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Jack & Hoist & Tie-Down Points
Hoist Points |
Jack Points |
Tie-Down Points
Hoist Points
Hoisting an F-14 was necessary when the first prototypes were brought aboard the carrier for
carrier suitability trials and when the first Tomcats from VF-1 and VF-2 were brought onboard
for their first cruise. Today, hoisting is only necessary when an F-14 crashed onto a carrier
during the arrested landing or when the landing gear failed (also blown-up tire). Then the big
yellow crane (nickname "Tilly") onboard the carrier deck comes to life and hoists the
mighty F-14.
When being hoisted, a Tomcat is additionally linked to handling personnel with chains that are
attached to the tie-down points. This way the aircraft is kept from
turning while being hoisted.
For hoist points, see below graphic.
Jack Points
Whenever an aircraft has to be jacked-up for maintenance purposes (e.g. landing gear repair/check),
jacks are positioned under the aircraft's main fuselage structure. The Tomcat's jack point are
just ahead of each main landing gear struts and ahead of the arresting hook.
Tie-Down Points
While on cruise with the carrier, the hangar decks are "shaking" permanently as the
carrier steams through the sea. To stop the aircraft skidding around on the slippy
decks, they are tied-down with chains. Several points around the F-14 are fix tie-down
points where chains can be attached to the aircraft and connected to the hangar decks. On the
decks are a great number of lugs to attach the chains to.
Maybe to keep the crews trained, the aircraft are also tied-down when being flown to a shore
base of the Navy where such lugs are also placed in the concrete of the parking areas of the
air fields.
All graphics Copyright © Torsten Anft
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