight. another wonderful episode. getting to listen real life folks and seeing em in person as they are telling their stories is second to none. thanks a ton Steve and Puck!
Awesome interview. I was fortunate to be at NAS Oceana for the arrival of VF-31 and VF-213, along with some of the other squadrons from CVW-8, when they came back from deployment in 2006. Great memory, and I was blessed to be present for that part of aviation history.
Another cracking production Steve. Your own eloquence is back on show after the last emission, ( where you couldn't get a word in edgeways with those F15E buddies in full flow). Your guest this time was very easy to listen to and I had to watch it all in one go. Thanks to both of you. Great entertainment for us Tomcat junkies.
Very interesting discussion of technology. The “Magic Carpet” reliance sounds like we’re getting into some Airline type Human Factors of just not being able to hand fly the plane. Like you say, becoming a piloted drone (for better or worse). Just finished listening to it, and about to replay it as usual with your interviews! 🍻
F**K YES STEVE! That worked out better than I could have hoped! It helps that Puck is a legend for sure but your interview style means we get to hear the good stuff. Obviously a massive thanks to him for his time and yours as always. Too many good quotes but people having to do Math in a Super Hornet?!?! 😂 The Sonic Fighter! Marines taking FAC A Seriously?!?!! My only wish is you could have kept him talking for longer! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Last Tomcat CO is a nice addition to an already stellar back catalogue. Thank you. Again.
Thanks, Ian. With so many F-14 aficionados around, my main concern was that I wouldn't be able to deliver something to keep them happy. Looks like I just about managed to!
truly outstanding - the best podcast I have ever heard on the F-14. Finally some in depth details on the AIM-54 too. great work - blows away all others...
Steve, This is just stunning as always. I am so happy that you have ventured into US Navy jets. More tomcat stuff ;) or intruder stuff! Keep up the hard work!
@@10percenttrue You didn't sound out of your depth at all. You ask very searching questions. As Puck said, you make great points Steve. Keep up the good work.
Love the channel and this was probably the best interview with a Tomcat pilot I've ever seen. Some constructive criticism though... your one on one interviews are infinitely better than those where you have multiple guests. Would have loved it if your F-4G and EF-111 interviews were one on one because it means your guests get the chance to really go into detail without competing with one another. Really looking forwards to future content. Finally, there's practically no in-depth interviews on TH-cam with former North Vietnamese fighter pilots. Obviously not an easy task to accomplish, just throwing it out there!
Thanks, Loc. The solo vs. group format is an interesting one. On balance, I think that the one-on-ones are more enjoyable for me because I am more active in the discussion, but some of the group discussions have led to stories being told that would not have happened had others not prompted the discussion.
Hey Steve, been off-grid in the midst of a relocation and now catching up on missed episodes. Am only a third through this one and, already IMHO, it’s one of your best yet; an exchange that reveals insights like turning off aircon and popping circuit breakers as part of prep for a visual fight in an F-14A epitomises what’s unique about your channel and your choice of guests like Puck. Terrific stuff and thanks!
Great interview! The details he provided on the different versions of the Tomcat and their capabilities were truly insightful. The stories and short anecdotes were fun to listen to as well. Great work
Steve, incredibly awesome channel and this was my favorite interview. Very professional asking the question and letting Puck answer and add some additional input WITHOUT any interruption was spot on. I was initially solely hooked on Air Combat Experience with CRUNCH and BIO but now your channel is another absolute favorite. I'm hoping I'll to find a F/A18-G GROWLER interview in your inventory. Again, very professional content and keep up the good work.
Excellent Interview! I mainly fly the F-14B virtually in DCS (wish I had a D, heh). Always great to hear the ins and outs from great Tomcat crews. Keep up the great work!😁
Steve - i think it would be great to see some interviews talking about the intense maintenance hours (and why) for various aircraft. Its always said the F-14 was terrible in that regard, but I'd like to hear shy.
