DC Designs F-14A/B Tomcat Announcement & Discussion

Thanks. New to discord but starting to see it’s usefulness.

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A bit of Tomcat news courtesy Dean on FB: :sunglasses:

The LOD models have been the subject of a few interesting experiments, which have resulted in aircraft that no longer “vanish” too early when culled by the sim itself. Although this is not a new technique, it’s the first time I’ve put it into the actual aircraft ( normally it only featured in my AI packs ). Now, you can see an aircraft at a much greater distance, the model being an extremely low-poly LOD version that is just a dark grey colour but still recognisable as a Phantom. The purpose behind this was to enhance the experience of “radar intercepts” – now, you can remove those ugly name tags in MSFS and intercept other players purely using the Phantom’s multi-mode radar, before acquiring them visually ready for the final intercept and / or dogfight.

The primary driver behind this work is the DC Designs Fighter Weapons School, to allow for accurate Beyond Visual Range intercepts, but it’s still great for general use and will be rolled out on all of our fighter jets over the summer. I was able to eyeball an F-15E at around 6 nautical miles when testing this ( it’s a BIG jet ) as its lights were visible in the sim. At 4 nautical miles, I could identify it visually as an Eagle if it rolled belly-up to me to show it’s wing shape ( on a 4K monitor ). Virtual Reality revealed similar visual ranges and makes flying much more realistic when the sky isn’t full of floating name tags.

Finally, another livery has been added to the F-14 Tomcats ready for their summer update, this time VF-24 “Renegades”. The Tomcats, Concorde and the CJ Simulations Typhoon are all in line for big updates this summer, with Vipers, Eagles and Harriers following.

That’s about it for this week. Happy Friday! :blush:

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This weekend I have started to record a cinematic short based on the DC Designs F14, its still in the editing suite but for anyone who’s a fan of the Tomcat, here is a short taster clip.

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Just a brief announcement here that the F-14D Tomcat is being added to the DC Designs F-14A/B package for free. Work is well underway, with the exterior almost finished, and interior custom cockpit underway for both pilot and RIO ( the “D” layout was very different to the A and B models ).

Launch will occur as soon as they’re ready, hopefully within one to two months’ time.

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Hi CodenameJack!

I’ve seen in one of your comments you mention that the F-14 Can handle ADF frequency. I’ve seen a video from YouTuber Sim Pilot IRL where he’s actually using the ADF knobs in the aircraft, navigating NDB’s. I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong but when I hover with the mouse cursor over the ADF panel, nothing happens. I can’t change frequency. At first I thought since I have the DC designs F-14 MSFS2020 marketplace version and not the Just flight version, maybe that’s why it wouldn’t work. I went ahead and bought the F-14 on the Just Flight website today and still nothing. Could you please explain to me how to get it working or is it a glitch?? I have no clue and would love to know what’s going on. Thank you. Other than that, I absolutely love the F-14….my favorite aircraft in the entire sim.

Radio frequencies are inputed via the FMC on the left side console in the RIO/rear seat position

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Thanks for the quick response Batterby but this YouTuber is changing the ADF frequency in the pilot seat.

Maybe he’s got a mod for the F-14 or something.

There are 2 separate Devs offering the F14 in their product range, are you sure it is the DC F14?
We cannot offer any product support via these forums so please contact us via our discord

Oh yes it’s definitely DC designs F-14 A/B Tomcat.

I tried to link the video but for some reason MSFS forums didn’t allow me to do that so if you’re interested, search for MSFS F-14 NDB navigation and his video will come up. His YouTube name is Sim Pilot IRL and he’s interacting with the ADF frequency at the 8:30 time stamp.

Thanks for the discord invite.

Courtesy Dean on FB:

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE ( ALL IMAGES ARE WIP )

Work here this week has been done on the first of many package updates, in this case the F-14D Tomcat. As well as general bug fixes to the other Tomcats in the package, the D model now has a full complement of weapons, as well as LANTIRN pod and chin sensors unique to the D model. Further detailing has been added in terms of panel lines, rivets and of course weathering for many of the liveries.

Work will start on the F-14D cockpit next week – the newer ejection seats are almost ready, so the majority of what remains is to make the additions in the pilot’s cockpit for the HUD assembly and MFDs, and build the RIO’s main panel which was very different to that in the F-14A / B models. A lot of work but I’m confident it can be done in a reasonable amount of time.

I’m also arranging major internal texture upgrades to my aircraft, with the talented artists at Miltech Simulations doing the work. These are being done separately from the other updates, and Miltech’s team will be able to do ten times better than I have been able do when trying to do everything on my own.


F-14D Tomcat of VF-124 “Gunfighters” in low-viz with moderate weathering.


Weapons in place, GBUs can be replaced either with AIM-54s or AIM-7s as normal. LANTIRN pod can also be de-selected if required. Still working on the PBR for the chin sensor, it’s a little too dark here.

F-14A pilot’s cockpit at dawn. The ASI is being updated with the correct instrument now, same as the one in the Phantom. The A and B models will have the earlier, simpler HUD displays, but with the option to “clutter” the display to make life easier for new users. F-14D will have the modern HUD most are used to seeing in fighters.

F-14B, over the shoulder shot from the RIO seat.

F-14D “Felix 200” of VF-31 “Tomcatters” with fairly heavy weathering.

F-14D “LION 213” of VF-213 “Black Lions”

Close up of the new LOD01 F-14D cockpit modeling - new ejection seats, HUD and slightly different console shrouds are the main differences.

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These look fantastic!

Looking awesome I can’t wait for this!!!

I need someone to help me.
All three of my AFCS switches are stuck.
I’ve tried reinstalling MSFS and add-ons, but the switches are still stuck.
Is there a solution?

Disabled in a previous update ,the aircraft flies more realistically now

Did the last update disable ADF/NDB panel as well?
I saw a YouTuber, interacting with the ADF panel.
I can’t change the frequency. It’s stuck on 890 for me.

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I think frequencies are changed from the rio position in the back , not sure though , don’t fly the tomcat much anymore, i’ve moved on.

DC are super responsive on their discord channel, plus there’s detailed sections for each plane

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Thanks for the reply.

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Just got my notification from Just Flight that the update (incl D model & liveries) is available! :slight_smile:

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