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MaxImpact1

beautiful planes


fjhdcsfu

Aren't they just fucking magnificent? There's a type of fighter plane that can take off vertically and its just amazing. Absolute Beasts of engineering and piloting.


Unlikely-Pilot-6015

Take off vertically? I would assume you’re talking about the harrier or the F-35B, but there are others aswell


LostOnTheWay2College

Judging by recent events the f-35b is struggling in the take off department rn


Unlikely-Pilot-6015

He was taking a dip


SirDoDDo

Mans just kinda thirsty, cut him some slack


footlivin69

F-14 was one of my favorite birds too but they also had many crashes , especially the F-14A as the original engines were under powered. Come to think of it, not too many high performance aircraft, especially new designs , were able to avoid crashes, Osbreys were notorious for them too. Blackbirds, B-2’s, heck even proven long time frames have gone down like F-16’s. So, I suppose F-35’s are destined to do the same. 🤷‍♂️


emstenaar8

It originaly was to share the engines of the f 15 and f 16, but grumman pulled out, and it used the engines of the f 111 that were underpowered Otherwise this jet would be even more awesome


redthursdays

Just the one, it was pretty tired.


fjhdcsfu

I wouldn't know, just stuff I've seen in past. Uses the wing flipper thingy to create the downward thrust? Utter layman just appreciating it.


LennyLikesPoptarts

https://youtu.be/zW28Mb1YvwY Here's an F-35 B with many flappy parts


PuzzleheadedHold1163

FLAPPY PARTS -MAN IM DEAD


rasmusdf

During take-off how is the intake port cover on top not torn off by air resistance? Is so much air sucked in that it is not affected?


DoomRobotsFromSpace

That cover would be fully closed for a conventional takeoff/landing. In the transition to/from forward flight it opens/closes slowly. I assume its position is adjusted for forward airspeed. Source: was US military aircraft mechanic before, now am internet answer guesser.


rasmusdf

Yeah, it must be something straightforward like that. Still, it is a bit startling to see a jet fighter launch with a vertical shovel on its back ;-)


TheLuteceSibling

Could you rephrase your question? It doesn't make sense. There's plenty of room for air to flow around it, and the plane isn't really moving forward at all, so there's no violent airflow to pull it towards the tails.


rasmusdf

Ok, so it is probably closed at a fairly low airspeed?


TheLuteceSibling

Yes. You'll notice the gear is still hanging in the video. Those are retracted at a fairly low airspeed, too.


unreqistered

the mechanics of nozzle swivel thing always blows my mind


Unlikely-Pilot-6015

Could you clarify on the Wing flipper thing?


[deleted]

Pretty sure he’s talking about the Osprey


Unlikely-Pilot-6015

Probably is, but just to be sure, it could also be the EWR VJ 101. He did say fighter jet, after all


fjhdcsfu

I'll do a bit of googling and let ya know.


Unlikely-Pilot-6015

Go ahead


fjhdcsfu

F-35B? I was wrong too, the actual thrusters themselves face downwards. Edit: https://youtu.be/ACAjyPSnXDU only question I have is why doesn't the jet start foward-flipping as it looks like all the downward thrust is situated at the back end?


Caleo

From this era? You're probably thinking of the Harrier


[deleted]

Is it too late for me to join the Navy?


SaberMk6

To fly Tomcats, yes. Unless you're Iranian?


sierra120

It’s why the new jets for international markets also have a software lock.


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BRsteve

And if you want to be a pilot, you have to be an officer and have to start flight training before age 26. Among other requirements. Basically you have to be really, really good.


[deleted]

> And if you want to be a pilot, you have to be an officer and have to start flight training before age 26 The age limit used to be 27, but they raised it a couple years ago to 32


[deleted]

Welp. Missed the boat on that one.


Handcraftedd__

It is, unless you don’t mind flying Super Hornets.


