Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Aero-space => Topic started by: Stargazer2006 on January 13, 2012, 04:07:06 PM
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One of the nice things about being an instructor during my time under the flag was the evening drinks at the AFB's bar with officers. During the day we'd teach them English, and in the evening, they would buy us a drink and tell a few stories that were not necessarily all meant to be publicized. Here is one of them.
Although the US would probably never admit to it, a French Air Force officer who was then based in Spain claimed that during the 1986 Libyan episode he had seen a secret aircraft be unloaded from a Lockheed Galaxy and remain shrouded for possible use. Apparently, he heard that it was a secret aircraft being readied for a possible quick strike over Libya. Eventually only F-14s were used in the blitzkrieg. I do not claim that he was a 100% reliable source (not having seen the aircraft uncovered) but one can imagine that the F-117 could have been used as a means to raid command posts if the conflict turned sour. The said officer also claimed that the sortie didn't happen to preserve the secrecy of the F-117 for a little while longer. I'd venture the notion that, not being combat-proven yet, and knowing the connections between Libya and the Soviet Union, the risk of losing the F-117 and venting out the stealth technology must have been deemed too high a risk (IF, and only IF, the story is true of course).
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^ Now that opens up all sorts of what if possibilities! Would 3 years be enough for the USSR to reverse-engineer a F-117? Probably not but maybe the attempt is what drove the Soviets bankrupt! :icon_ninja:
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Hmm..reverse engineered F-117...interesting. Given that some of the original mathematics behind the radar evasiveness was from a soviet scientist (Pyotr Ufimtsev), one might develop a scenario. Maybe have someone else such as China or even Iran do it...but do it crudely - e.g. maybe a F-117 but with normal exhaust nozzles or similar?
Alternatively, maybe base the reverse engineered F-117 more on Northrop's competitor:
(http://www.hitechweb.genezis.eu/stealth2.files/northrop_xst_02.jpg)
Regards,
Greg
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... or a side-by-side A-6 type two-seater based on an enlarged Facetmobile. ;D
(http://www.wainfan.com/FMX4IF1.JPG)
http://www.facetmobile.com/ (http://www.facetmobile.com/)
Free 1/48th paper model from Ralph Currell
http://www.currell.net/models/facet.htm (http://www.currell.net/models/facet.htm)
:icon_fsm:
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Oooo...that could work. Either in paper or even plastic (using the paper model plans as a template for a scratch build).
Convert it to jet and make it a stealth carrier replacement/compliment for the A-6 prior to the A-12.
Regards,
Greg
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Thread revival: how about a uninhibited F-117 derived UCAV?
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Or perhaps an Israeli F-117? I wouldn't do this one in an Israeli camo scheme but rather keep the all black scheme and simply put own some low viz Israeli markings...speaking of which, does anyone do such?
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It'd look great in normal IDF camo too.
After all the first F-117 came out in a camo scheme before they adopted the all-black idea.
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I've got the two-tone grey 1/72 Airfix boxing in the stash --- plus I've got a Revell 1/72 one built
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Found online here (http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2001/f117nvb_1.htm):
(http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2001/images/f117n06.jpg)
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Thread revival: how about a uninhibited F-117 derived UCAV?
Did that with a friend's Academy kit in 2006 or so! Albeit with canards and relocated vertical stabilisers.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/2.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/1a.jpg)
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Cool. Looks like lifting body when viewed from above.
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Bump! Any other F-117 ideas? Tempted to do an RAF F-117C based on this image found at another forum, but darker or black:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/F-117CRAF_zpsyjjvz9xy.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/F-117CRAF_zpsyjjvz9xy.jpg.html)
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I have an Israeli one planned
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That makes sense. There's an experimental camo one of the real ones wore which looks like an IAF machine.
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This is another model that every time I see it I think of some sort of segmented bug. An odd combo of a sting ray and a crustacean.
