Talking and flying the biggest F14!!

Everything about Steve Johnston's amazing Skymaster F14 XXL
#Skymaster #F14 #PickeringRC
Martin Pickering - PickeringRC MERCH!
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Martin Pickering

[@take5th]

I was structural design engineer at Grumman and worked on the f-14. Beautiful! Glad to see it fly into the future. Anytime, Baby.

[@Yurisminator-RC]

Anytime baby 👌 you should check out the dcs f14 module by heatblur, the virtual detail is amazing.

[@take5th]

@@timn4481 no, never met bob. i was on the program for a couple of years in 1984-1986. We made some “A+” and “D” model structure for new engines, electronics, etc. Watch that FS 596 bulkhead!

[@toolbaggers]

I am a F-14

[@garypinsker]

Plant 1 Bethpage?

[@take5th]

@@garypinsker yup

[@tomchidwick]

The sweptback F-14 is THE MOST awesome aerial profile in all of aviation, hands-down. This is just great. Well done.

[@gmanbeavis]

B-1 for me, but the Tomcat is a close 2nd in the jet turbine realm.

[@esmokah]

Sr71

[@James-gf9jl]

I love the realistic inertia of these large-scale models.

[@feelincrispy7053]

$6895 which includes paint job and is pretty much ready to run out the box. I think that’s a very fair price. Back when I was a kid I dreamed of this being a reality and now it’s here. The future is here old man

[@terrellenelson5768]

What’s the website where I can buy one

[@CMD_Line]

I couldn’t imagine crashing 😢

[@Smokeyr67]

$7k for the basic airframe, + $1400 for the swing mechanism, $3800 for the landing gear, $7k for the turbines, 3 or 4 grand for the radio gear and another few grand for tanks, pipes, canopy etc etc etc. and then it'll be "pretty much ready to fly"

[@anthonyblair1465]

FANTASTIC, but i'd rather have the Panavia Tornado GRMK1a, in that large format.

[@jimwjohnq.public]

​@@CMD_Lineand that is you would see a grown man cry.

[@avipatable]

Absolutely stunning, and very nice to have a proper chat about the details... not enough people do that.

[@MrJim117]

What an amazing aircraft! Thank you for making this video! And thanks to the owner for sharing such awesome pice of machinery with us!

[@wheeljoker]

As a child of the 80s,the F-14 I think is still the coolest airplane ever. And this is completely awesome

[@ThePaulv12]

Even the flareless touchdown looks realistic. In fact it looks like the prototype. What a thing.

[@teslacoil]

When I was younger I was a F14 test pilot for Grumman.

[@seanplayz7865]

That’s sick

[@thomasnikkola5600]

WOW! That's cool man!❤❤❤

[@AutismusPrime69]

Nah

[@steveottavaino3804]

Superlative flying skills and aircraft, an absolute joy watch. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@TheRange7]

I've never seen anything this cool and awesome in this hobby. I can't imagine the time, effort, and money it took to get this in the air. What an amazing accomplishment. Cheers

[@robinac6897]

He bought it off the shelf as a kit didn't he?

[@thatguysomewhere143]

@@robinac6897 They are a kit but take alot of work to put together. I cant remember the channel name at the moment but there is a youtuber who builds these monster rc planes for customers.

[@TheRange7]

@@robinac6897 I'm not sure, I was too busy just watching that beast fly

[@nj2033]

For an RC, I think it's so clever how the centre of mass moves as you sweep the wings but it remains stable

[@LoftechUK]

Most impressive RC plane I’ve seen in my life. Amazing

[@brinsonharris9816]

Working wing sweep is cool, but the working flaps, spoilers and slats are just EPIC! Also noticed the tailplanes work together as well as differentially, just like on the real thing. Great work!

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

Spoilers even go up at touchdown. What realism. I think the only thing i haven't seen is the kneel

[@nomoreprospecting]

Awww YES -- my Favorite Jet -- AND my favorite Squadron the "Jolly Rogers" !!!! I worked 3 years on the USS Midway CV-41 in the early 1980's and while having duel operations with another Carrier 24 hr flight ops, (since we didn't have f-14's aboard) the other carrier got FOGGED in and we had to trap two of their F-14's. While those two were onboard, some of our f-4 squadrons took liberty to write all over the F-14's Fuel Tanks! I worked in V-1 Division - aircraft handler -.

