Want more of the F-14? Listen to our latest Behind the Wings Podcast episode with Mike Rabens, the President of the F-14 Tomcat Association. Rabens is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, Top Gun, a commander on US Naval Test Pilot School, with more than 4,700 flight hours in 58 aircraft, and more than 700 carrier landings. behindthewings.transistor.fm/
I can see why Lt. Webb became or was an instructor, he's able to verbally share not just the visceral experience, but the actual feel of flying this kind of machine. Thank you for taking me on this vicarious ride with you. WOW!
Paul van Aspert instructors have to have combat experience ie dropping some nice ones lol but in all seriousness he would be a horrible instructor no offense to him Bc is rather have a pilot over head when I’m in trouble that was TOUGHT by an instructor that dropped danger close sorties (trying the pilot lingo) but if you catch my drift instructors need to be extremely experienced in combat Bc they support us infantry and 99% of the time there over our heads while we’re pinned down and an instructor that’s familiar with movements or how ir lights flash and he passes that information off we probably won’t get killed in a blue on blue (friendly fire situation)
What are you talking about. He would be a great instructor, he is not there to sort out the mess on the ground. He is there to teach to fly a fighter jet. He is very eloquent, love his job and how to describe procedures. He is actually overqualified to be a flight instructor. Most of the time flight instructor are not always those with the highest experience.
@@BobSmith-uu5kj dont worry about that old comment from a hater, he dont even know what hes talking about, Lt Webb was a civilian flight instructor a few years after high school, before he even signed up to fly for the military.
I remember, as a mechanic on the F-14, sitting underneath one of the engines in zone 3 afterburner, adjusting the fuel control with an Allen wrench. That rattled the molars out of my skull. Loved it!!! Thanks for the memories.
how's this: I was an AZ2 and worked on Gas Turbines, that's right unheard of huh :-) Bobby Estey, not AD2, AZ2, USS Constellation CV64 - AIMD - IM2 - Jet Shop - 1980 - Did all the logistics for the Gas Turbines and got bored so my best friend had me working on Engines. Next thing you know, I was doing everything. Worked on J52, TF30, TF34 (that was the best), and a couple more. Test Cell and TRIMMING a TF30 with the ALLEN WRENCH and COMPRESSOR STALLS. First time you get one of those going, SCARED the hell out of me. Getting back to me, the first time AZs from the squadrons would come back to the Jet Shop to get the logbooks, they would freak out, what are you doing working on an Engine. The ADs from the Squadrons would come back to the Jet Shop, I would give them an overview / acceptance inspection. They would accept and find out I was an AZ, WHAT??? Yes, you need to talk to the AD for actual acceptance. After a couple times, they knew who I was and LOVED IT. YEP, AN AZ DOING AD WORK, LOL. They got use to it. Then here's the beauty. The AZs from the other squadrons started working on the engines in the squadrons, LOL. HECK, you are out on the water over 100 days, RIGHT???
The word was TRIMMING. I remember those days, running a TF30 over my head and then the thing went into compressor stalls. SCARED THE .... out of me. USS CONSTELLATION (77-81) AIMD IM-2 - BTW, I was known as AD/Z - my actual rate was AZ2 and worked in Jet Shop, know all the stuff, became a AD2.
Hell ya man. I was an AD on FA 18's and I know those motors aren't as big as the cats but man in high power you you could feel that shit in your bones and chest. I know exactly what you are saying
@@jeffreymarchant4020 then why would you choose to be a fighter pilot w the notion of never having to use your vehicles capabilities....I mean I could get a few of em saying that they loved flying so much they wouldn't matter either way, but to choose a profession that your main duty is to protect your fellow coworkers by killing other people trying to kill them then you're in the wrong profession lol 😆 that'd be like an A10 warthog pilot saying I hope to never use my guns....like bruh that's what you there for
Would love to hear him talk about the F18 he flew and talk about the major differences between the F14 and F18. I could listen to his stories for hours.
The F/A-18C/D was a complete flop. I changed the face of Carrier Aviation forever. We never should have bought the 'baby' Hornet. The Rhino is a capable F/A platform.
@robv141414 looks like AZ (the greatest State Ever). Yes, Lt Webb was amazing would like to here about the 18. I mentioned to someone else, F14 (The King) F18 (The Prince). Again, Lt Webb was fantastic in this interview, SO WAS MATTHEW :-)
The differences are myriad. The Super Hornet is extremely forgiving, highly digital, and user-friendly. I spent some time talking with Dale Snodgrass years back and he painted a pretty stark comparison. By his estimation, you could take anyone off the street and have them solo the F-18 in less than 20 hours. Now, that's not employing ut as a weapon; just being able to fly it. I was flying bug smashers at the time, and his quote was, "You're working harder to fly that than you would the F-18." The computers take so much of the workload off the pilot, it's like two different worlds. The Tomcat however, being an analog jet, demands much, much more of its pilot by today's standards. It was the last of the muscle cars, really.
@@KaDaJxClonE Yeah for real, I still would do anything to sit in one of these fighters but now I feel like I know why it's such a hard place to get to.