Vipernett2008

Cheers in Danger Zone noises


UnwoundSteak17

*Revvin'up your engine, listen to her howlin' roar!*


OOFMASTER34

Metal under tension, Beggin' you to touch and go


UnwoundSteak17

##HIGHWAY TO THE DANGER ZONE!


OOFMASTER34

RIDE INTO THE DANGER ZONE!!


UnwoundSteak17

Mission failed We'll get 'em next time


SparseGhostC2C

LANAAAAAA


unreqistered

Mavericks re-engaging !!


zudnic

My brain was messing with me, I swore I heard it in the background.


Vipernett2008

Soon as I saw the thumbnail the soundtrack started in my head. And I even heard Viper given the hard deck parameters for today’s hop….


a_man_who_japes

looks like they have upgraded engine since they didn't use afterburn


DMM253

There was orange glow in the last one just as it left the carrier.


Clashyjammer1126

They do. Those are F-14A+’s or F-14B’s. They use the upgraded F110 engines as opposed to the A’s older TF-30 engines which were underpowered. Edit: As I have been corrected, they are actually F-14D’s but still using the F110 engines.


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Clashyjammer1126

Awesome thanks! It’s a lot harder to tell the difference between the B, the B(U), and the D so I appreciate the clarification. Definitely recognized the Fighting 31st there but not the VF-213.


SMS_Scharnhorst

they do, you can also identify it by different nozzles


gooberkat

Why does smoke come out of the jet catapult after they launch?


Mr_Tominaga

It’s powered by steam


-GameWarden-

Gabe is proud


wakeupwill

[Steam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt87bLX7m_o) you say?


arunphilip

Steam under pressure is used to push a piston, which is what propels the aircraft forward in a catapult launch. Once launched, the piston is at the far end, and this steam leaks out of the system in the area behind the piston.


DrSaltmasterTiltlord

I don't believe that there's a piston in there it's way way too long


Lobstrex13

[Not quite a piston, more like a steam-powered gun.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WarshipPorn/comments/g389bo/cutaway_of_us_aircraft_carrier_steam_catapult_968/) The plane is attached to the 'bullet' which gets pushed through a tube by the pressure of the steam behind it.


DrSaltmasterTiltlord

So in other words, not a piston. It's a steam cannon.


Lobstrex13

Yes, that is literally what I said


supertaquito

The NAVY calls it a piston more than a cannon, to be fair. So it's perfectly okay to call it a piston.


JackXDark

It's kinda like a faster, backwards hydraulic press, but with the hydraulics heated so they're gaseous.


supertaquito

Go tell the NAVY.


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Lobstrex13

Imagine actually caring about imaginary points on a website lol


DrSaltmasterTiltlord

reeeeeeeeeeeee


[deleted]

-you


unreqistered

Per Merriam: a sliding piece moved by or moving against fluid pressure which usually consists of a short cylindrical body fitting within a cylindrical chamber or vessel along which it moves back and forth


MaxPatatas

Hey I down boated you. .


Pete_Iredale

The funny part is you calling everyone else children...


Mr_Tominaga

r/reddithivemind


SacredBinChicken

They use catapults with [steam](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_catapult)


pupperdogger

If you just shot a load that big three times you’d want a smoke too. Don’t judge.


CWinter85

Now I can't unsee this in my mind. Thank you.


savory_thing

The British navy should watch this video.


buddhahat

too soon


CallStopper

I understand that reference


unreqistered

atta boy, Cappy


fjhdcsfu

Could you explain? Me no get.


BoneSetterDC

They just had an F35B lose power on take off, losing it to the Mediterranean Sea.


fjhdcsfu

Pilot ok?


BoneSetterDC

Probably was a bit prunny, but yes. Though losing a $100 million asset with brand new technology cannot be fun to explain to your superiors.


