Quote Originally Posted by DHC8 View Post
Trevor, another epic F-14 build! Love it, absolutely love it! As Mike said the F-14 used the spoilers as ROLL spoilers with the ailivator mix, and then just the ailivator when the wings are retracted. So when using as roll spoilers they deploy and retract at the speed of the contol input, then as speed brakes on landing they deploy and retract as you have them set up. Fast up, slow down. Also of course I am sure you know, the flaps and slats only when wings are extended.

I agree with Jim, as long as the linkage is strong on the flap system, a little play wont matter. The airflow will keep them in place in each postion. You should see the slop in the flap systems of real planes. All the planes I have flown have a lot of slop in the flap system. Some it was even required.
It looks like Grumman Engineers borrowed the Spoiler Roll idea from the famous WWII Northrop P-61 Black Widow that used spoilers in conjunction with very small Ailerons.