As a former maintainer that spent time on a couple carriers - his retelling brought me back and I kinda miss some parts of it. Want to know more? Come to my weekly livestream, Friday’s 8pm Eastern. Myself and a handful of other veterans get together to talk shop about these and many other topics. Bring your questions, and you’ll get some answers.
And he didn't even mention about burble, and that's the wind disturbance at the back of the boat when you're just about to touchdown that can cause the aircraft to suddenly move up or down vertically cause of loss/gain of lift. Happens because of the tower on the carrier that's off to the right side and since the carrier is moving.
Trying to land a multi million jet on a postage stamp that's rolling and pitching, all while try to hit an even smaller postage stamp to get stopped. I feel ill
I’m career Oceana 6th Fleet Tomcats starting at VF-101 RAG. Bravo Zulu shipmate! Been to Miramar for Top Gun and Fallon like I lost count. I miss the Nugget and Stockmans lol..🥴
I absolutely LOVE the pilot's description of how he at first felt like he was strapping himself onto the plane, but gradually begun to feel more and more like he was strapping the plane onto himself. That was really really cool!!!
It was always my dream to fly a fighter jet, but looking back, I was never ready for that. There is so much more involved with flying a fighter than most people realize. It's nothing like flying a commercial jet, which is complicated enough. I would love to spend an afternoon talking with an experienced pilot like you did Mathew. There is so much knowledge stored in his brain! He seems like a very personable guy, easy to talk with. Doesn't want to make you feel dumb for not knowing everything he knows. Give him bait for the next thought and off he goes! That's the kind of conversation I like. Great episode! Thanks for letting us tag along for the ride!
Anytime i ever listen to one of these fighter pilots speak, you can hear the discipline and just how serious a person you have to be to be at that level. Every single one of them exudes a level of intensity that you don't see in average people.
finally a long video! i really appreciate the content you guys are putting out. I feel you cut some of the videos a little short tho! could listen to you ramble on about different planes and their quirks and features for ages!
Its Incredible that this Aircraft is 50+ years old now. Its stands the test of time. The Design is still great. I have about six diecast models of them from Callibre Wings Models.
This is why Navy pilots are the best. I worked as a director on deck for 4 yrs and these guys made it look so easy when I was in the gulf. After a month of flying daily, these guys rarely boltered. Navy pilots are the best. As cat 3 director i mostly got F-18 on the USS Indy, but when I did get to put Tomcat on my cat it was such a thrill. "Burners on 3, stand clear the landing area". My favorite thing the AirBoss would announce on the flight deck speaker system.
Excellent interview. Lt. Webb really expresses his experiences very well. Extra fun for me to watch this. During the 2nd half when they are standing on the wing of the F-14, you can see a bright yellowish-green hang glider hanging up behind the Tomcat sign. I donated that glider to the museum back in 1998. I haven't been back in a long time. Great to see it's still there.
Richard is an amazing story teller. He doesn't just inform, he puts you right in the middle of the action with his passionate tone of voice, and the myriad subtleties he provides you with regarding the dangers surrounding an approach for landing in bad weather. Matthew, just too short an episode to really enjoy, yet thank you for providing this sequel to the first episode. Naval Aviators are a special breed of their own and sure at the very top, maybe beyond, of their aviation game.
that titanium wing box is awesome, pain in the ass to fabricate but awesome about a week of non stop 24/7 machining. my uncle showed me one being machined when I was a kid.
I stood on the O-9 level (Vultures Row) many a time during my 4 years on the Big E during the early 80's. Despite having an intellectual knowledge of how difficult a carrier landing was, these guys (and they were all men then) made it look routinely simple. The training was so good, and the procedures so complete that a very difficult and dangerous thing had an excellently low accident rate. Truly amazing when you analyze it.
We , Iranians, can attest to the ingenuity and great performance of this marvelous Aircraft. It kicked Mig butt big time during Iran-Iraq conflict. It was not a Tomcat, It was a Tiger in the sky, Attacking the enemy when they had no idea what was coming for them.
Wish the US still flew the Tomcat. I hope one day the US and Iran can be friends again. Our respective oligarchs are the problems. The citizens are the victims. If that day comes, I'd love to come to Iran and maybe see an F-14.
Angus Gibson while the tomcat is cool it is no match for modern day fighters, and the USA wouldn’t stand a chance if it was still our go-to fighter. An f-35 could blow an f-14 to pieces before the tomcat even picked it up on the radar.
Was an Air Traffic Controller on the USS Constellation when VF-2 Bounty Hunters made their last deployment in the Tomcat. I went up to Vultures row as much as I could to watch these beautiful planes takeoff, land, and from time to time make high speed passes beside the ship. Best day was when we did the airshow at sea during the tiger cruise coming back from deployment and the Tomcat did a supersonic pass 60 feet above the water, most badass sight I have even seen in my life!!!!!!!
