Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: KiwiZac on January 02, 2015, 07:59:31 AM
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Hi all,
I'm still working on the backstory and will post that later with more photos, but here's the placeholder:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4123/35680879035_716c236726_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WmZQez)DSCF0633_zps40eb0ee7 (https://flic.kr/p/WmZQez) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), 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...
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That looks great! Where did you get the wide blade props?
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Boeing bought the rights from Piper during a bankruptcy? Still, looks nice and would make a lot of sense for that theatre of war.
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Wicked way to start 2015! :)
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Now that is nice :)
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A three day Zac special, got my mojo back guys! ;-) I should be able to get the pics off the camera tonight.
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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.
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Apologies for the delay! Here are the pics:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4241/34871682783_7c2f0f3b28_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V8uuo4)DSCF0620_zps5370aa66 (https://flic.kr/p/V8uuo4) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4263/34871682593_f46d6cc786_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V8uujM)DSCF0630_zps38badfdc (https://flic.kr/p/V8uujM) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4242/34871682843_3982286d02_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V8uup6)DSCF0618_zps84dc5531 (https://flic.kr/p/V8uup6) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4054/34871682503_1830d3af46_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V8uuie)DSCF0629_zpsbd5ac694 (https://flic.kr/p/V8uuie) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4242/34871682933_3a7429bb71_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V8uuqD)DSCF0617_zps0d360eae (https://flic.kr/p/V8uuqD) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4043/35680880295_8424abdd4b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WmZQBi)DSCF0621_zpsf1c954eb (https://flic.kr/p/WmZQBi) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4214/34871683013_73da71b394_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/V8uus2)DSCF0615_zps31041cc5 (https://flic.kr/p/V8uus2) by Zac Yates (https://www.flickr.com/photos/83399146@N05/), 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 :-)
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Captured look of Enforcer as seems it would be for Afghanistan ops :)
What are two larger underwing stores? One fuel drop tank?
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Very cool! Nice COIN platform that really looks like it means business.
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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.
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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
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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!
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That's a beautifully done conversion that really looks the part. Bravo!!
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Nicely done Zac!
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Looks good :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
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Thanks gents! I remember it being a lot of fun and very satisfying 8)