BlackLion213

It's not even on my list of concerns... ;) It turns out there are a few other things on the F-14 that need electricity...like the control systems. The hydraulics for the flight controls are operated by a pump driven by the right engine. If the right engine is down, the flight control hydraulics have an electric back-up (which means there is less electricity available for other things, like lights - interestingly). But if both engines are down and there is no battery as a back-up....then Newton is the only one who gets to drive. -Nick PS - The NATOPS manual states that if both engines are stalled, leave one in the stalled condition (usually take it about 30 seconds or so to catch fire...), shut down the other one and attempt a restart before shutting down the other. This prevents the total loss of electrical and hydraulic power.

Hi Frisco, Per Cobra, we are getting #1. #2 is the Sparrowhawk HUD (fitted to F-14Bs starting around 2001). #3 is the F-14D HUD. -Nick

That part is quite hard to see in most photos and nothing has quite matched that portion. Plus, many photos are of restored engines and might not be completely accurate, depends on LNS references. -Nick

F-14A has a great HUD... Just doesn't show airspeed or altitude. ;) They are otherwise quite comparable. -Nick

Or a velocity vector in any mode besides take-off/landing... The Tomcat also doesn't have a battery, so if you manage to flame-out both engines (which is quite possible with the A-model) you will lose all electrical power after about ~20 seconds....unless you windmill the engines above 325 knots. Plus you need ground power for any start or systems check. Its easy to forget that the F-14A entered service the same year as the MiG-21Bis. Comparing the F-14A to the F/A-18C will provide some startling differences. :pilotfly: -Nick

Nor did I say anything to the contrary. :) However, I thought was worth calling attention to the fact that the F-14 was not simply "buying time" for the Rhino during its last few years of service. When the Rhino arrived in fleet, it was generally well-received for its benefits (it was a new airplane with truly new avionics, it was easy to fly, great low speed handling with the latest FBW), but there were also drawbacks that were immediately apparent. A VF-14 pilot that transitioned in early 2002 (one of the first squadrons) commented that he felt fortunate that they could make their opening strikes in Afghanistan after 9-11 with the F-14A - because their brand new F/A-18Es simply couldn't fly far enough to reach the targets (these were the opening strikes - before the USAF refueling assets were available). Tomcat pilots liked that the Rhino was easier/less stressful to fly, their daily existence is better and they worry less - which certainly means something. That said, many also commented that something was lost with the transition to the Rhino, there were certain tasks (such as FAC(A) ) that were harder to perform or it seemed that they lost capability. The best option would have been a clean sheet design (not constrained by trying to make it look like a simple Hornet upgrade, which was how it was funded) with all of the excellent avionics/radar upgrades. Just offering up the other side of the argument. ;) -Nick

Addressed a small error. :smilewink: -Nick

I don't think people are less patient, it's more a matter of access to information. People can actually ask the developers a question and get an answer - that's not common in other entertainment industries from what I've heard or experienced. Because people can ask...they do ask. Hence they look impatient. That's how it looks to me at least. :) -Nick

A nice period video of the USS Ranger during flight ops in 1989. Video quality is pretty good for the period. [ame] [/ame] -Nick

I don't think so, that looks to be the viewing angle and the fact that the head itself is asymmetric. The portion of the head below the plug has 5 cooling fins while the upper portion has 11 (which happens to match my photo :music_whistling:)....though thee cooling fins in my photo were repaired (likely "restored") at some point. The number was kept correct, but certain parts are a little "rough around the edges". There are parts missing from the render (at least plug wires), which makes it harder to judge, not to mention the very focused field of view. -Nick

How about this? -Nick

Thanks Nick! :) Also, here is a handy website: http://www.archives.gov/research/catalog/ It contains a lot of high resolution photos (many are posted above). The search tools aren't the best, but it contains a good volume of content (official USN photos, etc). Good luck with your awesome project. -Nick

More pictures, mostly of the Hangar deck tonight :) USS Forrestal this time: Independence: Saratoga: Ranger, one of the pics is a re-post, but this one is much higher resolution. Another Baranek pic from Ranger's 1987 cruise. On this cruise, VF-2 sported aircraft with very hi-viz markings, moderate-viz (all gull grey with small colored markings), and true lo-viz. Quite a nice variety. :) Have a good night, -Nick

I think this is closer. :D Sakae 21 engine from the A6M. Junction of the pushrods and crankcase matches the render well, along with many other small details. I like what I see. :thumbup: -Nick

Cooling fin pattern and pushrod layout looks like Zero (A6M3) to me.... I like these puzzles.:) -Nick

Hello, Found some better hangar deck photos for USS Ranger (late 80s): And one for Saratoga: A few deck and island shots for Ranger (80s-early 90s) This photo is during Carrier Quals (hence the F/A-18B/D Hornet and A-6E with NJ tail code) Oh yeah...and I just like this one. :D VF-2 above USS Ranger in 1987. Love that VF-2 insignia! -Nick