[@DUSTER7071]

i was at EGLIN AFB at the same time , F-15's , funny thing, early 2000's , i worked with a navy guy , we were (are) on v.a. disability for almost the same thing , from almost the SAME TIME ! , I had a couple IDIOTS drop an AIM-9 on me ! , (i only weighed 130 at the time ! after lifting and such in the Marines , i would catch it and smack them with it , i weigh as much as one now ! lol) , screwed my back pretty good ! , my friend , under an F-14, had an AIM-7 dropped ON his back !!, he was lucky to survive !

[@craiglizt8074]

​@@DUSTER7071 what squadron were you at at Eglin? I worked F-15 avionics for the 60 FS from 1999-2004.

[@craiglizt8074]

Awesome story.

[@jacksemporiumofstuff]

That Jolly Rogers livery is a really good look for the venerable Tomcat. Thanks for posting!

[@mikechappell2377]

Love the F14 you did an amazing flight beautiful jet

[@garypinsker]

F-14 Program Grumman Bethpage. Bought many subsystems , radar and structure including vertical fin and rudder for 7 years. Most fun I’ve had in my 35 years. Still miss that plane.

[@jordanmascarenhas7974]

@@garypinsker thanks for building the best plane in history. As a fellow long islander, what advice would you give to someone focused on following your career path?

[@garypinsker]

@@jordanmascarenhas7974 A degree in either Supply Chain Management or Business would be a good place to start. There are no more Aircraft Prime Contractors left on the island. A lot of the subcontractors like BAE Systems, L3 or Telephonics would be a good place to start.

[@kyledelaplane8972]

I love how it's sounds ❤

[@musoseven8218]

Wow! Flies to scale, looks so realistic 👍😊✌️💜

[@stan4d1969]

That is amazing! Love the construction, attention to detail, pilot skills... all of it.

[@micksand4704]

Super! And the 56 kilos makes the plane fly more realisticly and steadily. Not as wobbly as lighter planes usually are.

[@markhogan9435]

I worked with that squadron onboard the USS Nimitz. The numbers of VF84 were 200 through 214 as it's sister squadron VF41 with 100 through 114. ..the 808 number shown here is incorrect. The Jolly Rogers as they were called what we called Hollywood...also the pilots helmets are yellow and black

[@gtc1961]

I noticed that too..... I was in VF-32 1982-1984....ours were 200 series (TARPS equipped) and our sister squadron, VF-14, used 100 series numbers.

[@forthegoodofthem4182]

..I am a "Bone Head" and you are totaLLy correct shipmate...the manufacturers shouLd be caLLed out for reaLism...but it seems to be a good product.... I rode Nimitz in 1982-1983 Med Jolly Rogers and BLack Aces.... Anytime Baby

[@thumper347]

I was in VAW-124 Bear Aces, Power Plants department, 1983-87. I can confirm VF-84 had 200 numbers for A/C Identification and yellow and black helmets.

[@gtc1961]

@@thumper347 correct

[@jarrodprieto5841]

Alert One, this is Eagle Control. What have you got?

[@Theo_G77]

holy crap! i've always loved the f-14. I have various models from 1/72 to 1/10 scale, but this is just magnificent.

[@ScaleHangar182]

Wow what a fantastic model! Looks pretty scale when flying. Impressive! Now the only thing that puts me a little off is the amount of riveting that is going on the wings where they should not be at all. There is a 1/48 scale model made by hobbyboss with the same problem and it looks like the designer of this model was looking at the hobbyboss kit and made all the mistakes from it.. Also the post shading of all panel lines looks a bit off. I would love to paint and weather that beast!

[@darta1094]

Fantastic model. Hats off to designer and pilot.

[@David-yy7lb]

The F14 tomcat is my favorite jet of all times , I just wish Northrop Grumman would make a modern day F14 tomcat 👍🏿

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="112">1:52</a> I've worked on F-14's while I was in the navy. That damn near is copy of the actually system. The only difference is the full size uses a jackscrew acutator for the wing sweep. I'm guessing with wings swept back the CG goes forward and it flies like it is on rails.

