Author Topic: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile  (Read 3662 times)

Offline Aeroplanedriver

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Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« on: July 12, 2020, 06:35:21 PM »
One of the many real world proposals for the Vulcan in the early 60s was a modification to carry three Gnats. These Gnats would carry a nuclear bomb and the mission profile left it up to the pilot as to whether he ejected before the explosion or rode it in.  Understandably it was a short lived idea...

But in the WHIF world this idea lead to the Red Fly cruise missile.  instead of a piloted Gnat carrying a bomb, the Gnat was modified into a long range cruise missile with a nuclear warhead. 

So far the modifications to the Gnat structure include:

Replace nose with  super-duper pointy nose
Removing vertical tail
Remove/fill horizontal tail slots/fairings
Clip wings by 1 scale foot
Fill in cockpit with scrap sprue and fair in the cockpit are with milliput.

I'm still experimenting with the tail configuration. In the pics the first one has a V-tail made from trimmed down Heller Jaguar H-stabs.  These are pretty thick and if used need more thinning down.
The other pics use the kit H-stabs in a V configuration.  I initially thought they were too small, which is why I made bigger ones to try, but the more I look at it the more I like them.  I think the smaller fins make it look more missile-like.  Also added as a ventral fin is the top of the kit V-stab. 

I'm really liking the look of it, and after I got the main mods done I really considered retrofitting a cockpit and making it a single seat parasite fighter with wingtip missiles.  This may be my plan for my next Gnat build but for now I decided to proceed with my unmanned missile build.  I've ordered another kit though so the parasite fighter may show up soon too. 

It will end up in non-operational prototype colors for the Prototype GB on the other forum.   

Anyhoo, here is the first day's progress.  Input very welcome as always.





« Last Edit: July 20, 2020, 02:42:03 PM by Aeroplanedriver »

Online Old Wombat

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2020, 09:44:22 PM »
Hmmm? Things that make you go BOOM! ;)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2020, 08:58:06 AM »
it is a neat kit to work with.

It really was a preposterous proposal.


I went down the parasite path as well, with the Gnat on a Prototype group build,  but used the Valiant as the mother ship and my Gnats were set as local fighter protections, much like the Grumman Goblin proposal.

Update.. added link to build
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=30001.15
« Last Edit: July 13, 2020, 11:45:32 AM by buzzbomb »

Offline Aeroplanedriver

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2020, 09:38:42 AM »
it is a neat kit to work with.

It really was a preposterous proposal.


I went down the parasite path as well, with the Gnat on a Prototype group build,  but used the Valiant as the mother ship and my Gnats were set as local fighter protections, much like the Grumman Goblin proposal.

Ive ordered another to do as a parasite fighter since I really love the shape with the more pointed radome.  The plan for that one is a larger V-tail and no ventral fin since it will have to land.  It really is a nice little kit for Whiffing. 

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2020, 02:09:27 AM »
Makes me wonder of a different version as a heavy anti-ship missile in the same ilk as the Raduga KS-1 Komet
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Offline elmayerle

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2020, 07:52:40 AM »
it is a neat kit to work with.

It really was a preposterous proposal.


I went down the parasite path as well, with the Gnat on a Prototype group build,  but used the Valiant as the mother ship and my Gnats were set as local fighter protections, much like the Grumman Goblin proposal.

Update.. added link to build
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=30001.15
Er, shouldn't that be the McDonnell Goblin?  IIRC, the Gruman Goblin was a license-built version of their SF-1/FF-1 design.

Offline Dr. YoKai

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2020, 09:57:56 PM »
Now I can't stop thinking about He 51s hanging off a Ju 287.... ;D

Great concept, and it is looking nice. Will you be putting it on a stand, or perhaps a loading cart?


Offline Aeroplanedriver

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2020, 03:31:02 AM »
Now I can't stop thinking about He 51s hanging off a Ju 287.... ;D

Great concept, and it is looking nice. Will you be putting it on a stand, or perhaps a loading cart?

It fits beautifully on the cart from an old Testors U-2. 

GTX my backstory includes a conventional anti-shipping variant.  Great minds...  ;)

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2020, 03:44:50 AM »
Maybe a Vickers Valiant with one under each wing ala the Tu-16:

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Offline finsrin

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2020, 05:31:43 AM »
Neat project, I like kit-bash concept.  :smiley:

Offline Aeroplanedriver

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Fly" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2020, 02:41:36 PM »
All done!

Folland/Hawker Siddley Fo.155 "Red Wasp" long range stand-off missile prototype No.3, Woomera Test Range, February 1964. 







Offline finsrin

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2020, 03:11:14 PM »
Is real deal sitting there on transport cart.  Correct color and markings for test prototype.  :smiley:

Online Old Wombat

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2020, 11:26:32 PM »
Very nice! 8)

At least they'd be able to find it in the Red Centre! ;D
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2020, 02:39:54 AM »
Can you provide a photo from underneath please?  I am interested in the wing engines?
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2020, 03:07:45 AM »
I can see this being developed as either an alternative to or supplement for the Blue Steel missile.
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Offline Aeroplanedriver

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #15 on: July 21, 2020, 05:09:50 AM »
Can you provide a photo from underneath please?  I am interested in the wing engines?



For the wing rockets I just took the slipper fuel tanks and did a little trimming for them to match the training edge.  I left the tank nosecones off and added a short piece of tubing for the rocket exhaust.  These rockets would be used to boost the missile to Mach 1.5+ during the terminal phase after a subsonic cruise phase.

Offline Antonio Sobral

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #16 on: July 21, 2020, 04:34:47 PM »
Great job! :smiley:

 And love the color scheme!


Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #17 on: July 22, 2020, 01:31:13 AM »
 :smiley:
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Gingie

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Re: Folland Fo.151 "Red Wasp" Nuclear Cruise Missile
« Reply #18 on: August 18, 2020, 06:00:31 AM »
I love it, but, I think it looks even better inverted, perhaps because there's no discernible canopy bulge?