Great interview Steve. I’m a fan of the F-14 and it’s sad to see it go at the top of its game. Not the only time politics gets involved to minimise all the potential like that. I remember seeing the RAAF retirement of the F-111 where they had to be destroyed and buried. Another sad end for great service.
Classic. What a great episode, so much insight, thank you Puch and thank you Steve for your intelligent questions E.g UAPs, IRST etc. the only other question I can think of would be to expand on how the integration of female aircrew worked out. Magic carpet sounds like Tesla Autopilot! Cheers
I just discovered this channel. It is amazing. Thanks a lot for your efforts. It is a huge job. I already shared the link with my fellow military aviation enthusaist friends.
I love this channel! Always been fascinated in aviation & military aviation ever since I was a young teen (70yo now), aviation electronic warfare in particular, even going back to WW2, so some of these interviews are right up my alley. Got my private pilot's license ten years ago, the most fun you can have with your pants on! I hope you have more interviews with US Navy/Marine aviators because they represent a whole different aspect of military aviation. I'm often impressed how you manage to anticipate the questions that pop into my head as you are doing the interviews. My only "complaint" is I wish you would adjust the gain or whatever on your microphone because I have trouble unerstanding you - your intro always sounds like "Century Two", LOL. But whatever. Great work!
To Puck Howe - this is 4 U - I made it to Annapolis in 83 - grew up Grumman and wanted to fly Cats myself - I’m from and still am a Long Islander - my father was so proud when I showed him my acceptance letter but he said tell mom - Regan was Prez then so mom freaked - begged me not to go so (now I regret it as I’d be flying commercial) anyway a novel: Jimmy Carter almost killed the Cat & simultaneously put Grumman outta business during the 70’s - When Regan became Prez Grumman saw this as an opportunity to increase not only Tomcat production but production overall - Grumman came up with a great idea - in conjunction with Hollywood the created the movie: The Final Countdown - as kids many were inspired to wanna be pilots but Grumman gave a private showing to Regan in the White House - Regan fell in love with Grumman so Grumman was now given an audience for their product - A young Dick Cheney - Grumman had sent a rep to meet with Cheney in DC -however upon a short time the Grumman determined that Cheney knew absolutely nothing about defense aircraft and relayed that back to Bethpage - Grumman immediately asked for a rep with an aircraft background - Cheney took that personally - I’m going to fast forward to When Cheney became VP for the U.S. almost Immediately he called into Grumman and asked for an apology for what happened prior - Leroy Grumman had stepped down at that time due to health concerns - A George Skurla was now running Grumman - My father now comes into the picture - My father was hired in 65 as an accountant - in 67 his coworkers had passed on to Leroy that my father (A USAF Pilot and mechanic) was one of those few talented people who could make a working table out of dog shit (and a great model builder) so he was asked to go to engineering school- he finished a 4 year engineering degree in 2 - his reward around fall of 69 working on the Tom Airframe - so now my father meets with a group of engineers and other administrators from Grumman who decide to tell Cheney (Pound Sand) why are we apologizing to you as we make the best aircraft in the country - with that Cheney puts Grumman out of business during his time by convincing the defense department that Grumman Products (all) so Cats now became obsolete piles of shit that cost too much - hard to maintain and are no longer needed - My father was working on the A6-F and the Cat-21 Simultaneously and By the early 90’s bout 93/94 Grumman was no long allowed on Carriers - there was no longer a need for bombers as they 2 were deemed to costly. At this point Northrop had pushed the F-18 - a plane that neither the Navy or USAF wanted but Cheney and a team from Northrop came up with supposed cost cutting measures to turn the 18 into your now FA-18 or Super Hornet - once that was established it was only a matter of time when Grumman was taken over (they had asked Boeing for a favor as Grumman had done them one in the early 80’s - Grumman had asked Boeing to take over till Cheney was out but Cheney stopped the buy out - and allowed Northrop to dismantle Grumman in a hostile takeover basically shit canning 32k Long Islanders - my father included - Most Grumman families had no jobs once there were fired so that devestated Long Island and Cheney was happy - his daughter Liz is going to get what she deserves this November (shit canned herself) by We The People as she is no better and we are now left with a bug that really can’t drop bombs well especially when compared to the intruder and compare the bug to what the Tomcat21 would of been - I’ll take the Cat “baby” so Puck there is your history lesson - pass that on to other Catters like yourself..
