The famous F-14 Tomcats are now retiring from the United States Navy. The F-14 Tomcat was one of the greatest Navy fighters of all time; now it is being replaced by F-18s and in the future other aircraft, which are lighter, more maneuverable and have better performance with lower maintenance costs. The F-14 tomcat was used in the famous movie; Top Gun, with Tom Cruise.
This aircraft is so much a part of our nation's history and naval aviation history that these aircraft should all be retired to aviation museums around the country for everyone to see. They should not simply be mothballed and left in the desert to rot. I propose that the engines, electronics, hydraulics and other components be removed and the aircraft shells and frames given to both military aviation museums and private aviation museums.
Future generations need to be able to see these aircraft up close to understand aviation history. We should not allow these airplanes to decay and corrode in the desert. Likewise with the price of aluminum down there is no need to recycle them.
The F-14 Tomcat served the United States Navy well during the Cold War and was a sign of military dominance throughout the world. We should honor these F-14 Tomcats by putting them out to pasture in aviation museums. Please consider this in 2006.
