Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Scenarios => Topic started by: KiwiZac on November 12, 2015, 09:04:47 AM

Title: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: KiwiZac on November 12, 2015, 09:04:47 AM
Hi all,
From a few years back, here's a thread talking about aircraft considered by the Royal Australian Air Force at various times: http://www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboard/index.php?showtopic=1856 (http://www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboard/index.php?showtopic=1856)

Some personal highlights (and potential subjects) for me are:
"Wanted 60-90 B-17Es in 1942, but not obtainable"
"Danced with ideas of P-47Ds in 1943"
"More later,...including F-104, F-100, Dracon etc etc to Viggen and Tornado to F-15A to mid 70's"
Unfortunately the poster never delivered on that last one, but there's still some interesting stuff there to consider.
Title: Re: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: elmayerle on November 12, 2015, 10:53:32 AM
I always wanted to do a whif version of Stewart Wilson's "In Australian Service" books, mine would be "Hurricane (P.1121), Arrow, and Eagle" in Australian service.  I think they definitely would have been interested on the P.1121 if it had gone farther and, really, replacing its Gyron with the Arrow's Iroquois would have made a much better aircraft.  In addition to its interceptor role, the Arrow would've easily been suitable for reconnaissance (looking at adapting a RF-111 conversion to an Arrow kit) and Avro Canada was looking at other roles (the strike version proposed to the RAF, for example).  The Eagle (TSR.2) speaks for itself.
Title: Re: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: GTX_Admin on November 13, 2015, 02:57:01 AM
I always wanted to do a whif version of Stewart Wilson's "In Australian Service" books, mine would be "Hurricane (P.1121), Arrow, and Eagle" in Australian service. 

Cool idea
Title: Re: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: KiwiZac on November 13, 2015, 05:38:45 AM
That would be brilliant. Sign me up for a copy?
Title: Re: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: GTX_Admin on November 14, 2015, 04:28:20 AM
Some fuel - all based upon real/proposed contenders for various competitions over the decades:

For Mirage III Replacement (won by F/A-18A/B):

The list at one time included:This was apparently the list during the early - mid '70s.

Later on the YF-17 was also looked at as well as the Sepecat Jaguar, A-10, Mirage 2000 were all mentioned.

The eventual list considered during the late '70s was:
Others:

A-400M - was looked at (EADS even tried to interest Australia in a co-production role) under AIR8000.  Eventually lost out since the C-17 was available now!

AIR-87 - contenders included: I also believe that at various times some of the Kamov/Mil products were offered as was the AH-60L and a variant of the Super Seasprite.

F-35 alternatives - under the guise of AIR6000, just about every modern combat aircraft was a potential option, though the F-35 join in killed off the comp.  Possible contenders included:
AEW&C Aircraft:  E-2s and E-3s were both looked at numerous times from the late '70s onwards, as was a AEW&C variant of the P-3 and the C-130.  The final contenders for what eventually became Wedgetail also included a C-130 derivative and an A-300 (or 310) fitted with the Israeli Phalcon system.

Another often overlooked RAAF competition was for a Caribou replacement (under AIR5190).  Possible contenders included:
Title: Re: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: KiwiZac on November 19, 2015, 04:38:22 AM
Some fuel - all based upon real/proposed contenders for various competitions over the decades:

For Mirage III Replacement (won by F/A-18A/B):
  • Dassault Mirage 2000

Another often overlooked RAAF competition was for a Caribou replacement (under AIR5190).  Possible contenders included:
  • Re-engined Caribou with Turbo-props and possible fuselage extension.
Both ideas I'd like to build. Imagine a TurBou, SAAF TurboDak-style. I don't like grey but that would look mean.
Title: Re: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: GTX_Admin on November 19, 2015, 04:48:49 AM
One doesn't need to imagine:

(http://www.flightworks.com/uploads/charter/DHC-4_Ext_$1$otCIshNK$Hi366VLCicCRkDbKfsX0C_e28b3424c9fc.jpg)
(http://www.ausairpower.net/Other/Turbo-Caribou-31.jpg)
(http://www.flightworks.com/uploads/charter/DHC-4_EngNacelle_$1$H4ywUesa$.KnkCKozu2gWlNMyRxqZS0_cfa32a50e409.jpg)
(http://www.ausairpower.net/Other/Turbo-Engine-01.jpg)
Title: Re: Real alternate RAAF aircraft (as model fodder)
Post by: KiwiZac on November 19, 2015, 05:02:47 AM
And I see High Planes makes a Bou in 1/144 - would that be a better basis than the Amodel kit? The Amodel's certainly cheaper.