Thanks again Steve. I would love you to connect with someone who flew Cf-100 either in Canadian Air Force or Belgium air forces. But I am sure you never get any “ you should use this” requests. Love your channel Dave
Big point brought up about the Phoenix missile range. I assume that the ability of the missile to reach out 80+ miles would have still worked against bomber size aircraft.
Amazing interview only one that’s So clearly identifies variants of tomcat. RIP Grumman. Thank you for burning best contractor ever Dick Cheney. As last TomcatCO. Is this guy Jockoslost brother. Bravo Zulu interview
As an enthousiast in the 80ies and 90ies I honestly found the Tomcat to be the absolute sh*t! Yet, hearing from Puck (a fantastic guest by the way!) what stuff they did not have (AMRAAM, and the did have a Phoenix missile that in reality wasn’t as good as us from the outside thought) it only dents my view a hair. And, I think he’s right, in some modes having a GIB is most certainly a great advantage!
Every so often I’m fortunate that TH-cam will send me some old and some new vids on TomCats - I find though extremely small - few Grumman families will comment on the Cats - I will often hear most miss the cat but many were told the following: Maintenance took the Cat out or Costs took the Cat out or Obsolescence - I say your incorrect - Dick Cheney took Grumman out and I’d love a Vid to explain why instead of my commenting as to Why - A bomber should be a bomber which is what the Intruder was desig NBC rd for - The E-2 was there to find you far out and tell the carrier so the cat would blow u out of the sky - Cheney fucked that all up real good and put a bug on a Carrier that basically sucks because it’s not an intruder - it’s not a cat and Northrop took the guts outta EA-6b and put it into a Growler -I’d like to see our pilots and defense personnel ask for a new Grumman myself - Imagine if we had the Tomcat21 - The proud son of a Grumman Airframe Engineer (recently deceased) my father worked on the 14/21 the Intruder and the E-2
Puck - just thought of this 4 u as well - you should read a book by George Skurla called: Iron Works - believe it’s on Amazon- most of what I wrote is on there though written differently/historically - however- George had passed b4 he could finish so it was co written with another Author who left Cheney out so the public is left thinking Obsolescence/cost overruns/ maintenance is what doomed Grumman - again that was Cheney with way too much power - see how his daughter makes shit up now - runs in the family - hopefully she gets hers 2 - Al
Great interview . Struck me towards the end how in the USA we can create an environment/system where over many years a rock solid competent leader like Puck is created then I thought of our shit political leaders ... wtf I guess when you take character and morality out of the requirements that's what you get .
I find it funny how he starts every video with “no ads here” when every video has ads, some have one every 5 minutes. I wonder why he changed his mind.
Please let me know which ones have them "every five minutes" - that should not be happening and I have manually reviewed all episodes this morning to make sure it doesn't happen again. I have added adverts at the start because the algo is more likely to recommend content that is monetised. Of course, I can't go back and edit the intros to the old videos, so the "no advertising" refrain remains. What is still true is that I don't make any money from the channel: it costs me more to run than the revenue that comes in.
@@10percenttrue It was your tomcat sunset interview with Puck Howe that was playing an advert every 5 minutes. I watch them on a mobile phone (or listen to them rather) in case that matters. Also when did you change the monetization? I only started getting recommended your channel in the last month or so, so I am wondering if it is because of the monetization and algorithm interaction that you mention.
