Image: F-14 Tomcat prototypes in flight c1972

Description: Three U.S. Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat prototypes in flight near Calverton, New York (USA). The three aircraft show the wing configuration options available on the F-14A. Although the aircraft are numbered "1", "2" and "4", these aircraft are probably the 2nd, 3rd and 5th production aircraft, as the first prototype already crashed on its second flight before any other F-14 was built. Therefore, probably visible are: "1": F-14A-5-GR (BuNo 157981) made its first flight on 24 May 1971. It suffered an inflight hydrazine fire in an auxiliary power unit on 13 May 1974. 157981 landed safely but was written off due to extensive damage. "2" F-14A-10-GR (BuNo 157982) was used to explore the outer reaches of the F-14 performance envelope and flew trials with steadily increasing loads and speeds. Today, it is on exhibit at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, New York (USA). "5" F-14A-25-GR (BuNo 157984) was assigned to Naval Weapons Test Center, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California (USA). Today, it is on exhibit at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida (USA).
Title: F-14 Tomcat prototypes in flight c1972
Credit: U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2011.003.301.027
Author: U.S. Navy
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No