Oceana Air Show 2005 Pre-Show Notes
By Gerry Clarke
I received a phone call last night from Dave Linnly in regard to the latest internet rumor; that rumor that Dale Snodgrass et al are going to purchase a dozen retired F-14 jets. Being a F/A-18 Super Hornet fan myself I replied with super indignation ”Just a rumor can’t happen, won’t happen, just another internet rumor.” A dozen F-14s would be far too expensive to maintain let alone fly…mental note to self “if I see Dale Snodgrass around base I will ask him to put this rumor to rest”.
At 1000 hours Tuesday, I ask Capt Dale Snodgrass USN (retired but still working) if there were anything to the rumors that he was looking into getting a dozen mothballed Tomcats. Dale immediately and infatically replied "NO, we are trying to get 16 Tomcats that would be maintained by NGC and stored at St Augustine Florida." (damn you Dale Snodgrass you might just get this to work). If anyone is going to have their own Air Force I guess it might as well be Dale Snodgrass. I have always enjoyed his air show demonstrations. His ability to put his aircraft in close proximity to my camera lens and in the perfect light has resulted in some of my best photos.
Dale says that obtaining the remaining available F-14s and finding sponsorship to maintain the aircraft will be very difficult. He feels that there is only about a 25% chance that his efforts will be successful but he is willing to make the effort. I am sure if anyone can pull this off it will be Dale Snodgrass and his associates.
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