Evan, how much beef-up in the fuse would it take to handle the composite wing's added load, for a WAG? Enough to be a net weight gain, a wash or might there still be some weight reduction? Every pound of airframe we can take off without compromising structural strength and safety-margin is another pound of fuel and weps we can pump in or hang on...
Looking for some ideas ... basic premise is F-111 problems lead to the A-6 winding up in USAF service during the 70's. A basic A model with SEA camo would be pretty easy but was also thinking about a dedicated night striker, sort of follow on for B-57G capability. I'm working from the HobbyBoss Intruder kit. I'm fixing the wing as non folding by removing the wingfold and adding a third pylon ala the EA-6A. Removing the tow link from the nose strut. Not sure on keeping the tail hook. Really trying to figure out the night sensor suite. Don't want to use the TRAM turret. Always liked the B-57G sensor chin but won't work here as it would mess up air into the engine inlets. I'd like to keep the centerline pylon available for drop tank. Which leaves something like a forward facing pod built into the nose radome or something like TISEO sensor(s) built into one or two of the wing pylons. Or, any other ideas out there?Probably going to hang GBU-8's for the load out and jammer pod(s) and or Sidewinders on the new outboard pylons. Any other specific detail ides welcome,thanks
Quote from: GaryF on April 15, 2015, 03:24:21 PMLooking for some ideas ... basic premise is F-111 problems lead to the A-6 winding up in USAF service during the 70's. A basic A model with SEA camo would be pretty easy but was also thinking about a dedicated night striker, sort of follow on for B-57G capability. I'm working from the HobbyBoss Intruder kit. I'm fixing the wing as non folding by removing the wingfold and adding a third pylon ala the EA-6A. Removing the tow link from the nose strut. Not sure on keeping the tail hook. Really trying to figure out the night sensor suite. Don't want to use the TRAM turret. Always liked the B-57G sensor chin but won't work here as it would mess up air into the engine inlets. I'd like to keep the centerline pylon available for drop tank. Which leaves something like a forward facing pod built into the nose radome or something like TISEO sensor(s) built into one or two of the wing pylons. Or, any other ideas out there?Probably going to hang GBU-8's for the load out and jammer pod(s) and or Sidewinders on the new outboard pylons. Any other specific detail ides welcome,thanksNice to see someone working on my idea from three years ago (reply #11)..... Not clear why you don't want the TRAM turret: it's pretty much perfect for the night-intuder role.
I like the idea of de-navalizing. Shave off 100's of lbs of weight which is converted to payload.
Life extended Intruder armed with Brimstone, APKWS, SBD MkII, etc. over Libya or Iraq. .... [snip] .... RAN, RAM.....
So earlier in this thread someone mentioned the SAAF had an interest in the Intruder. Any one got more info on this? Spent last night looking at SAAF Buccaneer pics and wondering how nice an A-6 would look in those colors with 4x AS-30's or a load of M117s. Any other thought about a SAAF Intruder?Gary
Quote from: GaryF on April 19, 2015, 02:11:09 PMSo earlier in this thread someone mentioned the SAAF had an interest in the Intruder. Any one got more info on this? Spent last night looking at SAAF Buccaneer pics and wondering how nice an A-6 would look in those colors with 4x AS-30's or a load of M117s. Any other thought about a SAAF Intruder?GaryIf the US was willing to sell SA A-6s they 'd probably also sell Bullpups to with them, rather than AS-30s.