Grumman Visitors Coming to FRG 10/25

[PhantomII]

Word on the street (ramp?) says we will see two or three Grumman aircraft at FRG this Saturday, October 25. It is part of a program where the Navy flies in various Grumman built aircraft for current NG employees to get a closer look. Rumor has it that an EA-6B Prowler, an E-2 Hawkeye, and perhaps a third, unidentified aircraft, will arrive Saturday morning, around 9:30 and will be parked at the terminal ramp. No word on how long they will be on the field. Get those cameras ready...

[h2opunk1822]

humn... i havent heard anything.. ill go ask around tomorrow when i go back to work.

[cancidas]

C-2 Tracker?

[nikon50bigma]

I heards it gonna rain on Saturday.
But anyway if those birds are by the terminal on Saturday, do you guys think they might let the general public near them for photos?

[PhantomII]

Latest news - they are arriving around 9am, and will be parked at the Airpower Museum. They will be there for an invitation-only event at the museum Saturday morning. No further info on when they are leaving...

[Gerard]

>[quote="nikon50bigma"]I heards it gonna rain on Saturday.<

A ""significant rainmaker" is what I heard, from Sat aft to Sunday morning.
Figures.

[h2opunk1822]

was over at the museum and found out that there will be a e2c, prowler and a f-18 coming in on sunday!!

[ch2tdriver]

COOL! Thanks for the heads up...keep us posted. How tall does the step ladder have to be to shoot over the fence?! :D

Pete

[PhantomII]

was over at the museum and found out that there will be a e2c, prowler and a f-18 coming in on sunday!!
Don't wait until Sunday, or you miss them. As noted above, this is for a private event at the museum Saturday morning/afternoon. An EA-6B, an E-2C and an EA-18G are expected for this event. They are trying to get another aircraft, perhaps a Grumman C-2, but that is still uncertain. The Growler is arriving Saturday morning, and leaving that same afternoon. The other two should arrive Friday afternoon/evening, departure is uncertain, but they may launch Sunday morning.

ch2tdriver, the fence at FRG is 8 feet tall. Given military airfield requirements, expect these aircraft to arrive/depart on runway 14/32.

[cancidas]

was over at the museum and found out that there will be a e2c, prowler and a f-18 coming in on sunday!!
talk about throwing salt at a wound... why would you bring an EA-18 to a grumman function? that's just stupid. it's like saying "yes, you folk did great but we replaced you with this:" just my $0.02, seem idiotic to me.

[h2opunk1822]

yea i messed up on the date.. was busy this morning on the ramp.. but it should be a good weekend if it doesnt get rained out!

[moose135]

talk about throwing salt at a wound... why would you bring an EA-18 to a grumman function? that's just stupid. it's like saying "yes, you folk did great but we replaced you with this:" just my $0.02, seem idiotic to me.

From Northrop-Grumman's web site (http://investor.northropgrumman.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=112386&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=586031&highlight=):


EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 29, 2004 - On July 1, Northrop Grumman Corporation will begin assembling the U.S. Navy's first EA-18G aircraft, the service's next-generation electronic attack aircraft due to begin replacing the venerable EA-6B Prowler aircraft by the end of the decade. The milestone comes just six months after EA-18G prime contractor Boeing began the EA-18G program's system development and demonstration (SDD) phase.

As Boeing's principal subcontractor on the EA-18 program, Integrated Systems will produce and integrate the aircraft's center/aft fuselage and all associated subsystems at its aircraft manufacturing facility in El Segundo. Under a separate contract with Boeing, the sector will also assemble and integrate the ICAP III-based electronic attack subsystem.

[nikon50bigma]

They will be there for an invitation-only event at the museum Saturday morning..

So does that mean only those invited can get near the planes or can only go to the reception?
I'd gladly drive out there to see them up close but to go there only for t/o and deptautre shots, i don't think so :(

[h2opunk1822]

i think there going to be at the museum.. i was told by jim that we might need to move some of NFI's planes for the event.. so with that said.. im pretty sure its on the east side of the airport

[SCOTYDEMCO]

As Moose said the F-18G Growler is made by NG and a hell of a catch I may add!

[lijk604]

Given military airfield requirements, expect these aircraft to arrive/depart on runway 14/32.
Actually with 1/19 closed, they have no choice but to use 14/32.

