As we reported three weeks ago, the Commemorative Air Force’s High Sky Wing, based in Midland, Texas was set to begin refurbishing Grumman F-14A Tomcat Bu.160403 on July 27th, 2016. This airframe, if you recall, is of particular significance, because it was the first Tomcat to shoot down another aircraft in combat. CDR Henry ‘Hank’ Kleemann and LT David ‘DJ’ Venlet of VF-41 flew her as callsign Fast Eagle 102 from the decks of the USS Nimitz during the Gulf of Sidra Incident of August 19th, 1981, splashing the first of two Libyan fighters the US Navy dispatched that day. The second Libyan SU-22 ‘Fitter’ fell to a Sidewinder missile from another VF-41 Tomcat, Bu.160390 Fast Eagle 107 flown by LT Lawrence ‘Music’ Muczynski and LTJG James ‘Luca’ Anderson.
Members of the Navy Flight Deck Veterans Group have been working on Fast Eagle 102, and we are happy to report that they have made great progress. The aircraft will be ready for its formal unveiling during the High Sky Wing CAF Airsho 2016 on Saturday, August 27th as originally promised.
For those of you wishing to attend the unveiling, it will be well worth the effort. A number of significant aviators will be present, including now Vice Admiral David Venlet, US Navy (ret), who will reunite with the Tomcat he flew in as a young Radar Intercept Officer during the famous encounter with the Libyan ‘Fitters’ over the Gulf of Sidra. In an interesting development, a pair of F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters from the current VFA-41 will also be on hand, flanking their older sister during the event. This should make for a remarkable photographic opportunity!
While we would love to show some current images of Fast Eagle 102 (she looks fabulous!), we don’t want to spoil the surprise. That being said, we will have some terrific images to share soon after.
The CAF High Sky Wing is continuing to accept donations to help with the restoration project on Fast Eagle 102. Contributions can be made out to CAF High Sky Wing, and sent to the following address: CAF High Sky Wing F-14 Project, P.O. Box 61064, Midland. TX 79711. For more information contact: gena@highskywing.org or 432-528-0997.
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Was it really ”Fast Eagle” 102 that was restored ? On all the pictures I have seen of the F-14A before restoration, the number 101 is well visible.
Is there an explanation ?
It is indeed ‘Fast Eagle 102’… You have to remember that the aircraft will have passed on to other units in the years which followed the shoot-down, and as such the airframe will have had several repaints in that time. It will obviously have received different squadron codes as well, so don’t take its final squadron paint scheme as being even close to representative of its livery from the Gulf of Sidra Incident.
Any pictures of the new paint job?
We have some coming soon…
as a member of the restoration crew i can attest to the fact that there was at least 4 different modex numbers that we saw. along with about 7 layers of paint.
CAF should stick to airworthy restorations. Static display in Midland?
How can I add pictures to this ?
you can email them to us JR. info@warbirdsnews.dev – Thanks!