Author Topic: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan  (Read 5873 times)

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« on: January 02, 2015, 07:59:31 AM »
Hi all,
I'm still working on the backstory and will post that later with more photos, but here's the placeholder:

DSCF0633_zps40eb0ee7 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

A Royal Air Force Boeing Enforcer GR.1, as used in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom ca.2003. Airfix's new-tool 1/72 P-51D....with some mods...
« Last Edit: January 09, 2020, 04:56:23 AM by KiwiZac »
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline Frank3k

  • Excession
  • Global Moderator
  • Formerly Frank2056. New upgrade!
    • My new webpage
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2015, 08:27:14 AM »
That looks great! Where did you get the wide blade props?

Offline elmayerle

  • Its about time there was an Avatar shown here...
  • Über Engineer...at least that is what he tells us.
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2015, 09:33:57 AM »
Boeing bought the rights from Piper during a bankruptcy?  Still, looks nice and would make a lot of sense for that theatre of war.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2015, 10:54:10 AM »
Wicked way to start 2015! :)
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Volkodav

  • Counts rivits with his abacus...
  • Much older now...but procrastinating about it
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2015, 10:57:50 AM »
Now that is nice :)

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2015, 01:12:52 PM »
A three day Zac special, got my mojo back guys! ;-) I should be able to get the pics off the camera tonight.

***

In 1984, Piper changed hands when parent company Bangor Punta was acquired by Lear Siegler. Lear Siegler, in turn, was acquired by Forstmann Little in 1986. Forstmann Little then sold Piper to M. Stuart Millar in 1987, although the PA-48 design rights and tooling were sold to McDonnell Douglas as Millar wanted the company to focus exclusively on the civil market.
 
USAF trials of the PA-48 were successful and on July 3 1988 the service placed an order for 100 airframes as the A-11 Enforcer, with a 3000hp T53-L7C engine. The Royal Air Force also showed interest however no order was forthcoming due to perceived role crossover with the BAe Harrier.
 
Following Boeing's 1996 acquisition of Rockwell's North American division, McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in August 1997 in a US $13 billion stock swap, with Boeing as the surviving company. Not only did this make the A-11 a Boeing product but it also meant the copyright to the original P-51D and the A-11 were under the same owner. Although they saw only limited service in Kosovo the A-11s were very popular with their crews.
 
With the retirement of the Harrier fleet looming the RAF once more investigated the Enforcer as an option and in mid-2000 an order was placed for 25 airframes. The intent was to operate the type alongside the existing Harrier fleet with the possibility to order more as the Harriers were retired.
 
Following the terror attacks on September 11 2001 US and UK forces deployed to Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom, including the RAF's first Enforcer squadron. Both squadrons deployed but when forces withdrew one unit was disbanded and its aircraft handed over to the Afghans.
« Last Edit: January 02, 2015, 02:55:34 PM by KiwiZac »
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2015, 04:53:15 PM »
Apologies for the delay! Here are the pics:

DSCF0620_zps5370aa66 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSCF0630_zps38badfdc by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSCF0618_zps84dc5531 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSCF0629_zpsbd5ac694 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSCF0617_zps0d360eae by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSCF0621_zpsf1c954eb by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSCF0615_zps31041cc5 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
 
The donors:
Empennage - Matchbox Provost and Italeri Corsair
Prop - Academy Typhoon or Tempest
Stores - Academy F-15E and Airfix MRCA
Aerials - Hobby Boss T-6G, Italeri Bell 412 and RB-66E
Seat - RB-66E
Decals - Airfix Lightning and naval Lynx
Tailwheel - Italeri BAe Hawk

Thanks for the kind words already posted :-)
« Last Edit: January 09, 2020, 04:55:45 AM by KiwiZac »
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
  • Finds part glues it on, finds part glues it on....
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2015, 05:07:14 PM »
Captured look of Enforcer as seems it would be for Afghanistan ops :)
What are two larger underwing stores?  One fuel drop tank?

Offline LemonJello

  • MARPAT Master
  • Member number 100...WooHoo!!!
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2015, 10:05:13 PM »
Very cool! Nice COIN platform that really looks like it means business.

Offline Volkodav

  • Counts rivits with his abacus...
  • Much older now...but procrastinating about it
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2015, 10:15:14 PM »
Had the Enforcer still been on offer in the 2000's I could easily see it being used for COIN in Iraq and / or Afghanistan.

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2015, 08:01:57 AM »
I really like the look of those subdued RAF markings. They're the perfect compliment to that wonderful olive paint scheme!

Well done, Mango King!

Brian da Basher

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2020, 04:55:07 AM »
Belated thanks, Brian!

Photo links refreshed with great thanks to Flickr and none at all to Photobucket.

I still want one of those Lift Here 1/72 resin Enforcer kits to do a real-world one...one day!
« Last Edit: January 09, 2020, 04:57:11 AM by KiwiZac »
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline elmayerle

  • Its about time there was an Avatar shown here...
  • Über Engineer...at least that is what he tells us.
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2020, 06:28:10 AM »
That's a beautifully done conversion that really looks the part.  Bravo!!

Online The Big Gimper

  • Any model will look better in RCAF, SEAC or FAA markings
  • Global Moderator
  • Cut. Cut. Cut. Measure. Cut. Cut. Crap. Toss.
    • Photobucket Modeling Album
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2020, 07:30:13 AM »
Nicely done Zac!
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

User and abuser of Bothans...

Offline kitnut617

  • Measures the actual aircraft before modelling it...we have the photographic evidence.
  • Holding Pattern
  • *
  • I'd rather be dirtbike riding...
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2020, 09:31:50 AM »
Looks good  :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: RAF Boeing Enforcer GR.1 in Afghanistan
« Reply #15 on: January 09, 2020, 06:34:05 PM »
Thanks gents! I remember it being a lot of fun and very satisfying  8)
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates