**UPDATE: DCS F-14 Flight Model Report!!**

[westr]

Both, but likely only -B at first release, we will then add -A a couple of months later.

 

Is the flight model differences between the A & B significant?

[turkeydriver]

Is the flight model differences between the A & B significant?

 

There are weight differences that has a slight affect on wing loading(A has the best), but these are more than offset by the thrust available with the B. Glove vanes give a slight maneuvering envelope bump at high speed(above Mach 1), but that's about it.

[captain_dalan]

Is the flight model differences between the A & B significant?

 

There are weight differences that has a slight affect on wing loading(A has the best), but these are more than offset by the thrust available with the B. Glove vanes give a slight maneuvering envelope bump at high speed(above Mach 1), but that's about it.

 

And the power curves of course. As a result of that extra thrust your energy management is quite different in the B, especially in the low-mid mach. Aside from that...... more liberal handling during high alpha (more stall resistant engines) if we take that for flight model characteristic (personally i favor to put it under handling). :thumbup:

[Barefoot Bandit]

Something tells me there's going to be a lot of people who buy this and then make reviews saying "the Tomcat is nice..but..I'm staying with the Hornet as my main module"

 

Mostly because they'll be too lazy to learn how to fight it well or they will lack to patience..or simply because they don't want to deal with it.

 

The F-18 does not have the Top Gun soundtrack to back it up.

 

Z...

[BlackLion213]

Is the flight model differences between the A & B significant?

 

As usual, turkeydriver and captain_dalan gave an accurate depiction of the major performance differences - which are significant, but not huge (I think I'm confused by what I just said...). :)

 

Aerodynamically, the A and B will behave nearly identical save for the thrust differences. Glancing at the differences in the performance charts, the thrust difference is most notable in the Ps>1 range where the B can maintain a much better STR with excess energy than the A (meaning you can regain lost airspeed or climb and still turn at an impressive rate). The A has a nearly identical Ps=0 turn rate, especially at lower altitudes, but has to me much more careful to maintain energy in a turning fight since regaining it requires a much bigger trade-off in terms of turn rate or altitude.

 

The more noticeable difference may not be in activities like ACM, but less exciting tasks like cruise, economy climbs to altitude, and carrier ops. The TF30 is pretty good at low altitudes and high speeds with full afterburner, but the biggest difference between the F110 and TF30 is at altitude in mil-power or less. As the F-14A climbs above 15,000' and stays below ~275 KIAS, there is a big deficit in thrust compared to the F110. The F-14B can climb comfortably at combat loads with mid-range throttle settings. The F-14A really needs either mil-power or near mil-power to climb and maintain a reasonable airspeeds at altitude. In fact, loaded F-14As usually climb in steps above ~23,000'. The aircraft can climb to 40,000'+ in mil-power, but you need to manage energy well while the F-14B will do these things without a thought and with energy to spare.

 

Then there is the engine handling issues. From what F-14A pilots have said and wrote, the TF30 was pretty stable in zone 5 afterburner or full mil-power and high AOA alone would rarely stall it. The problem is that throttle transients would easily upset the compressor, especially when coupled with high AOA or beta. Pilots needed to be mindful of when and how they moved the throttle, especially during maneuvers. Not just when horsing around in ACM, they actually needed to worry more at high altitudes (above 30,000') or low engine RPMs (especially below 80%) where stall margin dropped off quite a bit (and the "thumps" become barely audible "pops"). The lack of adequate thrust and the stability of the engine in zone 5 were complimentary - the well known saying of "set it and forget it". But more mundane tasks could get you into trouble if you weren't mindful.

 

So flying the F-14A is an exercise in restraint and constraint. In the F-14B, the aerodynamic characteristics and handling challenges are foremost on your mind during flying and tasks such as landing. In the F-14A, they become secondary to proper engine handling and further reduce your options for dealing with imprecise flying or sticky situations. In the end, the F-14A can do just about everything that the F-14B can, but you need to plan more and you have fewer recourses if something unexpected happens (hence the lack of safety margin that made the F110 powered Tomcats so much better for routine operations).

 

For me, this makes the F-14A more appealing in a simulator (no life on the line) since you need to know the pitfalls (true of all F-14s in some respects) to get things done well and even simple missions will keep you involved and mentally present since you can screw it up - and have few options for salvaging the situation. Since I like the sim-hobby to get away from it all for a bit, the F-14A really facilitates that. :thumbup:

 

-Nick

[Mking]

I hope for new screeshots or part 2 video for this weekend :D

[1stBEAST]

i would more like to see a release of the module.....now would be good :-D

but BTT. the engine managment sounds quite interessting. but why would someone prefer the F-14A if he can get the B. nostalgic reasons?

[westr]

He did explain his reasons. The challenge of managing the engines etc. And I can understand that. We want sims to be challenging.

[Ghostrider142]

The A should have a slightly higher top speed than the B, but the B will be much easier to master. I hope they are released together, I want to learn on the A then learn the B.

 

http://www.ausairpower.net/PDF-A/engines.pdf

[VampireNZ]

The A should have a slightly higher top speed than the B, but the B will be much easier to master. I hope they are released together, I want to learn on the A then learn the B.

 

 

I believe B released first, with A to follow....?

[Dudikoff]

i would more like to see a release of the module.....now would be good :-D

but BTT. the engine managment sounds quite interessting. but why would someone prefer the F-14A if he can get the B. nostalgic reasons?

