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A recreation of Maverick's fly by of the tower in the original Top Gun movie with Microsoft Flight Simulator. The F-14 is by DC Designs. The scene is recreated with different camera angles and perspectives from the original which is shown first. Video is also recorded and uploaded in 4K. thecorporatepilotdad Youtube channel The Corporate Pilot Guys Podcast Get the DC Designs F-14 Tomcat for MSFS 2020 About The Author This video is produced by thecorporatepilotdad. He has been a FlightSim.Com member for close to twenty years and using Flight Simulator since back in the day of FS98 and FS2000. He is also a professional pilot with over 8000 hours of real world flight experience ranging from Cessna 152s to super-mid size business jets.
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/images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomc0922.jpgChangelog v1.0.3Emergency Sim Update 9 correction to HUD and displaysAdded Asobo special effects for G vapour, contrails etcNew liveries for both F-14A and F-14BNew coding for better visibility of wings and crew in multiplayer ( experimental )Afterburner textures and emissives improvedNew coding for wing-sweep manual over-ride, now slaved to Logo LightCockpit textures improved for greater resolutionAbout DC Designs F-14 TomcatDC Designs are proud to announce the F-14 A/B Tomcat package forMicrosoft Flight Simulator, bringing you two highly detailed MSFSmodels. /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-1.jpgFully Native MSFS AircraftAll models have been coded with Microsoft Flight Simulator native 'Model Behaviors' animations and built to MSFS operational specifications to prevent issues with future simulator upgrades. All custom cockpit instruments and screens are coded in HTML for native, high-performance display in MSFS The Tomcats make use of the new simulator's features such as effects and sounds, fully reflective glass, native aerodynamic sound structures, the new 'Modern' aerodynamics system with the ability to provoke 'departure spins', and customised visibility controls for wheel chocks, covers, tie-down chains and GPU The Tomcats also contain custom-built and animated effects such as afterburners Full compressor-stall engine modelling and coding for the F-14A TF-30 engines Other features include authentic cockpit night lighting with brightness controls, which includes user-operated 'slime lights' for combat operations, and custom-coded manoeuvring flaps, slats and intake ramps, all based on aircraft airspeed and angle of attack Numerous external animations including canopy, crew ladders, tail hook and control surfaces The F-14 Tomcats are fully compliant with Virtual Reality headsets Full custom sound sets for both the TF-30-powered F-14A Tomcat and the GE-F110-powered F-14B Tomcat /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-3.jpgCockpitTruly 3D virtual cockpits featuring accurately modelled ejector seats, controls and detailed texturing All analogue instruments constructed in 3D with smooth animations Reflective rear-view mirrors 'Scratched canopy' glass effects, reflective glass, icing and rain effects Crew figures in the virtual cockpit are coded to disappear when you occupy their seats Front and rear cockpit positions included in both variants Fully customisable crew helmets, names, flight suit patches and even faces /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-2.jpgAircraft Systems3D modelled dials, ADI, 'whiskey' compass and other high-detail instruments designed to emulate the appearance of the real F-14 Tomcat Display screens with visual layouts based on the real aircraft's systems (within the confines of MSFS' current capability) Head-Up Display with authentic layout based on the real F-14A Custom-coded, user-controlled ordnance via the simulator Payload Manager, allowing for live mounting of weapons on hardpoints with active weight increase F-14 Tomcat systems include Direct Lift Control, CADC and basic ACLS The aircraft are compatible with the Hard Deck Simulations Aircraft Carrier Module /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-5.jpgPaint SchemesF-14A: VF-1 Wolfpack VF-41 Black Aces VF-84 Jolly Rogers VF-142 GhostridersF-14B: VF-143 Pukin' Dogs VF-32 Swordsmen VF-213 Black LionsA paint kit is also provided. /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-4.jpgManualA full operations manual is included in the software and you canalso download ithere. DC Designs' F-14 Tomcat is designed to provide a top-qualityaircraft that is extremely detailed, yet less demanding to fly thantoday's most complex procedural simulators. Equipped with all requiredavionics, and with custom-coded animations and systems, the DC DesignsF-14 Tomcat is designed to be accessible to all users without the needfor intense study. Purchase Just Flight - DC Designs - F-14 A/B Tomcat for MSFS See other DC Designs aircraft for MSFS 2020