This is a great find! I read some reviews and seems to be exactly what LNS asked for: lots of hi-res detail shots of both the interior (hangar bay mostly) and exterior. -Nick

Whoops! I screwed that up, that picture is of the Constellation - I should have crossed checked the caption instead of assuming that it was correct. Sorry about that. :music_whistling: -Nick

Well, finding photos of the Ranger is proving to be a..... Hence the RFI :) I'm not sure if I'm finding what you need, but here are a few from tonight: A few of Saratoga: Hangar bay shot...barely: Kitty Hawk Hangar Bay (probably pretty similar save for the changes to elevator position): I'll keep digging, I hope some of this is helpful. -Nick

Ah nuts! Beat me to it.:) Plus, I don't think you need a position for posting forum pictures and answering a few Tomcat questions....maybe when you have over 1000 employees.;) Luckily my day job keeps me very busy, though it might be hard to tell with all the posts I have here. :music_whistling: Maybe this RFI will allow me to find something helpful... -Nick

Yes, absolutely. Another important search parameter for those who are doing so: you get better detail shots looking for pictures of the squadrons that deployed, since those shots are focused on a smaller area. You can find out which units deployed from several different references, including old USN cruise books. Here is a link: http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/ Scroll down to the Ranger section. You won't find the volume or quality of pictures that is present for active duty ships, but I think there is good stuff out there. I also found a few pictures in older books that might be worth scanning - BTW, several were taken by Dave Bio Baranek, he cruised on Ranger twice during the mid-80s. He might have some helpful pictures as well. -Nick

Ah yes, the "All Grumman Air Wing" championed by Secretary Lehman (he was a former A-6 BN). He theorized that a pair of A-6 squadrons would offer more than two A-7 and one A-6 squadrons. Thats an interesting point MBot, a 1986-91 Ranger would require less AI than other airwings. Though it depends on how much work that AI represents. Razbam has lent their 3D models with SFM to other companies as AI for prior FSX projects. I'm not sure if that could happen here, Razbam already has a complete 3D model for the A-7 and a FSX flight model, creating the SFM might not be very intensive, though if Leatherneck needs to create all of that from scratch its a different matter. Also, I would argue to include the EA-6B since it played a big role in the airwing. Its SFM would be very similar to the A-6E (especially for being AI, most differences would not be relevant for the sim). Plus, EA-6Bs assisted with SEAD and Tomcats would frequently escort them (HVAP), adding to possible player missions. With the A-7 planned for DCS in the near-ish term, it would be nice to integrate an AI A-7 with the Tomcat. Plus, it would be good for Razbam since it would help promote the A-7E module - seeing the A-7E in action from the F-14 is good PR in my mind. :) I'm also really glad that LNS is creating their carrier and making it Ranger-ish so that it offers more flexibility to represent other class members. That's a smart move since it will give much more future mission flexibility than modeling one specific carrier for one specific config/cruise. I'd rather have the flexibility. -Nick

There is a Persian Gulf map - Strait of Hormuz. USS Ranger went to the Strait in 1987 in support of Operation Earnest will. In fact, Dave "Bio" Baranek was on that cruise with VF-2. :) Lots of possibilities there..... -Nick

I got home rather late tonight...so this is what I found thus far. I kept it to just the Ranger for now from 1980-1992 (no major retrofits during that period). I'll keep looking and post or send as I find things. Question for Cobra: Do you have CJ Heatley's Book "The Cutting Edge" - it has quite a few Ranger pictures from 1984. If you don't have it, I can scan and send/post those images as well. Just let me know. Also of help, the movie "Flight of the Intruder" was filmed on Ranger's sister ship (CV-62 Independence) and there are good shots of the Hangar deck in that movie that could be helpful. It's available on Amazon instant: http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Intruder-Danny-Glover/dp/B007RFDP8U/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458022350&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Flight+of+the+Intrude Here are the pictures thus far. View of the Hangar deck looking aft from a vantage point of just under the island - circa 1985 View of the Island circa 1990 - appearance should be pretty stable compared to mid-80s. Another island shot circa 1980 Another island shot circa 1980 Island shot after going into long-term storage Here are a series of shots from 1992 (last cruise): Circa 1990 1989 1986 This is what I found tonight. I'll keep looking for good detail shots, etc. This project is fantastic news! Thank you for your dedication to the F-14A set in the 1980s in addition to the F-14B. :thumbup: -Nick PS - There is an observation area on the island (lower level of the 2-level bridge) that is visible in the 2nd and 3rd pictures. In the second picture it is enclosed with a curved plexiglass and the first picture shows a box shaped observation area. I checked my references and that area changed from "boxed" to "curved" in 1989.

Then I'll try to keep reference photos to just those 4 ships, just so things don't get confusing. Love your choice BTW. I had a private tour of Ranger when I was 7 or 8 years old (Dad was a Navy Contractor at the time). I love that ship, so impressive in person. Ranger and Enterprise are my favorite carriers. :D -Nick