Official Newsletter of Grumman Memorial Park Vol.1, No. 1, April 1, 2000 Calverton, Long Island, New York

Welcome…

Welcome to the premiere issue of Grumman Memorial Parks’ Park News. This quarterly newsletter will be made available to all those who have so generously contributed to the establishment of a place to enshrine forever the legacy of Grumman. This publication is designed to keep you informed as to the progress of Grumman Memorial Park, as well as touching upon certain historical contributions made by Grumman to the advancement of aviation and space travel. We welcome your comments.

The Beginning…

Grumman Memorial Park is located on the northeast corner of the former Flight Test facility near the intersection of Routes 25 and 25A. The initial one acre site will feature the F-14 Tomcat recently acquired from the US Navy mounted on a specially designed pedestal, surrounded by the Grumman Walk of Honor in a landscaped setting. In addition, a parking area for visitors will be provided on site. GMP director Jim Petrocelli, partner in a major LI construction firm, has taken on the task of overseeing construction on site. The photo shown at right was taken in mid-1999.

 
© WCB photo

© photo by Jim Petrocelli

On Monday, November 29th our board of directors, advisory board, local politicians and friends were on site for the official groundbreaking. Steve Kirschenbaum delivered a moving speech and introduced the dignitaries and officials. Also on site was Bruce Kloette, of the Civil Air Patrol, donned in an authentic Apollo space suit to take the symbolic first shovel of dirt at the future home of Grumman Memorial Park. Immediately following the ceremony, and under GMP Director Jim Petrocelli’s supervision, bulldozers were brought in to begin clearing the site.

Presently our property is cleared, graded and forms for the pedestal have been poured with concrete. Weather, of course, dictates the progress of our endeavors throughout the winter. Our temporary office trailer is on site as well as our separate entrance to the site and our new perimeter security fence. Donations have been coming in and we thank all of you for your support. Director Joe Van de Wetering, former Deputy Director of engineering for Grumman's aerospace division, is diligently reviewing all inscriptions for all bricks on site, as well as designing a landscape plan for the park.

 
© WCB photo

The History of a History Maker

The F-14A Tomcat, Bureau Number 160902, that will be on display at Grumman Memorial Park is a veteran of nearly 20 years service with the United States Navy. Delivered to Fighter Squadron One-Hundred-One (VF-101, "The Grim Reapers") on September 27, 1979, it was subsequently transferred to the "Tophatters" of Fighter Squadron 14. Our Tomcat’s career began with a mid-air collision with another F-14 from VF-14 on December 5, 1979. Although it managed to return to USS John F. Kennedy, the other F-14 was lost at sea. In March 1987, BuNo 160902 was transferred to the "Jolly Rogers" of VF-84 until late 1995 when it was transferred to VF-41. After only a short time with Fighting Forty-One, the F-14 was loaned to VF-101 "Grim Reapers" but it was soon transferred to Fighter Squadron 32, "Swordsmen". BuNo. 160902 remained with FITRON 32 until late 1997, when it rejoined VF-101 and

was used to train F-14 crews wearing the markings shown above. Our Tomcat’s last flight took place in January of 1998 when it was flown by VF-101 aircrew to Gabreski Airport at Westhampton, New York. From there the aircraft was transported to our site as the centerpiece for the newly established memorial dedicated to the legacy of the Grumman Corporation.

Our F-14 is nearing the completion of its restoration and configuration. As the photo at the top of this page indicates, we received the aircraft in a "clean" configuration. Directors Ken Euring and John Caruso, along with many volunteers, have spent numerous long hours preparing our Tomcat for long-term display. This includes installing an external fuel tank under each engine nacelle, two Phoenix missile launchers on stations 2 and 3 (under the cockpit), and glove pylons on stations 1 and 8. Our aircraft will be displayed as a typical Tomcat as it appears aboard an aircraft carrier. In the very near future, inert Phoenix, Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles will be added to our Tomcat.

But we are $50,000.00 shy of meeting our cost estimate to complete this project. Any further donations or purchases of additional bricks, or park benches, over the next several weeks will certainly help tremendously.

Editor
William C. Barto