Actually if comparing the F14A and FRS1 for what they were designed to do the Tomcat wins hands down. The F14 was designed to protect the fleet from Russian bombers and do it from as far from the fleet as possible. Much less chance of a bomber or martime patrol aircraft defeating a Phoenix shot than a harrier. The FRS1 was designed to "hack the shad" which can be thought of as bomber and bear swotting lite at ranges much closer to the fleet and probably well within Russian anti ship missile launch range.

Does anyone have any (reliable/fact based) information on the Phoenix?

It sounded awesome...when I was at school...but thinking of the kill chain required and its reputation (deserved or otherwise - I have no idea!) as the Phoeni-bomb, presumably due to its propensity to fall earthward...I wonder if it was actually any good?

I would be very interested to hear from an operator what they thought of it.

A smashing little video. Thanks very much, B word. It brought a tear to my eye. I flew GR3s in RAF Germany in the late 1970s and fancied a go at the SHAR after my subsequent tour as a QWI at Brawdy but the mighty swing-wing wonder-bomber got in the way!

http://www.fas.org/man//dod-101/sys/ac/f-14-3b.jpg

F-14 with a mixed missile load did have the Gene Hunt factor.

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr29z3vDKk1qgi3fu.jpg

Following my recent input on the subject of the final FRS1 Std ie Phase 1 Avionics Update (see 20th Feb), I forgot to add that in addition to the other goodies (I/A Blue Fox, Madge etc ), the update included Sea Eagle. We never fired one 'out' of BAe Dunsfold but I think Fred Fredrickson fired one off XZ440 after a ramp launch from Invincible with 1x Sea Eagle on 1 side and a 190 gallon tank on the other.

Lower hangar

Here is 440 at Benbecula during Sea Eagle trials in 1994 http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/r...ula/ben49a.jpg
Initials

initials

Great picture - Thanks

Lower Hangar