Oceana airshow 2005: last fling of the F-14 Tomcat

Well, I can scarcely believe that no-one has posted any photos from the Oceana airshow, which featured the last ever demo by the legendary F-14 Tomcat before this type is finally retired over the next year or so.

Anyway here are a few shots to plug that hole, starting with a C-5 Galaxy arriving on the gloomy Friday arrivals day:

An E-2C+ Hawkeye, equipped with 8-bladed propellers:

Extremely rare sight of a pair of F-86 Sabres in formation, the nearest one flown by none other than Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, who has more hours flying Tomcats than anyone else on the planet:

QF-4 Phantom II deploying its drogue chute after the air force Heritage Flight:

F/A-18F Super Hornet pulling vapour out of the moist Virginia air:

The stars of the show, including one ship in a retro 1970s colour scheme:

The tactical demo in the retro ship:

More photos and full report here:

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/Oceana2005/Highlights/index.html

Richard.