Many thanks for the heads up. I saw that and was aghast. It is now set to one advert in the middle of the episode. I turned on the monetisation about three months ago. Since then, I have seen an increase in views and subscribers, but I cannot be sure whether that's because of the algo or because of the content. Frankly, it's all a bit of a mystery to me.
About the sh*tty Fulcrum IRST, a friend of mine got beat you as he could lock up the Moon with it, that's about 300,000 km :D Fulcrum says 600 meters though XD I wonder if the F-14D IRST had a laser range finder in it??
As a F-14A pilot from the late '70s era, really enjoyed watching this video and especially hearing about the capabilities of the D model. I was able to watch this interview in its entirety, unlike some other former Tomcat driver interviews where the focus was much more on them and their "golden" arms and not the jet. I especially share his concern about today's young carrier pilots potentially losing the perishable skill of basic stick and rudder traps, especially at night and becoming dependent on HUDS/Magic Carpet etc... No more Greenie Boards in the ready room?! That was a shocker. It is the same safety concern in the airline world. A few years before I retired, I in good fun challenged some of the young FOs to turn off the magic and fly visual approaches and hand flown ILSs that required a few turns on the procedure before turning on final (HKG eg.). The display of incompetence was frightening.
Steve, you ask very informed and insightful questions. You obviously do the 7 "Ps" before an interview. Thank you.
I've learned alot more about how the F-14 was vs any other Tomcat video. This guy talked about stuff the others dont mention.
190 mile track with the IRST… What a phenomenal platform. Puck was a fantastic guest! Thank you for this interview!
Our pleasure!
I’m a bit slow catching up on this interview but what a treat! Puck was a great guest in that he was really articulate, engaging and open about the F-14. I was surprised to hear the detail about the AIM-54 Phoenix but I guess time has moved on and so the facts are no longer sensitive. It was also interesting to hear how the best pilots got the best out of the jet (pulling CBs & over stressing/speeding the wings) and to compare that with how we flew the Tornado GR1/4, another v.g. aircraft. I once asked my boss if I could use MID flap in BFM but it was given the 👎 for fatigue management reasons. My opinion ref continuing to train without technology like “Magic Carpet” (for what it’s worth) is: continue to train in the degraded mode or without the tech if a) the system is unreliable enough that it might plausibly fail often enough or b) if enemy action could deny you its use. There is often increased risk associated with degraded modes and there comes a point where this outweighs any benefit due to the low frequency of failures and their consequences.
I am so grateful for these now retired pilots (particularly the F14 ones) as this was my favorite bird. My time in the Corps 84-88 I was stationed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk CV 63, 85-87 and I caught flight ops as often as I could. These guys now giving us a glimpse of life piloting that awesome machine is a dream come true for me. To them all, THANK YOU!
Puck what a legend! please bring him back on I’m certain he has lots more to tell specially about his deployments
I've only listened to the IRST chapter so far. What an incredible sensor. Could track a tanker, and the chicks in tow, from 190 NM, and provide both a TWS style display, as well as an image mode that was capable of zooming enough to clearly see them at that range, and all with passive tracking. 🤯 Can't wait to watch the rest of this.
Paco, Raven dudes, Starbaby and weasel dudes, F-15E dudes and puck are going to move this channel up. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Max
i was glued in front of the screen for 2 hours straight. another wonderful episode. getting to listen real life folks and seeing em in person as they are telling their stories is second to none.
thanks a ton Steve and Puck!
Brilliant feedback. Thanks!
Served for Puck on the Final Tomcat Cruise. Damn great American.
A superb interview. And the best of any Tomcat aviator out there. Thank you both!
Best channel on TH-cam!
Thank you!
Really good interview. Love all the detail about the various models from his perspective.
Cracking episode.
Dude is like exact pilot version of JOKO and he has not yet even begun to fight.
lol exactly
Awesome interview. I was fortunate to be at NAS Oceana for the arrival of VF-31 and VF-213, along with some of the other squadrons from CVW-8, when they came back from deployment in 2006. Great memory, and I was blessed to be present for that part of aviation history.
