Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Aero-space => Topic started by: Kerick on September 13, 2022, 12:36:15 PM
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Or should I say modern heavy fighter bomber. Something less than a B-52, B-1 or B-2 but with much more payload than an F-16 or F-18. There was an idea for an enlarged F-22 with an internal bomb bay. Same thing could probably be imagined for an enlarged F-23. I was just thinking of a stretched F-14 Tomcat that would be a real “Bombcat”! Take an F-16XL and really go scale-a-rama with it. Add some real tech that would give it excellent accuracy. I’m thinking a two person crew would be standard if not three. I’m just throwing ideas around right now but do you guys think this could be a good whiff?
Scale-o-rama some Mirages with two or more engines maybe B-58 style…..
Just thinking now of an enlarged three engine Phantom with bigger wings for lots more pylons…..
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Something between the A-12 and B-2 in the flying wing family would be interesting to see done.
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I always liked the notion of a half-scaled Rockwell B-1B as a replacement for the adhoc series of General Dynamics F-111 series - with two crew, instead of four; two F101 turbofans instead of four; two internal weapons, instead of three.....
I'm assumising that by utilising the principle of a half-scaled B-1B, so much money would be saved in R&D, while mitigating development risk, because it had all been developed and proven in the B-1B program itself, which one would think would naturally equate to massive economic savings and a quick and fluid OIC.
MAD
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Half scale B-one sounds really interesting. Something with a much larger bomb load than a fighter and still has speed and maneuverability. I’ve heard pilots compare a B-1 to a loaded Phantom so that’s pretty good. In Afghanistan B-1s were just loaded with JDAMs orbiting waiting for a CAS call. No need for a strategic bomber for that. Plus they were flying all the way from bases in the US to do it. I’ll have to dig around in the junk drawer and see what I can throw together. Some old box scale kit might work.
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Airbus B-400
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There was an enlarged F-23 concept.
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/northrop-f-b-23-rapid-theater-attack-aircraft.209/ (https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/northrop-f-b-23-rapid-theater-attack-aircraft.209/)
(https://0c362696c3578ae7bc01-16b11b40c48ad30544d19be29645b401.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/FB-23.jpg)
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Reminds me of the RF-23 I have sitting on the table waiting to be finished. I stretched the fuselage ahead of the wings by an inch on a 1/72nd scale model. I also redid the intakes too. Another project that deserves to be finished.
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The enlarged F-23 concept looks like a stealthy A-5 Vigilante.
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I'm mentally trying to turn an F-15 into something large and in charge. Maybe an F-111 front section with a wider F-15 fuselage and bigger wings.
But swing wings are very attractive too! Needs a pair of F-35 engines.
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How about a development of the P-8 with weapons bays forward and aft of the wing and with all the ASW gear stripped out:
(https://www.thedrive.com/content/2021/07/P-8-Arsenal-Ship-USAF.jpg?quality=85)
(https://preview.redd.it/c5t57l44r3f41.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=6ee7d80df96dcc6c3e096c55fe4ae70a30b21256)
See here for some thinking: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40859/the-case-for-stripping-the-p-8-poseidon-down-into-an-rb-8-multi-role-arsenal-ship (https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40859/the-case-for-stripping-the-p-8-poseidon-down-into-an-rb-8-multi-role-arsenal-ship)
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Hello USAF -- Take note !
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I’ve thought about converting an airliner into a bomb truck. Perhaps with a new fuselage shaped like a bomber instead of an airliner. Maybe a 757 or at least the wings. It would need Lantern pods built in with B-52 style chin bulges.
Still rolling around B-1 and fighter type of aircraft on steroids ideas.
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I’ve thought about converting an airliner into a bomb truck. Perhaps with a new fuselage shaped like a bomber instead of an airliner. Maybe a 757 or at least the wings. It would need Lantern pods built in with B-52 style chin bulges.
Something like this . . . ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/LHZjNV18/Boeing-advanced-bomber-concept-img0055-A.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
cheers,
Robin.
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That's very much like what I've been thinking of! Thanks!
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I’ve been thinking of an F-111 front end and an F-15 or F-14 widened fuselage. Trying to add a third engine might be a challenge. Maybe an F-16 style under fuselage scoop but squared up like the Eagle or Tomcat intakes.
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Maybe an F-16 style under fuselage scoop but squared up like the Eagle or Tomcat intakes.
A bit like this?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/MiG144_left_side.jpg/2880px-MiG144_left_side.jpg)
CFBV
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F-111?