[Gerard]

Given military airfield requirements, expect these aircraft to arrive/depart on runway 14/32.
Actually with 1/19 closed, they have no choice but to use 14/32.

Why is 1/1-9 closed?

[moose135]

Why is 1/1-9 closed?
They are replacing Taxiway Bravo, on the west side of the runway - it's too close based on runway safe zones - and some of the work is close to the runway. They have been working on the area adjacent to the terminal ramp in the past couple of weeks. I don't know if it's closed entirely, or only while the crews are working on the taxiway.

[h2opunk1822]

they started the repaving and widening of the runways i think.. and its only closed m-f..

[Gerard]

Thanks guys

[Derf]

I will try and get you guys some nice shots. It is not an AAM event but a private event. Sorry but I could not release details....but I was SURE that I would not need to. Frankly I was very suprised that the Concorde move slipped by (I did not know about it either).

I did get to go to a ceromony where the F-14 and A-6 in Calverton was released to Town of Riverhead.... but that should get its own thread. :borat:

[h2opunk1822]

probally around noon the prowler and the e2c are going to be in today and tomorrow morning the f-18

[wunaladreamin]

Chris, do you have an eta on the Bug for tomorrow? I may try to get out there.

[h2opunk1822]

the bug??

[cancidas]

the bug??
hornet is a bug. the super hornet is either a super bug or rhino.

[ch2tdriver]

Went to FRG to eat my lunch at 1:30 and the E-2 was there. No sign of the Prowler.

Pete

[wunaladreamin]

the bug??
hornet is a bug. the super hornet is either a super bug or rhino.
What he said!!!

[GrummanFan]

Keep an eye out for the Prowler around 8pm this evening, and the Growler around 9am tomorrow. Departure time on Sunday is estimated around 1:30pm (for the hawkeye at least).

[Greg_NY]

Went to FRG to eat my lunch at 1:30 and the E-2 was there. No sign of the Prowler.

Pete

Where about is the E-2 parked?

Thanks

[PhantomII]

hornet is a bug. the super hornet is either a super bug or rhino.
Bite your tongue, rotor head :D
The only Rhino is the F-4 Phantom, not that little wannabe F-18!

Latest news is that they will be allowing the general public into the museum (with normal admission) to get a closer look at the visitors.

[cancidas]

Bite your tongue, rotor head
The only Rhino is the F-4 Phantom, not that little wannabe F-18!
LOL! i haven't heard that in a while. thanks...

now, as far as the super bug goes i was told it's called a rhino nowadays, in an effort to make sure the arrestor cables are set to the right weight. this i was told personally by a current USN super bug pilot.

[PhantomII]

No problems, cancidas - I know the super bug guys like to use the Rhino name, but the Rhino will always be the F-4 to many of us.

[moose135]

The Three Musketeers spent a little time on the ramp after dark with the E-2C. The EA-6B wasn't here, heard they had MX issues en route, not sure if or when it will arrive. Now I need to get a little sleep before I head out to catch that Growler arrival in the morning.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/401817629_pFBwC-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/401818279_hAkH2-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/401819141_tre2G-L-1.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/401819743_3f8yx-L-1.jpg

[h2opunk1822]

the ea-18 wont be coming in today. b/c of the celing they wont release it out of Pax River. (well thats what i was told).. and the prowler had MX issues, so the only a/c arriving which is there is the e2c.

[cancidas]

the ea-18 wont be coming in today. b/c of the celing they wont release it out of Pax River. (well thats what i was told).. and the prowler had MX issues, so the only a/c arriving which is there is the e2c.
i smell trout....
this is the wx from both Pax River (KNHK) and Farmingdale (KFRG) this morning around 0800 this morning:

KFRG 251353Z 14015G21KT 10SM OVC075 17/14 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP216 T01670139
KNHK 251352Z 13012KT 10SM FEW041 SCT095 18/15 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP154 T01780150

i'll translate for those who don't speak metar, Farmingdale's ceiling was at 7500 ft while Pax River's had no definitive ceiling.

[fk6065]

Any idea of when the E-2C will be departing, hopefully on Sunday? Thanks.

[moose135]

Any idea of when the E-2C will be departing, hopefully on Sunday? Thanks.
Yes, should be early afternoon from what the pilot said. I guess the Navy doesn't like to get the super bug wet...

[Gerard]

[quote="h2opunk1822"]the ea-18 wont be coming in today. b/c of the celing they wont release it out of Pax River. (well thats what i was told)..