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F-14 TomcatPublisher: DC DesignsReview Author: James HuddisonSuggested Price: $34.99/images/fsc/wbicons/store-buy-now-button.png /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-in_the_air_2.jpgWhen I was approached and asked if Iwanted to write a review for the F-14 Tomcat for MSFS, I was slightlyhesitant. Call me old fashioned, but I generally prefer to flymilitary aircraft in dedicated military flight simulators, such as DCSWorld. But having heard good things about the Tomcat, I agreed toreview it, and in hindsight, I absolutely made the right call! Surely the F-14 needs no formal introduction: featured in manyfamous movies, like Top Gun and The Hunt for Red October (to name justa couple), it is one of the most beloved and well recognised militaryfighter jets ever made. The F-14 made its maiden flight on 21st December 1970 and served asthe US Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, well into the2000's. It has also been featured in many arcade flight/fighter jetstyle of computer games, such as Ace Combat 6 & 7. With such a hugereputation and fanbase, my (and many other peoples') expectations wereset extremely high for this one. Installation is straight forward: purchase and download the package(which comes in the form of an .exe file); and it will perform anyavailable updates and install directly to your MSFS communityfolder. After the installation was complete, I chose my preferredlivery (only 3 available at the time of writing this review), pickedmy desired runway and clicked fly. My oh my, looking at the Tomcat in external mode whilst sitting onmy chosen runway, made my jaw literally drop to the floor - theexternal modelling of the F-14 is absolutely exquisite; with highlevels of detailing and texturing throughout. You can even see the twopilots sitting in the cockpit of the aircraft - it all looks somewhatout of place in a simulator such as MSFS; but in the best waypossible. /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-cockpit_3.jpgThe high level of quality continues into the cockpit. All thevarious banks of instruments and switches have an authentic weatheredlook about them, and it certainly conveys the impression of actuallysitting in the cockpit of this iconic aircraft. The majority of theswitches and buttons are thankfully operational, and as such, onecould spend many hours simply flicking the switches on and off, justto see their effect on the aircraft and its systems. It's a step-up from similar fighter jet offerings that are foundelsewhere for MSFS. /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-cockpit_1.jpg /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-cockpit_2.jpgAt this point, with not even a single glance at the includedmanual, I simply couldn't resist engaging full afterburner, releasingthe parking brake, and taking this beauty up for a fly around. The roaring sound of the afterburner deserves a special mentionhere, as even when situated in the cockpit, the audio is highlysatisfying. When viewing the F-14 in external mode, the cameraactually seems to shake as you pan your view past the violent flamesof the afterburner - fan service at its very best! Afterburner noise levels and effects, can literally make or breakthe jet aircraft experience, and I'm happy to report that the Tomcatsimply aces this category, as I found it to be one of the mostenjoyable features of this aircraft. Another neat feature of the DC Design Tomcat, are the sweepingwings, as when in external view, if you punch full afterburner, youwill notice that the Tomcat's wings fold neatly into its body, justlike the real aircraft. Vice versa, once you reduce the throttle, thewings will sweep outwards again. This is so beautifully modelled inthe package, and it's an absolute joy to watch! /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-external_1.jpg /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-external_2.jpgThe Tomcat thankfully flies very well and has a highly authenticfeel to its handling. Flying from point A to B is all so intuitive;whilst also conveying a feeling of pure exhilaration and speed. It isa fun aircraft to simply jaunt around in, and it had no noticeableeffect on my sim's framerate and performance. When banking the Tomcat, it all felt so smooth and effortless, itreally was a pleasure to fly. Of course, one of the 'must do's' inany fighter jet, is to point it skyward to see how high it can climband to test its upper limit. As such, the F-14 doesn't disappointhere; you'll be reaching the upper atmosphere limits within secondsand if you manage to stall the aircraft during this maneuverer, then'righting' it is also fairly easy - just pull back your throttle andthe aircraft seems to assist in levelling out (then whacking it backon full afterburner is mandatory!). After a quick but all so exciting fly around, I turned my attentionto the included manual: In my humble opinion, the manual is simply one of the very bestI've seen in MSFS so far. It is beautifully laid out and has everyfacet of knowledge and specification about the F-14, that one couldever wish for. It even has dedicated sections about things like theTomcat's arrestor hook, in which to perform carrier landings. Ofcourse, one will also find the usual take-off, cruise, and landinginstructions, that should be digested before taking the Tomcat up fora serious flight (and hopefully a safe landing). /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-external_3.jpg /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-external_4.jpgFor the more adventurous among you, the manual also givesinstructions on how to customise things like your pilot's helmet,flight suit patches and names. If you dedicate the time and patienceto this package, you can really create the Tomcat of your dreams -truly next level stuff and adds an extra bit of shine and polish to analready stunning package. Autopilot is also well supported in the Tomcat. Reading the manualhere is a must, so that you understand the proper use of the variousautopilot systems and their desired effects in use. It's nice to seethat the aircraft supports use of the auto-throttle system, which isnot often found in other military aircraft for MSFS. /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-in_the_air_1.jpg /images/reviews/dcf14tom/t/DC-Designs-F14-Tomcat-liveries.jpgOf course, there will always be the usual 'fanboyism'; argumentsthat military fighter jet simulation should be left to dedicatedmilitary flight simulators. Personally, I grow weary of this type ofsentiment - previous incarnations of the Flight Simulator series, havesold packs such as the FSX Acceleration pack (which included militaryfighter aircraft), way before simulators like DCS even existed. Also,many flight simmers prefer to fly jets within the beautiful and vastworld of MSFS; rather than in the limited confines/regions of othersimulators. To conclude: The F-14 Tomcat is one of the most authentic jetaircraft that I've yet flown in MSFS. It's now my 'go to' jet aircraftif I need a break from my normal GA flying. If you like your fighterjets in MSFS, then you are going to absolutely love this one - fullyrecommended! /images/reviews/dcf14tom/title3.jpgJames Huddison Purchase DC Designs - F-14 A/B Tomcat For MSFS 2020 See other aircraft by DC Designs
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I have been hoping DC will provide a fix for my problem after Update 7 with the missing HUD and other displays missing but so far no. The install software for the F-14 does nothing to repair it. I keep checking. DC and Just Flight don't seem to have any extensive support or forum pages anyway. Anyone know what would bring back these short of re-purchasing the F-14? I don't want to pay $36 again. No way. :mad::(:confused: -
