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Panzerfire — The Last Flight

#vehicle #digitalart #military #aircraft #fighter #ace #combat #fighterjet #navy #states #tomcat #united #usnavy
Published: 2011-03-14 00:13:31 +0000 UTC; Views: 12197; Favourites: 312; Downloads: 0
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Well... not precisely THE last flight but these are AJ103 (BuNo 163902) and AJ102 (BuNo 164904) of VFA-31 "Tomcatters". Both were about the last remaining F-14D Super Tomcats to fly in US Service.

The last actual F-14 flight was actually done by AJ107 (BuNo 164902) from the same squadron (not pictured here 'though) when AJ102 proved to be a bit too risky to fly. This was Sept. 22, 2006.

AJ103 (The Tomcat that's closer to the viewer) is wearing it's Last Tomcat Colors while AJ102 (Back there) has a low visibility paint work. Also, AJ102 has 2 x AIM-7 Sparrow and 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The Four remaining missile positions remain empty ('Though it'd be normal they were carrying AIM-54 Phoenix missiles). AJ103 is not armed.


And this is the first time I make a work featuring the US Navy's best Fighter jet ever. Too bad it's been retired
The Military Insdutrial complex comes up with good stuff some times only to later replace it with more expensive (And perhaps not as useful?) stuff. The Iranians know better 'though they still got their F-14A Tomcats flying albeit not has many as they used to.

This work turned pretty good and I'm highly satisfied with it. I've been using some default brushes in PhotoShop to make more realistic looking clouds without using other people's brushes. I used to use a lot 's sparkle brushes but this time I made the sparkles myself (Not has a brush 'though. I made it has a layer and then copied and pasted a lot. Annoying but anything to keep it original).
I feel like doing some more F-14 related works in the future Something more combat wise would be cool. After all the Tomcat is an actual war veteran.


I hope you guys like it

See'ya in the Battlefield!
Related content
Comments: 192

Enahsb123 [2016-03-20 02:37:48 +0000 UTC]

Amazing! I don't think I could ever draw anything as good as that

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Panzerfire In reply to Enahsb123 [2016-04-16 17:06:00 +0000 UTC]

It's a matter of practice. Every good artist starts drawing poorly, on one is really good from the start. It's years of practice that makes the master.

Heck even I still need to practice a lot.

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mobiusoneblaze [2015-07-09 22:19:37 +0000 UTC]

Target's in firing range, Schnee One to all units, release your missiles

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WeloveKim [2014-10-20 12:28:58 +0000 UTC]

ALMIGHTY TOMCAT, WE HAIL U. <3
Awesome mate, best jet ever made. Too bad its not in any BF game

👍: 1 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to WeloveKim [2014-11-18 19:25:17 +0000 UTC]

hehe indeed. I'm not sure if there are any BF2 mods that may offer an F-14 among its assets. Later BF games don't really have any proper mods so it's useless to look at them.

👍: 1 ⏩: 1

WeloveKim In reply to Panzerfire [2014-11-18 20:38:48 +0000 UTC]

Too bad that newer BF games doesn't even support Mods. I would LOVE to see a Super Tomcat with the beautiful Frostbite3 engine *__*

👍: 1 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to WeloveKim [2015-02-28 23:58:58 +0000 UTC]

I'd love to see Project Reality using the Frostbite 3 engine as well. It'd be fucking insane!

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PokemonManiac9913 [2013-08-07 06:59:02 +0000 UTC]

Thing is I heard from a friend a guy got into a comment war with someone about the F-18 was necessary and blah blah blah blah. The guy that was defending the legendary Tomcat said it would've been cheaper to upgrade the Tomcat than replace it. Then the person who was bashing the Tomcat said yeah what would you know.  This is the best part, The guy defending the Tomcat said "Well I don't think you've ever worked on a Tomcat for 20 years." THE GUY WAS A GRUMMAN ENGINEER. This also means the Tomcat could've been flying today

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Panzerfire In reply to PokemonManiac9913 [2013-08-07 23:27:13 +0000 UTC]

The Tomcat IS still flying today. Just not under the US Flag.

You'll have to go to Iran to see them in service. Quite impressive that they've managed to keep'em airborne for so many years.

Although one should wonder how long they'll keep pushing those 30+ years old fighters.