Lt. Webb and Matthew Burchette, SO AWESOME and totally professional. I was USN AVIATION, USS CONSTELLATION CV-64 AIMD Jet Shop and knew a lot about the TOMCAT. Matthew, your questions, respect, presentation, SO GREAT. Matthew, your entire attitude was WOW!!! I was actually raised in NORTHGLENN, the next time I visit CO, I hope you are still there. YOU WERE GREAT. LT WEBB, typical Naval Officer. The BEST OF THE BEST. He was both PROFESSIONAL and had those side stories that would make you laugh. LT WEBB, if I ever meet you. You will have a 100% PROPER SALUTE. I am very proud of my Naval Service and Officers like Lt Webb are what make the US Navy, SUPER GREAT. Bobby Estey
First time I think for me that a pilot has ever explained his first ride in one of these that captured the real experience of how powerful and awe inspiring one of these aircraft were. Nice job.
Thank you for this. I didn't even realize we had the continued version. I was one of the ones who requested more from his interview. This is a great video. He has so much to tell
My Dad worked for Grumman and designed ECM Radar Systems.... He was a Former F-4 Pilot, When he got cancer the Pt Mugu Commander arrainged a flight for him! (in an F-14) he died shortly therafter
With Lt. Webb describing all of the variables of landing the F-14 ( or any plane ) on a pitching carrier deck and the precision required of pilot, it's just sounds impossible for a human pilot to do it. But they do, all the time. That tells you how much training these pilots have to do. It's amazing..!! I was in a Navy squadron, VAQ-33 out of N.A.S. Norfolk, from 71-75. Some of us were at Miramar for war exercises when the first operational F-14's came in. I was a 'plane captain' ( close to the Air Force Crew Chief ) for our ERA-3B Skywarrior aircraft and was out at the fuel pits waiting for our planes to return from exercises when the 14's flew in. The fuel pits are just off the taxiways, so they are real close to the runways. Our fuel pits were on the touchdown end of the runway. I was out there and saw these gorgeous planes coming in for landing. They had the wings fully swept forward...20 degrees Lt. Webb said...? and they just seemed to be floating in the air and going so slow..!! They touched down so lightly that the tires didn't smoke at all. But what astounded me was how soon they turned off the main runway and onto a taxiway. I swear that it looked like way less than 100 yards...50 yards perhaps... from touchdown to turn-off. I was amazed..!! Our A-3's took many times that length, and that's with using a drag chute, and they kinda disappeared way off down the runway, that's how far down they went. Yea, what a memory...I loved it..!! Our squadron also shared the hangar with the Tom Cat folks. and no...I never saw Cruise..LOL..!! I went to Miramar many times for exercises and always enjoyed it.
We've got a Tomcat here in KHKY, Hickory NC. I actually got to see it flown in, amazing A/C!!! My daughter (was 8 at the time), took me to the HKY airshow back in the early 00's and the Navy had a Tomcat there from the Roosevelt.... He did an afterburner circle around the airport that NO ONE who attended that show will ever forget :-) Seeing those blue flames with all those shock cones was AWESOME!!! Thank you both for this interview, EXCELLENT!!! :-)
my stepfather was in the Navy and refueled airplanes at Miramar then after that at Port Hueneme. He took me to see the F-4’s. It was an amazing thing to see them taking off in the late 60s. I did not have enough of a fascination with them that I became a pilot.
This brought back some great memories. Worked on these beautiful jets as an AT during the first gulf war, this thing is in my mind still the greatest air superiority fighter. I know I'm biased, but oh well. Wish someone would spend some time talking with the guys that worked on these things. Sure, the pilots get all the Hollywood glory, but without us tweaking the systems it wouldn't happen. That said, props and serious respect to those stick jockeys, the ones I knew were the greatest guys I have ever had the honor to know.
Yeah, but as a fellow 'tron chaser' I think that Matthew might have a hard time tracking interest to a guy in a cherry-picker showing where to replace an ALR-45 quadrant receiver... as they say in baseball, 'chicks dig the longball'... pilots are Aaron Judge, us greenshirts are clubhouse attendants.
Probably, the must simple and clear took about F-14 ever.. Wonderful.. That pilot is, really, a true tomcat pilot No words. Video, simply , wonderful..!!
Watching this as I am applying to OCS for a pilot slot brings back memories if my own. When I saw VF-211 in a children's documentary called the big aircraft carrier. From that point on I knew what I wanted to do. Things are looking good for selection but I know I've still got a long way to go before I can fly anything fast like a hornet or lightning God willing. Thanks for sharing!
CAS I love you guys. Iraq Afghanistan been there and did that 2006-2009 USMC V27. Afghanistan we were supported by our NATO allies CAS. No matter the origin I personally appreciate y'alls skills.
ha ha, "Tactical grade tennis court" I fly this in VR and I look back all the time, and that was the best description of what it looks like that I've ever heard.
Great respect for those carrier aviators. I guess a lot feel called but a few are chosen. Great to see he forfilled his dream and had one in my opinion the most beautiful profession in the world.
Listening to Lt. Webb explain what it was like to fly and land this thing was so entertaining. He can tell some great stories. This is my "home town" air museum and is a very cool place to check out, AND there is a great brew pub next door!!
