@ Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, HI
@ Lakeland, FL
September 2025
This D-model Tomcat is part of the Florida Air Museum collection, seen during my inaugural visit. This F-14 (159619) was part of the VF-31 “Tomcatters” squadron, one of the last units to fly the F-14 before its retirement from the U.S. Navy in 2006. This aircraft delivered a GPS-guided GBU-38 550-pound JDAM over Iraq on February 7, 2006, marking the last combat sortie for the type.
Developed for the U.S. Navy after the collapse of the F-111B project, the Tomcat would be the first of the Teen Series fighters, designed incorporating Vietnam air combat experience. First flown in 1970, the F-14 would serve the U.S. Navy proudly until 2006. The Super Tomcat was the definitive version to fly, with more powerful engines, increased range and a glass cockpit among other extensive upgrades. This version was also capable of taking off from aircraft carriers without the use of afterburners. Of the 712 F-14s delivered, only 55 of these Super Tomcats would be built.