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(http://modelingmadness.com/contests/whatif/Mikeaairfixraff117.jpg)
From here: http://modelingmadness.com/contests/whatif/whatifpix.htm (http://modelingmadness.com/contests/whatif/whatifpix.htm)
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That makes sense. There's an experimental camo one of the real ones wore which looks like an IAF machine.
Mine will still be all black but with low observable IDF markings...all very hush, hush... ;)
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TT - they did mention recently the Reds will get new aircraft...and the US Government seems to be looking at shifting the F-117A fleet from hangars to the boneyard....
Greg - That's what I'm thinking with my RAF concept, it's just the markings that will be a problem.
Here's the IDF-looking one I mentioned:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Lockheed_F-117A_Nighthawk_79-10780_Camo.jpg)
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it's just the markings that will be a problem.
In what way?
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I need to find lo-viz RAF markings! Any ideas?
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I need to find lo-viz RAF markings! Any ideas?
Is there an F-35 kit that has them? How about the standard Typhoon camo and markings?
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I need to find lo-viz RAF markings! Any ideas?
Is there an F-35 kit that has them? How about the standard Typhoon camo and markings?
What scale? I have the 1/48 F-35B and I believe it has low-vis markings for a number of nations.
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I need to find lo-viz RAF markings! Any ideas?
Is there an F-35 kit that has them? How about the standard Typhoon camo and markings?
The F-35 option is what I was thinking too. Caracal does sets in both 1/72 and 1/48 that include RAF options. That would be the best in my view.
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(http://imagesvc.timeincapp.com/v3/foundry/image/?q=70&w=1440&url=http%3A%2F%2Fd254andzyoxz3f.cloudfront.net%2F13668917_10155168127027575_6037669672605916026_oa.jpg)
Very strange "Toxic Death" paint scheme on F-117 #781 Scorpion 2.
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Different. What's the story behind it?
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Different. What's the story behind it?
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4729/the-toxic-death-paint-scheme-was-the-f-117-nighthawks-most-outrageous?iid=sr-link1 (http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4729/the-toxic-death-paint-scheme-was-the-f-117-nighthawks-most-outrageous?iid=sr-link1)
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Ta
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I wonder if anyone has decals of that version?
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I'd love to see someone kit the F-117X (I think), the navalised one with less wing sweep and with horizontal stabs. They'd make dozens of dollars!
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Kiwizac- I don't know what scale you build, but AMTs old 1/72 F-117 could be a start. The exhausts are so bad they will have to be rebuilt, but the nice thing about the 117 is you can use sheet plastic. Otherwise, you have less wing sweep, and a somewhat higher canopy. It's been out of production for years, of course but in Trumpland it turns up regularly on eBay or vendor's tables at conventions for a low price.
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Random idea: scale-o-rama 1/32 F-117 into 1/72 or 1/48 bomber with side by side seating and maybe up to 4 engines.
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Jason (jalles) on the What-If Forum has just finished his F-117N for this year' In the Navy GB
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=47654.msg885979;boardseen#new (https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=47654.msg885979;boardseen#new)
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Yes - Navy build is inspirational.
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Random idea: scale-o-rama 1/32 F-117 into 1/72 or 1/48 bomber with side by side seating and maybe up to 4 engines.
Scale-O-Rama the 32nd scale kit to 48th scale would be best. Perhaps use the 48th scale kit to create a 72nd scale version. Going direct from 32nd scale to a 72nd scale-0-rama might be pushing the envelope.
That being said, I managed to acquire one of the 32nd scale Testors' kits for that purpose, to create a 48th scale subject by the magic of scale-0-rama. That would give you a very spacious weapons bay to carry up to four individual weapons and maybe a couple of AAM on the bay doors. Engines would jump in size from the F404 of the original subject to something in the F-101 range which is what I have in mind.
@KitNut617/Robert - That F-117N is sweet!
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That's a fantastic build. I was only reading of the F-117 yesterday including the AF-117X proposal including the potential use of it by the RAF.
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That USN version is exceptional.