Another cracking production Steve. Your own eloquence is back on show after the last emission, ( where you couldn't get a word in edgeways with those F15E buddies in full flow). Your guest this time was very easy to listen to and I had to watch it all in one go. Thanks to both of you. Great entertainment for us Tomcat junkies.
Thanks, Ian. It was great to be an active participant in the conversation once again ;)
Very interesting discussion of technology. The “Magic Carpet” reliance sounds like we’re getting into some Airline type Human Factors of just not being able to hand fly the plane. Like you say, becoming a piloted drone (for better or worse).
Just finished listening to it, and about to replay it as usual with your interviews!
🍻
Thanks, Robert.
I have to say this was awesome to listen too, bravo.
Thanks for listening, Patrick.
F**K YES STEVE!
That worked out better than I could have hoped!
It helps that Puck is a legend for sure but your interview style means we get to hear the good stuff.
Obviously a massive thanks to him for his time and yours as always.
Too many good quotes but people having to do Math in a Super Hornet?!?! 😂
The Sonic Fighter!
Marines taking FAC A Seriously?!?!!
My only wish is you could have kept him talking for longer! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Last Tomcat CO is a nice addition to an already stellar back catalogue.
Thank you. Again.
Thanks, Jim! Puck told me I could have as much time as I wanted, and I sensed that he meant it. Sadly, the time limitation was at my end. Boo!
Part 2 when then?!?
Try hell yes.....wrong site for the f word
one of the best interviews I watched here , amazing !
Really interesting interview, I get it's his whole career, but it sure makes an entertaining Saturday morning. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, Stuart.
I'm 20 minutes in. This is so fascinating. The more technical the info the better and this delivers!
Fantastic interview. Great to learn something new about the Tomcat & Hornet
Thanks, Ian. With so many F-14 aficionados around, my main concern was that I wouldn't be able to deliver something to keep them happy. Looks like I just about managed to!
Great interview. I miss the F-14 😢
truly outstanding - the best podcast I have ever heard on the F-14. Finally some in depth details on the AIM-54 too. great work - blows away all others...
Such a relief to read these comments, George. Many thanks.
Fascinating interview. I appreciate the fact you make these accessible while still diving deep into the details.
WOW, this was one of the best interview ever
Thanks, Mani
Steve, This is just stunning as always. I am so happy that you have ventured into US Navy jets. More tomcat stuff ;) or intruder stuff! Keep up the hard work!
Thanks, Carl. It was a great experience talking to Puck and being way out of my depth!
@@10percenttrue You didn't sound out of your depth at all. You ask very searching questions. As Puck said, you make great points Steve. Keep up the good work.
Awesome interview - Puck is a wealth of info and it was great hearing his story!
Love the channel and this was probably the best interview with a Tomcat pilot I've ever seen. Some constructive criticism though... your one on one interviews are infinitely better than those where you have multiple guests. Would have loved it if your F-4G and EF-111 interviews were one on one because it means your guests get the chance to really go into detail without competing with one another. Really looking forwards to future content. Finally, there's practically no in-depth interviews on TH-cam with former North Vietnamese fighter pilots. Obviously not an easy task to accomplish, just throwing it out there!
Thanks, Loc. The solo vs. group format is an interesting one. On balance, I think that the one-on-ones are more enjoyable for me because I am more active in the discussion, but some of the group discussions have led to stories being told that would not have happened had others not prompted the discussion.
Hey Steve, been off-grid in the midst of a relocation and now catching up on missed episodes. Am only a third through this one and, already IMHO, it’s one of your best yet; an exchange that reveals insights like turning off aircon and popping circuit breakers as part of prep for a visual fight in an F-14A epitomises what’s unique about your channel and your choice of guests like Puck. Terrific stuff and thanks!
Welcome back!
This was an insightful interview! Puck is a wealth of knowledge and your questions were spot, on! I would like to hear some war stories from him!
