Grumman F-14A
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Hello,
to answer some questions, and to give my orientations, here is some thoughts about this F-14 project (please note that I omitted A after F-14).
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I plan to start it in mid January 2024, not before. Priorities are now to finish KF-21, and solve some minor bugs for Mitsubishi F1/T-2.
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I expect it to be completed around May or June 2024. It’s always hard to announce dates, because many things can happen.
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What is sure is that I know how much this F-14 is expected by many of you. So, I want to avoid the never ending complex (and I know that my motivation gets lower after some months of work on the same project), I want to setup an accurate workdflow to ensure everyone that this project will be released.
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I do not plan a strictly F-14A model anymore. I know how much this late 3rd gen fighter is legendary for many of you, so, I will try something new (I made some tests on J-11 that you all have now, and it works perfectly).
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I will then deploy what I call TTMV (Texture To Mesh Variability). It means that in fact, there will be one very, very single model for all aircraft. So, the basic mesh will be a F-14ABDM. Every user, will then be able to get the model he or she wants by a repaint. How it’s possible ? By the use of alpha channels. What shall exist will be configured by level of greys, and the rest, black… It will require some discipline, but it works (you already have it on J11, most of you didn’t really knew it ! Look : here is J-11, and here is Sukhoi Su-27. You will notice that there is some antennas, under the canopy section, and on the spine, that exist on J-11, but not on Su-27. This is strictly the same model. I will then probably use this system to have the 8 IRST systems @molnibalage kindly adressed us. Campaign creators will then have the capability to do what they want.
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To conclude, the idea is to give the opportuinity, for repainters, to create with the same model :
VF-154 “Black knights” F-14A with TCS/Position light and ALQ-100
VF-101 “Grim Reapers” F-14A with Position light, ALQ-100, aerodynamic cover and TCS removed
VF-31 “Tomcatters” F-14A, with IR seeker, position light early mode
VF-101 “Grim Reapers” F-14B with TCS/Position light and ALQ-100
VF-213 “Blacklions” F-14D, TCS, ALQ-100, position light, TCS and IR seeker
Of course, this will concern all the aircraft, including TF-30 and F-110 engines, antennas, supersonic foldable apexes etc…
These are just examples. I hope you understood clearly my ideas !
Stay tuned !
Radium
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I’m really glad your project includes all F-14 Tomcat versions.
I would also like to touch upon the cockpit issue. As you know, there is currently no cockpit for the F-14. I found a temporary solution to this problem in the past years. I made a small edit to the F-18D cockpit with Photoshop. The result wasn’t bad at all. (I’ve added a few screenshots of this F-14 cockpit below.)
I need to work on this cockpit again right now. Because the files change in every version of BMS. But I think we can get by with this until a real F-14 cockpit is built.
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@buraktunahan Hello,
that’s a nice try. However, I do not want a cockpit, if we can’t make something more precise.
I really want this :
I will check if I can get some 3D and code partners.
Radium
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Hello,
so many cockpits…
Main picture comes from there : https://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/439373-f-14-abd-tomcat-true-topgun/page/3/ I added Iranese updated Tomcat.
Cheers !
Radium
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@Radium the iconic one is the A and F14A+
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@Radium <Salute good sir> We are the ready.
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@buraktunahan said in Grumman F-14A:
Differences between F-14A and F14D:
Glove vane was disabled also for the F-14A following the early service period.
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@VDK - as far as I’m aware, the only real change between the A and the B are the engines and the kick in performance.
But from the A to the D, there are quite a few changes in the cockpit, including new NACES seats, as well as a number of external add-ons.
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The F-14A+ was renamed to F-14B on 1st May 1991. It’s the same aircraft. Originally the A+/B introduced the F110-GE-400 engine, a (new?) purge gas system for the gun. AN/ALR-67v(2) RWR, AN/ALQ-126B ECM, Direct Lift Control and updates to the radar and weapon control system. Some A and all Bs received further upgrades throughout the 90s, incl. DFCS, BOL chaff dispensers, updated displays, EGI, LANTIRN and precision guided weapons integration.
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He’ll everyone !
I am still no expert of F-14, then I need your help.
If one day we make a F-14A cockpit, I am not sure what it means for front seat attributions.
F-14 was designed with à RIO as the backbone of the aircraft that’s a fact.
For this reason : would it be reasonable according to you to make a front seat cockpit only ?
I need your extensive advised here, feel free to give any feedback you have !
Radium
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@Radium not an expert myself, but if you don’t mind, for what it’s worth I’d still say the f14 is unusable without the back seater. So maybe if/when we get multiseat aircraft?
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@dumba Hi ! For now, two seaters are not possible…
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Hello,
According to the feedback I had from different places… There will be no cockpit for this project.
Cheers,
Radium
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@Radium Will you make a “cockpit wing model”? If you make a “cockpit wings model” we can use it with the F-18D cockpit. It would be a temporary solution, but it’s better than nothing.
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@buraktunahan Hello,
We will see…
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To be honest I’d be pretty happy with this.
@buraktunahan said in Grumman F-14A:
I’m really glad your project includes all F-14 Tomcat versions.
I would also like to touch upon the cockpit issue. As you know, there is currently no cockpit for the F-14. I found a temporary solution to this problem in the past years. I made a small edit to the F-18D cockpit with Photoshop. The result wasn’t bad at all. (I’ve added a few screenshots of this F-14 cockpit below.)
I need to work on this cockpit again right now. Because the files change in every version of BMS. But I think we can get by with this until a real F-14 cockpit is built.
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@JTnero Yes but no ! At least, I will try to modify the source file if so.
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What is the latest status on your project?
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@buraktunahan Nothing to communicate here for now. Still gathering references.
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@Radium, since you are starting An-22, is there any update on F-14?
Thanks my friend!