/images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomc0922.jpgDC Designs are proud to announce the F-14 A/B Tomcat package forMicrosoft Flight Simulator, bringing you two highly detailed MSFSmodels. /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-1.jpgFully Native MSFS AircraftAll models have been coded with Microsoft Flight Simulator native 'Model Behaviors' animations and built to MSFS operational specifications to prevent issues with future simulator upgrades. All custom cockpit instruments and screens are coded in HTML for native, high-performance display in MSFS The Tomcats make use of the new simulator's features such as effects and sounds, fully reflective glass, native aerodynamic sound structures, the new 'Modern' aerodynamics system with the ability to provoke 'departure spins', and customised visibility controls for wheel chocks, covers, tie-down chains and GPU The Tomcats also contain custom-built and animated effects such as afterburners Full compressor-stall engine modelling and coding for the F-14A TF-30 engines Other features include authentic cockpit night lighting with brightness controls, which includes user-operated 'slime lights' for combat operations, and custom-coded manoeuvring flaps, slats and intake ramps, all based on aircraft airspeed and angle of attack Numerous external animations including canopy, crew ladders, tail hook and control surfaces The F-14 Tomcats are fully compliant with Virtual Reality headsets Full custom sound sets for both the TF-30-powered F-14A Tomcat and the GE-F110-powered F-14B Tomcat /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-3.jpgCockpitTruly 3D virtual cockpits featuring accurately modelled ejector seats, controls and detailed texturing All analogue instruments constructed in 3D with smooth animations Reflective rear-view mirrors 'Scratched canopy' glass effects, reflective glass, icing and rain effects Crew figures in the virtual cockpit are coded to disappear when you occupy their seats Front and rear cockpit positions included in both variants Fully customisable crew helmets, names, flight suit patches and even faces /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-2.jpgAircraft Systems3D modelled dials, ADI, 'whiskey' compass and other high-detail instruments designed to emulate the appearance of the real F-14 Tomcat Display screens with visual layouts based on the real aircraft's systems (within the confines of MSFS' current capability) Head-Up Display with authentic layout based on the real F-14A Custom-coded, user-controlled ordnance via the simulator Payload Manager, allowing for live mounting of weapons on hardpoints with active weight increase F-14 Tomcat systems include Direct Lift Control, CADC and basic ACLS The aircraft are compatible with the Hard Deck Simulations Aircraft Carrier Module /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-5.jpgPaint SchemesF-14A: VF-1 Wolfpack VF-41 Black Aces VF-84 Jolly Rogers VF-142 GhostridersF-14B: VF-143 Pukin' Dogs VF-32 Swordsmen VF-213 Black LionsA paint kit is also provided. /images/notams/notams21/tomc0922/tomcat-4.jpgManualA full operations manual is included in the software and you canalso download ithere. DC Designs' F-14 Tomcat is designed to provide a top-qualityaircraft that is extremely detailed, yet less demanding to fly thantoday's most complex procedural simulators. Equipped with all requiredavionics, and with custom-coded animations and systems, the DC DesignsF-14 Tomcat is designed to be accessible to all users without the needfor intense study. Purchase Just Flight - DC Designs - F-14 A/B Tomcat for MSFS
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Dreaming Of The Danger Zone: DC Designs F-14 Tomcat By thecorporatepilotdad Dreaming of the Danger Zone in the F-14 Tomcat by DC Designs. A 4K cinematic of the sights and sounds of the F-14 Tomcat in Microsoft Flight Simulator. In much anticipation of the release of Top Gun 2, this F-14 is a great addition to MSFS. About DC Designs F-14 Tomcat The DC Designs F-14 Tomcat package for MSFS brings you highly detailed and VR-ready A and B models in a total of seven paints chemes, with front and rear cockpit positions, authentic cockpit night lighting, custom sound sets for both variants and custom-coded manoeuvring flaps, slats and intake ramps. Among the other features are F-14 Tomcat systems which include Direct Lift Control, CADC and basic ACLS, Head-Up Display, reflective glass, icing and rain effects, numerous accurate animations and user-controlled ordnance via the Payload Manager. thecorporatepilotdad Youtube channel Purchase DC Designs F-14 Tomcat for MSFS About The Author This video is produced by thecorporatepilotdad. He has been a FlightSim.Com member for close to twenty years and using Flight Simulator since back in the day of FS98 and FS2000. He is also a professional pilot with over 8000 hours of real world flight experience ranging from Cessna 152s to super-mid size business jets.
