Usaf F-14g

[Brian da Basher]

That's what I call a superb finish! Bravo, Chris!

Brian da Basher

[cthulhu77]

Stunning. Really nice job !

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Beautiful little model!
:salute:  

[gooberliberation]

Absolutely superb! I still can't get my mind around that being 1/144, especially the munitions  

[Shasper]

Good show mate, couldnt've done a better job m'self!

One question thou, What is your reasoning for placing the IFR marking on the intake?

Shas B)

[coops213]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Shasper, about the IFR door. For some reason I was under the impression that the door should be somewhere visible to the crew, I had the F-15 in mind. So my choices were either on the nose or the intake, I chose the least ugly option.

Now I realise the crew probably only need to see the probe for probe a drogue refueling, as on the F-16 and F-111 the door is behind the canopy. It was also pointed out to me that there probably isn't enough room above the intake to accommodate the IFR gear, so my next USAF F-14 will have it on the spine somewhere.

Chris

[elmayerle]

For flying boom refueling, the pilot orients on the tanker using signals form the boom operator who then flies the boom to mate up.  Visitibility from the cockpit is not required.  So, yes, some other location would likely work better on future USAF F-14s.

You might want to consider the boom receptacle on the F-105 and keep the probe unit, also.  It would help to be able to use systems to tank with.

[coops213]

You might want to consider the boom receptacle on the F-105 and keep the probe unit, also.  It would help to be able to use systems to tank with.

Ha! You don't seriously think that dragon concern themselves with such trivial details such as refueling probes in this scale?  

But thankyou for the information, very interesting.

Chris

[elmayerle]

No, I don't expect them to, but I do believe the door for the probe bay is etched on the side of the fuselage.  A flying boom receptacle on the upper fuselage just forward of that, much likc the one on the F-105 is directly in front of the windscreen, would allow it to be plumbed into the same plumbing as flows to the tanks from the probe.

Just my $0.02.

*chuckle* What should be interesting is if some customer in the future decides they want both systems on either the F-35A or F-35C.  On the "A", the area where the probe would go has been left clear so that wiring et al. can be as common as possible 'tween the three versions.  It would add weight, but you could plumb both refueling systems if you really wanted to pay for the flexibility.

*wicked chuckle* Given how close Grumman and Republic were on Long Island, I wouldn't be surprised if the necessary F-105 data was made available to Grumman at a good price (I could even see your strike Tomcat as a Grumman/Republic collaboration).

[coops213]

No, I don't expect them to, but I do believe the door for the probe bay is etched on the side of the fuselage.  A flying boom receptacle on the upper fuselage just forward of that, much likc the one on the F-105 is directly in front of the windscreen, would allow it to be plumbed into the same plumbing as flows to the tanks from the probe.

That's what I meant. There are entire areas of surface detail dragon left off. No fuel probe door, no bleed air vents, chaff launcher, gun vents, and many other things.

The idea of having both a probe and a boom receptor is interesting, has any aircraft been made with such a configuration?

Chris

[Captain Canada]

Nice work, Chris ! Great job for that wee scale and kit. Tomcats are such sexy beasts.....

 

[elmayerle]

The idea of having both a probe and a boom receptor is interesting, has any aircraft been made with such a configuration?

I knowthe F-105 was capable of using both.  Off the top of my head, that's the only one I know of.  *wicked chuckle* I've been thinking of fitting out one of my single-seat Phantom builds witht eh capablility of both.  I've looked at the schematics for the F-4's refuelign systems and it wouldn't be that difficult to plumb for both, a bit heavier than only one or the other but it gives a certain amount of versatility in refueling when you're in need.