F-14 Tomcat

[Shasper]

1/144 ASATs can be obtained from the DML/Dragon F-15 kit.

Shas

[elmayerle]

As a starting point for further whiffs, how about a Tomcat 21 with JSF engines (i.e. the exhausts from a couple X-35 kits).  I could see one of those easily carrying an ASAT for intercept purposes.  Say a flight of four aircraft, two with ASATs and minimal other armament for self-defence while the escorts are loaded out to stop an attempts to prevent the ASAT launch(es).

[Jeffry Fontaine]

As a starting point for further whiffs, how about a Tomcat 21 with JSF engines (i.e. the exhausts from a couple X-35 kits).  I could see one of those easily carrying an ASAT for intercept purposes.  Say a flight of four aircraft, two with ASAT and minimal other armament for self-defence while the escorts are loaded out to stop an attempts to prevent the ASAT launch(es).

Already on top of that Evan.  I have been trying to source some extra F-32 and F-35 exhaust parts for a couple of things that need improving.   

Lack of sleep or unable to sleep is conducive to some of the ideas I get and the need to share them with you all.  The latest stems from my memory of that lame-arse film called "Stealth" which sucked so bad it should have gone directly to video.  While the film sucked and the aircraft sucked I thought the forward swept variable geometry wing had merit, just not on that butt-ugly thing in the film.  So enough trash talk, I would like to know what others think about that concept being applied to an F-14.  Of course any VG wing aircraft could be a candidate for such treatment but the F-14 would be the my first pick.  I think this might be something that Eddie could tackle but it might much begging and possible arm twisting :^)   

[GTX]

Any VG aircraft could be a possible - F-14, F-111, MiG-23/27, Tornado...  Maybe do whichever as a X-aircraft flown by NASA or similar  (just as they did with the F-111MAW).

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Taking Evan's idea a step further, I still like the idea of refitting the F-14 with two complete propulsion/lift systems from the F-35 (i.e. F-135/136 engine + lift fan etc) so as to create a heavy V/STOL fighter.

Regards,

Greg

[elmayerle]

Taking Evan's idea a step further, I still like the idea of refitting the F-14 with two complete propulsion/lift systems from the F-35 (i.e. F-135/136 engine + lift fan etc) so as to create a heavy V/STOL fighter.

Only with some significant redesign of the flight controls.  If you look at a cutaway of the F-14, all the mechanical control runs for the tail surfaces run down the center of the aircraft's spine; I found that when I was looking for a spot for the boom receptacle for a USAF version.

[KJ_Lesnick]

Evan,

Are you talking about that ADF version of the F-14?  Or a WHIF concept?

[elmayerle]

Bit of both, actually.  I was trying to figure out where the IMI version had it as well as trying to figure out where a whiffed version might have it. 

[KJ_Lesnick]

Evan,

Bit of both, actually.  I was trying to figure out where the IMI version had it as well as trying to figure out where a whiffed version might have it.

I thought the F-14 IMI was the same as the ADC variant?


KJ Lesnick

[elmayerle]

Ah, yes, a matter of terminological perspective.  Since the competition was labelled IMI, that's what I tend to call it.  In any case, I've looked at it from the perspective that the USAF has been fairly determined on solely boom receptacles in their new aircraft from the 1960s on (personally, I think 'twould be better to have both capabilities but that does add some extra weight to the aircraft).  Since the F-14 has it's refueling probe on the right hand side of the aircraft as well as the connection for single-point refueling on the deck, I'd figure that any boom receptacle would be there, too.  Exactly where I'm not totally certain, yet, but I've been able to figure this much so far.  Maybe it's retentive of me, but I'm enough of an engineer to want reasonable plausibility in something like that.

[KJ_Lesnick]

Evan,

Maybe it's retentive of me, but I'm enough of an engineer to want reasonable plausibility in something like that.

I understand exactly how you think -- I try to be the same with my concepts -- I want to make sure it's physically plausible and it actually would work, etc..

[Sauragnmon]

OK, I've got a desire in me lately to build my Iranian Mod-14 concept, and so here I am with some of my ideas:

Engines - replace with AL-31F, donor an old Su-34 that I lost the canopy to (damnit) and have since... borrowed... parts from (Missiles for my Tigershark)

Payload - I was thinking of hanging a pair of KAB-1000/1500 under the centerline hardpoints, drop tanks, not sure what I'll add on for the AAM warload, probably some Russian Toys as well, maybe R-73AE's and R-27's just to add to the "WTF?" factor.

Of course, Iranian paint, and that's my idea so far.  Intakes should be big enough (thank god) so I shouldn't have to resculpt them.  Not sure if I can sling the AAM load idea, but there's enough payload for Sparrows, so should be doable for R-27's.

Thoughts, questions, comments, queries and rude remarks welcome.  I'm also looking at kit thoughts - Hasegawa old-cast, Hobbycraft, possibly Revell are my thoughts on producers, 1/72.  Feedback on the kits is equally welcome.  Leading right now is the Hasegawa, Hobbycraft is considered for price.  Revell's one I'll entertain, but not sure about it.

[GTX]

OK, I've got a desire in me lately to build my Iranian Mod-14 concept, and so here I am with some of my ideas:

Engines - replace with AL-31F, donor an old Su-34 that I lost the canopy to (damnit) and have since... borrowed... parts from (Missiles for my Tigershark)

Payload - I was thinking of hanging a pair of KAB-1000/1500 under the centerline hardpoints, drop tanks, not sure what I'll add on for the AAM warload, probably some Russian Toys as well, maybe R-73AE's and R-27's just to add to the "WTF?" factor.

Of course, Iranian paint, and that's my idea so far.  Intakes should be big enough (thank god) so I shouldn't have to resculpt them.  Not sure if I can sling the AAM load idea, but there's enough payload for Sparrows, so should be doable for R-27's.

Thoughts, questions, comments, queries and rude remarks welcome.  I'm also looking at kit thoughts - Hasegawa old-cast, Hobbycraft, possibly Revell are my thoughts on producers, 1/72.  Feedback on the kits is equally welcome.  Leading right now is the Hasegawa, Hobbycraft is considered for price.  Revell's one I'll entertain, but not sure about it.

Sounds like a great idea - maybe even go for AL-31FP thrust vectoring versions.

Regards,

Greg

[Taiidantomcat]

I was thinking the same thing with the thrust vectoring  The Tomcats Slabs naturally fall too so you could should it off really easy and still have it look natural:




leaving as much of the Tomcat original would make sense too, reshaping the intakes would be expensive and difficult (and i agree, basically unnecessary) i would think the IRIAF would try to K.I.S.S. it and not reinvent the wheel. replacing the engines wouldn't be too difficult structurally (best guess im no expert) and putting new missile adapters on is pretty easy. i like the IRIAFs current blue gray scheme better than the original "asia Minor" but its your model and it will look cool either way!

http://uskowioniran.blogspot.com/2008/05/iriaf-f-14a-tomcat-in-action-pt-1.html

[Sauragnmon]

Well, I think an additional benefit would be that the AL-31's will stick out further than the TF-30's so I think I could manage to justify thrust vectoring, alternately if the vectoring was 3d, akin to the MiG-29OVT, the travel of the nozzles in vector wouldn't collide against the verticals.

I agree as well, the airframe in itself will likely remain standard.  The Radar might get replaced with a newer Russian system, new ordnance adapters.  It'll still be a 14A at the base, so I can't do the glass cockpit, far as I know.  I ordered the old Hase -14 cut, I have no massive need for details.

The blue/grey scheme does look interesting, as does the tan/brown/black scheme.  I'm not sure which I would use, ideally.  Blue/grey would serve notably for Naval Interdiction, while tan/brown/black would be better with an A2G Strike Bird hitting into the Iraqi Zone or elsewhere.

I know it might be a little inflammatory, but I was thinking of doing it up in the Iranian-War concept, and the thought tickled my mind of having a slogan in arabic on it somewhere, "Jihad Express" obviously a play on the speed of the bird.  I thought a pilot might come up with a term such as that.