Perhaps the last place you'd expect to find a maritime patrol bird from the Cold War is rural central Ohio, and yet here she is. Preserved at VFW Post 3761 just outside of Baltimore is this beauty, seen here basking in the autumn morning light. Came to this location from what was then Lockbourne AFB, where she had been utilized as a crash rescue trainer.

This aircraft was originally built as a F9F-8 Cougar. The link between this type and South Korea is that early in the Korean war (on 3 July 1950), a USN F9F-3 from VF-51, operating from USS Valley Forge, downed a North Korean Yak-9P. I assume that is why this aircraft sits in a South Korean aviation museum.

Practising approaches runway 31.

Delivered to the US Navy on 28 October 1978 and retired to AMARC on 13 March 1995. In between it served VF-111, VF-2, VF-51, VF-21 (as pictured), VF-111 and VF-101. The Tomcat was scrapped by HVF West, Tucson (AZ) from 16 June 2008.

A Mentor of the PAcific Fleet Tomcat FRS. The type was used as a pilot proficiency trainer. It arrived with the Gunfighters mid-1992 and departed the squadron some two years later for the Strike Fighter Weapons School 'Tomcat Strike', Later it returned as a training with Training Wing FIVE. It was eventually retired on 29 May 2014 and stored at AMARG.

A Gunfighters Super Tomcat on the flightline of NAS Miramar (CA). 163418 was delivered to the US Navy on 18 October 1990. It was the first Super Tomcat for VF-124, the Pacific Fleet Replacement/Replenishment squadron. 163418 took part in the first F-14D Carrier Qualifications that took place on board the US Nimitz (CVN-68). After a following career with VF-11, VF-101 and VF-2, the Tomcat was retired to AMARC on 12 June 2003. It was moved to HVF West, Tucson (AZ) on 22 July 2009 and was sadly scrapped.

A very clean and brand-new Fiscal Year 1990 F-14D Super Tomcat. The beauty was accepted by the US Navy on 22 August 1991, and this picture was made only 5 days earlier! It was first assigned to VF-124, followed in August 1992 by VF-11. Later it moved to VF-31 and VF-101, then varying several times between VF-213 and VF-31. It was part of the final Tomcat cruise. 164341 was moved to AMARG for storage on 20 September 2006. It received inventory code AN1K0200. It was stricken on 29 November 2006. Pity as this Super Tomcat was at that time much newer, with less flight hours than many US fighters!

A Wolfhounds of Fighter Squadron ONE. Delivered to the US Navy in November 1985 and directly assigned to VF-1. From 2013 onwards, it was moved to VF-213 and crashed in service with that squadron after an unristricted climb from Berry Field ANG Facility, Nashville International Airport (TN). The Cat departed controlled flight and crashed on civil grounds. Both pilots and three people on the ground died. This was the same crew who survived a crash on 27 April 1995 with F-14A 161273/NH-116.

F-14A-125-GR was first delivered to the Naval Air Test Center (NATC on 1 July 1983. It served then VF-124, VF-21 and VF-2 (as pictured), VF-154, VF-213, VF-14 and VF-211. It was moved to AMARC on 17 August 2004 and received inventory code AN1K0158. The Cat was selected for scrap metal and left the storage depot on 17 June 2008 for HVF West, Tucson (AZ).

This F-14A was delivered to the US Navy on 21 December 1983 and was directly assigned to VF-21. It served the Freelancers up to late 1990 when it was transferred to the PMTC, followed by VF-111 Sundowners (as pictured), then VF-213 Blacklions, VF-154 Black Knights and eventually VF-101 Grim Reapers. The Cat was stricken on 29 September 2003 and scrapped on 13 October 2003.

From 1974 onwards, the Screeming Eagles operated the Tomcat. 159844 joined the squadron in September 1989. The Tomcat was dumped at Fallon from July 1995 and eventually scrapped by early 1998.

This F-14A was delivered to the US Navy on 21 December 1983 and was directly assigned to VF-21. It served the Freelancers up to late 1990 when it was transferred to the PMTC, followed by VF-111 Sundowners (as pictured), then VF-213 Blacklions, VF-154 Black Knights and eventually VF-101 Grim Reapers. The Cat was stricken on 29 September 2003 and scrapped on 13 October 2003.

Practising approaches runway 31.