Spook Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Hey guys! I am building an F-14 Tomcat which i intend to present with an open canopy. My question regards the crew boarding ladder and whether it could remain in closed position while the canopy was open. The thing is that I've used an Aires cockpit so I had to sand down the ladder compartments provided by Fujimi in order for it to fit inside the fuselage. As a result I have glued all the steps/doors in place. I am looking at various F-14 photos on the net however I cannot find a parked Tomcat with the combination of a closed ladder and an open canopy (excluding the occasion when the pilots have already boarded the plane :D/> ). I understand based on the available material that either this was not a common practice at all or that it was not technically possible. If somebody has some knowledge on this I would appreciate any assistance. Thank you in advance. Andreas Edited June 30, 2014 by Spook Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 It was not uncommon to see a parked tomcat with the canopy open and the ladder and steps in the stowed position, but more likely than not all 3 were deployed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Thanks a lot for the info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've seen a few pictures of F-14's canopy up and ladder and boarding steps stowed. Not the most common sight, but not a one off or anything. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I build 99% of my Tomcats with the canopy up and the ladder/steps stowed. No one has ever questioned it. :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I build 99% of my Tomcats with the canopy up and the ladder/steps stowed. No one has ever questioned it. :D/> Same here!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've been digging through my tomcat files to see if I have pics with the ladder stowed, and I found 1..and a lousy pic at that..lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 And I was starting to think that either I would have to compromise or go back and open those panels. I found a couple of pictures myself as well so I guess my search was not as thorough as it should have been in the first place. Just for the reference: A VF-101 bird http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Navy/Grumman-F-14A-Tomcat/2358340/L/&sid=b3f4a4cf241195cb7c784af81a70ab16 and one screenshot from.....Top Gun (yeah I know.....:lol: :lol: :lol:) Thanks for the replies and the info provided guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I think D-Rob and I build our tomcats pretty much alike, and in the last several years we've been here, nobody's ever said anything to us! Build your jet with the canopy up and steps/ladder stowed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook498 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Here is a link to a pic, courtesy of David F. Brown. http://www.almansur.com/jollyrogers/vf103aa107jfkdavebrown.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Ha..the infamous Vic 107! If memory serves correctly it was a transfer from either VF-11 or VF-101 and was the only jet in the squadron at the time that the dk ghost grey didn't curve under the nose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rich in name only Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Besides all that, the ladder is manual---rotating handle for the ground crew: rotate and lower. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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