 

The F-14B came quite late to the fleet defense party (only in 1988 did they start getting delivered to squadrons) so there's also that in A's favor.

[WHOGX5]

I believe B released first, with A to follow....?

 

That's what I heard too.

[Buzzles]

I believe B released first, with A to follow....?

That's what I heard too.

 

Literally on the first page guys:

 

Both, but likely only -B at first release, we will then add -A a couple of months later.

[WindyTX]

I think the difference between the A and B will be insignificant compared to stepping from a Single seat Aircraft to a 2 crew operation.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[captain_dalan]

.....

For me, this makes the F-14A more appealing in a simulator (no life on the line) since you need to know the pitfalls (true of all F-14s in some respects) to get things done well and even simple missions will keep you involved and mentally present since you can screw it up - and have few options for salvaging the situation. Since I like the sim-hobby to get away from it all for a bit, the F-14A really facilitates that. :thumbup:

 

-Nick

 

but BTT. the engine managment sounds quite interessting. but why would someone prefer the F-14A if he can get the B. nostalgic reasons?

 

I'm on the same boat as Nick. I want the challenge. The first time you pool that tail slide, or you drop your nose over the egg at stupendous rate AND your TF30's don't stall???? Priceless! Think of it as the difference between FBW and analogue flight controls..... why would you want the latter if you can have the former? FBW is careless......it makes me feel detached. When i pull on the stick of a Viper or a M2000 it does everything for me.... there is no.....involvement (for the lack of better words).

 

The F-14B came quite late to the fleet defense party (only in 1988 did they start getting delivered to squadrons) so there's also that in A's favor.

 

And there is of course this. The D may have been the definitive Tomcat, but the A was THE Tomcat. I want the experience of flying the plane that was what the Tomcat was for the greatest part of its career. Especially in the fleet defense and naval air superiority roles. :pilotfly:

 

If i was a mud mover, then maybe i'd prefer the D better, but i ain't ;)

[1stBEAST]

yeah but it was never meant to be the "A" this long if i understood the interview i saw correctly, the engines were planed for a much earlier delivery/upgrade. netherless i will fly them both, because they are tomcats^^ but if i have a choice i would rather take the "B" especially if i have to fight against fulcrums and flankers^^

 

EDIT: on the other hand Mig-21´s and viggens also shot down Flankers online.....so the "A" Tomcat will do.

in the end it is server admins choice which tomcat is avaible (after they are both released)

Edited September 8, 2017 by 1stBEAST

[addde]

yeah but it was never meant to be the "A" this long if i understood the interview i saw correctly, the engines were planed for a much earlier delivery/upgrade. netherless i will fly them both, because they are tomcats^^ but if i have a choice i would rather take the "B" especially if i have to fight against fulcrums and flankers^^

 

EDIT: on the other hand Mig-21´s and viggens also shot down Flankers online.....so the "A" Tomcat will do.

in the end it is server admins choice which tomcat is avaible (after they are both released)

 

As long as u dont get in a slow speed turning fight with the A tomcat you will be fine ^^

[frixon28]

Both, but likely only -B at first release, we will then add -A a couple of months later.

 

I assume adding the A means at full price? I am also assumingly sadly that you mean the A+?

[Home Fries]

I assume adding the A means at full price? I am also assumingly sadly that you mean the A+?

 

They're part of the same module, and as far as engines go the B is a re-designated A+, so we'll be getting the "A-" as well.

[near_blind]

I assume adding the A means at full price? I am also assumingly sadly that you mean the A+?

 

 

 

1) The F-14A+ and the F-14B are the same aircraft, the name was changed for logistical reasons.

2) The F-14A and F-14A+/B both be included in the F-14 module

[RaceFuel85]

I don't think it's fair to expect to get the A for free when buying the B.

[Home Fries]

I don't think it's fair to expect to get the A for free when buying the B.

 

Per the announcement, both variants are in the module.

 

Key Features of DCS: F-14A & B include:

• Highly Accurate 6-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) Cockpit
  
• Highly Accurate avionics and weapons system modelling - including the vaunted AWG-9 Radar system and AIM-54 Phoenix missiles.
  
• AIM-54 Phoenix Simulation with a CFD based AFM
  
• 'JESTER AI' - A Proprietary AI System for fully voiced, dependable and smart RIO/WSO
  
• Highly Accurate Flight Model - Based on Real Performance Data
  
• Both -A and -B Model F-14's
  
• Multiplayer Multicrew capability. Fly together as RIO and Pilot!
  
• Animated Crew Members - Closely Integrated with JESTER AI
  
• Highly Detailed External Model, Animations and Textures
  
• Highly Accurate Aircraft System and Subsystem Modelling
  
• One Free Theatre bundled with the Aircraft
  
• Full, lengthy single-player campaign
  
• Full Suite of Documentation, including game manual, quickstart guides, and more.
  
• Fully voiced and interactive training missions, teaching you to fly and fight.
  
• ...and much, much more!
  

Edited September 8, 2017 by Home Fries

[RaceFuel85]

Per the announcement, both variants are in the module.

 

They were also expecting to be able to release both at the same time.

 

However things change over development..so now the B will be arriving first, with the A following.

[Sealpup]

They were also expecting to be able to release both at the same time.

 

However things change over development..so now the B will be arriving first, with the A following.

 

I thought that the B coming first was just going to be an early access/beta thing, along with the B not having access to the Lantirn TGP at first.

[aileron]

What the fork does this mean?

 

One Free Theatre bundled with the Aircraft