Man....absolutely great episode!!! That pilot had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I watched the video! He painted a very vivid picture in my head of the experience he had as a pilot of this awesome fighter jet. Thank you, Wings over the Rockies and Lt. Webb
Having been around F4 Phantom’s and gotten out of the Navy just as the transition to the Tomcat was starting this was a fascinating and informative video to watch. Thank you so very much and to our Airedale friend the Lt. Fair winds and following seas “shipmate”.
77-79 aboard USS CONSTELLATION CV-64 was a Fly 3 director #31 we had VF-211 and VF-24 Tomcats chasing Soviet bombers and fighters out of our air space, with alert 5's & alert 20's... Tomcats "anytime baby"
I've been able to visit 3 Tomcats at museums so far, and they're absolutely stunning! I saw an F-14A on the USS Hornet museum, an F-14A at the Pima Air & Space museum, and an F-14D Super Tomcat at McClellan. I recently just bought Speed and Angels on blu-ray, and it's the most amazing documentary I've ever seen about the Tomcat :) I'm also currently building a 1/32 scale model of an F-14D based on the VX-9 Vampires squadron
Noble Six Come to Fort Worth, TX. We have the longest serving USN Tomcat on display. Nicknamed “Christine”. Started out as an A-model (IIRC), then made into a D later in its service life.
Noble Six while you’re there, you might as well also visit the Vintage Flying Museum, home to a number of rare airworthy warbirds. You might even run into me there.
YES! Very detailed videos like this are the best. Please consider making all the videos like this one in the future. Again, thank you for a great video and an amazing interview!
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Want more of the F-14? Listen to our latest Behind the Wings Podcast episode with Mike Rabens, the President of the F-14 Tomcat Association. Rabens is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, Top Gun, a commander on US Naval Test Pilot School, with more than 4,700 flight hours in 58 aircraft, and more than 700 carrier landings. behindthewings.transistor.fm/
“I got to fly my dream jet and not kill anyone”
I see this as an absolute win.
I would absolutely love that!
Nimbus Windstrider liberal.
Ronald Tartaglia ?
@@ronaldtartaglia4459 smh, imagine trying to insult someone because they see not killing as a win
@@ronaldtartaglia4459 Fuck off
Saw the word "Tomcat" and clicked without even reading the rest of the sentence. Wasn't disappointed.
As did i.
Same here!
I can see why Lt. Webb became or was an instructor, he's able to verbally share not just the visceral experience, but the actual feel of flying this kind of machine. Thank you for taking me on this vicarious ride with you. WOW!
Paul van Aspert instructors have to have combat experience ie dropping some nice ones lol but in all seriousness he would be a horrible instructor no offense to him Bc is rather have a pilot over head when I’m in trouble that was TOUGHT by an instructor that dropped danger close sorties (trying the pilot lingo) but if you catch my drift instructors need to be extremely experienced in combat Bc they support us infantry and 99% of the time there over our heads while we’re pinned down and an instructor that’s familiar with movements or how ir lights flash and he passes that information off we probably won’t get killed in a blue on blue (friendly fire situation)
What are you talking about. He would be a great instructor, he is not there to sort out the mess on the ground. He is there to teach to fly a fighter jet. He is very eloquent, love his job and how to describe procedures. He is actually overqualified to be a flight instructor. Most of the time flight instructor are not always those with the highest experience.
@@BobSmith-uu5kj dont worry about that old comment from a hater, he dont even know what hes talking about, Lt Webb was a civilian flight instructor a few years after high school, before he even signed up to fly for the military.
@@gonietubenyc5741 iiip
Yeah he really is a great story teller
I remember, as a mechanic on the F-14, sitting underneath one of the engines in zone 3 afterburner, adjusting the fuel control with an Allen wrench. That rattled the molars out of my skull. Loved it!!! Thanks for the memories.
Was this in a controlled environment or on the deck of a carrier before a cat launch?
how's this: I was an AZ2 and worked on Gas Turbines, that's right unheard of huh :-) Bobby Estey, not AD2, AZ2, USS Constellation CV64 - AIMD - IM2 - Jet Shop - 1980 - Did all the logistics for the Gas Turbines and got bored so my best friend had me working on Engines. Next thing you know, I was doing everything. Worked on J52, TF30, TF34 (that was the best), and a couple more. Test Cell and TRIMMING a TF30 with the ALLEN WRENCH and COMPRESSOR STALLS. First time you get one of those going, SCARED the hell out of me. Getting back to me, the first time AZs from the squadrons would come back to the Jet Shop to get the logbooks, they would freak out, what are you doing working on an Engine. The ADs from the Squadrons would come back to the Jet Shop, I would give them an overview / acceptance inspection. They would accept and find out I was an AZ, WHAT??? Yes, you need to talk to the AD for actual acceptance. After a couple times, they knew who I was and LOVED IT. YEP, AN AZ DOING AD WORK, LOL. They got use to it. Then here's the beauty. The AZs from the other squadrons started working on the engines in the squadrons, LOL. HECK, you are out on the water over 100 days, RIGHT???
Man I wish you lived around me is if you all day for stores.
The word was TRIMMING. I remember those days, running a TF30 over my head and then the thing went into compressor stalls. SCARED THE .... out of me. USS CONSTELLATION (77-81) AIMD IM-2 - BTW, I was known as AD/Z - my actual rate was AZ2 and worked in Jet Shop, know all the stuff, became a AD2.
