F-14A/B "Tailerons" deflected when parked

[JokerBaby]

Hello everyone, I'm brand new to the DCS forum and just want to say that If this post doesn't fit in the right forum by all means let me know and I will follow instruction on where to put this post. Anyway, I have a question about how the Tailerons on the F-14 are stowed when shutdown. I've always noticed when looking at pictures online and in the sim it self that the F-14 will have its Tailerons deflected down (stick fully forward). Now this isn't always the case as there are plenty of pictures showing the Tailerons in the normal horizontal position (0 trim on the trim gauge, im guessing). I was wondering If anyone knows why they would deflect the tail down. I can replicate this by just holding the stick fully forward while the wings are in over sweep and wait for the emergency generator to power down, which would leave the Tailerons in the fully forward position. Is this to minimize problems with the wings hitting the Tailerons when in over sweep, and If so, why not just leave the tail in the 0 degree trim position. 

Forgive me If this question has been posted before in the forums, I did some searching and couldn't find anything related to the topic. Thank you in advance.

 F-14D with the Tailerons in the horizontal position (I would assume this goes for the F-14B as well, just this picture lines up the picture below better)

F-14A with the tail fully deflected 

[Bungle_uk]

Not 100 % sure but its possible the weight pulls them down over time when there isn't sustained hydraulic pressure due to the system not running.  This happens with most hydraulic systems.

 

[r4y30n]

Right. The stabs pivot on the center of pressure, not the center of mass, yes?

[Bungle_uk]

They rotate around the Tail plane actuator.  Since there is more weight behind than in front, they get pulled down to the position you see above.  Again, should point out I have not worked on the aircraft or anything like that, but have seen similar effects with other hydraulic equipment ( forklift, JCB etc..) Its not something you will see in movement as it is very slow and can take days to get to full deflection.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Bungle_uk

[JokerBaby]

Thank you both for your time and replies, I really appreciate it!

4 hours ago, Bungle_uk said:

They rotate around the Tail plane actuator.  Since there is more weight behind than in front, they get pulled down to the position you see above.  Again, should point out I have not worked on the aircraft or anything like that, but have seen similar effects with other hydraulic equipment ( forklift, JCB etc..) Its not something you will see in movement as it is very slow and can take days to get to full deflection.

 

I was kind of confused at first when you mentioned the weight of them would pull them down without the hydraulic pressure, as there is pictures like above when they are just in the neutral position. But the added information of it slowly weighing its self down over a period of time makes total sense, that would explain why some are flat, some are deflected. So reasonable conclusion would be that the F-14D picture above with the tails neutral has been flown (or worked on/tested?) recently compared to the A model which could have been sitting for a while? This is all brilliant information and I'm no longer left scratching my head about it, Cheers!

[draconus]

Yes. Both A, B and D should behave the same way and you can find images of that.