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/images/notams/notams21/tomc0819.jpgF-14 A/B Tomcat Cleared For Launch!DC Designs' new F-14 A/B Tomcat package for Microsoft FlightSimulator is now on sale, bringing you highly detailed and VR-ready Aand B models in a total of seven paint schemes, with front and rearcockpit positions, authentic cockpit night lighting, custom sound setsfor both variants and custom-coded manoeuvring flaps, slats and intakeramps. Among the other features are F-14 Tomcat systems which includeDirect Lift Control, CADC and basic ACLS, Head-Up Display, reflectiveglass, icing and rain effects, numerous accurate animations anduser-controlled ordnance via the Payload Manager. These aircraft have been coded with MSFS native 'Model Behaviors'animations and are built to MSFS operational specifications to preventissues with future simulator upgrades. Source Note: DC Designs' F-14 Tomcat is designed to provide a top-qualityaircraft that is extremely detailed, yet less demanding to fly thantoday's most complex procedural simulators. Equipped with all requiredavionics, and with custom-coded animations and systems, the DC DesignsF-14 Tomcat is designed to be accessible to all users without the needfor intense study.
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Preview: DC Designs F-14 Tomcat By thecorporatepilotdad The F-14 Tomcat for Microsoft Flight Simulator by DC Designs will soon be arriving. This video is a preview of that aircraft. Some parts of the video include flying in virtual reality (VR) with the Oculus Rift S. Flight characteristics, interior features such as avionics,navigation, and autopilot and heads-up display (HUD) are covered.Also, first and foremost, the afterburner effects are covered first and they are awesome! The tail hooks works with add on payware, but will be compatible with the F18 Top Gun add on when it is released by Asobo in a future update/release. This aircraft is a preview and will be available August 19th. thecorporatepilotdad Youtube channel Aerosoft/DC Designs Teases F-14 Tomcat for MSFS About The Author This video is produced by thecorporatepilotdad. He has been a FlightSim.Com member for close to twenty years and using Flight Simulator since back in the day of FS98 and FS2000. He is also a professional pilot with over 8000 hours of real world flight experience ranging from Cessna 152s to super-mid size businessjets.
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/images/notams/notams21/tomc0804/tomcat-2.jpgNow then what do we have here? We'll be showing more and puttingthe product page live very soon so you can see more and read more. Inthe meantime enjoy these teasers. F-14 Tomcat for MSFS coming soon... /images/notams/notams21/tomc0804/tomcat-1.jpg /images/notams/notams21/tomc0804/tomcat-3.jpg /images/notams/notams21/tomc0804/tomcat-5.jpg /images/notams/notams21/tomc0804/tomcat-4.jpg /images/notams/notams21/tomc0804/tomcat-6.jpgThe Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American supersonic, twin-engine,two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcatwas developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimentalprogram after the collapse of the F-111B project. Source
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/images/notams/notams21/dcde0509/dcdesigns-1.jpgThe F-15 updates are complete now, all except one tiny but hugelyfrustrating bug causing the nose wheel animation to “skipâ€. Despitebest efforts, the solution to this has not been found, and it mightpossibly be a bug in the SDK that is causing it (likely only forusers of Blender). This has not been confirmed as I write this, butin the absence of any other logical cause, it must be something withincode somewhere over which I have no control, as there are aircraftproduced with 3DS Max with oleo-wheel arrangements that don’t sufferthe same issue. As a result of this, the F-15 update will appear next week insteadas I’m hoping to find a way around the bug, possibly by writing my ownLvar for the nosewheel. That does however cause issues later down theline with any features in MSFS that are tied to the nosewheeltemplate, so I’d like to wait and see if Asobo can root out the causeof the issue or I can solve it myself. /images/notams/notams21/dcde0509/dcdesigns-2.jpgWith the F-15 updates otherwise complete, work continues on theStearman to prepare it for launch. The flight model and engine filesare complete, so it’s now down to finer-detail modelling and texturingwork, as well as adding new colour schemes. Custom sound is underwayover at Sim Acoustics, who have recorded true live sound from PT-17Stearman PH-TOX, so everything