#F FOR GLOVES

[city-tickles]

“You asked for it!”

Feather gloves and a unique setup!

[denjidenjiji]

Somebody tell him that his fly is open… the Daan brainrot worsens.

[thatsrightice]

F-14 Tomcat Variants

A beginner’s guide to identifying and differentiating the different F-14 Tomcat variants using three distinctive, easy-to-spot features: Glove Vanes, Engine Exhaust Nozzle (aka “Turkey Feathers”), and Sensor Pods.

F-14A

NUMBER BUILT: 637 total

INTRODUCED: 22 September 1974

The F-14A’s were the first Tomcats ever produced. The TF30 engines were initially an interim engine used during testing but it was later decided they would be used in full production of the F-14A. A total of 478 F-14As were delivered to the US Navy and 79 were delivered to Iran with the TF30-P-412A engine. Iran was supposed to receive 80 aircraft but the last one was given to the US Navy. Later in production, the final 102 F-14A’s were delivered to the US Navy with Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A engine.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:

✅ GLOVE VANES

The A-variant is the only variant of the Tomcat to have Glove Vanes. They were designed to automatically deploy when the aircraft was flying at speeds greater than Mach 1.4 and retract when below in order to correct the tendency for the Tomcat’s nose to pitch downwards at high speeds. They were notoriously difficult to maintain and the benefit was marginal at the speed they were designed for, so the glove vanes were disconnected entirely and welted shut. The glove vanes were not featured on new F-14 Tomcats, but the outline of the glove vane makes it easy to identify an F-14A or an F-14B/F-14D that was a rebuilt F-14A.

✅ SMALL NOZZLE EXHAUST FEATHERS

When compared to the F110 engines, it becomes pretty easy to tell the difference. When you look at the TF30 engine nozzle, you’ll see a lot of small metal plates, “Turkey Feathers,” that expand and contract when the nozzle opens and closes. It’ll be easier to tell the difference once you take a look at the General Electric F110 engine used on later F-14 Tomcat variants. This is the BEST way to identify an F-14A.

✅ SINGLE SENSOR POD BELOW CHIN

I recommend using the TF30 engine as the best way to identify an A-variant Tomcat as they are the only variant with those engines, however, I am choosing to include a section on the sensor pods for your reference as it is important for identifying the B and D-variants. The F-14A features a single sensor pod located below its chin but can come in a variety of configurations.

F-14A+ aka F-14B

NUMBER BUILT: 81 Aircraft (38 new builds, 43 upgraded F-14As)

UPGRADES BEGAN: March 1987

Initially designated the F-14A+, the upgrade is primarily characterized by the replacement of the Pratt & Whitney TF-30 engine with the General Electric F110-GE-400 engine due to being notoriously problematic. Many of the avionic systems and radars were retained, but the ALR-67 Radar Homing and Warning system was added. The A+was redesignated to the F-14B on 1 May 1891.

In the late 1990’s, the F-14Bs were upgraded again to extend its airframe life and upgrade the avionics system, but it was not given a variant designation due to the lack of major changes.

MAIN VARIANT FEATURES:

F110-GE-400 engines

ALR-67 Radar Homing and Warning system

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:

❌ NO GLOVE VANES

As stated in the section for the A-variant, the glove vanes were welded shut and completely disconnected on all existing Tomcats. On new builds, they weren’t even included in the design, however, if the aircraft is an upgraded F-14A, you might see the glove vane outline. This would be a way you can identify which aircraft were originally F-14As (Rebuild) and which were completely new builds.

✅ LARGE EXHAUST NOZZLE FEATHERS

Because most of the F-14B models were upgraded F-14As, it’s a little tricky to tell the difference sometimes. The easiest way is the F110 engine nozzle’s large turkey feathers. In comparison, the turkey feathers on the F110 engine are significantly larger and fewer in number, making it easily identifiable.

✅ SINGLE SENSOR POD BELOW CHIN

If you see a Tomcat with guide vanes and the F110 engine, then you can infer that it isn’t an F-14A. But to tell the difference between an F-14B and an F-14D, you’ll need to examine the sensors located below the chin.

