I was not aware that the intakes on the F 15 were movable. I knew there was a ramp in the intake that moved depending on airspeed. I ran across this photo with the intakes lowered.
Looking at more walkarounds, and paying closer attention, I see several 15's with the intakes down. One picture I saw of a taxiing 15 had one up and one down. I looked at the build instructions for the 1/32 Tamiya F 15E and the intakes are able to pivot. I learn something every day. That's a good thing.
Last edited by wjkunert on Fri Jun 30, 2017 3:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
I knew they pivoted; then again I live at Eglin AFB where they were tested and later based so I saw a lot of these in my youth. I just don't remember why they made them that way....
The Duke
Virtuoso of Miniatures
"Do you know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I get and beat you with 'till you understand who's in ruttin' command!"
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We are modelers - the same in spirit, in hunger to insanely buy newly released kits, hustlers in hiding our stash from our better halves and experts in using garbage as replacements for after-market parts.
They pivot down at lower speeds and when taxing. The variable-geometry air intakes moving according to the aircraft speed and enging throttle settings to dump excess air and prevent engine surge (got the from the internets). I believe that angle of attack is factored in as well.
Mike
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I'm pleased that I'm not the only one who didn't realize the intakes pivoted. After I posted I went through my F 15 files and found lots of pictures with intakes down. I felt that I had made an ignorant post. Thanks for covering for me.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
Yes I think I first noticed that feature many years ago at an air show at Edwards AFB. I should still have the photo somewhere....
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
Hmmm... I often wondered if anyone did build an F-15 kit with intakes down.
Since were on subject of intakes capable of pivoting, do F-14 Tomcats intakes pivot as well? Methinks they don't since their swept wings has its benefits in engaging the enemy aircraft in a dogfight..
“Who controls the skies, controls the fate of this Earth”
Author unknown- 352nd Fighter Group, Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney
“Send one plane it’s a sortie; send two planes it’s a flight; send four planes it’s a test of airpower. - Richard Kohn
I think that Academy's 1/48 F-15 kits have that option of intake position.
The F-14 has a ramp on the upper inner face that changes position to adjust airflow. Just as the F-4 phantom has that ramp on the face on the inlet that is mounted along the fuselage. Variable intakes are a necessity once aircraft start getting into the Mach 2 performance range. Ramps, cones, etc. adjust to allow in the proper amount of air. But those are also elements of radar cross section. The B-1 lost its variable intakes to reduce RCS, and lost top speed as a result, in the B-1B redesign.
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."
