The plane, the myth, the legend.
We are working on a proper “article” about this legendary airplane, but in the mean time enjoy this info and these great photos.
Specifications
General
Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
Length: 62 ft 9 in
Wingspan:64 ft. spread, 38 ft. swept
Height: 16 ft
Empty weight: 43,735 lb
Max. takeoff weight: 74,350 lb
Engine: Two General Electric F110-GE-400 afterburning turbofans
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.34 (1,544 mph) at altitude
Combat radius: 500 nmi
Range: 1,600 nmi (1,840 mi)
Ceiling: 50,000 ft
Thrust/weight: 0.92
Armament
Guns: One 20 mm M61 Vulcan 6-barreled gatling cannon, with 675 rounds
Hardpoints: 10 total: Six under-fuselage, Two under nacelles and Two on wing gloves
Capacity: 14,500 lb of ordnance and fuel tanks
Loadout:
- Missiles:
- AIM-54 Phoenix
- AIM-7 Sparrow
- AIM-9 Sidewinder
- JDAM Precision-guided munitions
- Paveway series of Laser guided bombs
- Mk 80 series of unguided iron bombs
- Mk 20 Rockeye II
- Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS)
- LANTIRN targeting pod
- Two 267 gal drop tanks for extended range/loitering time
Essential Reading
“Bye Bye Baby” is the definitive book about the F-14 Tomcat. It is chock full of data, insights, stories, graphics, and amazing photos. Do yourself a favor and buy the hardcover. It’s worth having in your library.
“Tomcat!: The Grumman F-14 Story” is wonderfully written by retired navy Rear Admiral Paul T. Gillcrist.
Visually, make sure you’ve seen “Top Gun” a few dozen times. History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” also has a good depiction of the sunset of the F-14 program.
Online Resources:
- Wikipedia — Great article, really chronicles the evolution of the F-14 well and depicts Iran’s use
- The Flying Kiwi — Great photos from the 2005 NAS Oceana Airshow. Really liked this site
- Dryden Flight Research Center — NASA’s research into the F-14 and spin recovery
- F-14 Tomcat Association
- Dave’s Tomcat Alley — Great Web 1.0 site with lots of photos and specific info
- M.A.T.S. — One of the best F-14 sites