VF-213 F-14D 164602 Color To The End

2006 saw the last of the F-14D Tomcat fighters leave US Navy fleet service. VF-31 and VF-213 were the last two squadrons to deploy with the F-14. The VF-213 Black Lions painted F-14D 164602 AJ-213, in full colors for the retirement.

I had the good fortune to see F-14D 164602 two days after arrival and prior to spraylat being applied for it's storage in AMARG in 2006. 

With the exception of the AMARG inventory number ANIK0195, and the yellow 7 indicating an accountable inventory inspection has been completed, the aircraft's markings are untouched. 

Some preliminary work to start covering openings has been completed. 

Twin tailed Lion that evolved with the squadrons transition from the F-4J Phantom II to the F-14A Tomcat. 

AMARG technicians added blocks to the top of each rudder to keep the surfaces from blowing back and forth in the wind potentially damaging hinges and actuators.

Foil paper and tape have been used to cover the engine exhausts to prevent entry of foreign objects.

It is interesting to note that the wings were not placed in the over-sweep angle for parking at AMARG. Over-sweep reduced the width of the Tomcat for deck handling and was not available in-flight. The sweep angle is detectable by the angle of the horizontal stabilizers. If the wings were over-swept the leading edge inboard tips of the stabilizers would contact the bottom of the wing and limit the travel of the stabilizer leading edge up.