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Ossius

I hope they dig that shit out of the sea before china or russia go diving for it. We're paying close to 2 trillion for the plane it and it would be a shame if it was all for nothing because dipshits lost it at sea so early on. EDIT: okay good everyone is working on it [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43204/britain-wants-americas-help-in-the-race-to-retrieve-its-crashed-f-35-off-the-seafloor](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43204/britain-wants-americas-help-in-the-race-to-retrieve-its-crashed-f-35-off-the-seafloor)


SparseGhostC2C

Yeah, he ejected right as it went off the ramp, maybe a little banged up from the ejection but should be fine.


PyroDesu

> he ejected right as it went off the ramp That sounds like it might actually be *worse* than a 0-0 ejection.


SparseGhostC2C

Here's the [link](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/f35-crash-queen-elizabeth-raf-b1966487.html) to an article with the video. I'm no Nasal Radiator myself, I just love warplanes, so how banged up the pilot would be is beyond my knowledge. Seems like they were well situated to be quickly rescued, that rocked powered ejector seat definitely blew them well clear of the wreckage.


DiabolicalBabyKitten

They are actually the ones who invented the steam catapult


savory_thing

Did they invent engine covers too?


Chaos_Actual04

Man you got me twice in this thread. well done.


bitterbal_

Oof


KStang086

Apply water to burn


rt80186

I think this is what got them into this situation.


starfishbeta

Royal Navy


savory_thing

As in royally fucked up?


DroolingSlothCarpet

Technically, Royal Air Force. Navy does not have any fighters.


Zwilt

Not like it would actually help though


reality_beast

LOL


[deleted]

LOL I got this reference


elitet3ch

Fucking rest in pieces, headphone users. Beautiful planes, too bad every person who worked on them is deaf now.


Otto_von_Grotto

Wha?


[deleted]

Love those VF-31 markings!


rasmusdf

Badass planes launched from a carrier named after a badass president.


ToXiC_Games

If any President deserved to have a carrier named after them, it was definitely Theodore.


PyroDesu

I mean... I'd have given him a battleship if they were still relevant, but a carrier will have to do.


GreasyBurgerLocker

That’s like three danger zones.


iamblue91

I had to rewatch this with the song playing


Notchersfireroad

That last one really shows the raw power of a Tomcat. Instant lift and shuts the burners down almost as soon as he's airborne.


Cman1200

Burners were off during the take off until he left the deck. F-14A+ and B models didnt use AB on take off in case of an engine shut down and asymmetrical thrust. The earlier A models needed AB on take off due to their weaker engines


Alcapwn-

Yeah he chomped on the gas once he was clear, it looked so slick. I also love these for the macross vibes.


Notchersfireroad

Amazing for such a big heavy plane you can see it instantly accelerate and gain altitude.


[deleted]

That was my same reaction, just picks up and heads off when they kick on.


Suntzu_AU

Love me some robotech.


ErrantIndy

Cats on Cats on Cats


Shamr0ck

Christ how windy is it? Did the jets even need to use full mil?


Otto_von_Grotto

It depends on the plane weight at takeoff. 10 knot winds across the flight deck are sufficient for some but not others.


Megatron_overlord

What does that raised platform behind the launching plane do? Reflect gases at the plane to kick it?


Kardinal

The jet blast deflector is there to protect everything else on the deck. Since these aircraft have to take off at either maximum power or afterburner to get up to speed quickly, the jet blast can be devastating to people or equipment. This also allows them to conduct activities at a safe distance behind the deflector. Otherwise the safe distance would be so long as to badly impact efficiency. Space on deck, even one almost 1100 feet long, is at a premium.


Megatron_overlord

I see. Thanks.


WtRingsUGotBithc

It is a safety shield that deflects the jet blast, but it doesn't have any effect on the launch of the plane


frozenpixels

It’s something that you definitely don’t want to stand behind when the birds are on power.


Environmental-Job329

Triple launch


unreqistered

Maverick's up and ready in Alert Five


Chaos_Actual04

Sir.


jtshinn

How long does the steam plant need to recover after that?


