F-14 Tomcast

BVR Productions
  • 4.9 (259)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The F-14 Tomcast is an internet show dedicated to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the amazing men and women who flew, fixed, fought, and loved her. Season 1, which aired between September 2021 and August 2022, was hosted by a former US Navy F-14 pilot and RIO duo who combined had more than 30 years, 5,000 hours, and 1,000 carrier landings in the Tomcat. Episodes featured guests explaining the F-14's service from early development to the beloved fighter's retirement. Season 2 is in development. Stay tuned!

  1. 26. Season 1 Wrap Up & Look Back

    08/30/2022

    26. Season 1 Wrap Up & Look Back

    Sticking with our original plan, this is the 26th and final episode of the F-14 Tomcast season 1. We change it up for this episode, with “Jell-O” Aiello of the Fighter Pilot Podcast interviewing hosts “Crunch” Snyder and “Bio” Baranek. We discuss favorite part of the podcast series, missed opportunities, and more. In addition, we present the results of the audience poll and hints about the future! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    54 min
  2. 25. Retiring the F-14 Tomcat

    08/16/2022

    25. Retiring the F-14 Tomcat

    All good things come to an end, and so it was with the Tomcat’s U.S. Navy service. The end came in 2006, when the final Navy F-14 squadron -- VF-31 Tomcatters – shut down their F-14Ds for the last time. There’s a lot more to the story than the Tomcat Sunset ceremony at NAS Oceana and a final flight, such as the final deployment and behind-the-scenes activities that will surprise you. Our guest is uniquely qualified for this topic, as he was the last commanding officer of VF-31: James “Puck” Howe. (Yes, the squadron continued, but it became VFA-31.) His accounts of the squadron’s performance and the aircraft’s final months will make you proud to be a Tomcat fan! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 7m
  3. 24. The F-14 Tomcat in Operation Iraqi Freedom

    08/02/2022

    24. The F-14 Tomcat in Operation Iraqi Freedom

    Coalition combat returned to Iraq in 2003 with Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Among U.S. Navy forces were the Bounty Hunters of VF-2, which brought F-14D Tomcats to the fight. This episode goes into detail on the big fighter’s performance in a challenging threat environment. Our guests are former Tomcat pilot “Grumpy” Kimberly and RIO “Boog” Denneny, who flew demanding missions in OIF and share riveting tales of their experiences. Their opening comments also provide excellent background of the F-14 community in the 1990s and early 2000s. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 37m
  4. 23. Claws Out: F-14 Tomcats over Afghanistan post-9/11

    07/19/2022

    23. Claws Out: F-14 Tomcats over Afghanistan post-9/11

    In response to the 9/11 attacks, American and coalition forces commenced combat operations in Afghanistan (and other locations), with conventional operations commencing 7 October 2001. It was an incredible period in recent history, and our guest was a key participant. We talk to former F-14 RIO Mike Peterson, callsign “Tung,” about what it was like being on deployment when 9/11 happened…and flying in the first strike to begin the military response. A member of VF-213 flying from the USS Carl Vinson, Tung describes aerial refueling challenges that almost turned his first mission into a disaster (but was saved by a daring USAF tanker crew); enthusiasm among the ship’s crew to avenge the attacks; and dealing with the MANPAD threat. He relates a heart-stopping mission to support friendlies in a desperate situation and shows us his “Afghanistan ordnance Christmas tree.” Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 13m
  5. 22. Firing the AIM-54 in Anger

    07/05/2022

    22. Firing the AIM-54 in Anger

    The AIM-54 Phoenix missile was a major part of the F-14 program: it affected the Tomcat’s design and was the weapon that gave the Tomcat its unique and most impressive capabilities. During the Tomcat’s three-plus decades of service with the US Navy, however, American crews had only three combat Phoenix launches, and none of them were successful. Our guest was one of those shooters. We interview “Jumby” Castleton, the lead RIO in a section of F-14Ds that attacked Iraqi aircraft in January 1999 during Operation Southern Watch. While the Phoenix didn’t score a kill, the tactics used by the Tomcat crews, and the Hornet crews with them, make a great story! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 6m
  6. 21. Flying the F-14 Tomcat Air Show Demo

    06/21/2022

    21. Flying the F-14 Tomcat Air Show Demo

    Sure, you’ve seen an air show -- and the lucky ones have seen a Tomcat demonstration, or demo – but you will be amazed at what it took to train for the performance and what it was like to fly a show in the big fighter! Learn about the importance of crew coordination; guidelines for air shows, including distance from the crowd, altitude; the scary moments; and much more! We interview a pilot and RIO team, "Shorn" Saccomando and "Ponch" Rivera, who candidly reveal the extreme professionalism and commitment required to succeed in this high-risk mission. They talk about managing the incredible power of the F110 engines in the D-model, dealing with the FAA, and how a pilot and RIO worked together to show off the incredible capabilities of the F-14D. They finish with some of their memorable quotes and explain the story behind each one. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 25m
  7. 20. "Speed & Angels", the Documentary (not Movie)

    06/07/2022

    20. "Speed & Angels", the Documentary (not Movie)

    Aviation movie fans are likely familiar with the movie 'Speed & Angels,' a documentary that was released in 2008 and still gets high praise for its scenes of fighter aviation as well as its realism. The film follows two upcoming F-14 pilots in training, reveals their life stories and dreams, and continues as they enter the fleet. Our guests are one of the pilots profiled in the film, Meagan Flannigan (who was then Meagan Varley), and the fighter pilot who originated the idea and worked tirelessly to see it to completion, Paco Chierici. The interview is full of revelations and about flying the Tomcat, making a movie, and their lives. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 8m
  8. 19. The Tomcat and "Top Gun" (the Movie)

    05/24/2022

    19. The Tomcat and "Top Gun" (the Movie)

    One of the stars of the 1986 movie 'Top Gun' was the F-14 Tomcat, and we dig deep into what it took to create this memorable film. From the canopy-to-canopy scene, tower fly-by, and low-altitude flights over the desert, filming Top Gun required careful coordination and skillful performance from all involved, including the Navy aviators, camera operators, and others. Former F-14 pilots “Bozo” Abel and “Smegs” Semcken were instrumental participants, and they give us their first-person recollections of the challenges and successes that helped make this iconic film. They disclose details that are sure to surprise you! As a bonus, at the end of the interview we show a few minutes of never-before-seen HUD video from one of the TOPGUN squadron F-5s while filming scenes involving the “MiG-28.”  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1h 50m
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4.9
out of 5
259 Ratings

About

The F-14 Tomcast is an internet show dedicated to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the amazing men and women who flew, fixed, fought, and loved her. Season 1, which aired between September 2021 and August 2022, was hosted by a former US Navy F-14 pilot and RIO duo who combined had more than 30 years, 5,000 hours, and 1,000 carrier landings in the Tomcat. Episodes featured guests explaining the F-14's service from early development to the beloved fighter's retirement. Season 2 is in development. Stay tuned!

Information

  • Creator
    BVR Productions
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2022
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.

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