Re: Spinners' Strike Fighters Thread

[SPINNERS]

Hispano Aviación Ha-1112 'Buchon' - Grupo 6, Fuerza Aérea Argentina, 1951

FAA Ha-1112 BUCHON.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

FAA Ha-1112 BUCHON.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

FAA Ha-1112 BUCHON.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

FAA Ha-1112 BUCHON.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

The Ha-1112 has always fascinated me with it's Merlin engine squeezed into the small airframe of the Hurricane and Spitfire's archetypal enemy. It also came into service very late (1954) and incredibly remained in service until 1965 before going onto a successful film career! Anyway, just like the real thing, this beta release is a conversion from a Bf-109 3D model and is slightly rough around the edges around the nose area so I've just tweaked the skin slightly and added some pretty generic Argentinian markings. It does fly nice though!

[SPINNERS]

BAC Canberra B(I)8A - No.213 Squadron, RAF Germany, 1974

RAF CANBERRA B8A.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8A.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8A.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8A.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8A.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8A.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

There's nothing special about seeing the Canberra in RAF service during the 1970's is there? However, No.213 Squadron were part of the Bruggen strike wing but whereas their partner squadrons were equipped with the Canberra B(I)8 they had to make do with the supposedly interim B(I)6. This 'what if' gives them the B(I)8, has them flying it into the era of 'tactical' national markings and also has them Martel equipped - so it's a triple whif!

[SPINNERS]

English Electric Canberra B(I)8 - No.148 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command, 1965

In 1963, with the Mark 2 versions of the Vulcan and Victor becoming the spearhead of Bomber Command, four Valiant squadrons (49, 148, 207 and 214) were assigned to SACEUR forming a powerful strike wing based at Marham in Norfolk. But during the summer of 1964 fatigue cracks were discovered in the front and rear wing spars of several aircraft and whilst serious consideration was given to a rebuild programme the estimated unit cost of this was close to the original price of a Valiant so a rebuild programme was ruled out. However, when further cracks were discovered the RAF reluctantly grounded the Valiant in December 1964. In January 1965, this lead to Denis Healey (Minister of Defence) declaring that the Valiant situation was "causing considerable embarrassment for us with our NATO allies" and that an interim solution was urgently being sought "to restore our missing strike power and commitment to SACEUR".

The interim solution announced by Denis Healey on January 23rd, 1965 was that the Valiant squadrons would re-equip with new English Electric Canberra B(I).8's. A new batch of 60 Canberra B(I).8's was ordered and, fortunately, the Samlesbury production line had only been inactive (except for conversions) since February 1964 when the final Canberra B(I).12 for South Africa was rolled out so reactivation was quick and relatively inexpensive. The grounded Valiant squadrons were hastily issued with Canberra T.4's, Canberra B.6's and a handful of B(I).8's so that aircrew could convert to the type and remain current until their new aircraft arrived. Finished in anti-flash white and powered by Rolls-Royce Avon RA.7 engines, the Marham strike wing were initially armed with American Mk28 (B-61) free-fall tactical nuclear bombs before switching to the UK WE.177B in late 1966. The Canberra B(I).8's remained in service until 1974 when they were replaced by Buccaneer GR.3's.

RAF CANBERRA B8.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.07 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

A bit of a cheat this one as it uses the excellent specular maps with some pale national markings painted on directly to the skin textures (not my preferred method) with decals for the serials numbers and No.148 Squadron tail marking.

[SPINNERS]

BAC Thunderstrike S.2 - No.213 Squadron, RAF Germany, 1971

RAF THUNDERSTRIKE S2.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERSTRIKE S2.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERSTRIKE S2.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERSTRIKE S2.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERSTRIKE S2.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

This was one of the first TSR.2 what-if's I ever did - using Sundowner's classic RAF camo with markings added by me plus serial numbers done as decals. I've always liked No.213 Squadron's hornet since seeing the Airfix Canberra in the mid-1970's.

