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F-14D bomb loads

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  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: NC
F-14D bomb loads
Posted by out04 on Saturday, December 6, 2003 10:16 PM
I see a lot of F-14 models with only two bombs on the front racks. I know they can carry them on the rear also, but do they ever carry four? I'm thinking about 2 LGB's and 2 JDAMS. Has this ever been carried by a tomcat in combat?
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: NC
Posted by out04 on Sunday, December 7, 2003 2:21 PM
...
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Littleton,CO
Posted by caine on Sunday, December 7, 2003 7:10 PM
I haven't seen a pictures of JDAMS or other bombs on the rear racks, but they have only started using them in the last few years, so who knows. But I think they can carry JDAMS with the new GPS upgrades. I guess if you really want to get it right, see if you can find a photo from "Enduring Freedom" or "Iraqi Freedom" missions.
http://www.shockwavephoto.com
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Littleton,CO
Posted by caine on Sunday, December 7, 2003 7:40 PM
Here is a photo from RonUSMC's picture server that shows an F-14 with 2 LGB's but it doesn't look like there is anything being carried on the aft mounts. It might be normal ops to carry only two bombs.

http://www.shockwavephoto.com
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Niagara Falls NY
Posted by Butz on Sunday, December 7, 2003 8:01 PM
Hey out04,
You may also want to check out twobobs site(www.twobobs.net). Once your on their site, look for "Babe of the Week" which will be located off to the left hand side(column where you can scroll).
Also I'll see what I have in my references.
Flaps up, Mike

  If you would listen to everybody about the inaccuracies, most of the kits on your shelf would not have been built Too Close For Guns, Switching To Finger

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: NC
Posted by out04 on Sunday, December 7, 2003 8:43 PM
I've only seen two bombs on recent photos, but I have seen four JDAMS carried for testing and four "iron" bombs carried in training.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 7, 2003 11:20 PM
that's a possibility most F-14s use the TER (triple ejector rack system) while F-18s uses MER (multiple ejector racks). If the 18s can why cant the 14s. But surely in the configuration you want it would limit the endurance of the real AC.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 8, 2003 12:53 AM
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Monday, December 8, 2003 8:07 AM
I posted this very question a few weeks ago. Here's the answer I got:
QUOTE:
Only 2 bombs because only 2 - 2000lb LGBs will fit in the tunnel. GBU-10 are too long to go one behind the other so they go side by side forward. GBU-24 are too long AND too wide to go side by side, so they go one forward and one aft on opposite sides. If you want more bombs, you gotta go smaller. 4 GBU-12 or GBU-16 is OK, but you'll never, ever, ever get more than 4 "real-no-kidding-go-boom" bombs of ANY type on a Tomcat. There just ain't nowhere to hang more than 4; multiple racks aren't used for anything other than little practice bombs, the intakes can only take tanks and the glove pylons only get missiles or LANTIRN.


You can check out the full thread here: http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10088

Regards,

-Drew

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: NC
Posted by out04 on Monday, December 8, 2003 6:28 PM
Thanks Drew, that pretty much clears things up. I guess if I had tried it first on the model I would have seen the space limitations.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Littleton,CO
Posted by caine on Monday, December 8, 2003 7:50 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by ShamRage

Does this help at all?
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/401-500/walk493_Bombcat-weapons_Cochran/ Click on pics 1,2,3.Cool [8D]


ShamRage, looks like those photos are of the TARPS pod, but there are some good shots of the bomb mounts on the forward hard points.
http://www.shockwavephoto.com
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 12:07 AM
I'm currently a member of VFA-2 Bounty Hunters and we just transistioned to the F/A-18F's from F-14's. I made two WESTPACs with F-14D's and our normal loadout for a Iraqi Freedom mission was: 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, an extra AIM-9 rail with chaff/flare dispensor (no missile), LANTIRN pod and a full 20mm gun load. We stopped flying AIM-54 Phoenix after the first few nights of the war. Now for the bombs loads: (load 1) three GBU-12 (500lb) + one GBU-16 (1000lb) / (load 2) four GBU-12 / (load 3) one GBU-16 (1000lb) + JDAM (2000lb)/ (load 4) two JDAM (2000lb). We also flew a TARPS pod mission with two MK-82 (500lb unguided bombs) and dropped them in combat. Im pretty sure thats a first. If anyone wants more speifics on loadouts and such email me at Flynavydan@yahoo.com
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 8:34 AM
Dan,

Thanks for answering our questions! Were the two Sidewinders on the same pylon? If so, left or right?

Thanks again,

-Drew

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 18, 2003 12:20 PM
nah on stations 1A (side of pylon) had a AIM-9 and station 1B had an empty AIM-9 rail for extra chaff/flares. That rail normally didnt carry a third AIM-9. Now on the other side, stationed 8A had a Winder and staion 8B had the LANTIRN pod. If you dont know the locations of the Tomcat's stations let me know and ill get you a diagram or soemthing. Thanks man
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Thursday, December 18, 2003 12:42 PM
Dan,

Thanks for responding. It seems as though, if nothing else, there was quite a bit of variety of combat loads used by Tomcats! I found a great walk-around on the web that explains the stations and even has a diagram of the AIM-9 rail you describe (LAU-138, right?). Could a sidewinder have been mounted to the chaff/flare dispenser rail?

Thanks again for answering our questions. But especially, thanks for your service to our nation.

Regards,

-Drew

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

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