Great interview! The details he provided on the different versions of the Tomcat and their capabilities were truly insightful. The stories and short anecdotes were fun to listen to as well. Great work
Thank you! Puck did a great job of explaining so many different things in this chat.
Steve, incredibly awesome channel and this was my favorite interview. Very professional asking the question and letting Puck answer and add some additional input WITHOUT any interruption was spot on. I was initially solely hooked on Air Combat Experience with CRUNCH and BIO but now your channel is another absolute favorite. I'm hoping I'll to find a F/A18-G GROWLER interview in your inventory. Again, very professional content and keep up the good work.
Many thanks!
Excellent Interview! I mainly fly the F-14B virtually in DCS (wish I had a D, heh). Always great to hear the ins and outs from great Tomcat crews. Keep up the great work!😁
Thank you :)
Steve - i think it would be great to see some interviews talking about the intense maintenance hours (and why) for various aircraft. Its always said the F-14 was terrible in that regard, but I'd like to hear shy.
Another great interview Steve.
This channel is so good, the quality of the interviews are second to none.
Good luck with growing the channel.
Much appreciated!
Excellent interview as always Steve!
Thanks for your support, Vik.
These are so interesting interviews. Thank you!
Great episode! Finally some Tomcat love! 😀
Great interview Steve. I’m a fan of the F-14 and it’s sad to see it go at the top of its game. Not the only time politics gets involved to minimise all the potential like that.
I remember seeing the RAAF retirement of the F-111 where they had to be destroyed and buried. Another sad end for great service.
Must have been tough to watch them bury those 1-11s.
F14 was getting way too expensive to fly… needed to be updated
@@bobbertee5945 thats why we needed the super tomcat 21 platform.
Classic. What a great episode, so much insight, thank you Puch and thank you Steve for your intelligent questions E.g UAPs, IRST etc. the only other question I can think of would be to expand on how the integration of female aircrew worked out. Magic carpet sounds like Tesla Autopilot! Cheers
Very interesting interview!
Great interview. Every minute was interesting. Superb channel. I wish you all the best.
Thanks very much.
This was an awesome episode!
I just discovered this channel. It is amazing. Thanks a lot for your efforts. It is a huge job. I already shared the link with my fellow military aviation enthusaist friends.
Thank you for tuning in :)
Loved it!! Great interview!!👍
Thanks so much!
I love this channel! Always been fascinated in aviation & military aviation ever since I was a young teen (70yo now), aviation electronic warfare in particular, even going back to WW2, so some of these interviews are right up my alley. Got my private pilot's license ten years ago, the most fun you can have with your pants on! I hope you have more interviews with US Navy/Marine aviators because they represent a whole different aspect of military aviation. I'm often impressed how you manage to anticipate the questions that pop into my head as you are doing the interviews. My only "complaint" is I wish you would adjust the gain or whatever on your microphone because I have trouble unerstanding you - your intro always sounds like "Century Two", LOL. But whatever. Great work!
I love how You go about Your channel. I'm in.
Thank you. Glad to have you on the journey with me!