Mmmm, interesting that since Thursday the Navy has been inspecting hundreds of older F/A -18s for cracks in part of a wing assembly.
636 F-18A through D models are being inspected for stress cracks.
Not sure if THAt has anything to do with the non-arrival.

[fk6065]

Thanks for the info, hope to make it out there on Sunday.

Fantastic shots!

Due to the potential F/A-18 "stress crack" issue I wonder how fast the few remaining Tomcats can be taken out of "mothballs"

[moose135]

Due to the potential F/A-18 "stress crack" issue I wonder how fast the few remaining Tomcats can be taken out of "mothballs"
Don't hold your breath...

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/navy-in ... ing-cracks (http://hamptonroads.com/2008/10/navy-inspecting-all-fa18-hornets-wing-cracks)

The Navy is inspecting its entire fleet of F/A-18 Hornets after discovering cracks in more than a dozen of the planes' wings. There have been no flight mishaps and no planes have been grounded, the Navy said. Navy mechanics found the cracks this month during routine post-flight maintenance on a currently deployed plane, said Lt. Clayton Doss, a spokesman.

The damage was in the aluminum outer wing panel outboard aileron hinge. Ailerons help control the rolling motion of the aircraft, so a failure of this hinge could lead to further damage and the loss of the plane. Subsequent inspections found similar cracks in 14 other planes. Five of the planes are deployed and are scheduled for immediate repair. The other 10 were in depot, reserve or training status, Doss said.

The Navy has issued a call to inspect all 636 of its older "legacy" Hornets - the A, B, C and D variants. There are 112 such Hornets deployed worldwide; the remainder are in depot, reserve or training status. The F/A-18 Super Hornets - E's and F's - are not affected.

The Navy has issued an inspection bulletin dictating that every Hornet be inspected within its next 15 flight hours. It should take several weeks to complete the inspections. A panel replacement is a minor repair that can be done in the field or on the carriers, Doss said, while a hinge replacement is major and would require taking the plane to a land-based facility.

In the meantime, the Hornets continue to fly missions.

[fk6065]

LOL, I was just making a joke, the Tomcat days are long over.

[moose135]

Here are a few more from today's event. With only one Navy aircraft on hand, the museum moved some of their aircraft out for display also.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/402132572_yp3Bg-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/402134676_S5Cqu-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/402139807_3thZV-L.jpg

Check the oil and clean the windshield, please...
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/402140371_DNBZz-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/402140883_TM2Yy-L.jpg

[fk6065]

Great shots as always (been lurking here for a long time b/4 registering)

If any update on the E-2C's departure time comes along passing it on would be very much appriciated.

Thanks

[nikon50bigma]

Will those Grumman birds still be there tomorrow?

[Derf]

E2 leaving between 11 and 1pm.... probably closer to 1pm

[fk6065]

Thanks for the update.

[Gerard]

E2 leaving between 11 and 1pm.... probably closer to 1pm

Good call. After a looong pre-flight/warmup they taxied away from the Museum at 1:36 and 10 minutes later they roared
down Runway 3-2 into the beautiful blue skies. Pretty cool to get a chance to see this aircraft up close which you usually would
not get around here. As it taxied to 3-2 it was a definite traffic stopper on New Highway.

[moose135]

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/403147249_kVA5h-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/403149831_GEaZp-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/403154745_JtCtH-L.jpg

[lijk604]

For Kenny who loves catching prop-blur
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2975948423_7518d8fe28_o.jpg

A shot just slightly different from the Moose
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2976802908_2cea3e1dd6_o.jpg

[fk6065]

Thanks for all the info guys I was glad I made it out to catch it. Post a few pics later on.

[Gerard]

Great shots guys.
Interesting that this E-2 was from the USS Harry Truman. Last Aug 07 an E-2 crashed off the deck of the Truman
while launching at night. All 3 crew members aboard were killed and sadly their bodies were never recovered and an
adequate explanation for the cause of the crash was never reached.

[Chris S]

Was just curious if anyone knew if NG is planning a similiar event again this year at FRG ??
Sure hope because it was too bad the Prowler and Growler had to cancel last year !! :(

[cancidas]

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/403147249_kVA5h-L.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2975948423_7518d8fe28_o.jpg

SCWEEEET! glad the thread was re-opened, i missed these the first time around....