F-14 Tomcat USN

[PR19_Kit]

That's one BIG wing too! 

[Rick Lowe]

That's really cool, it's amazing how well that works; looks like a smaller, more modern rival for the Vulcan.

Looking forward to seeing the completed article.

[Old Wombat]

I hope those wings fold!

[KiwiZac]

Yip, I'm still excited!

[Ed S]

Latest update. I haven't forgotten this. But it has turned into a major PITA. Lots of things going wrong or not working. But I still expect to finish it.





I finished the decals this evening.

[Dizzyfugu]

Very nice! 

[PR19_Kit]

It's an F-14XL. 

Cracking looking model Ed, even if it is giving you a tough time.

[gofy]

So that's what the USN did with the Firefox, turned her into a Grumman Firecat!

[Ed S]

In late 1967, following the F-111B debacle, the US Navy initiated the VFX program for a new fleet defense fighter. Still "smarting" from their bad press with the F-111B, the top Navy brass also informed the competitors for the VFX that they would in no way, absolutely not consider any swing wing a/c for this program. Grumman had already begun design and wind tunnel testing of a swing wing design that looked promising. They quickly began evaluating changes to their design. In order to still meet the range and payload requirements they really couldn't make a much smaller airframe. Obviously, to meet the t/o and landing speed requirements and still have the top speed, they were limited in the wing they could use. A delta wing would work except for the extremely nose high attitude for landing. A characteristic that would be totally unacceptable. They also had access to early studies by SAAB for their new delta wing, STOL fighter with canards. The result was the F-14 Tomcat, which won the VFX competition and flew for the Navy well into the 2000's.

[sandiego89]

That looks great! Well done.

How come the black canopy? (not a criticism, just curious)

[Ed S]

That looks great! Well done.

How come the black canopy? (not a criticism, just curious)

Because, somewhere I lost the canopy and didn't realize it until well along with the construction. So I built up the shape with styrene scraps and epoxy putty, sanded it and painted it black.

[scooter]

Ya know, I saw one of those at Ali Al Salem Air Base on my way out of Iraq in 05.  Must have been during their final tour. 

[PR19_Kit]

Oooooh yes, LOVE that Ed. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Nice! 

[AeroplaneDriver]

Thats jut gorgeous Ed! 

I like the black canopy...makes it look like a manufacturer's model.