Hell ya man. I was an AD on FA 18's and I know those motors aren't as big as the cats but man in high power you you could feel that shit in your bones and chest. I know exactly what you are saying
This fighter pilot is happy he didn’t kill anyone in his career. *Salute *
o7
A hope all pilots never want to face...And I worked along side many that have said that...
@@jeffreymarchant4020 then why would you choose to be a fighter pilot w the notion of never having to use your vehicles capabilities....I mean I could get a few of em saying that they loved flying so much they wouldn't matter either way, but to choose a profession that your main duty is to protect your fellow coworkers by killing other people trying to kill them then you're in the wrong profession lol 😆 that'd be like an A10 warthog pilot saying I hope to never use my guns....like bruh that's what you there for
@@webbster1014 but y try to y try t
Would love to hear him talk about the F18 he flew and talk about the major differences between the F14 and F18. I could listen to his stories for hours.
Please get him back when you do the F18
The F/A-18C/D was a complete flop. I changed the face of Carrier Aviation forever. We never should have bought the 'baby' Hornet. The Rhino is a capable F/A platform.
@@bearbergmann2782 exactly, we all know the 14 was the King, however, would like to hear Lt Webb talk about the Prince :-) Lt Webb was great.
@robv141414 looks like AZ (the greatest State Ever). Yes, Lt Webb was amazing would like to here about the 18. I mentioned to someone else, F14 (The King) F18 (The Prince). Again, Lt Webb was fantastic in this interview, SO WAS MATTHEW :-)
The differences are myriad. The Super Hornet is extremely forgiving, highly digital, and user-friendly. I spent some time talking with Dale Snodgrass years back and he painted a pretty stark comparison. By his estimation, you could take anyone off the street and have them solo the F-18 in less than 20 hours. Now, that's not employing ut as a weapon; just being able to fly it. I was flying bug smashers at the time, and his quote was, "You're working harder to fly that than you would the F-18." The computers take so much of the workload off the pilot, it's like two different worlds. The Tomcat however, being an analog jet, demands much, much more of its pilot by today's standards. It was the last of the muscle cars, really.
Just hearing this guy talk about carrier ops is stressing me out.
Made me write a note to myself that if I go military, to go airforce.
@@KaDaJxClonE Yeah for real, I still would do anything to sit in one of these fighters but now I feel like I know why it's such a hard place to get to.
As a former maintainer that spent time on a couple carriers - his retelling brought me back and I kinda miss some parts of it.
Want to know more? Come to my weekly livestream, Friday’s 8pm Eastern. Myself and a handful of other veterans get together to talk shop about these and many other topics. Bring your questions, and you’ll get some answers.
And he didn't even mention about burble, and that's the wind disturbance at the back of the boat when you're just about to touchdown that can cause the aircraft to suddenly move up or down vertically cause of loss/gain of lift.
Happens because of the tower on the carrier that's off to the right side and since the carrier is moving.
Trying to land a multi million jet on a postage stamp that's rolling and pitching, all while try to hit an even smaller postage stamp to get stopped. I feel ill
That was the most vividly terrifying and stressful descriptions of carrier landings I've ever heard. Absolutely loved it.
TheAmazingCowpig relaxing
really exhausted just hear his story
This finally explains why I could never land on the carrier in Top Gun for the NES.
Lt. Webb's enthusiasm made this video stand out. I could have listened for hours.
As a former Checkmate, I was having a great time going down memory line. '93 to '97. Thank you so very much.
VF211 and VF24 (NG - Wing 9) were our TOMCATs when I was in 20 years prior to you. BOTH HAD THEIR STUFF TOGETHER. Great Bunch of Guys, I was AIMD.
Checkmate?
@@taylorh.3484 squadron name
I’m career Oceana 6th Fleet Tomcats starting at VF-101 RAG.
Bravo Zulu shipmate!
Been to Miramar for Top Gun and Fallon like I lost count.
I miss the Nugget and Stockmans lol..🥴
Much much better version. I was pretty disappointed with the first video not gonna lie. lol Glad you guys listened and redid the video :)
I absolutely LOVE the pilot's description of how he at first felt like he was strapping himself onto the plane, but gradually begun to feel more and more like he was strapping the plane onto himself. That was really really cool!!!
It was always my dream to fly a fighter jet, but looking back, I was never ready for that. There is so much more involved with flying a fighter than most people realize. It's nothing like flying a commercial jet, which is complicated enough. I would love to spend an afternoon talking with an experienced pilot like you did Mathew. There is so much knowledge stored in his brain! He seems like a very personable guy, easy to talk with. Doesn't want to make you feel dumb for not knowing everything he knows. Give him bait for the next thought and off he goes! That's the kind of conversation I like. Great episode! Thanks for letting us tag along for the ride!
Thank you for the whole interview. 😁👌👍🤙
I could listen to this pilot’s stories for hours.
Anytime i ever listen to one of these fighter pilots speak, you can hear the discipline and just how serious a person you have to be to be at that level. Every single one of them exudes a level of intensity that you don't see in average people.
finally a long video! i really appreciate the content you guys are putting out. I feel you cut some of the videos a little short tho! could listen to you ramble on about different planes and their quirks and features for ages!
