Official Newsletter of Grumman Memorial Park                    Vol.1, No. 2, July 1, 2000                                       Calverton, Long Island, New York

F-14 Tomcat Restoration …

F-14 Tomcat, BuNo. 160902, (a/c#331) formerly operated by Fighter Squadron VF-101 is almost ready for display. Thanks to the efforts of Directors Ken Euring and John Caruso, and the many volunteers who have assisted, our aircraft is presently undergoing last minute preparation before mounting. In a few weeks we hope to have on loan from the US Navy the correct type of sling that is required to hoist the aircraft onto the pedestal. Inert Phoenix, Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles will hopefully arrive in time, however, Director Euring has indicated that it would be no problem to load the missiles after the aircraft is in position.

ã WCB photo

Pedestal and Site Construction…

Work continues on the site itself for Grumman Memorial Park. The trailer that will act as out temporary visitor center, has been moved and relocated along the rear edge of the one-acre site. Thanks to the efforts of Director Jim Petrocelli, the pedestal for our F-14 is completed and awaiting installation of the Tomcat. Jim and his crew have done an outstanding job in fabricating this beautiful plinth. Final landscaping, driveway, parking lot and other concrete work will be completed after the F-14 is mated to the pedestal.

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Updated Site Plan…

This is the latest configuration of Grumman Memorial Park. The entrance leads directly into the parking lot that can accommodate 20 cars plus two provisions for handicapped visitors.  On one side of the driveway stands a genuine Grumman guard shack that will house the computerized access for locating bricks. On the other side of the driveway will stand the flagpole formerly in front of Plant 7. A walkway will lead across the grassy site to the Walk of Honor that surrounds the F-14/Monument. Park benches donated by the various Grumman Retiree organizations across the country will surround the Walk of Honor.

Illustration by William Barto

Grumman Artifacts …

Pictured at right is the flagpole in front of Plant 7. Thanks to the kindness of the Town of Riverhead, we will be able to relocate this historical piece to the site. The flagpole was built by Director Ken Euring’s father. Plans at present will place the flagpole near the gate to the right of the driveway as you enter Grumman Memorial Park.

In addition a guard shack from either Bethpage or Calverton will be placed near the entrance to give visitors the feeling of what it was like to enter a Grumman facility.

ã WCB photo

More on BuNo 160902…

During its distinguished career, our F-14A was once assigned to the Jolly Rogers of VF-84 as part of Carrier Air Wing 8 aboard USS Nimitz. Shown here in 1986, our Tomcat sports a tactical gray camouflage scheme with modex AJ-200, making it the mount of the Air Wing Commander, or CAG. This photo was taken at NAS Oceana by David F. Brown and comes to us via Cyril Avinens and Tom Kaminski.

Photo by DF Brown

All of us at Grumman Memorial Park extend our prayers to the families of the F-14 aircrew lost at NAS Willow Grove on June 18, 2000.

Published quarterly by

East End Aircraft L.I. Corporation

P.O.  Box 147

Calverton, Long Island,

New York 11933

631-369-9488 / Fax 631-369-9489

www.grummanpark.org

Board of Directors

Joe Van de Wetering – Co-Chairman and Treasurer

John Caruso, Director

Ken Euring, Director

Jim Petrocelli, Director

Bobby Goodale, Director

Editor

William C. Barto,, Advisory Board

But We Still Need Your Help …

We are $40,000.00 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.

Thank you