Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Stories => Topic started by: GTX_Admin on December 04, 2025, 05:29:19 AM
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Shield for the Fist
In January 1961 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) entered the missile era when No. 30 Squadron was re-formed at RAAF Base Williamtown as a Surface-to-Air Guided Weapons Squadron equipped with Bloodhound missiles. In this role the squadron initially provided air defence to the Sydney region and, from June 1965, to Darwin during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. The weapon of choice for the squadron was the Bristol Bloodhound Mk 1.
Over the coming years there would be rapid development in the missile field and by the end of the decade, the Bloodhound missiles which were seen as leading edge only a few years before were starting to look dated. Moreover, the RAAF was growing increasingly concerned that the Bloodhound’s capabilities would see it being less able to defend against possible Indonesian or other attackers.
In 1968 a decision was made to greatly enhance the 30 Squadron capability. As part of Australia’s close relationship with the United States, including especially within Vietnam, the decision had been made to replace the Bloodhounds with a system of US origin. The system selected was the MIM-14 Nike Hercules, a common missile used by U.S. and NATO armed forces for medium- and high-altitude long-range air defence. The first of these new missiles were delivered in June 1969 and were initially used by 30 Squadron in Darwin. In 1971, a second Squadron (31 Squadron) was equipped with the type and established at RAAF Base Tindal.
The latter were viewed as being critical to, and indeed driven by the need for, defending Australia’s new strike capability. This was the new land-based derivative of the submarine based Polaris missile. Loaded into silos constructed in the vicinity of Tindal and also at the Delamere range (though these were not known about until declassified in the 1990s), these weapons were the outcome of Australia’s nuclear program of the 1950s and 1960s.
Australia had worked closely with both the British and American governments on this. Initial delivery system focus had been manned bombers and indeed the RAAF looked closely at equipping either a squadron of V-bombers or later the existing EE Canberra force with such. This then evolved into possible deployment of the Blue Streak medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) that Australia cooperated on with the British government. When this program was cancelled, the Australian Government turned to a straight-forward purchase of weapons from the USA. In 1966 a deal was struck whereby the RAAF would acquire some 30 land-based variants of the Polaris A-3 missile. Having a range of approximately 4600 km, these Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs) perfectly met Australia’s requirement and would form the ‘mailed fist’ of Australia’s defence capability. In RAAF Service, these would be operated by No. 4 Squadron.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/a07712f7-3378-4f37-b261-f34176123eec/049739c4-149c-4a98-b858-bea6878503a0.jpg)(https://hosting.photobucket.com/a07712f7-3378-4f37-b261-f34176123eec/6f38bd1e-fc81-4504-95bb-630d3d1512a1.jpeg)
Above: The "Fist":
Left: One of Australia's Land based Polaris Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles
Right: Map showing typical range of Australia's IRBMs
The Polaris missiles weren’t the only weapons fitted with nuclear warheads in RAAF service. Approximately half the Nike Hercules missiles of No. 31 squadron (those at Tindal) were also equipped with a 20 kt warhead. The variants based at Darwin were only fitted with a conventional, albeit still powerful (502kg) warhead.
Finally, recognising that the Nike Hercules missiles represented a capability only able to be used in the most extreme circumstances, it was felt that a new, conventional weapon was also required to supplement, and indeed protect these strategic weapons. This would also come from the USA in the form of the MIM-23 HAWK missile system. No. 32 Squadron RAAF would be equipped with the type from 1971. These operated from multiple locations with between 3 and 4 detachments in operation, covering Darwin, Tindal, Butterworth in Malaysia and for a period of time RTAF Ubon in Thailand to support deployed RAAF CAC Sabres.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/a07712f7-3378-4f37-b261-f34176123eec/8bb66e9c-cc94-49a2-a84c-e382bbf43386.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/a07712f7-3378-4f37-b261-f34176123eec/3989ee99-b7e5-47b0-aaf4-1113d36071f1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/a07712f7-3378-4f37-b261-f34176123eec/7c82f275-923f-4d13-af8a-984632c87cd5.jpg)
The Shield:
Top: RAAF MIM-14 Nike Hercules
Middle: RAAF MIM-23 HAWK - not only were these placed in fixed mounts, they were also used in mobile roles.
Bottom: Radars used to support HAWK: Trailer-mounted AN/MPQ-48 CWAR. In the foreground is the Pulse Acquisition Radar (the standard AN/MPQ-50 set but truck mounted for better mobility).
The combination of Polaris, Nike Hercules and HAWK would continue in service until 1988 when Australia decommissioned its nuclear capability. For a period of time the HAWK missiles continued in service until these too were replaced by the MIM-104 Patriot missiles, with only No. 32 Squadron remaining active.
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???
Well, during the 80s, a few grassroots Liberal party members were lobbying to procure a small force of SSBNs. The idea was to replace the carrier and RAAF strike with this capability. The rest of the ADF would concentrate on ASW/trade protection and tactical operations.