Its Incredible that this Aircraft is 50+ years old now. Its stands the test of time. The Design is still great. I have about six diecast models of them from Callibre Wings Models.
This is why Navy pilots are the best. I worked as a director on deck for 4 yrs and these guys made it look so easy when I was in the gulf. After a month of flying daily, these guys rarely boltered. Navy pilots are the best. As cat 3 director i mostly got F-18 on the USS Indy, but when I did get to put Tomcat on my cat it was such a thrill. "Burners on 3, stand clear the landing area". My favorite thing the AirBoss would announce on the flight deck speaker system.
With pilots who trained like he did, no wonder the F14's kicked ass, worldwide!!! Well done US Navy. Salute from an Angolan war Vet.
The pilot told a good story but props to the host too for building rapport and moving with the right question to get us to the story. Well done Amat.
Best description of the pressure when carrier landing I have heard.
Nothing sounds like an F-14 at an air show……ferocious.
Richard seems like a super nice and cool guy!
The F-14 Tomcat will always be the best looking fighter jet ever.
Excellent interview. Lt. Webb really expresses his experiences very well.
Extra fun for me to watch this. During the 2nd half when they are standing on the wing of the F-14, you can see a bright yellowish-green hang glider hanging up behind the Tomcat sign. I donated that glider to the museum back in 1998. I haven't been back in a long time. Great to see it's still there.
Thanks for this. Lt Webb is a genius with words and storytelling. He made us feel what he felt. This is unique.
Richard is an amazing story teller. He doesn't just inform, he puts you right in the middle of the action with his passionate tone of voice, and the myriad subtleties he provides you with regarding the dangers surrounding an approach for landing in bad weather. Matthew, just too short an episode to really enjoy, yet thank you for providing this sequel to the first episode. Naval Aviators are a special breed of their own and sure at the very top, maybe beyond, of their aviation game.
This guy is an absolute legend.
that titanium wing box is awesome, pain in the ass to fabricate but awesome about a week of non stop 24/7 machining. my uncle showed me one being machined when I was a kid.
The engines are mounted with 2 bolts to the box beam and one dog bone that swung aft.
Tell Spud that "Mongo" says hello, and miss hanging out with him on the boat.
It aint got no Gas in it mmmmhhhmmmmm!!!!
Who’d you piss off to get Mongo as a call sign lmao.
You musta wore your cover inside the O Club with 100 people in there 😂
@@foofghtr no, it had to do with my fighting all the time.
I stood on the O-9 level (Vultures Row) many a time during my 4 years on the Big E during the early 80's. Despite having an intellectual knowledge of how difficult a carrier landing was, these guys (and they were all men then) made it look routinely simple. The training was so good, and the procedures so complete that a very difficult and dangerous thing had an excellently low accident rate. Truly amazing when you analyze it.
I can listen to Webb's stories all day long without getting tired.
true
Such an impressive stories without acting 'cool', deep respect for mr Webb
We , Iranians, can attest to the ingenuity and great performance of this marvelous Aircraft. It kicked Mig butt big time during Iran-Iraq conflict. It was not a Tomcat, It was a Tiger in the sky, Attacking the enemy when they had no idea what was coming for them.
@Ecc12:13 Rude
Wish the US still flew the Tomcat. I hope one day the US and Iran can be friends again. Our respective oligarchs are the problems. The citizens are the victims. If that day comes, I'd love to come to Iran and maybe see an F-14.
Praying for the people of Iran to one day be free again .
Angus Gibson while the tomcat is cool it is no match for modern day fighters, and the USA wouldn’t stand a chance if it was still our go-to fighter. An f-35 could blow an f-14 to pieces before the tomcat even picked it up on the radar.
Caleb M. Yep.
F-14 is seriously antiquated really has no purpose outside of being a missile truck to fight an enemy with 1970s tech.
Without a doubt, my favorite fighter jet of all time.......
Same I think I love the wings on planes like this most of all only a few but so cool to look at
Iran agrees
Was an Air Traffic Controller on the USS Constellation when VF-2 Bounty Hunters made their last deployment in the Tomcat. I went up to Vultures row as much as I could to watch these beautiful planes takeoff, land, and from time to time make high speed passes beside the ship. Best day was when we did the airshow at sea during the tiger cruise coming back from deployment and the Tomcat did a supersonic pass 60 feet above the water, most badass sight I have even seen in my life!!!!!!!
Keep doing the regular edits while us nerds will keep watching these long cuts. Thanks for the good content.
Yes, I have been waiting for the extended version. Such a pleasure having Lt. Webb talk us through every bit of the Tomcat.
