Author Topic: F-14 Tomcat (Read 9776 times)

Lynn Weedman · « **on:** January 03, 2011, 05:22:45 PM »

Here are some pictures of the F-14 Tomcat I'm almost through painting. My Dad (Jack) and brother Tom) Built it and started covering it. I guess you could say it's a family project, construction started two years ago.
We hope to have it finished in time for the KOI in two weeks.
Lynn Weedman (VP X47Flyers)

Will Davis · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:36:01 PM »

Lynn,

Very Nice Family Project , See you in a couple weeks

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:39:37 PM »

ok Will. I look fwd to seeing all you guys.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:48:26 PM »

Very cool, please make sure and get us some finished pics. Is this the Vic Macaluso(?) design?

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:51:49 PM »

Yes it is, I think it was the first design he did in 1970.

proparc · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:51:54 PM »

The Vic Macaluso legacy is alive and well!!

Man,Flushing Meadows really rocked.

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:56:52 PM »

I'm going to start airbrushing all the lettering tomorrow, may take a few days to get the majority of it done.
Mask & spray, Mask & spray, Mask & spray, Mask & spray........

john e. holliday · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2011, 06:40:16 PM »

As much as I would like to comment on the plane I will wait for the finished product. You guys that finish like this example is amazing.

Bill Little · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2011, 07:01:22 PM »

Hi Lynn,

Looking AWESOME!! It will look even MORE AWESOME in the air! Wish I could be at KOI to see it. Just remember to bring it to Huntersville in May (if they allow me on the premises I would love to see it!)

I remember one of you guys saying it was the first version Tom Cat from Vic., circa '70s from FM.

Originally flown with,..................................

wait for it...,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A Fox .35!

Y'all are going to use a PA 61 or something like that, correct? No problem with the power!

I considered building his Tom Cat II which was a pipe .40 plane he published in FM back in the '90s. He used an SV11 to build the second one, as he did his second (piped) F-8U. THAT one I am going to build! LOL!! (talked with Randy this afternoon abut getting the SV11 cores for it)

Take care, and good luck!
Big Bear

Thomas J. Weedman II · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2011, 08:45:29 PM »

my dad will be flying it at alabama, huntersville, and marietta so there will be plenty of chances to see it in action

T.J. Weedman

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2011, 04:59:18 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on January 03, 2011, 07:01:22 PM

Hi Lynn,

Looking AWESOME!! It will look even MORE AWESOME in the air! Wish I could be at KOI to see it. Just remember to bring it to Huntersville in May (if they allow me on the premises I would love to see it!)

I remember one of you guys saying it was the first version Tom Cat from Vic., circa '70s from FM.

Originally flown with,..................................

wait for it...,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A Fox .35!

Y'all are going to use a PA 61 or something like that, correct? No problem with the power!

I considered building his Tom Cat II which was a pipe .40 plane he published in FM back in the '90s. He used an SV11 to build the second one, as he did his second (piped) F-8U. THAT one I am going to build! LOL!! (talked with Randy this afternoon abut getting the SV11 cores for it)

Take care, and good luck!
Big Bear

something in a size 60 please.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2011, 05:24:42 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on January 03, 2011, 07:01:22 PM

Y'all are going to use a PA 61 or something like that, correct? No problem with the power!

I considered building his Tom Cat II which was a pipe .40 plane he published in FM back in the '90s. He used an SV11 to build the second one, as he did his second (piped) F-8U. THAT one I am going to build! LOL!! (talked with Randy this afternoon abut getting the SV11 cores for it)

Take care, and good luck!
Big Bear

Bill, we have the original Tomcat II, and it flies great on a PA 40, but would probably be just that much better with the bigger motor!

And by the way, I've flown my grandfather's F-14, and it is also a great flying airplane with an LA 46, so a PA 61 is great! And the plane looks great too!!

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2011, 09:06:09 PM »

Beautiful plane. But it's screaming for a set of retracts!

Bill Little · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2011, 12:23:30 AM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on January 07, 2011, 05:24:42 PM

Bill, we have the original Tomcat II, and it flies great on a PA 40, but would probably be just that much better with the bigger motor!

And by the way, I've flown my grandfather's F-14, and it is also a great flying airplane with an LA 46, so a PA 61 is great! And the plane looks great too!!

