AFAIK, the F-15 was in fact the first fighter that could accelerate vertically. I'm not sure the F-14 ever had enough power to do that. IIRC some newer variants of the F-16 can do it with the improved engines, as well as other modern fighters.

I miss watching F-14s at the airshows. It was always a good show. Though I have to say, having recently watched a solo F-35 demo and having modest expectations, I was impressed. It may be a boondoggle and massively overpriced, but it seems to have the performance now.