Lt. Webb and Matthew Burchette, SO AWESOME and totally professional. I was USN AVIATION, USS CONSTELLATION CV-64 AIMD Jet Shop and knew a lot about the TOMCAT. Matthew, your questions, respect, presentation, SO GREAT. Matthew, your entire attitude was WOW!!! I was actually raised in NORTHGLENN, the next time I visit CO, I hope you are still there. YOU WERE GREAT. LT WEBB, typical Naval Officer. The BEST OF THE BEST. He was both PROFESSIONAL and had those side stories that would make you laugh. LT WEBB, if I ever meet you. You will have a 100% PROPER SALUTE. I am very proud of my Naval Service and Officers like Lt Webb are what make the US Navy, SUPER GREAT. Bobby Estey
My dad served on a carrier in Vietnam and I had no idea how complicated it was to operate on one. This is the best educational video I’ve ever seen.
First time I think for me that a pilot has ever explained his first ride in one of these that captured the real experience of how powerful and awe inspiring one of these aircraft were. Nice job.
Views this video while building a rc F-14
You will have to post some vids when you are done
Nice..Is it Edf or Turbine?
Thank you for this. I didn't even realize we had the continued version. I was one of the ones who requested more from his interview. This is a great video. He has so much to tell
Glad you found it! We try our best to listen to what our viewers want. Seems like the more detail, the better!
I just love how you find people who have flown in a aircraft. Up in Dayton they never have anyone but guilds to do a talk about the aircraft.
What a guy, I could listen to him all day, Thank you, brilliant interview.
My Dad worked for Grumman and designed ECM Radar Systems.... He was a Former F-4 Pilot, When he got cancer the Pt Mugu Commander arrainged a flight for him! (in an F-14) he died shortly therafter
Nothing but Respect.
With Lt. Webb describing all of the variables of landing the F-14 ( or any plane ) on a pitching carrier deck and the precision required of pilot, it's just sounds impossible for a human pilot to do it. But they do, all the time. That tells you how much training these pilots have to do. It's amazing..!! I was in a Navy squadron, VAQ-33 out of N.A.S. Norfolk, from 71-75. Some of us were at Miramar for war exercises when the first operational F-14's came in. I was a 'plane captain' ( close to the Air Force Crew Chief ) for our ERA-3B Skywarrior aircraft and was out at the fuel pits waiting for our planes to return from exercises when the 14's flew in. The fuel pits are just off the taxiways, so they are real close to the runways. Our fuel pits were on the touchdown end of the runway. I was out there and saw these gorgeous planes coming in for landing. They had the wings fully swept forward...20 degrees Lt. Webb said...? and they just seemed to be floating in the air and going so slow..!! They touched down so lightly that the tires didn't smoke at all. But what astounded me was how soon they turned off the main runway and onto a taxiway. I swear that it looked like way less than 100 yards...50 yards perhaps... from touchdown to turn-off. I was amazed..!! Our A-3's took many times that length, and that's with using a drag chute, and they kinda disappeared way off down the runway, that's how far down they went. Yea, what a memory...I loved it..!! Our squadron also shared the hangar with the Tom Cat folks. and no...I never saw Cruise..LOL..!! I went to Miramar many times for exercises and always enjoyed it.
This is much better than short version of this video previously released
Now this is solid gold. Just a raw knowledge dump with no distractions, feels so good man you have no idea how refreshing it is.
We've got a Tomcat here in KHKY, Hickory NC. I actually got to see it flown in, amazing A/C!!! My daughter (was 8 at the time), took me to the HKY airshow back in the early 00's and the Navy had a Tomcat there from the Roosevelt.... He did an afterburner circle around the airport that NO ONE who attended that show will ever forget :-) Seeing those blue flames with all those shock cones was AWESOME!!! Thank you both for this interview, EXCELLENT!!! :-)
It's neat seeing a Tomcat driver who obviously geeks out about being a Tomcat Driver.
3 dislikes= downed MIG pilots.
Freakin' MiG-28s everywhere, yo!
This is to all the poor Iraqi pilots who never saw it coming
3 mig 28 pilots that didn't apreciate Mav and Goose foreign relations fliped bird
One of the most intense interview I have ever seen..
Thank you for this full version !!!!!
YES! This made my night! :)
my stepfather was in the Navy and refueled airplanes at Miramar then after that at Port Hueneme. He took me to see the F-4’s. It was an amazing thing to see them taking off in the late 60s. I did not have enough of a fascination with them that I became a pilot.
Damm! This aircraft demanded your precise attention. Hats off and thank you to the men and women past and present who served.✌️🇺🇸🇺🇸
Lt. Web, seems like a really cool guy. Would be awesome to chill with this guy and listen tool him while having beers !
This man is amazing and so was this interview! Thank you so much Wings!
This brought back some great memories. Worked on these beautiful jets as an AT during the first gulf war, this thing is in my mind still the greatest air superiority fighter. I know I'm biased, but oh well. Wish someone would spend some time talking with the guys that worked on these things. Sure, the pilots get all the Hollywood glory, but without us tweaking the systems it wouldn't happen. That said, props and serious respect to those stick jockeys, the ones I knew were the greatest guys I have ever had the honor to know.
Yeah, but as a fellow 'tron chaser' I think that Matthew might have a hard time tracking interest to a guy in a cherry-picker showing where to replace an ALR-45 quadrant receiver... as they say in baseball, 'chicks dig the longball'... pilots are Aaron Judge, us greenshirts are clubhouse attendants.