Hi Matt,

AS I am sure you are finding out, The "bigger" motor (going from a PA .40 to say a PA .61) will have the real advantage in poor conditions. Both of Vic's "second versions" (Tom Cat II, Crusader II) are SV11s, basically, so the PA .40 piped will of course do a great job in normal conditions, and not so normal conditions, too! LOL!!

In some ways I find it funny as to how "power hungry" we have become! LOL!! The OS .40VF or OPS .40 on pipes replaced the ST .60, then the PA .40 found favor, then the PA .51, then the PA. 61, etc..and the planes have even gotten SMALLER! LOL!! Paul won a few Walker Trophys with his Impact and a OS .40VF/piped. 700 or so square inches! David is flying a 650 or so (I've heard about 630??) square inch plane now, AFAIK, with the PA .75.

The really great thing? We have so much more to choose from now, as far as engines go. we can build Vic's original Tom Cat and use a Fox .35 like he did, or a PA .75! And there are plenty of good choices in between. It sure beats choosing between a Fox . 35, OS MAX .35S or McCoy .40 which were the "in" engines back in the day. Now, if we can just get Randy able to make his PA's again! LOL!!

Vic flew the original Tom Cat (like the one your Grand Dad has) pretty well with a Fox .35 so a PA 61 just shocks me! LOL!!

I am really looking forward to building the Crusader II. It will be piped, or maybe I will use a "can" muffler on the header! And something around the PA .51 or .61. I think it is going to be real good.

I might even get real serious about practicing.

Then again, I just saw a rerun of Top Gun and the F-14 looks great.......

Best wishes!
Bill

Brett Buck · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2011, 12:46:14 AM »

Quote from: Bill Little on January 08, 2011, 12:23:30 AM

David is flying a 650 or so (I've heard about 630??) square inch plane now, AFAIK, with the PA .75.

I think it's about 625- 630. Most of our airplanes have been between 625 and 660 for just about forever.

Brett

Bill Little · « **Reply #15 on:** January 08, 2011, 12:49:41 AM »

Quote from: Brett Buck on January 08, 2011, 12:46:14 AM

I think it's about 625- 630. Most of our airplanes have been between 625 and 660 for just about forever.

Brett

Hi Brett,

I thought so, ever since the "Imitation", I guess! I still haven't done anything with the ancient Imitation foam cores I have, but I should. Aaron has even looked at the Excitation for a Nos. 30 plane.

Bill

Matt Colan · « **Reply #16 on:** January 08, 2011, 09:01:34 AM »

Quote from: Bill Little on January 08, 2011, 12:23:30 AM

Hi Matt,

AS I am sure you are finding out, The "bigger" motor (going from a PA .40 to say a PA .61) will have the real advantage in poor conditions. Both of Vic's "second versions" (Tom Cat II, Crusader II) are SV11s, basically, so the PA .40 piped will of course do a great job in normal conditions, and not so normal conditions, too! LOL!!

In some ways I find it funny as to how "power hungry" we have become! LOL!! The OS .40VF or OPS .40 on pipes replaced the ST .60, then the PA .40 found favor, then the PA .51, then the PA. 61, etc..and the planes have even gotten SMALLER! LOL!! Paul won a few Walker Trophys with his Impact and a OS .40VF/piped. 700 or so square inches! David is flying a 650 or so (I've heard about 630??) square inch plane now, AFAIK, with the PA .75.

The really great thing? We have so much more to choose from now, as far as engines go. we can build Vic's original Tom Cat and use a Fox .35 like he did, or a PA .75! And there are plenty of good choices in between. It sure beats choosing between a Fox . 35, OS MAX .35S or McCoy .40 which were the "in" engines back in the day. Now, if we can just get Randy able to make his PA's again! LOL!!

Vic flew the original Tom Cat (like the one your Grand Dad has) pretty well with a Fox .35 so a PA 61 just shocks me! LOL!!

I am really looking forward to building the Crusader II. It will be piped, or maybe I will use a "can" muffler on the header! And something around the PA .51 or .61. I think it is going to be real good. I might even get real serious about practicing. Then again, I just saw a rerun of Top Gun and the F-14 looks great.......