To Puck Howe - this is 4 U - I made it to Annapolis in 83 - grew up Grumman and wanted to fly Cats myself - I’m from and still am a Long Islander - my father was so proud when I showed him my acceptance letter but he said tell mom - Regan was Prez then so mom freaked - begged me not to go so (now I regret it as I’d be flying commercial) anyway a novel: Jimmy Carter almost killed the Cat & simultaneously put Grumman outta business during the 70’s - When Regan became Prez Grumman saw this as an opportunity to increase not only Tomcat production but production overall - Grumman came up with a great idea - in conjunction with Hollywood the created the movie: The Final Countdown - as kids many were inspired to wanna be pilots but Grumman gave a private showing to Regan in the White House - Regan fell in love with Grumman so Grumman was now given an audience for their product - A young Dick Cheney - Grumman had sent a rep to meet with Cheney in DC -however upon a short time the Grumman determined that Cheney knew absolutely nothing about defense aircraft and relayed that back to Bethpage - Grumman immediately asked for a rep with an aircraft background - Cheney took that personally - I’m going to fast forward to When Cheney became VP for the U.S. almost Immediately he called into Grumman and asked for an apology for what happened prior - Leroy Grumman had stepped down at that time due to health concerns - A George Skurla was now running Grumman - My father now comes into the picture - My father was hired in 65 as an accountant - in 67 his coworkers had passed on to Leroy that my father (A USAF Pilot and mechanic) was one of those few talented people who could make a working table out of dog shit (and a great model builder) so he was asked to go to engineering school- he finished a 4 year engineering degree in 2 - his reward around fall of 69 working on the Tom Airframe - so now my father meets with a group of engineers and other administrators from Grumman who decide to tell Cheney (Pound Sand) why are we apologizing to you as we make the best aircraft in the country - with that Cheney puts Grumman out of business during his time by convincing the defense department that Grumman Products (all) so Cats now became obsolete piles of shit that cost too much - hard to maintain and are no longer needed - My father was working on the A6-F and the Cat-21 Simultaneously and By the early 90’s bout 93/94 Grumman was no long allowed on Carriers - there was no longer a need for bombers as they 2 were deemed to costly. At this point Northrop had pushed the F-18 - a plane that neither the Navy or USAF wanted but Cheney and a team from Northrop came up with supposed cost cutting measures to turn the 18 into your now FA-18 or Super Hornet - once that was established it was only a matter of time when Grumman was taken over (they had asked Boeing for a favor as Grumman had done them one in the early 80’s - Grumman had asked Boeing to take over till Cheney was out but Cheney stopped the buy out - and allowed Northrop to dismantle Grumman in a hostile takeover basically shit canning 32k Long Islanders - my father included - Most Grumman families had no jobs once there were fired so that devestated Long Island and Cheney was happy - his daughter Liz is going to get what she deserves this November (shit canned herself) by We The People as she is no better and we are now left with a bug that really can’t drop bombs well especially when compared to the intruder and compare the bug to what the Tomcat21 would of been - I’ll take the Cat “baby” so Puck there is your history lesson - pass that on to other Catters like yourself..
This dude is like a Chris Farley and Jocko hybrid…
The TF30 had LOTS of compressor stall problems.in the F111, it was notorious for it.
Thanks again Steve. I would love you to connect with someone who flew Cf-100 either in Canadian Air Force or Belgium air forces. But I am sure you never get any “ you should use this” requests.
Love your channel
Dave
Thanks, Dave. Always keen to branch out to other air arms and services, but just need some intros! You know any CF-100 drivers?
@@10percenttrue unfortunately no I don’t but if I ever hear of one I will let you know.
PS - I misspelled designed - my apologies - I was up late when I wrote this and I don’t want to rewrite it all over
And thank you Steve!! Awesome interview! Subbed!
Thanks for the sub!
10 percent Tomcats!
Played ice hockey for 10 years when I was younger I'm 38 had a full ride college scholarship but addiction got a hold of me sober now multiple years
Big point brought up about the Phoenix missile range. I assume that the ability of the missile to reach out 80+ miles would have still worked against bomber size aircraft.
So much enjoy this to that geordie
Amazing interview only one that’s
So clearly identifies variants of tomcat. RIP Grumman. Thank you for burning best contractor ever Dick Cheney. As last TomcatCO. Is this guy Jockoslost brother. Bravo Zulu interview
Thanks, William.
Thank you !
hope you bring him back...
Might have to!
THE APG-71 was a 80's upgrade of the AWG 9 not based on the strike eagle. It does incorporates the same technology and modules as the APG-70 though.
As an enthousiast in the 80ies and 90ies I honestly found the Tomcat to be the absolute sh*t! Yet, hearing from Puck (a fantastic guest by the way!) what stuff they did not have (AMRAAM, and the did have a Phoenix missile that in reality wasn’t as good as us from the outside thought) it only dents my view a hair. And, I think he’s right, in some modes having a GIB is most certainly a great advantage!