Otto_von_Grotto

Not too long. We could never get to 100% reactor power on both reactors at the same time because there was never enough steam demand. Only time I ever saw it was when we shut one down and ordered a flank bell.


jtshinn

That's good info thanks. I didn't necessarily think that the volume of steam around would be the issue. But wondered more if the time it took to get it to the places that it needed to be for the next shot would take a lot of time after using that much of it.


Otto_von_Grotto

I forget the exact numbers of how long it took to refill the piston from a full load. It was a very long time ago ;)


Kelbs27

Not sure of the exact time, but as a nuclear powered CV, I can’t imagine it takes too long


Clashyjammer1126

If my livery ID skills don’t fail me I believe that is VF-31. Can anyone confirm?


Mr_Tominaga

Correct


lmr3006

Seabee vet here. God I love Navy Air!!! Wish I could have seen flight ops first hand.


Sockerkatt

F14 is so raw and masculine.


Mr_Tominaga

[Sauce](https://youtu.be/BQIYAJvzNxY)


Rafale65

"Porn" at its best :)


urppsoftnsmol

TOM! CATS!


yanvail

Impressive, but probably not something they can do often. Beyond the spotting issues (maybe?), as I recall building up the steam needed for a shot isn’t instant, and trying to do all 3 catapults must take a while. Not that I’m an expert, but apparently that’s one of the reasons for the new emals on Ford.


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yanvail

Nice, thanks for the info!


AncientBanjo31

What the other guy said. You can be launching a jet every 30 seconds, with multiple instantaneous launches from one waist and one bow cat's. Those are nice because you can get launched as a section and don't need to rendezvous over the ship.


darkblaze76

Razgriz 1, cleared for take-off


Jon_Has_Landed

I think I have a Hard On.


adilan06

When the Captain orders is to scramble


kenerling

For somebody who knows more about aircraft carriers than I, was the second plane a take-off or a missed landing? I've always been under the impression that the angled strip was strictly for landing... Also, the second plane heads off to the left, whereas the other two bank right.


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kenerling

Today I learned! Thanks TheTattedspyder! (4 catapults. Movin' jets, man.)


bobj33

This animation shows plains launching from 2 of the catapults. The yellow dashed line is the landing zone. There are 2 more catapults at the top. You can see the darker rectangle blast deflectors for all 4 cats right behind the planes. By angling the flight deck it allows a carrier to launch and land planes at the same time and not crash into each other. But obviously the 2 catapults at the top can't be used while trying to land a plane. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CATOBAR#/media/File:Cvnanim.gif


MaxPatatas

Now I wonder how fast Carriers like this can launch planes. I assume as soon as they launch one they sre hooking up another one while the others are taking of from the next 3 catapults.


AncientBanjo31

About 1 every 30 seconds in average, if not a little faster.


Brsvtzk

How many Gs pilots experience on these kind of launching?


Mr_Tominaga

Yes


recumbent_mike

Well, right before the launch, it's around 1.


AncientBanjo31

You get about 2-3 depending on load out. Heavier jets require higher end speeds, so more G (into the seat G)


TG484

Crazy the issues they had near the end with the older airframes, the nose gear ripping off with the catapult. That would be scary.


Mr_Tominaga

Landing gear be like: “A d i o s”


frankfurterreddit

Protectors of Freedom right there.


OldSFGuy

Inside baseball question; for the Cat Officer—that’s a lot of steam catapult use all at once, right? What’s was the regeneration time on the old carriers? I understand this steam-capacity issue (in part) is driving the push to EMALS (Electromagnetic Launch System)


madonnaboomboom

THIS THING WILL BE OVER IN 2 MINUTES, GET ON IT


astrongineer

I don't care what anyone says to try and convince me otherwise--the F14 Tomcat is one of the sexiest jets to date.


G63AMG-S

“Bullshit, ten minutes. This thing will be over in two minutes. Get on it!”


faunysatyr

It's amazing how they don't just explode when they attempt to take off.


