FS2004 Grumman F-14B Tomcat

Accurate Gmax F14 model with full moving parts, virtual cockpit and photoreal textures. VF-32 "Swordsmen", VF-102 "Diamondbacks" and VF-103 "Jolly Rogers" versions. Original 3D Gmax model by Jeff Dobbing. Gmax model rework, textures, panel, etc. by Dino Cattaneo.

Gmax release with virtual cockpit for FS2004. VF-32 "Swordsmen", VF-102 "Diamondbacks" and VF-103 "Jolly Rogers" high-visibility birds.

CREDITS

While I did a lot of job on this project, the Tomcat could not reach this level of detail without the contibution of many talented individuals. Those fellow simmers and designers kindly provided the results of their efforts for free. Thanks a lot!

• Jeff Dobbing...........original gmax F-14 geometry
• Aaron Swindle..........sound effects
• Rob Barengdregt........XML gauges / special effects
• Jan Rosenberg..........special effects
• FSD group & other......military gauges
• Paul Schwerdtfeger.....specific F-14 gauges

Also, most of the gauges you see in my panel are from FSD freeware panels. Other gauges or files were found on the Internet and are of unknown origin to me. My apologies to anyone who may have contributed directly or undirectly to the Tomcat and were forgotten in this list. Last I'd like to thank you all for the support and encouragement I had from your e-mails.

INSTALLATION

Just unzip on the main FS2004 directory, enabling Winzip to recreate the proper folders.

SPECIAL CONTROLS

WING SWEEP AND FLAP CONFIGURATION

• F5-F8 contol both flaps and wing sweep.
• F5 = maximum sweep and no flaps (supersonic flight configuration)
• F8 = minimum sweep full flap (landing configuration).
• F8 then F7 = take off configuration

TAILHOOK

This aircraftfeatures a tailhook.By default, the tailhook HAS NO CONTROL assigned. To operate this you should assign a control (keyboard or joystick) in Flight Simulator. Note that, without external modules, this hook is purely cosmetic.

SPOILERS

To operate from carriers without the help of external modules, this aircraft has "superspoilers".

DO NOT OPERATE the spolier control while flying. See below for details.

CARRIER OPERATIONS

This aircraft is designed to be capable of taking off and landing on flight simulator carriers without any external module. To properly operate from carriers you should set the weather condition to have 20-30 knots blowing in front of the carrier. Therefore if the carrier is heading towards North (000) you should set 20-30 knots wind blowing from 000.

TAKE-OFF

Provided you've properly set the wind, you should be able to takeoff from catapult 4 (the one on the extreme left of the deck) with no problem. Set the takeoff configuration (F8 and then F7), engage brakes, apply full throttle and then release the brakes. Note: the real F-14B takes off without afterburners, as the accelleration would be so fast that the landing gear cannot retract before the "maxium speed with gear extracted" is reached.

LANDING

To operate without external modules, this aircraft has "superspoiler" that is the spoiler efficiency is fictionally boosted to "stop" the aircraft as soon as the spoiler command is activated. Approach the deck at 170-180 kts (landing configuration: full flap and minimum sweep -F8- gear and hook extended) - throttle about 30% As soon as you touch the deck, extend the spoilers for immediate arrest. Of course this is not what happens in real life...

OPERATING WITH "ARRESTOR CABLES" OR SIMILAR MODULES

If you wish to use this aircraft with external modules for carrier operations, such as Arrestor Cables you may want to exclude the "superspoiler". To do this, open the "Aircraft.CFG" file with a text editor and change the line "spoiler_limit=1000" to "spoiler_limit=45". Check the module instructions if you need to do so.

NOTES AND KNOWN ISSUES

Nobody is perfect...and you're getting this for free...so please excuse the defects of this package! Here are the major defects of the package in my opinion:

Outside model

• some light leakage...Shame on me, but the gmax model looks OK. I think it's a rounding problem....
• engine intakes and nozzles are not animated. I'm facing the dreaded "scale error". I should redo the parts in gmax but I do not have time for this.

Virtual cockpit

• 3D levers not animated, see above
• You cannot drag the levers with the mouse...We need to wait for Microsoft to release their new SDK.

Flight model

While I AM an engineer and a pilot, I've never flown the Tomcat, nor I have enough data to validate a flight model. I think that flight behavior is acceptable, especially between 200 and 400 knots. Still you'll have to fly approaches at 180 kts, which is a bit too fast, and you'll have a pretty fast bird over 500 knots... Ok, the Turkey is fast...but its acceleration is not this fast! Also, performance at hight altitude is not accurate.

Panel

well, ACMI panel is non functional. Nor the RWR is. Sorry.

Dino Cattaneo