Best wishes!
Bill

hi Bill,

We've found both F-14s start to weathervane when the wind comes up, probably due to the twin rudders. Then the extra power would help out a lot! The Tomcat II is like the classic car of our stuntships, we take it out on a nice Sunday "drive" with little or no winds. The plane isn't showing it's age after being around for 15 years, and it still flies great!

Here's a pic of the Tomcat II in flight

PS. I'm finally starting to get my grandfather to realize the possible benefits to extra power. I convinced him to put a PA 51 in his Staris rather than the PA 40, and it obviously fit right in since it's the same mount.

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** January 08, 2011, 07:15:20 PM »

HI Matt,

I saw you Granddad's F-14 at Brodak's one year, IIRC. It is very nice!

The PA .51 is an upgrade to the .40 size SV series of Randy's, that is for sure. Aaron, however isn;t swapping his PA .40 out of his Satana just yet.

Not "so sure" extra power will do a WHOLE lot for the weather vaning. The side area issue might not benefit from extra ponies. Not so sure it is caused by the same conditions that cause the same problems of say punching through 20 mph winds in the overhead 8,. and other such issues where more power is really beneficial. Danny Banjock's Suzy Q P-51d had some weather vaning problems in higher winds he told me, and power wasn't an issue......

Bill

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #18 on:** January 09, 2011, 04:13:00 PM »

Starting to get some detail on it now

sadams714441 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 09, 2011, 05:10:34 PM »

Who has plans for the F-14 ?

Steve

Bill Little · « **Reply #20 on:** January 09, 2011, 05:19:49 PM »

Quote from: sadams7144 on January 09, 2011, 05:10:34 PM

Who has plans for the F-14 ?

Steve

Hi Steve,

Both versions of Vic's F-14 were published in Flying Models. Maybe the situation has gotten better there as far as ordering plans goes recently.

Big Bear

sadams714441 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2011, 05:29:10 PM »

Thanks Bill

There are 2 versions, i assume foam core and built-up

Bill Little · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2011, 05:38:16 PM »

Quote from: sadams7144 on January 09, 2011, 05:29:10 PM

Thanks Bill

There are 2 versions, i assume foam core and built-up

Actually different sizes! LOL!! Sorry, I didn't say that. Vic's first one (the one the Weedmans are posting) from 1972 (?? Not sure, sorry) which was a Fox .35 powered plane, and his BIG one published around 1993 (?? again) which he built when he "came back" to stunt. It was powered by a OS .40VF on pipe, IIRC, and uses a SV11 wing and tail.

Either version can be built with foam cores or ribs. I think my set if the 1st Tom Cat plans show ribs.

Bill

Lyle Spiegel · « **Reply #23 on:** January 09, 2011, 06:05:44 PM »

In this thread you mention building a Crusader2- wondering if it same as the Harold Price plane

Matt Colan · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2011, 06:42:16 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on January 09, 2011, 05:38:16 PM

Actually different sizes! LOL!! Sorry, I didn't say that. Vic's first one (the one the Weedmans are posting) from 1972 (?? Not sure, sorry) which was a Fox .35 powered plane, and his BIG one published around 1993 (?? again) which he built when he "came back" to stunt. It was powered by a OS .40VF on pipe, IIRC, and uses a SV11 wing and tail.

Either version can be built with foam cores or ribs. I think my set if the 1st Tom Cat plans show ribs.

Bill

Hi Bill, I think it was August 1997 if I remember correctly for the big one. And it was powered with a PA 40. We still have the original motor and pipe in the plane, and it still runs great

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #25 on:** January 09, 2011, 07:40:58 PM »

Here's another pic of Don Herdman's F-14. It was taken at Brodak's 2009.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #26 on:** January 09, 2011, 08:06:57 PM »

Quote from: Elwyn Aud on January 09, 2011, 07:40:58 PM

Here's another pic of Don Herdman's F-14. It was taken at Brodak's 2009.