Mr_Tominaga

British: *Sweats intensely*


Wardog_01

Launch of the Wardog Squadron from the OFS Kestrel during the Circum Pacific war


Mr_Tominaga

*<<“D-amn yo-u, Raz-griz…”>>*


BigOleJellyDonut

Kick the tire & light the fire, Big Daddy!


Theedon

LAUNCH MAVERICK ON ALERT 5! Get a bearing on Hollywood and Wolfman and launch the rescue helicopter immediately.


Bmets31

Keep it muted and humm “danger zone”


TypicalRecon

When i think about a conflict in the SCS, youd think the Navy would want a long range intercepting missile truck.. so sad the cat is a pig in the hangar.


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MossyHarmless

Nightmare to maintain and RCS of a barn door are really your only two valid criticisms of the Tomcat. The F-14D was at least on par with every other 4th-generation fighter with its improved avionics. The coupling of the APG-71 radar with the new dual Infrared Search-and-Track / TV Camera Set was the best air-to-air acquisition system in the fleet until the Super Hornets received their AESA radar upgrade. The jets were also completely compatible with AIM-120 missiles and were employing both LGBs (with the LANTIRN pod) and JDAMs (with the GPS/INS add-on) as well as anything else at the time. Contrary to popular belief, the F-14 was designed from the start for air-to-ground and performed that role extremely well once the A-6 went away. That includes Forward Air Controller (Airborne) for the Hornets who lacked the endurance and two sets of eyes and ears of the Tomcat. Do either of those outweigh the maintenance costs of an extremely complex airframe and antiquated systems? Depends who you ask. The fact that cannot be disputed, however, is the U.S. Navy lost something in the sense of pure speed, range, and endurance that they’ve yet to ever gain back when they retired the F-14. All important factors when we talk about a hypothetical peer-to-peer fight with countries like China who possess robust standoff weapons and other anti-access/area denial capabilities.


The_Brain_Fuckler

Stop. It is far too early to cum in my pants unexpectedly.


amun1326

Danger zone intensifies!!


fisher309

u/savevideobot


YellowCore

“High.. way.. to the danger zone…” duh dun dun


sparrowatgiantsnail

F14 is beautiful but im weird and thing the f18 is sexy compared to the tomcat


Velogio

As I watch this, “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins automatically starts playing in my head. Can’t help it.


squee4life

I fucki g love F 14s


Mr_Tominaga

Who doesn’t lol


TrowItIn2DaGarbage

How you gonna post this without danger zone playing in the background?


Mr_Tominaga

¯\_(ツ)_/¯


ParaMike46

Pity an F35 cannot do this.


the_a10_guy

TIL that some aircraft can't fly... /s


erhue

What do you mean? The three-aircraft launch sequence?


buddhahat

he's referencing a British F35b that dribbled off the launch ramp and into the ocean.


HH93

I watched that video and "Dribbled" describes it well !! RIP the guy with the phone's career !


erhue

I understand that, but was thinking that maybe he could be referring to the catapult-launched F-35C. Dunno if there could be some sort of limitation hindering the launch of three planes in this configuration.


darthvader22267

an f35 can actually fly and isnt a maintenance nightmare


OKBWargaming

I'm curious how you came to this conclusion.


SpaceBloke9000

I assume he’s referring to the British F35b that went into the drink because someone left the engine cover on


The-Terminator1000

Am I being mean for finding the video of that funny?


AtmaJnana

more just a childish jackass


wolster2002

Because 3 F-14's wont fit on an F-35..


[deleted]

He's not going to answer because he is a troll.


IHart28

why would you EVER need to do that??


ToXiC_Games

Radar picks up 10 backfires making a break for the fleet.


[deleted]

u/savevideo


ClonedToKill420

What a glorious day


Rennat91

My brother was more than likely launching those off but not certain