[SPINNERS]

BAC Canberra B(I).8 - No.249 Squadron, RAF Near East Command, 1969

RAF CANBERRA B8.08 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.09 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.10 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.11 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.12 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.13 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF CANBERRA B8.14 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

Not perfect by any means but this marries the camo uppersurfaces with anti-flash white undersurfaces in a bit of a 'cut and shut' fashion - anyone want to buy a used Canberra? Only 50 hours on the clock?

[SPINNERS]

Republic Thunderjet FB.1 - No.60 Squadron, RAF Far East Air Force, 1951

Even before the start of 'Operation Firedog' the RAF had been looking at the both the F-80 Shooting Star and the F-84 Thunderjet to fulfill their requirement for a jet fighter-bomber for the Far East Air Force eventually settling on the latter. The RAF wanted to keep the Gloster Meteor for home-based duties (including RAF Germany) and felt that the plywood used in the construction of the nose section of the de Havilland Vampire might be subject to the same delamination problems that had affected the de Havilland Mosquito in the extreme of heat and humidity in the Far East during World War 2. Despite the huge financial pressures of the UK's balance of payments with the US, the UK Government agreed to purchase an initial batch of 50 F-84E's which equipped No.33 squadron at RAF Tengah followed by No.60 squadron.

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.07 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF THUNDERJET FB1.08 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

There's been some lovely new releases from the DAT group of modders recently including the F-80C, F-84E, F-84G and F-86F and this is the F-84E in RAF service. I've used a slightly taller fin flash to better match the tall fin of the Thunderjet (the only elegant part of it) and knocked up a new No.60 Squadron 'nosebar' and a small batch of period serial numbers.

[SPINNERS]

BAC Lightning F.2 - No.60 Squadron, RAF Far East Air Force, 1965

RAF LIGHTNING F2.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF LIGHTNING F2.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF LIGHTNING F2.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF LIGHTNING F2.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF LIGHTNING F2.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF LIGHTNING F2.07 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAF LIGHTNING F2.08 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

I like all versions of the Lightning and sometimes I prefer the muscular look of the F.6 and sometimes I prefer the more elegant look of the early Lightnings like the F.2 used here. The stock silver skin is used for both the uppersurfaces and the lower surfaces by inverting the colours for the latter and adding a 50% opacity black layer to dampen things down a bit. There's a bit more to it than that but it's far quicker than any other method and gives a good result when you screw down the specular and reflection settings. As I had my No.60 Squadron markings out I used them and knocked up a set of white serial numbers that look like they belong to the real Lightning F.2 but are actually from a cancelled batch.

[SPINNERS]

Dassault Mirage 4000BA - 2ème Escadrille, Belgian Air Force, 1985

BAF MIRAGE 4000BA.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

BAF MIRAGE 4000BA.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

BAF MIRAGE 4000BA.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

BAF MIRAGE 4000BA.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

Another cracking release over at Combat Ace is the Belgian Mirage 4000 in single-seat and twin-seat formats - both with a Mirage 5BA style camo.

BAF MIRAGE 4000BA.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

BAF MIRAGE 4000BA.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

BAF MIRAGE 4000BA.07 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

A few more shots showing a black nose added to the original skin. I think this is more suitable!

[SPINNERS]

 Focke-Wulf Fw 187 'Falke' - HävLLv 31, Ilmavoimat, 1942

ILMAVOIMAT Fw-187 FALKE.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

ILMAVOIMAT Fw-187 FALKE.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

ILMAVOIMAT Fw-187 FALKE.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

ILMAVOIMAT Fw-187 FALKE.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

ILMAVOIMAT Fw-187 FALKE.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

ILMAVOIMAT Fw-187 FALKE.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

This is the two-seater version of the Fw-187 'Falke' a recent release by 'Veltro2K' who does the more esoteric aircraft such as this (the oddly asymmetric BV-141 is his next project). It comes with a lovely Luftwaffe skin on which I've over-painted the markings and recoloured the prop spinners using the same colour blue as from the roundels and then added some WW2 Finnish decals. It is quite jarring to see the swastika on Finnish aircraft of this period (and especially on the Gloster Gladiator) but it has further 'what if' potential.

