Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Rickshaw on November 06, 2013, 09:32:09 AM
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The CA-34 Super Sabre
After the success of the CA-27 Avon Sabre, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) looked to capitalise on it's close relationship with the the North American aircraft corporation in the United States. An obvious follow on, as occurred in the USAF was for the RAAF to adopt the F-100 Super Sabre a supersonic development of the F-86 Sabre.
Lawrence Hartnet, the head of CAC was keen and lobbied the RAAF heavily. The RAAF, anxious to move up, into the Supersonic Club was interested and test flew the F-100A in 1955. While critical of some of the handling of that version of the Super Sabre, the RAAF was interested some of the proposals being put forward by North American to the USAF to improve the aircraft. They were also interested in the hints that a dedicated strike version was being designed, built on the F-100. The RAAF saw potentials in using a common, supersonic airframe for both the Fighter and the Strike roles in their inventory.
Hartnet hoped to repeat the commercial success he had, had with the F-86 Sabre, negotiating a license production agreement. He also hoped to utilise the same, albeit an uprated version, of the Rolls Royce Avon to give economies of scale and improved performance and reliability.
Convincing the government of the day, which was flush still with money from the Wool boom which the Korean War had created, was not unduly difficult. A squadron of F-100Ds were purchased directly from North American in 1957. Equipped with more advanced avionics, larger wing and tail fin, landing flaps, most of the vices of the early versions were at least partially if not completely cured. Issued to 76 Squadron, the "Black Panthers", the aircraft served for over a decade and as far afield as in Malaysia and even Thailand. Armied with four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and four 20mm cannon they were a formidable fighter and with several 500 or 1000 lb bombs or rockets, a useful fight-bomber.
The plans however, to purchase more never came about. With the rapid advance of aeronautics, within a few years Mach 2 fighters were the standard and the F-100D had been overtaken by technology. Coupled with its lack of an onboard radar which limited its utility in the interceptor role to strictly clear weather use only, the search started for a general replacement in 1959. Further, the abandonment by the USAF, of the dedicated strike version, the F-107 meant that the search for replacement for the aging Canberras had to start again as well.
The Aircraft depicted is from 76 Squadron in 1960, stationed at RAAF Base, Point Cook, Victoria.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img689/1339/ugl9.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img9/8939/zyit.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img543/2236/4fmk.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img9/8939/zyit.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img600/9056/00yt.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img18/2530/vr1b.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img13/7716/nr8m.jpg)
The kit is the old Esci F-100D which scrubs up very nicely indeed. Painted by rattle can and brush.
post modified by jcf to add photo links :)
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Nice work, I like the metalizer on the exhaust :)
(Thanks JCF)
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I like it :)
Looks as it should/would :)
Can remember a time when F-100 was in its prime. Had Aurora 1/77 F-100.
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Oooo, shiny! Everything looks good with roos 8)
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Very plausible and it looks great in those markings!
Cheers,
Logan
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Superb!!!!! :icon_beer: The F100 is one of my all time favs ...............
Brent
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Very nice.
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And he does it again, good job!
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An F-100 with roos! Outstanding!
Brian da Basher
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Could even go for a Malaysian style RAAF with a different type in each squadron, looking forward to the RAAF F-104, F-105, F-106 and F-4!
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Hmm, I could see an Aussie-built one with an Avon 300 - or an RM6C (Swedish version with better performance) in place of the J57. You might lose a bit of thrust but you'll make it back in reduced weight (single-spool turbojet versus a large, two-spool turbojet), much like the proposed export version of the F-100 with the J79. For that matter, the proposed FJ-5 that's powered by a J79 and half-way between a F-100 and a F-107 (solid nose but with a plain pitot inlet instead of the F-107's variable one).
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I think I have an incomplete Airfix Super Mystere in a box some where and some Avon Sabre decals as well...........one day maybe when the kids are older and sick of the sight of me instead of fighting for my attention 24/7 as they currently do.
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Thanks for all the kind comments.
My plan was for Hartnett to do what he'd done with the Avon Sabre - put a more powerful (and truth be told apparently a more reliable) engine into the Super Sabre. Obviously an uprated Avon was the best choice. It was in production downunder for the Sabre and the RAAF was already familar with it. While the Mk.300 was essentially a new engine, it shared a common philosophy and most of its support systems as the earlier ones.
Taildantomcat, no metaliser was harmed in the production of this model. Tamiya "Chrome" rattle can, mainly, some Tamiya gun metal for the exhaust, some Citadel "orange gold" (stolen from my son's Warhammer box) and a few other assorted colours. ;D
I think it looks like a reasonable reproduction of what natural metal looks like after it's started oxidising.
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F-100 fighter with an F-100 engine seems like a logical combination ???
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F-100 fighter with an F-100 engine seems like a logical combination ???
The F100 is quite a bit bigger than the Avon though (max diameter 46.5 in vs 35.7 in) and half a ton heavier. Mind you, an unreheated F100 puts out more thrust than the RB.146 Avon Mk.301 in full burner!
Rickshaw: The oxidized tail area turned out a treat. Sure would be nice to see your Super Sabre in later camouflage too :)
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Would an Olympus fit?
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Olympus 201
Length: 126.4 in
Diameter: 41.75 in
Maximum thrust: 17,000 lb
(Higher powered variants have greater diameter, most Olympus are not afterburning)
J57-P-23
Length: 244 in (6,200 mm)
Diameter: 39 in (1,000 mm)
Dry weight: 5,175 lb (2,347 kg)
Maximum thrust: 11,700 lbf (52.0 kN) dry, 17,200 lbf (76.5 kN) with afterburner
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Got a shoe horn? ;D
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At a later date, as a retrofit (assuming that the RAAF was flying something powered by the F100 to make the logisitics plausible, a PW1120 to replace the J57/Avon/etc. would be doable, plausible even. But that would be a retrofit given when that engine was available.
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Just saw this build, absolutely brilliant!! 8) 8)
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Same here.. great job on that.
I certainly looks right
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Wow, that so right in that scheme! nice job!
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Mighty nice! Also my favorite of the Century fighters that actually flew.... ;)