from the engine to the primer leverwill sound as it does on the real aircraft. The F-14 Tomcats are also of course being worked upon, although ata slower pace while the F-15s were being updated. From next week itwill be full-steam ahead on both projects as they head toward theirrespective launch dates. Finally, there is a single extra image in the screenshots for todayand no, it’s not a quick port but a shot of the properly convertedaircraft taken during a brief test flight two evenings ago to assesshow well the process is working. The assessment was that there will bea genuine major re-build of the aircraft to bring it up to MSFSstandard, so it’s going to be almost as big a project as the originalwas. Work will start after the Tomcats are released, probablytherefore somewhere in June / early July. /images/notams/notams21/dcde0509/dcdesigns-3.jpgSource Purchase DC Designs F-15 Eagle For MSFS, Prepar3D or FSX Purchase DC Designs Concorde for FSX/P3D
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/images/notams/notams20/dcde0806.jpgToday, I'm delighted to announce that Microsoft has lifted somesegments of their NDA to allow developers to share images of theirprojects for the new MSFS. That means I can share these images of my Grumman F-14A / D Tomcatpackage for MSFS! Early days yet, as we're still working on theexporter for Blender, so things like transparent glass are not quiteready, but I thought you'd all like to see this flying legend cruisingaround near Miramar, California... Source DC Designs Concorde In Development For P3D/FSX DC Designs F-15 C, E & I Eagle Released
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/images/notams/notams20/heav0625/tomcat-1.jpgAircraft developer Aeroplane Heaven have shown off some previews oftheir P3D only F14 Tomcat: Look what the (tom) cat dragged in... Inching its way down theline for Ctrl/Ezy. We may even put in a rear cockpit wall...frontpanel only. Full PBR inside and out. /images/notams/notams20/heav0625/tomcat-2.jpgSorry FSX fans, this one is for P3D v4.5 and v5 ONLY. There issimply just too much detail in the exterior model to make it work forFSX. A cut down is just too much work. Source
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/images/notams/notams18/aero1221.jpgThe FSX, FSX: Steam Edition and Prepar3D V4 add-on F-14Extended has been updated to version 3.0.1.0. The followingchanges have been made (only P3D V4): ASUpdater support (new versions no)Removing an old (MSFS era) 2D panel entry that caused a CTD is activatedFixing the orientation of the standby bank indicatorAerosoft F-14 ExtendedThe Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat,variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft built for the US Navy as ahigh-endurance interceptor to protect the carriers. The Aerosoft F-14 X was designed with two principle objectives. Thefirst was to create an authentic and detailed representation aboutwhat it was like to fly the early model F-14's and the refinementsmade over the first 20 years of the airframe's service life. Thesecond was to create an accessible simulation for all users. Whilemany of the advanced systems will require you to RTFM to operateeffectively, anyone can be in the air within seconds of loading thesim (well maybe a little longer if you're setting up a carrierlaunch). While failure logic, such as engine compressor stalls areincluded, they will not become active and take out an engine unlessyou enable the feature. The only thing you can't simplify are the flight mechanics. Not asingle tester or developer was un-challenged when attempting to trapthis bird. But, the physics are consistent and based on real worlddata. As you learn why the F-14 does or does not respond the way youthink it should, your intuition of flight mechanics will be becomemore sophisticated. Simply put, if you learn to fly this aircraft witha serious perspective, you will become a better pilot. Final word. One of the defining aspects of this project has been analmost unyielding sense of collaboration from outside developmenthouses, retired military personnel, and a group of dedicated F-14fanatics that have been willing to advise and test over many longhours to make this a project a reality. Thank you and salute! Source
