There… pre-ordered. MagzTV took me over the line. That looks like so much fun.
1 Like
both valid points there @sobek and @schurem
I just would like to fly the A before B, so I gues I need to wait for my turn.
Need to watch the latest videos if they worked for you @easy 
I heard they were going with “Hangar200” as the AI pilot’s call sign…seeing as how he flies Heatblur’s other fighter, the Viggen, so well…
3 Likes
To quote Mr. Iceman… «SNEEZE!»
2 Likes
Wasn’t that more of a “cough#@$@” ?
3 Likes
If I had to guess, it’s the modeling of the TF30s represents a huge investment of resources, time, and bug crushing. To fully simulate just how finicky the TF30s were is probably something they want to do after they’ve finalized a lot of the other things, as we’ve seen in a lot of the videos so far. The accident record of the F-14As with the TF30s speaks for itself in this regard. I highly suspect that the F-14B will be far more commonly used than the F-14A for this reason alone.
3 Likes
I would actually like to do some tests on multiplayer if any of us ever get the time. Similar to the stuff they did with the lightning and starfighter.
Low speed head to head acceleration tests at varying altitude and supersonic drag races. Would be fairly interesting I think to see the actual difference between alpha and bravo
Say the word out loud.
Does it sound like a cough to you?
Although it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out in DCS, it’s pretty much no contest in terms of real world data. The F-14B had a whopping 22,000lbs more thrust than the F-14A, for ~1700lbs of extra weight. The GE engines were a much newer design, made damn near 15 years later than the TF30s. One of the key features of the F110 installation was computerized fuel control, which represents a huge advantage over the older TF30. Think about it: the F110 allows taking off from a carrier with dry thrust alone. That kind of performance leap is, quite frankly, incredible.
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-specification.htm
http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_fighters/f14_4.html
Comparatively speaking, however… There were only 70 F-14Bs in total. The F-14A accounted for more than 470 aircraft, and although a number were converted to B and D, the bulk remained in service as As. If Heatblur confirms that the F-14A will also receive LANTIRN capability, then I know for the bulk of missions I make, the A will be the F-14 of my choice.
Per Magz and Jabbers’ videos above, I think this needs to be posted again:
Basically: no intentional spins; negative G maneuvers restricted to 10 seconds max on burners, 20 seconds dry; weapons launch restricted with flaps down and slats out; no fuel dumping with burners; no rolling maneuvers greater than 360 degrees. How often will these be violated and what will the effects be? That is what I find exciting about all this, even though I’m far from a Turkey fan.
6 Likes
After spending a little bit of time in the JustFlight F-14 Extended, I really wish that we were getting the SparrowHawk HUD, which began to be deployed 3/2003.
Seeing that mentioned reminds me of just how many variations we had found in the AH-64 fleet. What we know of as the AH-64A actually had a lot of changes and additions throughout its service life before the D was developed, and then the D had various changes throughout its own block process as well. Plus, some had a mishmash of equipment applied, like the TXNG which had AH-64As packing CMWS, M-TADS, Arrowhead, TEDAC, and a few other systems previously only seen on the D models.
If you look at the F-14, you can see a lot of those in the same way, so even by separating from basic model there are still generational changes that have huge effects under the hood than what meets the eye. That, unfortunately, represents a lot of work that most people don’t quite seem to understand. I wouldn’t have blamed Heatblur if they only did the F-14A for the time period of 1986-1991, given just how many changes can be applied from a 10-15 year span of time from 1986 to 2001.
3 Likes
That is static thrust though. In the air, things were a bit different, although i agree that the F110 was overall a much better engine.
3 Likes
2 Likes
wondering why no one mentioned the sparks on the tail hook of the landing shot in Jabbers video.
2 Likes
the F110’s didnt Kill Goose.
2 Likes
Better engine, Welded glove vanes, more capability.
2 Likes
Apparently I am still missing it. I can’t find an external carrier landing shot in Jabbers video?
00:49 Of the Video.
1 Like
I may need new glasses… 
1 Like
That’s what you get from living in a place where the sun doesn’t shine for half of the year!
Your eyes go bad!
4 Likes