Flying the A-4 & F-14 | Mark Vizcarra (Part 1) 

Mark, the TA4J shown @ 5:20 is from my old squadron VT-22 in Kingsville, Texas. I was enlisted E5 hydraulics tech from 1969 - 1973, I was fortunate ate enough to pick up many hours flying from the back seat. Loved flying that A/C and have many fine memories. The A4 shown in this picture (3F 228) has an interesting history. A solo instructor left early morn and rushed through an early departure just before daybreak. He failed to pull the safety pins from the ejection seat (don’t know where the plane captain was...?). Sure enough, he had a flameout at a low altitude returning to the base. He was unable to eject (the safety pins were still in place). He blew the canopy and pancaked into a cornfield. By the Grace of God, it landed flat and did not cartwheel. He did cut numerous donuts in the cornfield however. They picked it up with a cherry picker and returned it to our hangar. The one-piece wing was bent. We ordered a new wing from McDonald Douglas and it took us the better part of two years to get it flying again. The A4 was build like a brick s- - house! I was able to fly that a/c at a later date. It would be interesting if anyone else remembers this incident. Ken Daigrepont Houston, Tx (281) 725-3145

Wow! Another one of those phenomenal interviews! Absolutely loved every minute of it. Looking forward to part 2. Also, loved 'Tomcat Tales'. Would watch it again. What a great movie. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to hear stories from Tomcat pilots/RIOs.

This guy is so engaging - the way he recalls stories just draws you in. Any chance of a live Q&A? This guy is epic!

Great interview with an interesting pilot. As a bassist, I'm loving the custom F14 bass guitar hanging on the wall behind him! :)

LOVING the tomcat guitar on the wall!

Thanks for this Mike. So great to hear from legends like Mark.

AWSM! I was n STILL am a VARK 1979 -1981! AE-1 Retired 79 Med Cruise ( Capt Leeds had the command of USS America) he flew the FIRST Tomcats in 1972! We had AWSM Liberty! From Framp VF-124 i flew to Milan Italy, n was bussed thru the mountains of Italy to Trieste! What a time for 20 yr old youngin! Turned 21 in Barcelona, hit Cairo Egypt, Mallorca/Valencia Marseille France, ! 81 IO Cruise We were the FIRST Carrier to transit the Suez canal! What a trip! I remember getting on top of a Tomcat at night w/oil rigs burning off in distance, a KALEIDOSCOPE PLANETARIUM of stars, u could see satellites flying over! We went to Singapore, Perth Australia! Oh we hit Mallorca Spain again too! Fantastic! Just like MV, Id do it ALL OVER AGAIN! Aardvarks 4ever! :)

Great interview, the pictures which accompanied the talk were amazing. Tomcats over oil wells ablaze.

Fantastic, X2!

This interview is without doubt one of the best on your channel so far and i really enjoyed it alot 😎😊

Love the F-14 guitar!

Attack on HMS Ark Royal....what an incredible story on Harriers intercepting....ur professionalism & humbleness shows! Thank u sir!

Another fantastic and entertaining interview with an equally entertaining chap. Excellent!

I'm still amazed even after a 7 hour cap. Tomcat pilots refuel on station at night, like that's not scary enough. Then get a night trap!!

@37:17. Incredible photo!

Great interview. Love the Tom-Guitar on the wall there!

Aww hell yeah finally one with a pilot of my favorite plane! And he has some sick ass guitars

Fantastic.

Great interview! I recently watched an interview with one of the British Sea Harrier pilots who spoke about taking out US A4’s from a very low level attack... I will try and find the link

Brilliant interview. Mark has the unique ability to really describe his experiences and provide a unique insight into his career. Thankyou 🤙❤️

I thought Tomcat Tales was going to be a book . Gotta buy it already have Vics book thanks a lot for doing the interview..next stop buying the DVD

Good stuff !

Fantastic interview, lots of enthusiasm, energy, stories, top guy, really liked it, would be great on a Q&A and so well done Mike for a fantastic interview as always 👏👏👏👌👌

good interview AI. love the excitement in his eyes talking about flying Thx.

Great stuff

I was a PC on the A4 during this time frame 85-92 in the Marine Corps. Best story I have is we were down in Cubi Point, PI for Cope Thunder and the mission that day was to attack the Midway which was in Port. They told us to be outside at a specific time and they would roll over as they got to the shop. Those boys were scootin!!!

Nice

Ark royalcrew must have had flashbacks seeing A 4s coming at them!

Great stories! 👍

Oh I would love to see a up close shot or quick story on the F-14 guitar! Beyond cool!

This was great. This guy is great at telling stories :) Much appreciated. Awww, the Harrier dact story seemed to get cut off :(((

This was awesome man, Mark is a great dude and I HIGHLY suggest anyone who hasn't seen the Tomcat Tales Documentary to absolutely go check it out right now, If your a fan of the F-14 it's well worth it. Great job Mike!👊

Brilliant Mike 👌

great interview - laid back guy

I'm always amazed about how long the F14A was in service despite the terrible engines. Even after the B and D came about, the A stayed around until the early 2000s.

Could someone please send me the link to part two of this video?

He VIDd a 747 from 104 NM with the TCS? Heatblur please.

Hey Mark. I was curious..did you ever earn your civilian licenses before going into the Navy? Also, where did you go to college and what did you major in? Thanks a lot. Roy, from So. Cal.

Didn't know Navy had turboprop T34s back then...05:49 (nevermind the photo as it shows a prop T34)

The one bit that still has me a bit puzzled is why Zeros might fly off USS Nimitz (4min marker) Superb aeriplane so totally get why Mark would like to fly one, but, sort of unexpected.

Hey everybody, I am looking for an interview I think I saw on this channel. It is with an F-14 pilot, he had a cap on, was pretty old and talked about exercises with F-15s where he'd go to 45,000 ft and come down on them. I really need to find this. If you know about this video please let me know. Thanks

tcs id from 100 miles? jesus!!

"How can you compete against a Thud driver?" Well you really can't, of course. 😉

"Highway of Death".

He looks like Shane McGowan.