That was when he had the PA 40 in his F-14. It started off with having an FP .40 in it, then when he brought it to Brodak's the first year he did (2005 maybe?), he realized the plane was underpowered, so he put a Double Star 50 in it, and it was an improvement. Then he decided in 2008 to put in one of his PA 40s in it, and it was actually not a great change. The plane wound up weighing 72 ounces if I remember right, and it never flew that great. Then I think around July in 2009, he decided to take out the PA, and changed over the mounts (that was interesting to watch) and put an LA 46 in it. Now the plane weighs about 58ish ounces and flies great! I flew it and besides a little hunting issue on inverted flight, it was a great flying plane!

We were experimenting with props at the end of 2009 because we have a bit of a prop clearance issue and we settled with.......I think a Power Prop, but I can't remember for sure.

Bill Little · « **Reply #27 on:** January 10, 2011, 07:53:11 PM »

Quote from: Lyle Spiegel on January 09, 2011, 06:05:44 PM

In this thread you mention building a Crusader2- wondering if it same as the Harold Price plane

Hi Lyle,

No, it is Vic's enlargement of his 1970 F-8 Crusader. Built using SV11 wings and tail with a piped .40. Just as he did later with his F-14.

Harold's was a really unique model!

Bill

Bill Little · « **Reply #28 on:** January 10, 2011, 07:56:42 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on January 09, 2011, 06:42:16 PM

Hi Bill, I think it was August 1997 if I remember correctly for the big one. And it was powered with a PA 40. We still have the original motor and pipe in the plane, and it still runs great

Hi Matt,

Thanks! I knew you had the original, and I wasn't going to take the time to dig out the FM it was published in. I had thought it was earlier in the '90s for some reason. Maybe it is his F-8 II plans I have out and was thinking about. I was just guessing.

sadams714441 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 10, 2011, 08:48:14 PM »

Bill
I can use the SV11 wing and tail if i was to build this ?

Matt Colan · « **Reply #30 on:** January 11, 2011, 12:17:21 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on January 10, 2011, 07:56:42 PM

Hi Matt,

Thanks! I knew you had the original, and I wasn't going to take the time to dig out the FM it was published in. I had thought it was earlier in the '90s for some reason. Maybe it is his F-8 II plans I have out and was thinking about. I was just guessing.

Your welcome Bill!

If I'm not mistaken I think the Crusader was published in 1993.

Quote from: sadams7144 on January 10, 2011, 08:48:14 PM

Bill
I can use the SV11 wing and tail if i was to build this ?

If you were to build Vics 1972 F-14, you cannot use the SV-11 wing and tail, but if you build the 1997 version, you can, and that's what it's based off of. According to my grandfather, he sent the original plans to Randy Smith to see where he should put the vertical cg, and Randy had him put 5/8 inch anhedral in the wing to accomodate the vertical cg issue with the pipe on the bottom and not a lot of mass up top.

Edit: If any body is going to build this plane, they should take great care at making a light tail end of this plane because there is much more mass at the back then there is in the front.

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #31 on:** January 12, 2011, 05:24:09 PM »

I finally got the F-14 off the paint stand My Dad and brother are gluing the hinges and flight controls in it as I type. Looks like it will make it's daybue at: THE 2011 KING ORANGE INTERNATIONAL in Saint Augustine,Florida.
Lynn Weedman

sadams714441 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:04:15 PM »

Looks Awesome, you used SV11 Wing ?

Will Davis · « **Reply #33 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:08:30 PM »

Lynn,

F-14 looks great, I like the paint stand too. There has to be a good story behind the ama numbers l/r flap ? Can't wait to see it in person ,

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #34 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:10:36 PM »

It was from the 1970 blue prints. on the cover of flying models.

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #35 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:13:52 PM »

Quote from: William Davis on January 12, 2011, 06:08:30 PM

Lynn,

F-14 looks great, I like the paint stand too. There has to be a good story behind the ama numbers l/r flap ? Can't wait to see it in person ,

We put mine and my brothers numbers on it since we both worked on it.

Will Davis · « **Reply #36 on:** January 12, 2011, 06:31:42 PM »

Great idea and it makes the model more balanced, I thought it could be a scale marking

wwwarbird · « **Reply #37 on:** January 12, 2011, 09:33:12 PM »

Lookin' great, but where's the stars and bars???

wwwarbird · « **Reply #38 on:** January 12, 2011, 09:42:55 PM »

Oh yeah, just gotta make sure they're right side up!