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Grumman F-14: A Navy Legend Retires By Evan Levesque (17 August 2004) Anyone who hasn't seen the movie Top Gun has missed what are probably the best opening 60 seconds of any aviation film made before, or since. The Top Gun Anthem echoes through the steam and mist of a carrier in the morning. Aircraft start up, and the deck crews begin their dance. The F-14, the movie's star, taxis onto the cat, and is shot off the deck...and into history. The 1986 blockbuster brought the F-14 into the public spotlight, and for a while, every boy and girl in America wanted to be a Naval Aviator flying the Tomcat. From then, captured in America's hearts and minds, the F-14 carried on its legacy of being the best interceptor in the history of the United States Navy, competing with the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. From beginnings during the desperate days of the Vietnam War, to becoming a symbol of the Navy, the F-14 remains to be the public's idea of a fighter, and now, it is going extinct. The aircraft that American kids (including myself) grew up around, those aircraft that we wished someday to fly, are being retired, the A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, A-4 Skyhawk and now the F-14 Tomcat are passing into history, and leaving gaps in the Carrier Battle Groups that are going to be very hard to fill. 1971: The Vietnam War is raging; Apollo 14 and 15 land on the moon; and Grumman unveils a large, swing-wing fighter that is bound to change America's carrier decks forever. The F-14 was designed from the outset as a large, carrier-borne interceptor to replace McDonnell's F-4 Phantom that had proved itself over the hostile skies of Vietnam. Using the same crew of two, Grumman's initial design used two problematic Pratt & Whitney engines that were mounted far apart in tunnels underneath the aircraft's fuselage (in later models, Grumman opted for the GE engines). In the space between the two engines, JDAM's, missiles, or ECM gear could be carried. The swing-wings were fitted with full-span single slotted flaps that were deployed on landing and takeoff. For roll control, Grumman used the same spoiler system as was utilized on the A-6A Intruder attack platform. The main landing gear were mounted on the flanks of the air intake ducts, A-6 style, and used the same basic retraction geometry, moving forward, and then rotating 90 degrees to lie horizontally in the wing box. The nose was a twin-wheeled unit that was (unusually for a carrier based fighter) fitted with nosewheel steering, it retracted forwards. For carrier ops, the Tomcat was fitted with the nose tow bar system pioneered by Grumman's A-6. (As you should be seeing, the F-14 and the A-6, although the two couldn't be more different, used similar systems and design principles.) Instead of using a bridle and hooks, like the F-4, the F-14 had a hinged bar on the nosewheel strut, shaped like a T on the end. This was placed in the catapult shuttle, and a hold back bolt was attached to the back of the nosewheel strut. When the fighter was at full power, and the catapult began its forward travel, the hold back bolt snapped in half, and the aircraft was flung off the deck and into the air. On the back end, a long tailhook was mounted underneath the beavertail that housed ECM equipment and a fuel dump pipe. A crew of two was seated beneath a long, two-piece bubble canopy that sat high above the fuselage, giving almost unlimited visibility. The twin tail fins were seated far apart and protruded straight up, and were fitted with rudders. Grumman also decided, using lessons learned in Vietnam, to nestle a M61 Vulcan cannon on the left side of the nose. The F-14 was continually updated to meet the needs of the US Navy after its conception in 1971. Here is a short list: Designation Type Role F-14A Tomcat Basic Production Version Carrier-borne Interceptor F-14B Tomcat Fighter/Bomber (also christened 'Bombcat') Carrier-borne Interceptor/Ground Attack F-14C Tomcat Re-engined Tomcat with GE F-110 engines (modified from existing 'A' model airframes) Carrier-borne Interceptor F-14D Super Tomcat Definitive Tomcat with F-110 engines, improved avionics, multi-role capability. Carrier-born Interceptor The F-14D was the definitive Tomcat version. Its F-110 engines could be jam accelerated at high angles of attack, and it was the only version of the Tomcat that didn't have to use afterburner during cat launches (from the factory, soon F-14B's and C's received engine upgrades that allowed them to takeoff without full AB). The F-14D was also the first that was fitted with an under nose sensor package that allowed it to track and kill targets more efficiently. There are almost no A models left on US carrier decks due to replacement by the B, C, and D models. The Grumman F-14 excels at long range, carrier borne interception. Designing a fighter with the high speeds necessary and still have acceptable slow speed characteristics meant that the wing had to be relatively