TOMCAT ALLEY - A Photographic Roll Call of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat

"Tomcat Alley’ contains over seven – hundred images depicting the venerable F-14 Tomcat, bureau number by bureau number. Each U.S. Navy Tomcat is traced from the date of delivery through February 1998. After a brief introduction, informative captions provide details concerning every Tomcat model, modification, and the fate of each aircraft, including those stricken due to operational accidents, retired to the ‘boneyard’, or resting as ‘gate guards’ at military installations around the country.

The majority of Tomcats are shown in full colour with images displaying every paint scheme worn by the F-14, including many water-based schemes applied during various tactical exercises and deployments. Images also include every squadron commander’s aircraft, nose art, tail colours, over 150 patches and insignia, bicentennial schemes, and Tomcats which participated in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Additionally, the Su-22, MiG-23, and Hi-8 killers are depicted along with ‘movie star’ Tomcats from ‘Final Countdown,’ ‘Topgun,’ and ‘Executive Decision.’

The Author

David F. Brown (right) has been an avid aviation enthusiast since childhood. Upon graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he began his professional career as a police officer. He currently serves as a police sergeant and public relations officer in York County, Pennsylvania. An accomplished photographer, David’s photography has appeared in aviation periodicals and books published throughout the world. Most recently he authored, Birds of Prey, which depicts nose art and mission markings from the Gulf War.

Among his other publications are Tomcats Forever and F-16 Fighting Falcons. Presently, David is the U.S. Correspondent for Air Force’s Monthly magazine. He resides in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania with his wife Christina, daughter Molly and son Gordon. (Photo-JEM Slides)