Similar to the A-variant, the F-14B only has a single sensor pod located below its nose. The B model only had one true configuration with the Tactical Camera System (TCS), however, it may have an Aerodynamic Cover. This image from M.A.T.S. best shows the only possible sensor pod configurations for the F-14 A and B. The bottom two diagrams represent the B-variant.

F-14D Super Tomcat

NUMBER BUILT: 55 aircraft (37 new, 18 upgraded F-14As)

UPGRADES BEGAN: 1991

The F-14D, much like the F-14B, featured many avionics upgrades, including a new AN/APG-71 radar radar to replace the AWG-9 used in the A and B-variants and digital avionics systems. The D-variant, also called the Super Tomcat, featured the same F110-GE-400 engine used on the B-variant. There were many other upgrades to the F-14 Tomcat’s systems in this variant.

MAIN VARIANT FEATURES:

F110-GE-400 engine

AN/APG-71 radar

Glass cockpit

IDENTIFYING FEATURES:

❌ NO GLOVE VANES

As stated in the section for the A-variant and the B-variant, the glove vanes were welded shut and completely disconnected on all existing Tomcats. On new builds, however, they weren’t even included in the design. The rebuilds, however, might have the glove vanes if they were not removed during the rebuild process. F-14Ds upgraded from F-14As may also be designated F-14D(R)s, where R stands for rebuild.

✅ LARGE NOZZLE EHAUST FEATHERS

Many of the F-14Ds were rebuilt F-14As, so it’s a little tricky to tell the difference sometimes. The easiest way, similar to the F-14B, is the F110 engine nozzle’s large turkey feathers. In comparison to the TF30 engine, the turkey feathers are significantly larger and fewer in number.

✅ TWO SENSOR PODS BELOW CHIN

The main differentiating feature between the F-14B and D variants is the sensor pods located below the chin of the aircraft. This variant features two sensor pods as opposed to the one sensor pod of previous variants. This allows the aircraft to have both the Infra-Red Seeker pod and the Tactical Camera System (TCS). The F-14D is the only variant to have both, making it the easiest way to distinguish it from other variants.

[lukeskqwalker]

I am not immune to cool markings

[blurrymango]

Two Charas means Frisk is double gay what they don't know is that Kris is also. Gay.

[thisteaistoosweet]

Was making a joke to a friend about Daan having long hair and high boots. And we somehow ended here.

Ngl I kinda like the long hair look on him.

[33max]

where is my anon that wanted max hand pics???? babes I have something for you

[blogmoderne]

[funstealer]

Hatra Study Gloves

[snowlyx]

My two favorite things: Backgrounds and gays

The title is misleading but what isn’t on the internet.

Boom!Amy’s house interior and gay fluff.

one is confort the other is snuggles.

[glitterock]

[thatsrightice]

F-14 FUN FACT OF THE DAY #26

The F-14A is the only variant of the Tomcat to have “Glove Vanes” that were designed to automatically deploy when the aircraft was flying at speeds greater than Mach 1.4 and retract when below. The nose of the F-14 had a tendency to pitch downwards when flying at supersonic speeds and so the glove vanes were designed to generate additional lift ahead of the center of gravity of the aircraft to compensate.

The glove vanes were notoriously difficult to maintain and were found to provide very little benefit, so it wasn’t long before they were welded shut and the circuit breaker was pulled in order to completely disconnect them. This greatly reduced the total amount maintenance on the F-14A.

One pilot stated that sometimes when running up the hydraulics before start the glove vanes would come out, despite being told there was absolutely no way for them to work.

[sansofhumor]

he’s looking at some pasta

[slipper007]

Maybe Jimmy Novak put his hands in the pasta water because he was cold. Did we ever consider that?

[theinfinitedivides]

'he knocks those f*ckers out with one punch!!!!' babe he's got weighted-knuckle gloves on. there's metal in that sh*t they're like less lethal brass knuckles ofc he has to knock them out

[dxrkcorpse]

I’m obsessed with them baggy pants.

Wow tomorrow is Christmas Eve.