Hawker codevelops a VTOL/STOL version complete with ogival tips on all flying surfaces. :o :o :o ;DStol version applying the Harrier's nozzles in place of the deflecting nozzles originally contemplated for the A-6.
Profile wise, I think a few Antipodean examples have been done. I've done RAAF & RAN examples in various camos & marks including A-6As, Es & Prowlers.
Regards,
John
Missileer!
(I remember there to be two proposals to that project. One with TF30s and the other keeping the J52s; what would the performance difference have been in your estimation?)
Another idea... what mechanical or structural barriers are there to grafting F-15-style shoulder rails onto Intruder/Prowler wing pylons? Thinking about possibly adding them to the six wing stations on "FrankenProwler II"...My first thought is that you'd probably be best off adapting the F-15 pylons rather than re-engineering A-6 pylons, probably fewer changes. Beyond that, I'm not convinced the pylons are far enough apart that facing missiles on adjacent launchers wouldn't interfere with each other (definitely something to be engineered out if you can.
Anotehr thought, how about a SV-22/SA-6B team?
Reportedly, Israel wanted to acquire the A-6 back in the '60s but were not allowed to. However in the whiffverse...
Alternatively, use a pair of 1/48 AV-8B "zero-scraf" front nozzles and modify each to represent a variable 2-D con-di nozzle rather than a fixed rectangluar nozzle.
... AVEN/LOAN nozzles ... AV-8B "zero-scraf" front nozzles ... variable 2-D con-di nozzle ...
And the "zero scarf" nozzles are these from the front of the AV-8B series:
OK, "zero-scarf" is still a bit of a mystery but I think, from what I've been able to discover, that it is the squared-off, flat-ended nozzle of the later Harriers, as opposed to the nozzles of early Harriers, which angle back towards the fuselage ("scarfed").
:)
Guy
Idea: 1/32 wing on 1/48 A-6 fuse , or 1/48 wing on 1/72 fuse for a 150% wing up-scale?
RN FAA Intruders/Prowlers instead of cancelled Buccaneer...later going to the RAF.
Also, it's worth noting the Prowler airframe grosses out a ton and a half heavier than the Intruder, so it might be a better choice as a bed for a CAS aircraft.
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...I couldn't begin to guess as even the load paths changed and that shifts everything (going through that now, different aircraft and program, but loads and load paths drive a lot, both internal structure and skin panel design). At a WAG, I'd reckon you might gain back half the weight you lost in the composite wing, but that's strictly a WAG for beef-ups and such. The proper fix would be new fuselage structure in that area, but that would really drive costs up. I will note, though, that, given that the engine bays are in the same area, re-doing that structure and adding dry F404/412/414 engines gets less expensive since you're re-designing the structure anyway.
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
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
Nice to see someone working on my idea from three years ago (reply #11)..... ;D
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
Perhaps SA broadens their potential support base by buying AS-30's for their A-6's? I could see Grumman being willing to assist in the integration of them so as to increase the export potential of the A-6 (be amusing if this lead to Aeronavale A-6's with Exocets).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
If the US was willing to sell SA A-6s they 'd probably also sell Bullpups to with them, rather than AS-30s.
I scaled some drawings of an S-3 and A-6 and found that an A-6 can carry about 30 sonobuoys just forward of the arrestor hook. Normal A-6 drop tanks could carry about 20 a piece so add a pair of them and you have a worthwhile load of 70. This would still allowing for normal drop tanks and/or weaponry to be carried and longer range missions to be flown with the fuselage buoys only. Versatility is always a good thing especially when it's fairly easy to implement.Sorry, missed this Cliffy B :P
How about an unmanned tanker version for the USN, perhaps even returned from the graveyard, re-engined, re-winged and filled to the brim with fuel.
Perhaps made from a Prowler, with the longer fuse? Wiki says that's an extra 5ft of fuel...
I like your thinking. A KQ-6 uninhabited carrier based tanker would be cool.I found a 1/72 Hasegawa Prowler on Saturday but I didn't have enough for it. One day...
I like it! I'd swap out the vertical stab for a standard one for looks.I'll agree on that swap for a KA-6B or whatever you'd call it.
([url]https://combatace.com/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh173/SPINNERS1961/WHAT%2520IF%25202010/WHAT%2520IF%25202011/IDFA-6IINTRUDER03.jpg&key=1fcd93e041f1737545bed701a1d2b2bc3cec09c2ed9674b658f1b4fc8220d098[/url])