straight, or VG (variable geometry). The full-span single slotted flaps and leading edge slats reduce carrier landing speed to 125 knots compared to the 145 knots of the F-4. One major gripe that carrier pilots noted about the aircraft was the fact that the engines had quite a long lag time for the compressors to spool up. Grumman solved this problem by placing a thumb-operated switch on the stick, which operated the spoilers on the wings. This way, the pilot could approach with higher power settings and maintain the 'ball' by using the spoiler system. This eased pilot workload on the approach many times over. F-14D Specifications: Role: Long-range fighter/bomber Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Powerplant: 2 General Electric F-110 Turbofans with 27,800 lb wet thrust Wingspan: 64' 1.5" (wings fully spread) Height: 16' Length: 62' 8" Top Speed: 2.4 Mach (1544 mph ) Max takeoff weight (full ordnance load): 74,000 lb Combat Radius: 403 nm Crew: 1 pilot, 1 RIO The New Guy It is a simple fact; the Tomcat is a dying breed. The US Navy only operates about 200 Tomcats as of 2004. So, this begs the question: 'What's the replacement?' The answer might surprise you...the F/A-18 Hornet. Not the same Hornet that has proved itself over and over again in combat, but a new version, the "Super Hornet" E and F models. Although the F/A-18E, and F may be great aircraft in their own rights, they are no match for the abilities of the Grumman F-14. I believe that the original F/A-18's, the A, B, C, and D models, are great aircraft and compliment the F-14 in the fleet interceptor/fighter role very well, however I doubt the ability of the Super Hornet to take over the F-14's role on carrier decks. The F-14 and the F/A-18E were born from different philosophies, and their performance shows that. First, the Tomcat is a big, heavy, two-place fighter. The Super Hornet is a small, lightweight, single seat fighter. The Tomcat has a variable geometry wing that can adapt itself to almost any flight regime, while the Hornet uses a fixed geometry straight wing. The straight wing is excellent for slow speed, carrier performance, and fuel conservation, however, to be used as a fighter wing, painful compromises must be made. All flight characteristics must be built into one wing planform. To go supersonic with a straight wing, it must be low aspect ratio, and be razor thin...thus, slow speed operations (carrier ops and dogfighting) will suffer. Also, the Super Hornet ran into a problem with weight...it tries to use a fixed geometry wing to lift bomb loads like the Tomcat. The (comparatively) small wing can't lift all that weight with an acceptable wing loading. The original Hornet, which was used as a lightweight, fighter/bomber, was very successful with that wing, but the Super Hornet can't work with the same wing and still meet the supersonic and ordnance load requirements as well as the Tomcat's VG wing can. Farewell to an American Legend Tomcats hold a spot not only on US carrier decks, but also in the heart and soul of America. Whenever trouble arises, the US carriers will be deployed and the brave young men that are in the military will be called upon to fight America's enemies. Losing the Tomcat means losing the ability of two excellent aircraft. It means losing the fighting capabilities of the F-14, and also losing the all-weather bombing ability of the A-6E Intruder, which the F-14D was designed to accept after the retirement of the venerable Intruder. No longer will the USN have the ability of power projection. Also, with the loss of the Grumman Tomcat, there will not be a Grumman fighter on America's carrier decks, something that hasn't happened since the 1930's. The legend carried on by the Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat, Bearcat, Panther, Cougar, Tiger and Tomcat has finally ended. The F-14 carried the legend of American fighting aircraft that rolled out of the Bethpage plant of the "Grumman Iron Works". As they say though, all good things must come to an end. Now on a sleepy evening when you hear the high-pitched scream of jet engines in the distance, and strains of the Top Gun Anthem run through you head, remember the best and last of the dogfighters...the mighty Tomcat. Want to Fly A Virtual Tomcat? Flightsimmers have a variety of Tomcats to fly, easily downloadable from our file library. To view available F-14s: Click here For those wishing to try the Tomcat's replacement, there are also a number of good Super Hornets available. To view available F/A-18Es: Click here Evan Levesque evanlevesque@msn.com -
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