Customer Reviews

Tomcat Alley: A Photographic Roll Call of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat (Schiffer Military History)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tomcat Alley is in a word, outstanding! As a former F-14 pilot and military photo enthusiast, I found this publication fantastically complete in its inclusion of every F-14 aircraft ever made and the subsequent dispositions of these aircraft as they either continue their services lives or have retired. Anyone who is doing research on a particular USN F-14 by bureau number will find this book invaluable; those who are interested in the F-14 on a more casual basis will find the book equally entertaining. It's a MUST HAVE publication!

In compiling a complete pictorial accounting of the US Navy's quintessential fighter plane, author Brown and editors Lebaron and Kaston have created a treatment of the F-14 that is as enjoyable and readable as it was exhaustively researched. In the increasingly crowded field of popular military aviation literature, Tomcat Alley is unique in that it will equally engage the historian, the airplane buff, and -- of course -- the F-14 enthusiast. Tomcat Alley sets the bar for all future aviation 'roll-call'-style references. Well done!

A very detailed and fascinating roll call of the 712 F-14's built. Unfortunately, the book is current only through 1998.

This book could become the definitive Tomcat bible if it was updated to include all Tomcats through the final retirement in September and provide some coverage of the many ceremonies that took place as the Tomcat flew into the sunset.

There is not too much to read in the F-14 book, as it
is a "F-14 Roll Call" type book. This means it has a
photo of each and every F-14 ever made, and the final
disposition of each aircraft. If the aircraft was in
any special operations, that is mentioned also. For
photos, specific aircraft markingins, squadron
markings and F-14 history I thought the book was very
well done and excellent!

I'm a former F-14 RIO (85-93), and was the FITWING Senior Flight Surgeon at NAS Oceana from 2000-2003 - I loved going through this book. I matched all the planes that I flew over the years with my log book. There were some discrepancies, but nothing major. I was involved with flying many of the aircraft to the desert in Arizone for their final resting place - And, finally, it was wonderful to be at the Final Flight and Retirement on the Beautiful Day at NAS Oceana in September. I met the author of the this book and bought a signed copy. Keep up the good work. MUGS

February 26/2006. For the last 7 years the Tomcat has served and excelled in different roles and big conflicts have been present in all this time. And now the Tomcat's service in the Navy is almost over. A couple of cruises I guess and that's it. Now is the perfect time to update this book. Then it would be like a Tomcat Bible.

To be honest is my first purchase in Amazon, i am very satisfied with the product, very good procedure during de process of purchase and shipment. For sure i will use amazon for future buyings.

Regards.

For those who fly, maintain, or just admire the F-14, this definitely deserves a place on your bookshelf. Filled with over 700 photos of Tomcats, including the bureau numbers of said planes, this is without a doubt the "year book" of the F-14. I only wish this book receives an update with even more photos of the remaining Tomcats in our inventory and where they stand today (book was printed in 1998).

Including information such as the planes that appeared in Hollywood films, squadron tail markings, as well as patches, you will not find a more complete reference title anywhere on the market. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money.

This is a must have book for the Tomcat lover. Not only does it list all the aircraft Bureau numbers, it has over 700 photos to compliment every aircraft. David Brown has gone extensive lengths to bring us EVERY Tomcat made with a brief description of each aircraft and their current status. The Iranian Tomcat photos in their desert camouflage schemes are a special treat, considering the difficulty in obtaining them. Of particular significance are the squadron patches of every squadron; active or disbanded, east or west coast. The book is a bit pricey, but well worth it.