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I was playing around with some kits tonight and I think the Monogram EF-111 and the Italeri F-14 kits will work. Between the two of them I can get some extra length in the fuselage and slightly widen the F-14 rear fuselage to match the F-111. Looking at extending the F-111 bomb bay part way down the F-14 fuselage and maybe a conformal hump aft of the cockpit. I started out thinking of multi tone grey but that’s been done before so it’s either European 1, SEA or SAC FB-111 camo. I also checked out an F-18E kit and it had some funky looking cruise missile in it that might work into the plan. Oh and I also have an old F-111B nose from the old Revell kit laying around.
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Encouraging research. Like to hear as concept proceeds.
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I'm wondering if some biz jets might have potential here.
The Bombardier Global Express has already seen a fair bit of modification for military roles. I wonder if a weapons bay of decent size could be put ahead of the wings, in the same area as the Sentinel that the RAF used to operate had their big antenna and sensor blister:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raytheon_Sentinel
The Embraer EMB-145-RS and Gulfsteam G550 have also seen similar military treatment.
If these aircraft have enough space ahead of their wings to be fitted with extensive sensor gear and have the engine power to get it off the ground, I imagine stripping the cabin out, putting a bomb bay in them and getting them to lift a medium sized bomb load might be in the realm of possibility.
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A very interesting idea! Sounds like this could go two different directions. A repurposed airliner or fast jet strike version. Airliner could get a high mounted wing for more fuselage bomb bay space but then what to do with the main gear? Hmmm……
I’m getting pretty settled on the F-111/F-14 combo. Just need to tweak it so it’s not too obvious. And a camo scheme.
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I just thought about carrying an Air Launched Cruise Missile on this build. and a couple bunker busters to follow up on the target with. Probably not practical but could be fun. An F-18E kit had two AGM-84 SLAM-ER that I might steal. Now to find who makes them in 1/72. Finding painting directions for an F-111 is harder that finding hens teeth. The kits I have show grey of the EF-111A or tan/olive /black which doesn't sound like any F-111 I've ever seen. Could just make something up but I like part of my builds to be plausible.
Also, does anyone know if the fuel tanks from the Monogram A-10 kit are close to the F-111 tanks? I've read the A-10 inherited the big tanks from the F-111 program for ferry flights. I have two of those or maybe F-15 tanks.
Looks like I need the AGM-158 JASSM missile for tactical strikes. Modelcollect make a kit but its expensive not even including shipping so the search goes on.
Another company from Ukraine called Armory makes them at a better price. Delivery might be lengthy but its no rush for me.
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An F-18E kit had two AGM-84 SLAM-ER that I might steal. Now to find who makes them in 1/72.
Options:
(http://www.modelking.com.tw/image/cache/data/201401122320005-800x600.jpg)
(https://www.hobbysta.eu/149852-large_default/agm-84-slam-er-cruise-missile-2-pcs.jpg)
Finding painting directions for an F-111 is harder that finding hens teeth. The kits I have show grey of the EF-111A or tan/olive /black which doesn't sound like any F-111 I've ever seen. Could just make something up but I like part of my builds to be plausible.
Depends or era, user, etc etc.
(https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f-111/images/f-111_profile01.jpg)
Try here for more: http://f-111.net (http://f-111.net)
Also, does anyone know if the fuel tanks from the Monogram A-10 kit are close to the F-111 tanks? I've read the A-10 inherited the big tanks from the F-111 program for ferry flights. I have two of those or maybe F-15 tanks.
Exact same tanks as far as I understand:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fc4xxO7XgAMw9t1.jpg)(https://ninetalis.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/1280px-f-111c_taking_off_during_1984.jpeg)
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Airliner could get a high mounted wing for more fuselage bomb bay space but then what to do with the main gear? Hmmm……
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Aerospace_146 ;)
cheers,
Robin.
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Thanks for that info G. I’ll look into that skunkmodel kit.
An enlarged 146 would be interesting. Thanks robunos.
I did a B737 with the wings remounted to an over the fuselage position with stub wings for the main gear in the original position. 1/200the scale IIRC.
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The Monogram A-10 tanks are definitely not the same shape as the F-111 tanks. I’ll probably save then for later. I’ll use the F-15 tanks. Unless I find an FB-111 kit with the tanks for cheap.
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I’ve thought about converting an airliner into a bomb truck. Perhaps with a new fuselage shaped like a bomber instead of an airliner. Maybe a 757 or at least the wings. It would need Lantern pods built in with B-52 style chin bulges.
Something like this . . . ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/LHZjNV18/Boeing-advanced-bomber-concept-img0055-A.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
cheers,
Robin.
Another picture . . .
(https://i.postimg.cc/yBDtn38R/Boeing-bomber-1-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
cheers,
Robin.
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Or some Tornado Hindenburger tanks?
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I had not thought of that! Good reason to try some resin casting.
My club had a white elephant gift exchange and I brought home a 1/48the scale Tomcat. Medium bomber might just get bigger!