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #39 on:** January 13, 2011, 09:38:46 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on January 12, 2011, 09:33:12 PM

Lookin' great, but where's the stars and bars???

The stars and bars are going on after KOI. at least that's what the plan is.

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #40 on:** January 17, 2011, 05:19:15 PM »

It Flies!!!! .... It Flies!!!!
It took several test flights on Friday needs more trimming. Looks very cool in the air.
F-14 TOMCAT

Rollin Keszler · « **Reply #41 on:** January 18, 2011, 11:28:07 AM »

Nice job! Was wondering about the instrumentation in image 0181-some sort of flight test data recorder? If you can't disclose it's real purpose, I'll understand.

Lynn Weedman · « **Reply #42 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:42:14 AM »

That picture got in there by accident. I'm really not suposed to talk about it but your not far off. all I can tell you is that it has somthing to do with corners and degree of attidude the plane is flying at.

Will Davis · « **Reply #43 on:** January 19, 2011, 04:15:16 PM »

A pic of it Flying at KOI The last picture is TJ, (Tom's Son), Jack, (Tom and Lynn's Dad) and Tom Weedman

Matt Colan · « **Reply #44 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:17:53 PM »

Quote from: William Davis on January 19, 2011, 04:15:16 PM

A pic of it Flying at KOI

What motor you using in it? I forgot

Bill Little · « **Reply #45 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:28:58 PM »

Quote from: sadams7144 on January 12, 2011, 06:04:15 PM

Looks Awesome, you used SV11 Wing ?

Hi Steve,

The "Weedman" F-14 (pictured flying at KOI) is the small, "Fox .35 sized" one from the '70s.

Vic's Tom Cat II (piped, "big version") is built using the SV-11 wing and stab, etc.. That is the one Matt Colan and his Grandpa Don have now.

Sorry I didn't answer your question sooner.
Bill

sadams714441 · « **Reply #46 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:51:56 PM »

Thanks Bill, going to order plans for larger one.

Bill Little · « **Reply #47 on:** January 19, 2011, 09:51:39 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on January 11, 2011, 12:17:21 PM

Your welcome Bill!

If I'm not mistaken I think the Crusader was published in 1993.

If you were to build Vics 1972 F-14, you cannot use the SV-11 wing and tail, but if you build the 1997 version, you can, and that's what it's based off of. According to my grandfather, he sent the original plans to Randy Smith to see where he should put the vertical cg, and Randy had him put 5/8 inch anhedral in the wing to accomodate the vertical cg issue with the pipe on the bottom and not a lot of mass up top.

Edit: If any body is going to build this plane, they should take great care at making a light tail end of this plane because there is much more mass at the back then there is in the front.

Hi Matt,

I remember talking with Vic at length trying to find out if the original F-8 was "Classic" legal. It isn't, but that's a moot point now that Nos. 30 has basically taken over around here, and being "Classic legal" isn't too important.

Vic told me of the deal with Randy Smith and his SV11 aerodynamics and the Crusader II. I have had both the "original" planes plans for some time (since they were published, actually) and got the Crusader II plans when it was published. Have all the magazines they were published in, also, since they hit the news stands, but digging them out for every topic answer is out of the question!

. (and is the reason I add "??" to my answers if I don't know for sure)

I do not have the F-14 "Tom Cat II" plans, since it doesn't have the appeal to me that the F-8 has, but my ".35 size" F-14 plans do not have "anhedral". Guess I will have to get plans for the big F-14 and check out what you are talking about. The F-8, if that is what you meant, does have anhedral, of course.

Randy, and I, were talking about those planes, especially the f-8, on the phone Sunday and he mentioned sheeting the wings and stabs/elevs for Vic for both the "second generation piped planes".

Gotta build a Crusader II very soon!
Bill

John Stiles · « **Reply #48 on:** January 20, 2011, 06:20:55 AM »

Very, very nice craft; and aircraft..........I want one just like it!

Bill Little · « **Reply #49 on:** January 20, 2011, 10:38:03 AM »

Quote from: John Stiles on January 20, 2011, 06:20:55 AM

Very, very nice craft; and aircraft..........I want one just like it!

Well, Brother John, you just go ahead and build yourself one! It is well within your building skills range, no problem. Just be extremely careful of weight in any area behind the wing.

Big Bear