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Good work :smiley: :smiley:
Buying equipment off the shelf without mods for “ local conditions “ what a concept ;)
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I'm not a fan of nuclear weapons (Who is, really?) but they are effective, if a tad overkill under some circumstances.
However, nuclear power is a different kettle of fish!
If Australia had gone with nuclear power in the 1970s, or even the early 1980s, & acquired/built a hybrid nuke/diesel submarine fleet then (&, maybe, even a smaller nuke carrier or two), we might be in a better position to protect our strategic interests now.
But maybe we'd still end up paying the price for the "peace dividend", as we are currently.
All that said: I like the idea of the Fist & its Shield! :smiley:
I have a set of Hawk missiles ... Does anyone know if anyone manufactures kits of the radars? ???
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I have a set of Hawk missiles ... Does anyone know if anyone manufactures kits of the radars? ???
Interestingly enough, this idea started with the simple idea of having Australia operate the HAWK.
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Australia did seriously look at having nuclear weapons back in the 50s/60s. Thus this idea is not that far fetched.
I must once again thank Stephen for his artistry and other contributions.
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Of course, under a scenario such as this whereby Australia's main strike capability is in the form of nuclear tipped IRBMs, it would probably be unlikely that the F-111Cs would be acquired. This might then have a more 'defensive' approach taken (in fact, one might well argue the IRBMs are defensive in nature).
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I have a set of Hawk missiles ... Does anyone know if anyone manufactures kits of the radars? ???
Not quite 1/35, but they old Renwall/Revell 1/32 kit is available:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-00016-northrop-hawk-weapon-system--111765 (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-00016-northrop-hawk-weapon-system--111765)
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/9/1/0/154910-10571-pristine.jpg)
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Cool kit 8) 8) 8)
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Looks like I've found something;
(https://fbi.cults3d.com/uploaders/23232502/illustration-file/78e39bf3-36e8-4320-8d16-43993dbd094e/90efa7cc-9d77-401c-8fc0-d021d499738c.jpg)
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/mim-23-hawk-series-par-pulse-acquisition-radar-an-mpq-50?srsltid=AfmBOoo7yLSd_Mwvasu0B5p9B8-3Afw5cxuqN2mejuiQ5eO8f77QraX0 (https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/mim-23-hawk-series-par-pulse-acquisition-radar-an-mpq-50?srsltid=AfmBOoo7yLSd_Mwvasu0B5p9B8-3Afw5cxuqN2mejuiQ5eO8f77QraX0)
(https://fbi.cults3d.com/uploaders/23232502/illustration-file/a098e3cb-ab47-42b3-8fa6-b160020e73fb/fc73a976-cc18-440c-b8e4-6b1e04f1516a.jpg)
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/mim-23-hawk-series-an-mpq-46-hpir-high-power-illuminating-radar?srsltid=AfmBOoq_kzifP_NNrApi-QJ2ZSXcxVL_m0AQ8H_W95vyrxwFwq_YtMPS (https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/mim-23-hawk-series-an-mpq-46-hpir-high-power-illuminating-radar?srsltid=AfmBOoq_kzifP_NNrApi-QJ2ZSXcxVL_m0AQ8H_W95vyrxwFwq_YtMPS)
(https://fbi.cults3d.com/uploaders/23232502/illustration-file/f829ef0c-2c3a-421e-a471-c5f48870e778/49e22a0f-20fa-4fd0-8ecf-7ee2f7623690.jpg)
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/mim-23-hawk-series-an-mpq-55-cwar-continuous-wave-acquisition-radar-unit?srsltid=AfmBOor_sjd-I7e9O1MAloJsJQwvGtH1zyxcv8oi0BBU0j1JDR5zVsku (https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/mim-23-hawk-series-an-mpq-55-cwar-continuous-wave-acquisition-radar-unit?srsltid=AfmBOor_sjd-I7e9O1MAloJsJQwvGtH1zyxcv8oi0BBU0j1JDR5zVsku)
Unfortunately, I don't have a 3D printer & no real desire to be divorced.
Oh, well! ::)
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:smiley:
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I saw those. You should look for a local(ish) 3D printing service that has resin printers and see if A) they're willing to print this for you if you buy the file, B) the cost C) if they'll rescale it to 1/35 (if they do, it'll probably be at an extra cost)
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Your scenario is interesting. However the Polaris missiles cover what? It's good to know there is a nuclear umbrella over the world's source of cheap trainers and Norfolk Island pines. A couple smallish subs (you want more than one to to rotate one on patrol and one on maintenance) holding say, 6-8 missiles would be adequate to provide Australia with a credible second strike capability. There are ways to make conventional subs very quiet, and and they can patrol in the range of worthwhile targets. I will grant the land based missiles are less expensive, though. Since the US is opening its nuclear arsenal to Australia, how about a dozen or so turnkey Nuclear equipped B-58s?