You will ask me, "Why do you like the Tomcat?". During its service life, it is the MIGHTIEST in its field. Below are its might:
1) Highest Speed - It has the highest speed of any carrier borne aircraft at Mach 2.34!
2) Furthest BVR Missiles - It is the ONLY aircraft to carry the longest Beyond-Visual-Range range air-air missiles, HUGHES AIM-54 Phoenix. It has a range of 160km.
3) VF-111 Sundowners - This is my most ferocious squadron markings. It boosts my spirits every time I look at it.
This is the story of, 'Miss Molly'.
“Miss Molly” is named after Navy nurse Molly Snead,a long time nurse/aide to Senator Carl Vinson and his wife. Molly Snead christened the USS Carl Vinson at its launching and commissioning on March 15, 1980. Named after Senator Vinson in recognition of his contributions to the US Navy.
In conclusion, in a one-to-one air combat, I will down you along with the sun!
Ready to bite!
Hello Miss Molly! This is the CAG (Commanding Air Group) for this squadron.
VF-111 Sundowners aboard USS Carl Vinson in live action along with their 'friends'.
United States Marines Corps VMFA-224
'Bengals' is my favourite OPERATING Boeing F-18C Hornet fighter
squadron.
I will have to admit that these visuals are not to my expectations despite searching extensively. So, at the time of writing, my favourite operational aircraft goes to this best navy carrier borne aircraft photo...
...the present Boeing F-18C Hornet of CAG VFA-34 'Blue Blasters' aboard USS Carl Vinson. I 'saw' this landing... ;-P Unfortunately, their present deployment will be their last... 😿
Boeing F-18C Hornet of CAG VFA-113 'Stingers' aboard USS Carl Vinson is my second favourite fighter squadron.
United States Marines Corps VMFA-223 'Red Devils' Boeing F-18C Hornet in my favourite live action video 😃
Proven survivability, versatility and reliability since the Gulf Wars are my main reasons for my liking 😉
Bibliography
Reference Cited
SUNDOWNERS VF-111, HOBBYMASTER UPDATES AND NEW TO PRE-ORDER (2018) [Online] Flying Tigers
Available from: https://www.flying-tigers.co.uk/2016/sundowners-vf-111-hobbymaster-updates-and-new-to-pre-order/
[Accessed: 7 NOV 2018]
HOBBY MASTER HA5213 1/72 SCALE GRUMMAN F-14A TOMCAT DIECAST
MODEL “MISS MOLLY”, S/N 161621, VF-111 “SUNDOWNERS, NL 200, USN (2018) [Online] Armchair Aviator Available from: https://armchairaviator.com.au/shop/hobby-master-ha5213-f-14-tomcat-diecast/
[Accessed: 8 NOV 2018]
NAVY F/A-18 LEGACY HORNETS HAVE TAKEN THEIR LAST CRUISE ABOARD A
U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER (2018) [Online]
Time Inc. Available from: http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20119/navy-f-a-18-legacy-hornets-have-taken-their-last-cruise-aboard-a-u-s-aircraft-carrier
[Accessed: 8 NOV 2018]
US NAVY-STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 113
(STRKFITRON 113) VFA-113 'STINGERS' (2021) [Online]
Seaforces.org. Available from: https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VFA/Strike-Fighter-Squadron-113.htm [Accessed:
8 APR 2021]
US MARINE CORPS - MARINE ALL-WEATHER FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON 224 VMFA (AW)-224 'BENGALS' (2021) [Online] Seaforces.org. Available from: https://www.seaforces.org/usmcair/VMFAAW/VMFAAW-224.htm [Accessed: 8 APR 2021]