Thanks for uploading the full episode! This is a great watch!
I would happily sit down and listen to his stories for 24 hours straight
Best Tomcat interview I’ve seen.
I could listen to these stories for quite a while!
a low-key “got accepted” but the last-percentile abilities of these guys means it’s a huge deal and you are in a very exclusive zone
I would be so sad to be the guys chosen for transports
Thanks for Longer Format. Love it.
Probably, the must simple and clear took about F-14 ever..
Wonderful..
That pilot is, really, a true tomcat pilot
No words.
Video, simply , wonderful..!!
Watching this as I am applying to OCS for a pilot slot brings back memories if my own. When I saw VF-211 in a children's documentary called the big aircraft carrier. From that point on I knew what I wanted to do. Things are looking good for selection but I know I've still got a long way to go before I can fly anything fast like a hornet or lightning God willing. Thanks for sharing!
Loved Tomcats as a kid, especially the GI Joe Skystriker, which was pre-Top Gun, so this video was an automatic watch, and it did not disappoint.
CAS I love you guys. Iraq Afghanistan been there and did that 2006-2009 USMC V27. Afghanistan we were supported by our NATO allies CAS. No matter the origin I personally appreciate y'alls skills.
Early '70s, Tyndal AFB first time I saw an F14.
Still got a Grumman "Anytime Baby" Tomcat sticker.
@Donny Baumann - Good catch Donny.
My bad , should have said Grumman not McDonald.
@Donny Baumann If I am not sadly mistaken, there was an F15 at that airshow too.
That was fantastic thanks for the extended footage
F-14 it's more crazy than i first thought
It is so great to actually hear from the pilots of these aircraft. I Ike hearing their stories.
ha ha, "Tactical grade tennis court" I fly this in VR and I look back all the time, and that was the best description of what it looks like that I've ever heard.
I just went to the museum and had the best time. It's really cool to see the planes from the videos in person.
The talk about the wings is absolutely fascinating. Please do an hour long video on the tomcat again.
Great respect for those carrier aviators. I guess a lot feel called but a few are chosen. Great to see he forfilled his dream and had one in my opinion the most beautiful profession in the world.
I like this long format much better.
You could make a series based on pilot stories only and have a successful channel. This conversation was so interesting to listen to!
Listening to Lt. Webb explain what it was like to fly and land this thing was so entertaining. He can tell some great stories. This is my "home town" air museum and is a very cool place to check out, AND there is a great brew pub next door!!
Thanks for posting, this guy make me feel like flying this beast, he tell details from catapult and the flying deck like no ever hear, very nice 👍👍
Man....absolutely great episode!!! That pilot had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I watched the video! He painted a very vivid picture in my head of the experience he had as a pilot of this awesome fighter jet. Thank you, Wings over the Rockies and Lt. Webb
Thank you for posting the whole interview!!! I watched the original one about 5 times already!
Having been around F4 Phantom’s and gotten out of the Navy just as the transition to the Tomcat was starting this was a fascinating and informative video to watch. Thank you so very much and to our Airedale friend the Lt. Fair winds and following seas “shipmate”.
Can’t get that level of detail from anywhere else. Thanks!!
Nothing like standing 3-feet away from a Delta during high-power in full augmentation (GE-110 “afterburner “).
77-79 aboard USS CONSTELLATION CV-64 was a
Fly 3 director #31 we had VF-211 and VF-24 Tomcats chasing Soviet bombers and fighters out of our air space, with alert 5's & alert 20's...
Tomcats "anytime baby"
So cool. I could listen to this for hours. I’d really like to hear and see this guy live in front of a F 14
man, that bit with landing on the carrier...
alittle too vivid, makes me think he's been through that =)
The tomcat is a legend. First time we watch topgun we we're in love.
Best Wings Over Rockies video!
I've been able to visit 3 Tomcats at museums so far, and they're absolutely stunning! I saw an F-14A on the USS Hornet museum, an F-14A at the Pima Air & Space museum, and an F-14D Super Tomcat at McClellan. I recently just bought Speed and Angels on blu-ray, and it's the most amazing documentary I've ever seen about the Tomcat :) I'm also currently building a 1/32 scale model of an F-14D based on the VX-9 Vampires squadron
Noble Six Come to Fort Worth, TX. We have the longest serving USN Tomcat on display. Nicknamed “Christine”. Started out as an A-model (IIRC), then made into a D later in its service life.
@@FlightSimHistorian I'm actually gonna visit Texas in a few months! :) I'll try to swing by the museum. Never gets old seeing more Tomcats!
Noble Six while you’re there, you might as well also visit the Vintage Flying Museum, home to a number of rare airworthy warbirds. You might even run into me there.
@@FlightSimHistorian sounds awesome!
You know what else is amazing?
You. Thanks!
YES! Very detailed videos like this are the best. Please consider making all the videos like this one in the future. Again, thank you for a great video and an amazing interview!
We are getting so many positive comments about the longer format! We'll see what we can do about making this more of the norm.
I would really love to see you fly in the fighter jet and asking questions when doing barrel rolls. Wish you guys had big budgets
Awesome, Thank You! I could listen to TomCat pilots all day.