Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Anytime, Baby...! Images and Reminiscences from 35 Years of Active Service: Amazon.co.uk: Dave Parsons, George Hall: Books

Review

Every once in awhile, a new book comes along that literally takes your breath away with page after page of never-before-seen photographs punctuated by pith, no-hold-barred text taken straight from conversations overheard at Happy Hour at the O Club. Grumman F-14 Tomcat is just such a book...Authors and photographers Dave Hey Joe Parsons, George Hall, and Bob Lawson have created nothing less than the ultimate celebration of the foremost air superiority fighter of the Cold War, and one of the most potent fighter bombers of the Gulf Wars as well. From the runway at Miramar to the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson, this book takes you where the action is. --Wings

There are labors of love, and then there s this book, put together by three experienced, highly motives individuals, each bringing his own special skills to the project. [Grumman F-14 Tomcat] provides some fabulous photography and wonderful memories, all for a very reasonable price. This is not a history of the Tomcat, although going through all the quotations you certainly gain a sense of the F-14 s story and contribution...The concept is elegant in its simplicity: a magnificent collection of color pictures from professional photographers as well as the people who flew or maintained, and clearly loved, the Tomcat...The photos are juxtaposed with poetic memories, short and long, but all highly readable...Tomcat Bye-Bye...! is a terrific requiem for one of the modern era s greatest jet fighters. It will bring several hours of pleasant browsing and reminiscence to operator and enthusiast alike. Great job, baby --Naval Aviation News

This book is nothing less than a love story told in pictures and a few, well chosen words. Large, glamorous images of the Turkey taken by many of today's foremost aviation photographers are accompanied by short quotes from those who flew, wrenched, and in a few cases, punched out of this beloved big dawg of a fighter. The text is added in such a way that each recollection appears poetic, although describing how two NFO's jumped from the cockpit of a Tomcat under tow, as the combination of a tight carrier turn and a rogue wave launched Tomcat and tractor over the side, probably doesn't qualify as poetic…The images are simply stunning. Ranging from silhouette-lit sunset profiles to close-ups taken during the filming of Top Gun, you'll see Grumman's last Cat from every conceivable vantage point (including a few that will leave you wondering how that picture was possibly taken)…Highly recommended, particularly if 'call the ball' fits anywhere in your vernacular --IPMS Journal

Product Description

The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Corporation. It's primary missions include precision strike against ground targets, air superiority, and fleet air defense. Those are the facts. But, behind the facts are the reality of thirty-five years of active naval service as the foremost air superiority fighter of the cold war with continuing service as a fighter-bomber in the Gulf Wars. It is this service and the over two hundred thousand sailors, officers and enlisted men, pilots and "ground" crew, who served in F-14 squadrons with the Tomcat over the years. Now, as the Tomcat files off into its sunset and the scrapyard-no flyable F-14s will be allowed to survive for fear that Iran, the other operator of the aircraft, might be able to obtain spare parts for their Tomcat fleet - "Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Anytime Baby...!" is a fitting tribute to this still potent old man of the sky.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Photo celebration of the US Navy's BEST a/c 26 Aug 2006

By Flydjd

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are a Fan of Carrier Aviation and the Tomcat in particular then this all colour celebration is well worth buying. What really made it for me however was the reminiscences of those lucky people that were involved in operating the aircraft during it's service life (Especially those concerning Joe "Hoser" Satrapa by his peers). Although the "Turkey" was designed as a Fleet defence fighter it really came into it's own when it also became the "Bombcat". It's sad to think that the only place now that this awesome machine can be seen in it's true element is in Iran !

My own personal favourite picture is of the 2 VF-154 F14A's in front of Mount Fuji.

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Buy it now! 21 Aug 2006

By Uk_Tomcat_Fan

Format:Hardcover

This is a must have for a Tomcat lover, mine is now on display on my bookcase, the quality of the images are a sight to behold, the stories contained make the book a good read too, congratulations to all involved, however it is a great shame that George couldnt see it....

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Go buy one! 5 July 2006

By M. G. Crutch

A lavish, true coffee table publication. It contains unique views from many F-14 community members over the years, together with photos from the great names of naval aviation photography. A must for any fan of the mighty Tomcat, and a tribute in itself to George Hall who sadly dided just before publication.