[@Thepetephilly0466]

That is a masterpiece!! Great flying too. Funny thing…my body shakes when flying my drone out over water etc.

[@CyclingMikey]

That's a fantastic plane!

[@Armafly]

Congratulations for the model and your pilotage skills!

[@jeffgagawood3741]

Beautiful work on this Tomcat!!!

[@rovindosejahtera5515]

putting some cameras and VR camera would be awesome. 😊

[@borgonianevolution]

I loaded weapons on that very aircraft on two cruises when I was on Nimitz form late '83-'86. They are AMAZING to see the full scale be it static in the hangar bay or rolling of the cats with a full load of ordinance.

[@gtc1961]

You had Tomcats numbered in the 800 series????

[@michaelmappin4425]

​@gtc1961 I don't think he was being that literal.

[@borgonianevolution]

@michaelmappin4425 I was not.. At 60 years old I couldnt name tail numbers or pilots. It could have been in any series. I do however remember specifically numbers with 08 and 04 on the F14's. I also loved the A6e's we had on board as well as the S-3 Viking squadrons. Some people on the internet are JUST That Anal and like to talk smack because they have no real life to speak on. MAYBE If I werent busy in the middle of the night helping to haul the `386000lbs of ordinance per day for those three days against Libya I might have had time to stop and memorize tail numbers and every detail about a single specific aircraft I helped move ordinance to.

[@michaelmappin4425]

@@borgonianevolution IYAOYAS! But really, ABs make everything happen. 😃

[@gtc1961]

@@michaelmappin4425 But he said "that very aircraft".....I can tell you for a fact, that if you see a VF-32 Tomcat with side numbers 211, 212 and 214 ....I worked on those EXACT aircraft! I took that to mean he worked on 808. I was just curious if VF-84 (or VF103) had an 808 in the squadron.

[@thudable]

Beautiful aircraft. Thanks for posting.

[@rFlightFPV]

„Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby.“

[@MrJim117]

Negative ghost rider, the pattern is full.

[@rFlightFPV]

@@MrJim117😂👍🏻

[@xbpbat21x]

Snot nosed rookies flying past my tower at over 500 knots...I want some butts!

[@supersnake9634]

Tower, this is "victory" requesting fly by.....😉🫡

[@michaelmappin4425]

​@@supersnake9634I was going to say that exact comment😊

[@Giitzerland]

Ukraine should get about 100 of these, lol. You would not be able to tell they're RC from a distance for sure, this looks THAT real!

[@DS87]

My favourite fighter of all time. Made me want to be a pilot. Glad to see it still live on as an RC plane.

[@muzmason3064]

What a great bit of flying 👌

[@Zenvo-uu9tm]

This scale is perfect for a kitty pilot. It literally becomes a Tomcat F14. Beautiful plane

[@reneroache2955]

Awesome model. And I loved how it handled in flight. Also, the F-14 was my favorite fighter jet growing up. And after seeing this vid, I can now say, it's still my favorite. Thank you for sharing.

[@tomsisson660]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="440">7:20</a> to <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="445">7:25</a> perfect landing! That has to be the first perfect landing I have ever seen any radio control pilot do. Incredible landing! 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️😀😀😀 Tom Sisson

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

At least he explained why he can't sweep forward at the break. That was the only thing that disappointed me in the video.

[@markuswaitzhofer4352]

Aww maaan! - I had one of these over 40 years ago. It was my absolute favorite Matchbox.

[@vernscheck9089]

I am not a fan of the new matchbox cars.

[@KevinTalbotTV]

Beast of a plane that is!! Can I have a go?

[@whatadqr1]

It's the coolest aircraft, and for the cherry on top... the coolest paint scheme ever.

[@andystoybox1723]

Absolutely beautiful! 😍😍😍 I love this hobby!! 😊

[@captainscarlett1]

Bloody hell! The cost of a toy like that, both in terms of money and in time and effort, is more than most of us can dream. Still, glad someone can. It brings a sense of wonder into my life. I wonder how someone can build, afford to build and fly such a thing.

