UPDATE on Aviation Challenge Aircraft

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 5:34 pm

Well the fighting continues here in war-torn Huntsville. The USN crew from VF-101 (the RAG squadron for F-14's) is here working on our F-14A. When completed she will be ashow ready bird. They are working really hard on her and since the squadron will soon be decomissioned, it will be a nice tribute to all that have served with the GRIM REAPERS. I will be posting links to the images of the painting as it goes along and will also post what the finished bird should look like.

Who · Post by **Who** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 2:51 pm

ethlar04 · Post by **ethlar04** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:25 pm

Do you know if they are also going to fix the landing gear so the plane is at full height or is that something that they arent going to touch?

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 7:03 pm

Wow i didnt even notice the height until you said something. What happened to the height on that thing? i remember it being higher when i was there in 96. My team picture the aircraft looks to be at its full height.

AC_Shrek · Post by **AC_Shrek** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 8:10 pm

The struts lost pressure over the years till it finally got as low as it could go. It dropped slowly from what they say.

Who · Post by **Who** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 12:20 pm

The repair crew looked into adding more nitrogen to the aircraft to raise it up. However, the first few days we had the aircraft the valve to raise the canopy was broken and you also need that valve to add the gas to the system to raise and lower the aircraft. Only Grumman can fix it now.

Here are some more pics of the Tomcat.

ethlar04 · Post by **ethlar04** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 9:03 pm

All I have to say is WOW. The plane looks awesome, thanks for posting the pics.

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 3:51 pm

Here she is in all her new found glory.

http://knightserrant.org/album/id=461

ethlar04 · Post by **ethlar04** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:21 pm

Are the trainees still going to be told about the history of the airplane (appearances in Top Gun and other movies), or is that information just going to be forgotten? The new paint makes it a little harder to recognize.

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 3:54 pm

Yes....160661's history will be retained. Due to the deactivation of VF-124 (the West Coast RAG for F-14 crews) we could not placer her those markings. VF-101 was gracious enough provide us with their crew, equipment and squadron markings since they are the only RAG squadron left. They are slated to deactivate in 2005 or so with the introduction of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. We are proud and honored to have the GRIM REAPERS represented. If you are an OLD SCHOOL AC trainee then you remember when we used the REAPERS as on of our INTERMEDIATE or MACH 3 teams.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 1:23 pm

I remember the Grim reapers when i was ther in 96. That particular week Grunt was leading the team. I also remember my team was always ragging on them although not to their face because they were always so serious and military like. They marched everywhere they went etc. Where as our team was alot more layed back.

ethlar04 · Post by **ethlar04** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 6:57 pm

There is always one team like that, usually the ones who have been there before.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 8:57 am

Oh don't get me wrong infact at first i actually wanted to change teams and go over to the Grim Reapers. I had expected the program to me more military like and thats something i also wopuld have enjoyed. I was in marine JROTC at the time so it wouldnt have bothered me at all. But by the end of the week i was glad i stayed with my original team because we had a great group.

Squid · Post by **Squid** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:25 pm

Personally, I'm glad that they could not raise the strut, although having it at a proper height would be nice, this way has a forward look to it that looks awesome in the pictures, sorta as if it is barring down on your