F-14 Tomcat Ultralight Build • Disc Dimensions @ 100mm Stations

🎯 FORWARD FUSELAGE · OVAL DISCS

⌀ elliptical cross-sections (pilot / RIO area)

Station X (mm)	Dowel Offset (mm) (Y_offset)	Total WIDTH (mm) ellipse major axis	Total HEIGHT (mm) ellipse minor axis	Notes
0	0	0	0	nose tip — sharp point
100	+10	56	64	radome expansion
200	+31	122	132	mid-nose / cockpit floor start
300	+48	150	186	MAX HEIGHT (canopy peak)
400	+38	165	163	MAX WIDTH (shoulders / wing glove start)
500	+10	155	137	end of cockpit bubble

How to read: each disc is an OVAL shape. Width = horizontal span (left/right). Height = vertical span.

📍 Dowel offset: positive value means disc center lies ABOVE the straight carbon tube line (gives the bent lifting-body profile).

📐 MAIN BODY + REAR "PANCAKE" · RECTANGULAR DISCS

▯ width / height defined — round corners later, build starts with rectangles

Station X (mm)	Dowel Offset (mm) (Y_offset)	Total WIDTH (mm) rectangle width	Total HEIGHT (mm) rectangle height	Region / notes
600	-20	142	112	wing glove starts flattening
700	-38	130	97	coke-bottle pinch area
800	-46	114	87	transition to thin deck
900	-51	104	76	center “pancake” thickening? — thinning out
1000	-61	94	66	engine bay narrowing
1100	-76	81	51	close to tail end
1150	-80	76	46	tailpipe exit (nozzle ring)

Rectangle mindset: later you will sand/round edges to match F-14 aerodynamic curves, but structural discs start as rectangles.

🧩 Dowel offset negative: from station 600mm onward, the centerline drops below the straight dowel — that creates the iconic rear “tail droop”.

📋 MASTER TABLE · ALL STATIONS @ 100mm INTERVALS

complete from nose (X=0) to tail (X=1150)

Station X (mm)	Shape Type	Offset Y (mm)	Width (mm)	Height (mm)	Disc thickness (balsa)
0	oval (point)	0	0	0	n/a (tip)
100	oval	+10	56	64	3mm light balsa
200	oval	+31	122	132	3mm medium
300	oval	+48	150	186	2.5mm (peak)
400	oval → wide	+38	165	163	2mm ultralight
500	oval (transition)	+10	155	137	2mm
600	rectangle	-20	142	112	2mm
700	rectangle	-38	130	97	2mm
800	rectangle	-46	114	87	1.5mm
900	rectangle	-51	104	76	1.5mm
1000	rectangle	-61	94	66	1.5mm
1100	rectangle	-76	81	51	1.5mm
1150	rectangle (tail)	-80	76	46	1.5mm

✂️ Build sequence: cut each disc from balsa (recommended thickness above). Drill 6mm center hole using the Offset Y coordinate relative to dowel axis.

📌 Dowel line connects Nose (0,0) to Tail (1150mm, -80mm). For each disc, drill hole at (Offset Y) perpendicular from that line.

forward ovals → rear rectangles

📐 "disk on a stick" – 6mm carbon main spar

🛠️ BUILDER'S NOTES · ITERATION READY

transition zone & assembly

🎯 Forward oval profile

Stations 100–500mm use true elliptical discs. The values reflect the wide, flattened "tube" of the cockpit.
You can smooth the transition with light sanding after stacking.

📦 Main body rectangles

From X=600mm to tail, discs are defined as rectangles (width x height). This matches the load-bearing flat deck between engine nacelles. Round the edges after assembly.

✈️ BOM & ultralight target

Use 1.5–2mm light balsa for most discs. 6mm carbon tube (≈12g). Hand-cut the 6mm centers with a hobby knife. Lightening holes optional but highly recommended for sub-400g AUW.

⚠️ Offset Y direction: Positive = above dowel line (nose/mid section gives characteristic lifting body rise). Negative = below dowel line (rear droop).

📏 Use a centerline jig: align all discs on the 6mm carbon rod, then tack glue. The offset table ensures the iconic F-14 side profile.

🧩 DISK PART NUMBERING

Each station becomes its own unique part — perfect for BOM & wood cutter.

Disk_00 → Disk_12 → Disk_23

📌 Oval discs: Disk_00 (X0) … Disk_05 (X500) 📌 Rectangle discs: Disk_06 (X600) … Disk_12 (X1150) ✅ Onshape workflow: create a Part Studio per disc → tab for each → assemble with fastened mates (concentric + distance offset). Use negative distance values for positions behind nose reference.

DISCS ON A STICK

🎯 Forward oval profile

📦 Main body rectangles

✈️ BOM & ultralight target