[@ppdan]

According to the website it's $5000 which doesn't seems too much. Although I am not sure what extras you need (except remote) before you can fly with it.

[@Smokeyr67]

​@@ppdanAll up you'd be looking at around $25 to $30 k USD to get it into the air.

[@rb8849]

Everything a Masterpiece! Thanks for showing this video 😊❤

[@howardtowler6146]

Wow this is the best sounding RC place

[@branjosnow6244]

That is a stunning RC plane. Definitely the best one I've seen yet. The Tomcat is a beautiful aircraft.

[@envitech02]

Cool!! This is in <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="131">2:11</a> scale.

[@mudpuddle8805]

What a magnificent plane! Everytime I see a plane that _I MUST HAVE!_ I just remind myself that all planes are just one glitch away from reverting back to kit form.

[@marcothorsen950]

That is so cool. Fair play for the build & awesome flying skills. ✈

[@stephenlozano2816]

My favorite plane EVER!!! Beautiful.

[@tsaffran]

that was awesome thought I saw shock waves coming from the wings Iran still uses F-14

[@DadsRCHangar]

That’s just amazing, you could mistake this for a full scale jet in the air. I was surprised that it’s not mega expensive as well. One day maybe 🤔

[@MrChristianpineiro]

Absolutely great plane! Landing was truly navy style. Congrats!!

[@bamboozledbob3298]

Honestly surprised at the price tag...was expecting a lot more than 6900$ for a kit of that level.

[@EvilMerlin]

That's just the airframe. That doesn't include the landing gear, at $3800, the swing-wing setup at $1400, for the bits and bobs, another $2500, this kit has weathering so add $600. Radiogear (I won't include a transmitter as I doubt this is his only airframe) around $2500 for the receivers, high end, high torque metal geared digital servos, about $3400 per turbine, plus another $1200 for the bits and bobs for them. So just to get this in the air (as long as you are doing the work yourself) you are looking at close to 26 THOUSAND dollars.

[@bamboozledbob3298]

@@EvilMerlin Oh well, that figure is a lot closer to what I was thinking.

[@EvilMerlin]

@@bamboozledbob3298 Yeah, it's almost impossible to get into a turbine (fuel) powered airframe in RC for much under 9k. Sure you can do it if you try, but it's not going to be easy. And its going to be something in pure kit form.

[@joshDammmit]

I was at an air and space museum in Tulsa recently, where they happen to have a F-14 on display, so that was fun. BUT, this model is just epic. Can’t believe this is a real thing

[@derrickgreen9020]

Brilliant filming too…!subscribed.

[@cornishcactus]

The ole show buzz, loved that feeling you knew it was going to be a good slot. Weston park was probably THE best venue to fly at with those trees to go under. Awesome bit of kit and stick stiring.

[@jordanmascarenhas7974]

@@cornishcactus where is Weston Park?

[@cornishcactus]

@@jordanmascarenhas7974 Near Telford. Weston-under-lizard

[@avisaurus]

Croikey! Just make it a bit bigger and get in it!

[@markblackman2542]

Thanks to Grumman for this design :)

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

It flies like a dream! Breathtaking.

[@MrEricdraco]

Congratulations man!!! Go Go Go Enjoy yourself to the fullest 💪💪💪💪

[@arnoldmayii3563]

Awesome!

[@miksterr]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="200">3:20</a> there is a programming issue when flaps down. It is using a flight mode likely , can see elevator compensating however the transition is not smooth.

[@jasongregory3950]

Beautiful bird. Must be a wonderful experience.

[@Albertius84]

This plane is my all time favourite fighter jet I ever live, the Grunman F-14 Tomcat aww!!

[@chriscarol4965]

What an amazing machine!

[@DTM45]

Excellent. Just beautiful.

[@svenlarson5722]

great job folks, greetings from nothern-germany👍

[@michaelduernecker684]

One of the greatest RC Jet in the World. Amazing Toy. Shaking Pilots the best in the World 🙂 This RC Jet is a Master Piece

[@ericb.4358]

And here I thought my 15 firearms and their optics was an indulgence. HA! This RC F-14 Tomcat is amazing. Congratulations on piloting this big boy.

