Navy Gallery

Tomcat Night Launch

Night launches are spectacular, especially for an F14; when they light the afterburners moments before launch, you get a real idea of the power behind this aircraft.  The green sqiggely lines on the left are made by the Cat Officer waving a flashlight as a signal to the pilot moments before launch.  Aircraft do not turn on navigation lights until just before launch, as turning lights on at any other time is a signal that the pilot has no brakes, and is declaring an emergency.  No brakes on the flight deck certainly qualifies as an emergency, and the deck crew will rush to the aircraft and physically hold on to it until the wheels have been chocked, and a tow truck is hooked up.

Camera: Bronica ETRsi, 50mm lens, VPH film

This page best viewed with a salt breeze in your face.

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