What if

Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Topic started by: AeroplaneDriver on July 25, 2006, 07:42:30 PM

Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: AeroplaneDriver on July 25, 2006, 07:42:30 PM
Here she is.  I'm a bit disappointed in the finish, since the Future coat went pear-shaped and had to be stripped and redone, and it never really looked right afterwards.  The pics arent the greatest either, once again, because I was in a hurry.  I'll try to put some better ones up tomorrow.  Oh well, my own fault for rushing, but hey, at least I finished a model!

**********

As the SEPECAT Jaguar M program ran into delays in 1974, the Royal Navy began looking at other options for a carrier-borne light strike aircraft.  After a short evaluation period an order was placed for 28 Vought A-7 Corsairs, 22 single-seaters, and 6 two-seat models..  The RN A-7s were broadly similar to the USN A-7Es, with the same RR Spey engine, but with UK avionics, Martin Baker Mk9 seat, and wiring for UK weapons.  The 20mm Vulcan cannon was retained, as it maintained ammunition commonality with the podded Vulcan cannon entering service on the RN's Phantoms.  Officially the RN Corsairs were designated A-7Ms in the US and Corsair FG.1s in the UK.

The first Royal Navy Corsair FG.1s entered service at RNAS Yeovilton in January 1977.  By the end of that year 700 NAS were deployed on their first operational Corsair cruise aboard the newly refitted HMS Hermes.  Though the Sea Jaguar FRS.1 finally entered service in 1980, the Corsair remained in RN service until 1995.  This gave the Fleet Air Arm of the early 1980s a very capable stable of Phantoms, Buccaneers, Sea Jaguars, Corsairs, and Sea Harriers operating from the carriers Hermes, Illustrious (ex USS Shangri-La), Ark Royal (ex USS Oriskany), and the new STOVL carrier Invincible.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FCorsair005.jpg&hash=260e99d9fd37105a7961a8b53499ab8d9ac02925)

In 1984-85 the Corsair fleet were upgraded to FG.1A standard with a Smith's Industries HUD, new navigation system, and integration of the BAeD Sea Eagle anti-shipping missile.  Though Corsair's were not deployed to the South Atlantic in 1982 to deter an expected Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, they did see combat in the Persian Gulf during the brief 1988 crisis and again in the 1991 war with Iraq.

This model depicts a newly upgraded Corsair FG.1A during one of the last "close calls" of the Cold War.  In December 1984 the entire Soviet Atlantic fleet suddenly left port and steamed westward across the Atlantic.  In response to this unexpected and  aggressive Soviet move, NATO forces went to high alert.  During this crisis the Sea Eagle missile was rushed to the carrier squadrons , even though final trails of the new missile were still ongoing.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FCorsair003.jpg&hash=86d63eb70f3e2f434fc30c602270ae839de9f971)

It is now known that this massive mobilization was a Soviet attempt to stop a renegade ballistic missile submarine Captain from attacking the US.  This madman was eventually stopped by a joint US-Soviet operation, the details of which were later revealed in the non-fiction bestseller "The Hunt For Red October" by Dr. Jack Ryan.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FCorsair001.jpg&hash=61eeddaa230242afc25c11c2bf643eaa6cc18e23)
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: BlackOps on July 25, 2006, 08:39:51 PM
Looks great!  Had to do a double take, for a second I thought that was the Anheuser-Busch logo on the tale  :cheers:


Jeff G.




Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Brian da Basher on July 25, 2006, 09:07:35 PM
Yeah this one really sucks.
;)
Sheeesh how do you do it? If you're "disappointed" by this one I'd be afraid of one that "exceeds expectations". Your "disappointing" builds are enough to make me consider taking up macrame instead of models! Great stuff, AD!

Hoping your birthday was the stuff of legend,
Brian da Basher
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Leigh on July 25, 2006, 09:09:03 PM
Yeah that looks right :wub:

What kit is it?
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Archibald on July 25, 2006, 11:46:23 PM
QuoteIt is now known that this massive mobilization was a Soviet attempt to stop a renegade ballistic missile submarine Captain from attacking the US. This madman was eventually stopped by a joint US-Soviet operation, the details of which were later revealed in the non-fiction bestseller "The Hunt For Red October" by Dr. Jack Ryan.

:lol: Great fan of the book, albeit Sci-fi sometimes (the Forger shooting a Tomcat :blink: )
Lovely model! Nice alternate Royal Navy carrier fleet :)
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: MartG on July 26, 2006, 03:32:29 AM
Sweet ! :wub:  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Gary on July 26, 2006, 04:01:07 AM
Beauty!
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: AeroplaneDriver on July 26, 2006, 06:02:54 AM
QuoteYeah that looks right :wub:

What kit is it?
It's the AMT/Ertl A-7E.  Not a terrible kit, but the detail is a bit soft.  Kind of like looking at a Fujimi A-7 kit with your glasses off.

Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: anthonyp on July 26, 2006, 07:00:43 AM
QuoteLooks great!  Had to do a double take, for a second I thought that was the Anheuser-Busch logo on the tale  :cheers:


Jeff G.
I didn't see it until I read this comment!   :lol:

Very nice build, really great backstory!  And like Leigh said, it really does look right!

Congrats on a very nice 3-day birthday build!

:cheers:  :cheers:  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: NARSES2 on July 26, 2006, 07:18:29 AM
:wub: Lovely model Mr Driver  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: F-32 on July 26, 2006, 08:40:26 AM
Beautiful!

Give that man a cigar.
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Radish on July 26, 2006, 09:44:35 AM
:wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:

It looks right. Terrific :wub:  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Aircav on July 26, 2006, 11:24:20 AM
Look great in those colours Nick  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Ian the Kiwi Herder on July 26, 2006, 11:30:05 AM
Ohhhhhh do I like that ???  :wub:

Ian
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Ollie on July 26, 2006, 12:06:22 PM
Wicked Nick!

:wub:  :wub:  :wub:  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: lancer on July 26, 2006, 12:10:00 PM
Amazing build Aero. It sure looks good in those colours
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: BobbyK on July 26, 2006, 12:30:40 PM
Most excellent work......why be disappointed........looks GREAT to me!!
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on July 26, 2006, 06:04:42 PM
QuoteMost excellent work......why be disappointed........looks GREAT to me!!
Yeah, what he just said!  It looks great in the images you have provided and the backstory is well thought out as well.  

Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Dork the kit slayer on July 27, 2006, 03:19:39 AM
Quote:wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:

It looks right. Terrific :wub:
Im with "the Rad " on this. :cheers:  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: GTX on July 28, 2006, 12:51:44 PM
Simply stunning.

Regards,

Greg
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: John Howling Mouse on July 28, 2006, 07:12:48 PM
You're not thrilled with the outcome of this "quick-build"????

I'll just shut the he|| up then...

BTW, what does it mean: "pear-shaped finish"????

That load-out just makes me want to fly this sucker 'round the living room and attack the cats!

:wub:  ;)  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: kitnut617 on July 29, 2006, 07:42:53 AM
I like to build my models with either Canadian or Brit markings, but until I came on board here I was always a little hesitant to do it, fearing some ridicule from somewhere.

After seeing this marvelous Whiffery  :wub:  and numerous others I can now feel safe  :lol:  :rolleyes:

This makes me want to ask, could the RN ever had considered buying the A-7?

:cheers: Robert
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Bryan H. on July 29, 2006, 08:44:44 PM
It's soooo natural looking!  Great job!  :wub:

:cheers: Bryan
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: dragon on July 29, 2006, 08:56:37 PM
QuoteIt is now known that this massive mobilization was a Soviet attempt to stop a renegade ballistic missile submarine Captain from attacking the US.  This madman was eventually stopped by a joint US-Soviet operation, the details of which were later revealed in the non-fiction bestseller "The Hunt For Red October" by Dr. Jack Ryan.

Shouldn't that be Sir Jack Ryan?   B)

As to the model.....As the mythbusters would say: "Plausible". :cheers:  
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: AeroplaneDriver on July 29, 2006, 10:08:34 PM
Quote
QuoteIt is now known that this massive mobilization was a Soviet attempt to stop a renegade ballistic missile submarine Captain from attacking the US.  This madman was eventually stopped by a joint US-Soviet operation, the details of which were later revealed in the non-fiction bestseller "The Hunt For Red October" by Dr. Jack Ryan.

Shouldn't that be Sir Jack Ryan?   B)

As to the model.....As the mythbusters would say: "Plausible". :cheers:
Well if you wanna be picky...Dr. Sir President Jack Ryan would be appropriate!   :P


JHM-"Pear Shaped" is Anglo slang for the same condition described by the anagram FUBAR.  

Kitnut-Never feel afraid to put your ideas here.  This group will welcome a Imperial Japanese Navy Hunter just as quickly as an RAF A-10.  As for the RN considering A-7s...well they looked at a 2-seat Crusader as a Phantom alternative IIRC.  Once you go Crusader it's not much of a leap to Corsair...

Thanks for the comments guys.  This was a fun build!
Title: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: nev on July 30, 2006, 08:41:35 AM
wow, what a beauty Nick!  One of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas.  Love it  :wub:  
Title: Re: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Captain Canada on May 16, 2015, 07:09:37 PM
Gorgeous. I so love the look of the Corsair in RN colours I defo need to build my own. People around these parts would have no idea. I could prob fool my bro and my dad, which might be kinda fun.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Her Majesty's Royal SLUF
Post by: Devilfish on May 18, 2015, 02:12:35 AM
I love the colour scheme.  It's one I did think about when doing mine, but in the end I opted for the all over EDSG, as applied to the Buccs at the time, as it would be doing the same role.