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Differences between F-14A and the F-14A+


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I thought there was a thread on this topic, but I couldn't find it.

 

My wife bought an Tamiya F-14A and wants me to build it as an A+.

 

I looked on scalemates and didn't see any conversion kits.

 

Aside from engines, what do I have to do?

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It depends if you are doing it as an A+ or a B, the only difference between the A and A+ was the engines and aft engine fairings (and the engine starter panel in the cockpit but I digress).

 

The A+ became the B on 1 May 1991 so if you are doing it as an A+ see above, if you are doing it as a B, that's a different story.

Edited by GW8345
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  • 1 month later...
On 12/31/2024 at 8:41 PM, Da SWO said:

I thought there was a thread on this topic, but I couldn't find it.

 

My wife bought an Tamiya F-14A and wants me to build it as an A+.

 

I looked on scalemates and didn't see any conversion kits.

 

Aside from engines, what do I have to do?

First... which scale? 1/32 or 1/48? There is a big difference in reply.

Cheers

 

Davide

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Apart from the P&W engines replaced by the GE ones (for which you could find a 1/48 source in here: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/katran-k4818-f-14d-exhaust-nozzles-opened-amk--1276170 or https://www.scalemates.com/kits/katran-k4819-f-14d-exhaust-nozzles-f-110-ge-400-amk-kits--1276172) I think the main difference in the cockpit between the A and the A+/B is the HUD. In the A the symbology was projected directly on the front windscreen

Grumman F-14A Tomcat Front Cockpit (160899)

, while the A/+B had a real HUD with a combining glass.

 

 

 

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3 hours ago, davetur said:

Apart from the P&W engines replaced by the GE ones (for which you could find a 1/48 source in here: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/katran-k4818-f-14d-exhaust-nozzles-opened-amk--1276170 or https://www.scalemates.com/kits/katran-k4819-f-14d-exhaust-nozzles-f-110-ge-400-amk-kits--1276172) I think the main difference in the cockpit between the A and the A+/B is the HUD. In the A the symbology was projected directly on the front windscreen

Grumman F-14A Tomcat Front Cockpit (160899)

, while the A/+B had a real HUD with a combining glass.

 

 

 

Your information is misleading, the Sparrowhawk HUD did not come around until late 1999 so (again) it depends on what time frame the modeler wants to do.

 

I worked on F-14A's from 87 to 90 and then on Bravo's from 90 to 2000, the only difference in the beginning was just the engine start panel, over time subtle differences between the cockpits did occur but it depends on the time frame and what mods the each airframe had.

 

Also, not all Bravo squadrons got the Sparrowhawk HUD, VF-24, VF-74, VF-102, VF-142 (off the top of my head) didn't get the HUD.

 

V/R

GW

 

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9 hours ago, GW8345 said:

Your information is misleading, the Sparrowhawk HUD did not come around until late 1999 so (again) it depends on what time frame the modeler wants to do.

 

I worked on F-14A's from 87 to 90 and then on Bravo's from 90 to 2000, the only difference in the beginning was just the engine start panel, over time subtle differences between the cockpits did occur but it depends on the time frame and what mods the each airframe had.

 

Also, not all Bravo squadrons got the Sparrowhawk HUD, VF-24, VF-74, VF-102, VF-142 (off the top of my head) didn't get the HUD.

 

V/R

GW

 

Glad that my misleading reply led you to provide a more complete answer than the one you provided on December 31st... 🙂

I live in Italy and I try to help with the references I have, for sure I've never been so lucky as to work on a real F-14 like you did!

Cheers

Davide

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13 hours ago, davetur said:

Glad that my misleading reply led you to provide a more complete answer than the one you provided on December 31st... 🙂

I live in Italy and I try to help with the references I have, for sure I've never been so lucky as to work on a real F-14 like you did!

Cheers

Davide

My first reply to this thread was a complete answer to the OP's question, he asked what are the differences between the F-14A and F-14A+, which I answered in full.

 

I then explained that if he meant the differences between the F-14A and F-14B that it would be a different answer. He never responded so I assumed that he got the answer he was looking for and expounding further was not warranted. You may not agree with the answer I gave but you weren't the OP.

 

If you think giving bad or misleading information is being helpful think again, it's actually the opposite.

 

Also, getting your info from Warthunder page on Reddit is not a great source, neither of them have the most accurate info either.

 

GW

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23 minutes ago, GW8345 said:

My first reply to this thread was a complete answer to the OP's question, he asked what are the differences between the F-14A and F-14A+, which I answered in full.

 

I then explained that if he meant the differences between the F-14A and F-14B that it would be a different answer. He never responded so I assumed that he got the answer he was looking for and expounding further was not warranted. You may not agree with the answer I gave but you weren't the OP.

 

If you think giving bad or misleading information is being helpful think again, it's actually the opposite.

 

Also, getting your info from Warthunder page on Reddit is not a great source, neither of them have the most accurate info either.

 

GW

Thanks

 

Yes, your answer gave me what I need as I am building a Desert Storm F-14A+

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