End of an Era

I love airplanes. There's no denying it. And I think it a true tragedy when aircraft are put to pasture. The rows upon rows of aircraft waiting to die in graveyards, as in this picture from Airliners.net, is heart-wrenching.

Aircraft lovingly tended to and nursed by their crews waiting to be butchered into razor blades.

And often, it seems, it's before the aircraft's time.

We've reached that point for another aircraft. She's a famous bird, known and loved by millions. It's the end of her time, and with it, a long line of history.

The F-14 Tomcat is leaving the service of the Navy. Made famous to the public starring in the movie Top Gun, she thrilled many at airshows around the country. And she admirably served her country. Beginning her life defending the carriers, she grew and adapted into a role as a precision bomber.

With one of the most intimidating profiles, she breathed the raw power that seethed throughout her.

Sadly, after twenty years, she's getting a little old. She needs much more loving care and maintenance, and in a time where every cent counts, the Navy has decided that its best if she just goes away.

She has finished her final tour, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt supporting the war in the Middle East.

And with her, there are no more cats. Her manufacturer, Grumman Aircraft, no longer makes aircraft. She has a long, proud lineage from Grumman... the Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat, Bearcat... all proud warriors.

She's being replaced by the Hornet. The Navy is using it as it's do-all, be-all bird, having replaced so many aircraft. Jack of all trades...

She's going to be missed. Missed on the carriers, missed by her crews, and missed in the skies. I'm sad to know that my children will never get to see her fly by and light off her afterburners and thunder straight up into the sky.

I guess I can always show them Top Gun.