[@chrisb9960]

Clicked the thumbnail with limited expectations. I was happy to find out it wasn’t an exaggeration. Nice job.

[@robflyrc]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="125">2:05</a> i can confirm as well. I have build MiG-23 and Su-22 , and there is almost no change in flight characteristic. CoG changes a bit, true, but it can be handled just by hand. What a beast!

[@tlfunk51]

Amazing, thank you for sharing.

[@jessyblue863]

Most beautiful design

[@billkunert7281]

I wonder how much that kit cost. It's a magnificent aircraft. I remember when RC Modeler had plans for a ducted fan F 14 with movable wings. That was 25 - 30 years ago. Never did see evidence of any being built.

[@jordanmascarenhas7974]

@@billkunert7281 this costs $6,800 total. Spymasters is the name of the brand

[@TheJamesm1980]

That's such an awesome build tok and a jolly Rogers too

[@flemmingstelling8079]

"Talk to me Goose ! "

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

Watch the mountains

[@_Yep_Yep_]

The Tomcat is forever going to be top-five most beautiful aircraft, if it isnt everyone's #1. The giant bird is a joy to see, and im glad they actually make it as a kit. I dont even fly RC planes, but i have the hugest mancrush on this thing.

[@pctshooter]

For 50 years, I never knew the Tomcat had ailerons on the wings. They call them flaperons on here.

[@spins321]

It doesn't in real life. Was wondering why they decided to incorporate on this.

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

​@spins321 at the end he explains that he did the flapperon on his own. The manual did not say to use the flap in conjunction with the spoiler

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

The real plane only uses the spoilers to dump lift with the roll input. The lifting wing does not change at all. When wings sweep past 50° the spoilers deactivate and the tail controls all roll commands. There is a mistake in Topgun Maverick where the Tomcat turns left and you see an aileron go down on the right wing.

[@tthulsey]

That’s so awesome if that was my Jet ✈️ I would go to the local elementary school and give all the kids rides ❤

[@1234567marks]

Fantastic aircraft well flown 👍, looks to be an incredible bargain too at that price!

[@FLORIDIANMILLIONAIRE]

I still have the GI JOE one my parents bought me as a child

[@scottnixon2899]

Think that is now is a sought after collector item..I still have my 3 feet tall Shogan Warrior Robot from 1978😊

[@FLORIDIANMILLIONAIRE]

@@scottnixon2899 I know that ! How cool 😎😎 my parents have kept all my toys he man RoboCop gijoe older action Man figures back in the day toys were much bigger in size if you are a boy the toy world is incredibly big

[@truenaturestormers2525]

Wow now that is a RC, that is AMAZING.

[@helischorsch9786]

Amazing plane…top notch, top gun👍👏

[@acamparargentina]

That plane is my dream came thru!! Wish i could get one of those!

[@jackp8583]

Beautiful job in every respect!

[@XJScott]

What a smooth landing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@punisherxs6654]

Awesome, looks like the real thing.

[@jakevannoy1630]

Strikingly beautiful!

[@MisterSoul2008]

WoW This was my favorite plane in my youth...

[@Mr.Laidukas]

Bin there my self <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="275">4:35</a> . Flown one of my planes while filming and with spectators, was so uncomfortable that my left hand was shaking so much I was not able to operate throttle. I just left it in safe position and flown only with right hand.

[@ficosk8]

As a rookie I experienced that too 😬

[@ficosk8]

But somehow it correlates with the price point of the plane and the amount of spectators too 🤣

[@ficosk8]

Here with 2000 people he would have been less relaxed :P

[@larrychamel]

Absolutely Magnificent 🎉🎉

[@RC4ever]

Really awesome model :')

[@privatepilot4064]

The baddest looking fighter ever made! Nice plane! My son-in-law was in VF-41, The Black Aces.

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

The pencil nose, although common on the Phantom looks great with that squadron because it is so unique

[@mcemtpockets1775]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="270">4:30</a> man. Balls of steele!

[@JJ-xq2kt]

If you watch the take-off and the landing at 0,5 speed it looks pretty real. =) At the same time, the voices during take-off sound like they are absolutely high while trying as hard a they can to remain a very serious composure 😂 Amazing model ! More amazing plane !