Swordsman422

That's correct. The A+ entered service in 1988 was renamed the B around 1992. It's caused no end of confusion for some folks who assume that the A+ is the LANTIRN-capable A. I think Heatblur should use the specific block number for the F-14A we're getting to distinguish it, just as ED calls the playable Hornet "F/A-18C Lot 20" to distinguish from the AI only F/A-18C. So maybe to distinguish the HB F-14A from the AI, maybe F-14A-140-GR or something like that.

The VF-102 OEF livery will be following shortly after release of the 1999 skin pack. 9 jets in this one.

Currently the helmet textures are just placeholders until we get the HGU-55. After that, I'll knock up some period appropriate tape jobs for VF-102 and update the skin. This skin pack is in testing currently but should be uploaded within the following week, after which I'll polish VF-102's OEF line jet livery to accompany the one included with the F-14B. Thank you all for the kind comments.

Seeing as how Heatblur focuses on historical accuracy within reason, probably the campaign will focus on VF-74 Bedevilers and/or VF-103 Sluggers from USS Saratoga, since these were the only squadrons to deploy in F-14Bs on a Forrestal-class and CV-60 was the one.

Work continues. I was able to find the BuNos of 8 of VF-102's 14 aircraft from this period and will likely initially release with only these until I can find the remainder. While the aircraft generally look alike and use the same base textures, markings and TPS have slight variances between aircraft.

Started working on this one for use with the Persian Gauntlet campaign. I've just now got the tails lined up, so still a long way to go. I'll try to cover the whole squadron for the time period, including the unusual markings for the CAG jet. Due to a lack of complete information, I won't be putting names on the canopy rails.

It's real and called a called a yaw string.

You can actually see F-4s and A-4s being hooked up for launch in this video.

I'm attracted to the analog UFC for Cold War, ODS, and mid 90's missions. I'll buy it either way, but that's my vote.

I'm not particularly skilled yet. Due to some issues with CS4 I haven't solved yet, I can't use the paint kit. I'm currently modifying the existing Top Gun skin to represent 160694, the Top Gun camera bird, which can be readily identified by the replacement panel on the spine painted in FS16440. If I ever release it, it'll be waiting for the A.

Escort F/A-18s or A-6s to the launch position for their Harpoons. Once that cruiser is at sea and awake, there really isn't much a Tomcat can do to sink it.

Unfortunately, we won't get either. From what I understand, what's classified on the F-14D is the functionality of the IRST, and while Heatblur could move forward without it that specific system, they cannot get redacted copies or something. The F-14B(U), they cannot get documentation that covers all of the menus in the RIO's PTID and they'd rather not guess. If given the choice between the D and B(U), I'd take the D to round out the family.

If we ever get a Phantom, my hope would be for the F-4B/N or J/S, but it's a vain hope considering all of the nations the F-4E served. I'm also hoping one day HB decides to use their fantastic skills to make their upcoming A-6E flyable. But let them deliver what they promised first before looking too far towards the future. The F-14A and Forrestal-class are much awaited.

Check the key bind list for the F-14, but it should be the M key.

I think we're confusing terminology here as well. The F-14A+ IS the original designation of the F-14B. The F-14A remained the F-14A until the end. If I read right, the Iranian F-14A we're getting will just be the USN F-14A with the TCS covered by a bullet fairing and the precision weapons and TARPS disabled, not a new model reflecting a typical Block 90 F-14.

Unguided bombs were used as well. F-14s wired for TARPS couldn't carry the LANTIRN, but during OIF, sometimes F-14 Recce sections were also armed with a pair of Mk. 80 series dumb bombs for just in case. IIRC, a VF-2 recce flight dropped unguided bombs on Saddam's yacht Al Mansur, which was suspected of being used as a command and control center, and destroyed it. They could and did carry unguided bombs operationally, but the precision of LGBs and later JDAM was preferred.

Not much that I can add that hasn't been said here. It was pretty incredible to watch the F-14 transform from a dedicated air-to-air platform into the Navy's premier all-weather Strike, CAS, COIN, and SCAR platform without losing an ounce of its outstanding air-to-air capability, especially given that this transition occurred with off-the-shelf technology. The decision was made in the post-Cold War drawdown that saw the impending demise of the A-6 Intruder and failure of the A-12 program, which would leave the US Navy without a long range strike and interdiction platform. Seeing also the potential retirement of the F-14, the Tomcat community jumped to fill this gap and did so beyond expectation on a shoestring budget. Adopting the a2g mission might have been a desperate grab to save the F-14, but the Tomcat excelled in this role and became the goto platform for strike missions launched from the sea for the following decade. Edit: I'll also add I'm looking forward to Jester being able to operate the LANTIRN. Swapping back and forth is a bit of a pain. I always have to pop back to the RIO's seat after weapons released to make sure the LANTIRN doesn't go off point.

Aha... The "this is not representative of who I am" defense. I hate to tell you this friend. You stooped to this level. It's who you are.

If they were going to extend the class in any direction, rather they did the first three; Nimitz, Eisenhower, and Vinson. Reagan and Bush won't look right without a Superhornet to fly off of them.

You must have missed the link to it I posted... Here you go again. https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3301031/?sphrase_id=209497

The simmed jet being the wrong specific model hasn't stopped modders before. Just look at the sheer number of VF-84 liveries in the downloads section, not just for the F-14B they never flew, but for non-Navy, non-US aircraft. To answer the OP's question, is this one it? https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3301031/?sphrase_id=209497 The livery was in fact real, per this image:

1. Yes, but probably not right away. 2. Prime and 3rd party developers have to communicate and cooperate to integreate SC and the F-14 into overall DCS functionality. 3. See above. Asking for specific dates is pointless, but "by the end of EA" whenever that is. 4. Probably.

One of the stock VF-11 and VF-143 liveries were from their time on the John Stennis. These were the only two squadrons equipped with the B model Tomcat to ever deploy aboard her.

The main structure of the beaver tail only differed with jets from Block 75 and before, and we're very unlikely to get those. I think they've already stated they were adding the option for the bullet fairing on the TCS but haven't clarified if removal will be an option. Right now, all I am referring to is the physical model of the F-14A and not its flying qualities. My point is if what we get is a contemporary of the F-14B (I hope), then there isn't really anything new or exciting on the 3D model to see except a few tiny bits and the engine nozzles. Even the specific external details of an F-14A from the mid 1980s differed little enough that it would warrant much in terms of images. "And here's a shot of the F-14A's shorter TACAN antenna." Yeah, whoop. I could use to see some shots of the TF30 nozzle thrust phases, but there's not many images of a nearly physically identical aircraft that's going to get me more excited or tell me they've made more progress when the vast majority of what they need for the A is coding like the flight dynamics and engine modelling, stuff you can't screenshot to show progress. They've said they're working on it while simultaneously having to jump through new hoops with ED's update schedule. I don't have any reason not to believe them and some screenshots aren't going to change that.

By two gauges. The engine instruments and placement of the RWR are all that's different. Most likely the only thing that will change about the exterior are the engine exhaust nozzles and shrouds. Maybe we'll see a change in the gun gas vents and deletion of some ECM blisters but little else.