Every so often I’m fortunate that TH-cam will send me some old and some new vids on TomCats - I find though extremely small - few Grumman families will comment on the Cats - I will often hear most miss the cat but many were told the following: Maintenance took the Cat out or Costs took the Cat out or Obsolescence - I say your incorrect - Dick Cheney took Grumman out and I’d love a Vid to explain why instead of my commenting as to Why - A bomber should be a bomber which is what the Intruder was desig NBC rd for - The E-2 was there to find you far out and tell the carrier so the cat would blow u out of the sky - Cheney fucked that all up real good and put a bug on a Carrier that basically sucks because it’s not an intruder - it’s not a cat and Northrop took the guts outta EA-6b and put it into a Growler -I’d like to see our pilots and defense personnel ask for a new Grumman myself - Imagine if we had the Tomcat21 - The proud son of a Grumman Airframe Engineer (recently deceased) my father worked on the 14/21 the Intruder and the E-2
Al, interesting reference to the Intruder. Would love to get the A-6 equivalent of Puck onto the channel to tell its story.
Puck - just thought of this 4 u as well - you should read a book by George Skurla called: Iron Works - believe it’s on Amazon- most of what I wrote is on there though written differently/historically - however- George had passed b4 he could finish so it was co written with another Author who left Cheney out so the public is left thinking Obsolescence/cost overruns/ maintenance is what doomed Grumman - again that was Cheney with way too much power - see how his daughter makes shit up now - runs in the family - hopefully she gets hers 2 - Al
Super vid
Sounds like F-14 super Tomcat was a political move because Chaney didn’t like Grumman. Maybe if he was a share holder. Follow the money
Great interview . Struck me towards the end how in the USA we can create an environment/system where over many years a rock solid competent leader like Puck is created then I thought of our shit political leaders ... wtf I guess when you take character and morality out of the requirements that's what you get .
AIM-120 AMRAAM cost $1,090,000. As of FYI 2019.
Best HUD to include the F-18E, I’m quite curious now
Yeah, I wish I had followed up on that statement.
25:40 train hard, fight easy
I'm working on mine....
tomcat had aim 9x??? WOW!
Wasn't Puck, Howe the last commanding officer of VF-31?
Yes. And the 1st commander of VFA-31 after they transitioned to F-18Es
I find it funny how he starts every video with “no ads here” when every video has ads, some have one every 5 minutes. I wonder why he changed his mind.
Please let me know which ones have them "every five minutes" - that should not be happening and I have manually reviewed all episodes this morning to make sure it doesn't happen again.
I have added adverts at the start because the algo is more likely to recommend content that is monetised. Of course, I can't go back and edit the intros to the old videos, so the "no advertising" refrain remains.
What is still true is that I don't make any money from the channel: it costs me more to run than the revenue that comes in.
@@10percenttrue It was your tomcat sunset interview with Puck Howe that was playing an advert every 5 minutes. I watch them on a mobile phone (or listen to them rather) in case that matters.
Also when did you change the monetization? I only started getting recommended your channel in the last month or so, so I am wondering if it is because of the monetization and algorithm interaction that you mention.
Many thanks for the heads up. I saw that and was aghast. It is now set to one advert in the middle of the episode.
I turned on the monetisation about three months ago. Since then, I have seen an increase in views and subscribers, but I cannot be sure whether that's because of the algo or because of the content. Frankly, it's all a bit of a mystery to me.
About the sh*tty Fulcrum IRST, a friend of mine got beat you as he could lock up the Moon with it, that's about 300,000 km :D Fulcrum says 600 meters though XD
I wonder if the F-14D IRST had a laser range finder in it??
There is an F-14 in Blooming IL. Is that one of yours?
THis guy and JOKO need to sit down and talk about tactical shit.
My pleasure!