Interesting bit of history about BuNo. 158632 — the last F-14A to fly in the U.S.
That Tomcat was built around the same time as BuNo. 158627, which is actually in the game as the VF-1 stock camo version. Both were F-14A-65-GR airframes, and 158632 was the 33rd Tomcat ever built.
As far as I know, that Tomcat served with VF-124 “Gunfighters”, VF-14 “Tophatters”, and VF-211 “Fighting Checkmates.” When the A model was retired from the U.S. Navy, BuNo. 158632 might’ve been the oldest F-14 still flying at the time. That’s kind of wild, considering how early it was built.
Added camoflages to original post
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Rare footage of F-14A late from 2000s.
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+1!!! We definitely need this camo as well
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Unfornaturely, that F-14A is early model and VF-84/VF-103 never had A model that has bombcat/RWR upgrade :/
Some RIO seat upgrades on A model and B model
Some A and B models, all D models got PTID upgrades but , they might be useless in the game.
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A few late A model Tomcats had VTAS integration for the AIMVAL/ACEVAL tests, as seen in the grumman video here, at around 6:58.
the AIMVAL/ACEVAL tests actually directly led to the tomcat never getting the VTAS in service, even though navy F-4J’s and S’s got them at around the same time. Nevertheless, a VTAS equipped A model would be interesting to see in game, perhaps foldered as a kinda side-grade.
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The F-14A being suggested in this section is different from the one used as a testbed during the AIMVAL/ACEVAL program. This version represents the upgraded Bombcat/PTID configuration from the mid-1990s.
Considering the timeframe of the AIMVAL/ACEVAL tests, it would probably make more sense to create a separate suggestion for that earlier configuration — as an addition or variant of the F-14A Early we already have in the game.
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I was digging into some info on VF-154 “Black Knights” and found something pretty interesting.
They did receive upgraded F-14As with the Bombcat/ALR-67 and PTID setup, but it looks like there may have been a mix of upgraded and non-upgraded jets in the squadron. at least until 1996 or 1997.
BuNo 161617
BuNo 160403
Both photos were taken at NAF Atsugi in 1996, but the first one clearly shows the ALR-67 fairing on the glove vane section, while the second one doesn’t have it. BTW, the second photo features BuNo 160403, which was one of the Tomcats involved in the 1981 Gulf of Sidra incident where a pair of Libyan Su-22s were shot down.
Even though they were eventually all replaced with upgraded model, that transition period must’ve been a nightmare for the squadron’s maintainers.
Just imagine juggling parts and configs between upgraded and non-upgraded Tomcats… rough times for the ground crew, for sure.
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Furthermore, while researching the F-14As deployed at NAF Atsugi in the 1990s, it appears that a few aircraft from VF-21 ‘Freelancers’ may have received RWR upgrades.
In the video linked below, an F-14A from VF-21 can be seen with AN/ALR-67 RWR fairings mounted in the glove vane sections.
The aircraft’s BuNo was likely 161284. After VF-21 was disbanded in 1995, this Tomcat did not return to the U.S. Instead, it was transferred to VF-154 “Black Knights,” who remained based at NAF Atsugi, along with several other aircraft.
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Added description of DFCS (Digital Flight Control System) to the history section.
