sundowner Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 Hi All , Maybe this is a stupid question , but I have to ask it . I just finished reading that fantastic book of Erik Hildebrandt "Anytime Baby" and I noticed on page 119 a photo of a F-14 Serial plate , on which is scribed the Model designation and serial number : F-14A and 162919 , I am pretty sure that Tomcat 162919 is a newly build F-14B ( or was ) . Can someone explain this to me?? Many thanks in advance . Henk "Omar" van der Lugt Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 It's an F-14B. Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted December 3, 2006 Author Share Posted December 3, 2006 It's an F-14B. Yes , I know , but why is it designated as a F-14A on the manufacturers Serial plate?? Henk Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 Are you certain it wasn't a rebuild? Used to be an A, then got sent to Grumman to be overhauled/rebuilt/updated to a B? Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 It was one of the first F-14Bs but what you have to remember is that the original designation for those aircraft was F-14A+, so thats probably why its listed as an A on the plate Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 It was one of the first F-14Bs but what you have to remember is that the original designation for those aircraft was F-14A+, so thats probably why its listed as an A on the plate Fuji, they didn't have the "+" on the aircraft? I'm just realizing I don't know the answer to that one.... While we're at it, I'd love to know which nincompoop came up with the "A+" idea, anyway...to ME, "plus" would be, like, major internal electronics upgrade, but it just seems ridiculous for a totally different aircaft as the B is to the A.... Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 Fuji, they didn't have the "+" on the aircraft? I'm just realizing I don't know the answer to that one....While we're at it, I'd love to know which nincompoop came up with the "A+" idea, anyway...to ME, "plus" would be, like, major internal electronics upgrade, but it just seems ridiculous for a totally different aircaft as the B is to the A.... On the rear of the aircraft they did if I recall correctly, it would say F-14A (PLUS) then the BuNo. The reason for the A+ designation was there was already a B at Pax. I forgot what made it different from an A but there it is. Later that test aircraft was redesignated as it became the testbed for the D program then the Navy said well hell, lets just change the A +s to B. Screwed up, I know, but if you ask me that program was FUBAR-ed quite a bit. I still love the airplane but so many twists and changes its hard to keep up. The Navy also designated some older Hornets to A+ as they had avionics and all new engines if I recall right. The F-14A+ was only re-engined so it was a major upgrade in performance it wasn't considered a major change. Actually, with the 110s they finally got the engines they were designed for after 15 years of service. The PW engines were supposed to be a temporary fix and carried over from the F-111B project. Very unreliable engines they were. Ok, I can go on and on, but I gotta go meet Ken in Orlando. More later if you want. Link to post Share on other sites
Phantomologist Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 I worked the TA-7C re-engine/SLEP and we changed out the data plates for the engine model change. I would think as a matter of standardization the data plate would change with the upgrade. Link to post Share on other sites
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