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HoshikoSoyokaze [2013-07-02 06:23:14 +0000 UTC]

Actually the only reason why the F-14 was removed from service was the fact the US stopped making replacement parts because the Iranians use the F-14. The US had to pretty much retire every F-14 they had, and then scrap them just to make sure the Iranians don't get spare parts somehow. The F-14 was neither obsolete nor unusable in any way.

The F-14 was doomed because of some "traitor birds" as I call them.

Perhaps one day a new model like the F-14 will come, but nothing will be like her completely.

👍: 1 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to HoshikoSoyokaze [2013-07-05 16:12:16 +0000 UTC]

Hmmmmm it's unlikely that we'll ever see an F-14 like aircraft again.

If you look at current american fighter development, the F-35 is pretty much the only modern fighter jet still in development with NO plans for further fighter jets.

That is if you're not counting the Unmanned drones program of which there are quite a few.

I'm thiking the F-35 will be likely the last pilot controlled fighter aircraft to be developed for the USAF. Afterwards there will only be drones.

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HoshikoSoyokaze In reply to Panzerfire [2013-07-05 22:13:33 +0000 UTC]

Actually there are 6th generation aircraft being conceived.

It's just right now the reason why there is nothing past the F-35 is because of the mindset that Drones are a complete replacement. They won't be.

Whenever the military says B will replace A, we always end up back with A. The things that the Military completely ignores become the new thing.

And right now we don't know what the new thing is...

👍: 1 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to HoshikoSoyokaze [2013-07-08 18:56:23 +0000 UTC]

Hmmm I guess we're gonna have to wait to see what happens with the future of combat jet fighters.

My money is still on UCAVs. But we'll see.

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1-800-Breads [2012-09-29 02:58:56 +0000 UTC]

Truly a worthy memorial, almost makes up for the fact that such a great plane is being replaced by a poor substitute like the f-35

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Panzerfire In reply to 1-800-Breads [2012-09-29 03:29:14 +0000 UTC]

Eeeeekkkk, I tremble at the idea.

I really really dislike the F-35.

The F-14 on the hand has Legendary status written on it. Respect for the Iranians who still fly it (Probably not for long 'though).

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RWilliam [2012-09-14 17:18:59 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, sexiest plane to ever grace the skies. It was retired for two reasons, A) They couldn't make it "stealthy" B) No real Air to Ground capabilities. We have seen how important that has become in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also, I am biased my dad flew these!

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CaptainPrower [2012-08-22 04:12:06 +0000 UTC]

The F-14D had a good service life, and had a respectable replacement: the F/A-18 Hornet (followed up by the F/A-18E Super Hornet)
But now, Lockheed wants to spoil the whole bunch with the acid-tripping-lovechild-of-an-F-22 and an F-16 they call the Lightning.
In their overpriced dreams.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to CaptainPrower [2012-08-26 13:09:35 +0000 UTC]

Yeah I too dislike the F-35 program. In fact I see it as somewhat a scam by Lockheed Martin in order to get as much of the taxpayers money as they can. And not just the american's money, it's also the money of several European states. And as a consequence, it has hindered the development of pan-european fifth gen fighter.

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Garuda-01 [2012-05-22 22:39:59 +0000 UTC]

This picture is beautiful. The F-14D always was one of my favorite planes. I was heartbroken when I found out the military retired them.

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Panzerfire In reply to Garuda-01 [2012-05-23 13:20:58 +0000 UTC]

Yeah it was too bad they retired them. But that's the cycle of evolution, out with the old, in with the new....... even if the new is sh*t.

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josezero12 [2012-04-26 19:14:50 +0000 UTC]

NICE XD

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Panzerfire In reply to josezero12 [2012-05-02 15:29:38 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you like it.

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Midway2009 [2012-04-01 05:36:05 +0000 UTC]

F-14 Tomcat will always be my favorite.

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Panzerfire In reply to Midway2009 [2012-04-01 13:47:57 +0000 UTC]

I can totally understand that. The F-14 is one of the best fighters ever made.

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Midway2009 In reply to Panzerfire [2012-04-02 00:27:33 +0000 UTC]

yes indeed.

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LCDRhammond [2012-02-22 08:42:47 +0000 UTC]

My squadron. man I miss getting into the cockpit of the F-14. pic looks amazing keep up the great work

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Panzerfire In reply to LCDRhammond [2012-02-28 12:59:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. I'm glad you like it.