[SPINNERS]

BAC Thunderstrike GR.51 - No.1 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, 1972

RAAF THUNDERSTRIKE GR1.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAAF THUNDERSTRIKE GR1.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAAF THUNDERSTRIKE GR1.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAAF THUNDERSTRIKE GR1.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAAF THUNDERSTRIKE GR1.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

RAAF THUNDERSTRIKE GR1.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

I was going to do an F-111C type scheme using one of Sundowner's USAF skins and had settled on No.1 Squadron but switched to this 'Tiger Force' skin that I've previously used. All markings except for the serial number are placed directly onto the skin textures (not my preferred method) but it's worked out quite well. The TSR.2 was, of course, pitched to Australia but it's as sorry a tale as the TSR.2 itself.

[SPINNERS]

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.9E - 'RL' Flight, Aeronáutica Militar, 1946

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.07 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF SPITFIRE 9E.08 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

We had a lovely holiday in North Yorkshire last week, no rain and actually very warm later in the week. A bit of touring and some hand-holding with Mrs. Spinners and a few bike rides on my own... with a few walked hills! Anyway, whilst in Helmsley, I popped into a book shop and picked up a cracking book called 'Portuguese Fighter Colours 1919-1956' and it has some lovely colour profiles of (among others) Hurricanes, Spitfires, Beaufighters, P-38 Lightnings, Airacobras and Thunderbolts in Portuguese service. This is only a mild 'what if' as it closely follows the scheme shown on various Spitfires (they operated Spitfire I's and Spitfire V's including the rarer VA). Some of their Spitfire LF VB's even had six stub exhausts making this even less of a 'what if'. There were no formal squadrons until later but the aircraft were arranged into large Flights with coloured bands and spinners with two-letter codes. Oddly, the Spitfires had no additional markings (like the little Jaguar shown on mine) but the Hurricanes had quite a few badges and emblems.

[SPINNERS]

BAC-MBB Thunderstrike GR.3 - Marinefliegergeschwader 1, Deutschen Marine, 1976

MARINEFLIEGER TSR2.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

MARINEFLIEGER TSR2.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

MARINEFLIEGER TSR2.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

MARINEFLIEGER TSR2.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

MARINEFLIEGER TSR2.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

MARINEFLIEGER TSR2.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

A lovely Greek Air Force skin by 'sundowner' with some of my Marineflieger decals on a developed TSR.2 airframe.

[SPINNERS]

Martin-Baker Vortex - 'VX Flight', Lisbon Field, Aeronáutica Militar, 1948

PoAF MB5.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF MB5.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF MB5.07 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF MB5.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF MB5.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF MB5.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PoAF MB5.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

This is the MB.5 from the boys at the DAT group of modders with some Portuguese markings overpainted onto the skin bitmaps and some codes added for the 'VX Flight' who operated Hurricanes from Lisbon Field until well into the 1950's. Unfortunately the 3D model has a slight tear in it so my decals on the port rear fuselage bleed out to the forward fuselage so one of my screenshots is touched up to partly conceal this.

[SPINNERS]

LUFTWAFFE BV-141.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

Not a 'what if' but the quirky Bv-141 was recently released - a lovely 3D model by 'Veltro2K' who has a knack of doing oddball stuff like this.

[SPINNERS]

Blohm & Voss BV 141 - Parani Army Aviation, 1947

PARANI BV-141.01 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PARANI BV-141.02 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PARANI BV-141.03 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PARANI BV-141.04 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PARANI BV-141.05 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

PARANI BV-141.06 by Spinners1961, on Flickr

I was going to make this a quick and dirty skin without panel lines but I'm really enjoying this oddball bird so I invested a bit of time with panel lines, weathering and even lining up the camo on the fuselage and engine nacelle halves. Before long, I was up to 17 layers but did save on the glazed section where panel lines are largely lost among the clutter!