F-14 Tomcat Launch Desk Mat

Sale price$21.99 USD

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Size: 16" × 32"

An F‑14 catapult launch uses steam to hurl the jet from 0 to roughly 150 to 170 knots in about 2 to 3 seconds, over only 250 to 300 feet of deck, subjecting the crew to around 3 to 4 G for the whole shot. The launch bar on the nose gear locks into the catapult shuttle, while a calibrated holdback fitting is designed to fail at a specific load so the jet cannot release before full power. Wings are set to 20 degrees for extra lift, with flaps and slats out and the jet blast deflector raised to shield the crew. At takeoff weights above 70,000 pounds, any catapult failure leaves almost no margin, which is why those few seconds are some of the most intense in naval aviation.

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