F-14 squadrons removing refueling cover plate?

Why are the F-14 squadrons currently removing the plate covering the
refueling probe?
I'm assuming they're ripping off in the slipstream or something, but
wouldn't it make more sense, since they're employed by the Federal
Gov't., to have some type of really expensive beefing-up kit to bolt
them on stronger?

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Government employment has nothing to do with it. Parts availability does. If the panel in question isn't in the supply system, it doesn't get replaced. Considering the F-14 is to be retired soon, the Navy isn't investing much money in that aircraft's logistics effort.

R / John

"dave999" wrote in message news:w9nXa.1229$2g.1164@fed1read05...
Why are the F-14 squadrons currently removing the plate covering the refueling probe?
I'm assuming they're ripping off in the slipstream or something, but wouldn't it make more sense, since they're employed by the Federal Gov't., to have some type of really expensive beefing-up kit to bolt them on stronger?

--
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GOT JETS?
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Dave Stein - President
Red Flag Scale Modelers
Las Vegas, Nevada
YOU NEED A HOBBY!

GET SOME!
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The cover plates are removed generally when the aircraft is going to be
refuelling from air force tankers on a regular basis. The short adaptor
hose which trails from the boom when the likes of KC-135's are modified to
refuel probe equipped aircraft causes the basket to whip around a lot and
was a frequent cause of Tomcats losing the cover on engaging or
disengaging. Easiest solution was to remove the cover. The problem doesn't
present itself with buddy refuelling from S-3s or cross force ops with RAF
VC-10s or Tristars because the longer hose makes the basket more stable.

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Regards
Drewe
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

Interesting. Didn't know that. I never did a 135 from the F-14, although
I've had the pleasure a number of times in the F-4. The short
non-retractable hose made the effort a bit more challenging.

R / John

"Drewe Manton" wrote in message
. 4...
The cover plates are removed generally when the aircraft is going to be
refuelling from air force tankers on a regular basis. The short adaptor
hose which trails from the boom when the likes of KC-135's are modified to
refuel probe equipped aircraft causes the basket to whip around a lot and
was a frequent cause of Tomcats losing the cover on engaging or
disengaging. Easiest solution was to remove the cover. The problem doesn't
present itself with buddy refuelling from S-3s or cross force ops with RAF
VC-10s or Tristars because the longer hose makes the basket more stable.

--
--------
Regards
Drewe
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

Drewe Manton wrote in message .4...
The cover plates are removed generally when the aircraft is going to be
refuelling from air force tankers on a regular basis. The short adaptor
hose which trails from the boom when the likes of KC-135's are modified to
refuel probe equipped aircraft causes the basket to whip around a lot and
was a frequent cause of Tomcats losing the cover on engaging or
disengaging. Easiest solution was to remove the cover. The problem doesn't
present itself with buddy refuelling from S-3s or cross force ops with RAF
VC-10s or Tristars because the longer hose makes the basket more stable.

Likewise with other dedicated hose tankers like the RAAF 707s, I assume?

Cheers
Errol Cavit