And yeah it's a pity the F-14s have been retired. TBH I have more high regards with the Teen Series of fighters than the new F-35A/B/C.

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jano233 [2012-01-27 03:43:45 +0000 UTC]

F-14 Tomcats dominate the sky....anyone says other wise will get a Sidewinder up your ass

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Panzerfire In reply to jano233 [2012-02-06 16:32:52 +0000 UTC]

Correction, they used to dominate the sky.

Not sure 'though how the Iranians do with their own F-14s but since they've been retired from US service they're no longer ruling the skies.

But they totally would if they were still flying

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jano233 In reply to Panzerfire [2012-02-06 22:16:29 +0000 UTC]

Hmmmm (wondering if i should fire a Sidewinder up your ass)

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Panzerfire In reply to jano233 [2012-02-13 21:07:06 +0000 UTC]

haha. ;D

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Ronin201 [2012-01-21 01:12:18 +0000 UTC]

Tomcats Forever!!!

Our Mission: Protect the Force, get the Bandits!!!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to Ronin201 [2012-01-21 14:43:59 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you like it.

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wolfofficer [2012-01-09 17:52:30 +0000 UTC]

once SHTF Or something and are advance raptors start loosing i have a feelling theres gonna be call for the Tomcats and Eagles to heed the call to battle once again

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to wolfofficer [2012-01-12 13:41:36 +0000 UTC]

lol... it's gonna cost a b*tch to put them all back in flying conditions. If it's possible at this point.

Production of new units would be best. Then again, it could be mighty expensive to put the factories together to start manufacturing all the pieces an F-14 needs.

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Gimiglider [2011-10-24 13:53:21 +0000 UTC]

yep, I liked the F-14 too. For it's swing wings at first, but after that for it's, well, awesomeness. I like the F-15, F-18, F-22, J-20, PAK-FA and the Flankers (a bit) too!

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parijatgaur [2011-09-05 17:57:06 +0000 UTC]

I love the composition of the image. And you are right..F-14 was truly the Navy's best fighter ever. And as a bonus, it had looks to match its performance too.

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Panzerfire In reply to parijatgaur [2011-09-06 23:28:06 +0000 UTC]

Indeed.

I'm glad you like the picture

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loonstar28 [2011-05-15 23:23:57 +0000 UTC]

The F-14,A,B,D is one of my all great fighter jet and this is great work thx for shareing

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to loonstar28 [2011-05-16 16:01:59 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome. I'm glad you like it.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

vjptox [2011-03-30 08:29:22 +0000 UTC]

Wow, shiny Tomcats... Sooo they're replaced by Super Hornets? Although I'm not a fan of USAF's aircrafts, I gotta admit that the F-14s got a great looking body after all Also, I like the IRIAF's camo on them

Great job, man Keep improving

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to vjptox [2011-04-02 14:28:05 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. I will keep doing more aircraft vectors in the future. I'm glad you like this.

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warriorxp [2011-03-22 15:06:56 +0000 UTC]

:3
Battlefield 3 i waiting for this xD

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to warriorxp [2011-03-26 12:28:32 +0000 UTC]

Unlikely that BF3 will have F-14 given that they've been retired for almost firve years now.

But the game will includes some maps with air units such as fighters. We'll just have to wait and see what planes the USMC faction will come with.

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MCBeowulf-the-Fox [2011-03-20 22:58:08 +0000 UTC]

man. Just like I visioned it. A war came to an end and me and a comrade feel like doing one last patrol and we dicide to catch the wind to perform high G

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Panzerfire In reply to MCBeowulf-the-Fox [2011-03-26 12:21:20 +0000 UTC]

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Paranartist [2011-03-16 22:20:13 +0000 UTC]

Han demostrado supremacia en el aire... pero como todo lo que se crea en esta epoca, no es para que dure mucho ¬_¬ es una pena ._.

👍: 0 ⏩: 2

Panzerfire In reply to Paranartist [2011-03-17 20:23:37 +0000 UTC]

perdon, quise decir "legado".

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Panzerfire In reply to Paranartist [2011-03-17 20:23:08 +0000 UTC]

Totalmente. Habra que ver si los nuevos chiches como el F-35C seran capaces de forjar un legajo similar.

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Paranartist In reply to Panzerfire [2011-03-18 01:04:57 +0000 UTC]

Pues para eso tambien seria nesesario contar con una buena competencia, lo cual creo que no tienen por el momento ._.

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