How to Identify the F-14 Tomcat

The F-14 Tomcat is the U.S. Navy's air-superiority weapon. Grumman Aerospace Corporation delivered the first of the series to the Navy in 1973. Updated engines and electronics mean the F-14 remains one of the world's best interceptors.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Film
• Cameras
• Cameras
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Camcorders
• Videocassettes
• Digital Cameras
• Camera Lenses
• SLR Camera
• Point-and-shoot Cameras
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Tripod
• Aircraft Band Scanner
• Air & Space Subscriptions
• Aviation Illustrated Magazine
• Telescopes
• Aviation History Subscription
• Pioneers Of Aviation Videos
• Polaroid Cameras
• Polaroid Film
• Desert Storm: Original Air Footage Videos
• Wings Of Gold - US Navy Video
• Top Gun video

1. Look for a large, twin-engine jet fighter. The Tomcat is more than 60 feet long.

2. Check the wings, the Tomcat's unique feature. They are movable and can be extended to over 60 feet for low-speed maneuvers and swept back to a wingspan of only 38 feet for high-speed flight.

3. Look at the side view. The F-14's fuselage gives the appearance of being bowed in a slightly upward arc in the area of the cockpit.

4. Note the cockpit. It's tandem style, with the pilot seated ahead of the radar intercept officer.

5. Remember, the Tomcat's nose wheel sits well back, dropping down from an area directly under the pilot's seat.

6. Check the tail area. Note the F-14 has twin vertical stabilizers with swept back leading edges and nearly perpendicular trailing edges.

7. Notice the horizontal stabilizers are attached to the fuselage directly below the vertical element.

8. Check for the two, small vertical elements extending downward at the rear of the fuselage.

9. Note that from a front view, the jet-engine intakes appear to have a square shape.

Tips & Warnings

• The Tomcat's wings can be moved while the aircraft is flying.
• The F-14 can operate at speeds greater than Mach 2 and altitudes above 50,000 feet.
• The F-14 carries several types of missiles, plus a 20mm cannon for fleet defense.
• The Navy uses powerful steam catapults to launch the F-14 from aircraft carrier decks. Gross takeoff weight can exceed 35 tons, which includes more than 6 tons of armaments.
• Check out the video "Top Gun," which features the Tomcat in action.
• Tomcats are most likely to be seen near the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Most of the active F-14 fleet is stationed aboard aircraft carriers.
• Obey all security regulations if you attend a naval aircraft exhibition.