OK, gotta work some over the weekend, but I'm off Mon & Tues, so my target completion for this project is Tuesday evening.
Here is the taped-up prototype:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FTornado001.jpg&hash=21051fade40af775a4d6112911f26f8c25c7fba2)
Now, I have two backstories in mind that will determine the final scheme, markings, and armament. I cant decide which I feel more like doing, so give me some input guys!
1. By the early 80s the Royal Navy were beginning to look for a replacement for the Phantoms and Buccaneers flying from the decks of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. For a time the MDD F-18 was a leading contender, but in hopes of a domestic solution BAe proposed a naval variant of the Tornado.
The Sea Tornado was based on the fuselage of the Tornado F.3/F.3 but with a new fixed wing, ironically based on the wing of the F-18. Whioe the Sea Tornado was significantly slower than the RAF's VG Tornados (Mach 1.7 vs 2.2), it was also a more agile aircraft.
In a 1985 flyoff the F-18 proved to be a better dogfighter, though by a remarkably narrow margin. However, significant commonality with the RAF Tornado fleet, excellent low level strike performance, and national pride led to the MoD's decision to purchase 54 Sea Tornado FG.1s.
Sea Tornados still serve aboard the RN's carriers, and are slated to continue in service aboard the CVF class of ships well into the 2020s
2. The death of Prince William in 2007 in Afghanistan was a brutal awakening to the British people as to the state of the armed forces. The Prince's platoon were wiped out by taliban fighters while awaiting air support that was unavailable.
In the aftermath Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's grief turned to fury at her ministers for allowing British forces to operate without adequate support. In a shocking televised address she demanded that HER armed forces be adequately funded and supplied. Massive public support for this sentiment led to a bloodbath in Whitehall as one after another minister resigned in shame.
The good that came from this national tragedy was the total revamping of the British military and the procurement process. Gone, for the moment at least, beaurocrats concerned only with securing a pension.
By mid 2008 orders had been placed for new support helicopters, additional Apache AH.1s and new infantry equipment. There was also an obvious requrement for additional CAS/attack aricraft. Several options were considered fro this role, including an outright purchase of Saab Gripens from the Swedish Air Force, SU-25s from Russia, A-10s from the US, and even the reintroduction of the Jaguar.
In the end the requirement was met by a proposal from BAE Systems; Project Phoenix. A number of retired Tornado F.3 aircraft were in storage. Due to the higher altitude nature of their mission, these aircraft had very little airframe fatigue compared to their GR cousins. BAE offerd to rewing the F.3s with a straight fixed wing derived from the F-18. This would reduce maximum speed from Mach 2.2 to 1.7, but would also reduce maintenance costs, and provide a highly capable weapons delivery platform, optomized for medium altitude, but still capable of low-level attack.
The other major modification was the conversion to single-pilot operation. While the second cockpit was retained, mission-specialized gear was removed and replaced with a duplicate of the second cockpit. This was a cheaper solution than comletely removing the cockpit, and it gave the flexibility to operate with two pilots during long missions and when a second pair of eyes was a valuable asset, such as FAC duties.
BAE, eager to make up for the Nimrod MRA.4 debacle guaranteed a fixed price contract for 48 airframes, including a clause that forced BAE to lease Gripens for the RAF is delivery slipped significantly.
The program proceeded virtually without a hitch, and the first Tornado FG.5 entered frontline service in late 2009. Due to flight-control software changes, very little pilot traiing was needed for cenversion from either F.3 or GR.4 models.
The FG.5 proved to be a highly capable attack aircraft, and with the new wing was even a respectable dogfighter when up against aircraft of its own generation. Ironically, in the twilight of its career the Tornado was finally a true Multi Role Combat Aircraft.
So....which is it to be; RN circa 1990 or RAF circa 2010?
Cool! Main problem is I can't help you because I like your two backstories :P
Fixed wing Tornado seems so logical...
That aircraft looks sooooo good!
I like 2nd story best...
Its more "modern", and you will also be able to do a Mig-29 in Taliban colours!
How about something even earlier - what if the Panavia partner nations didn't produce the VG version. Either due to technical reasons (i.e. the swing wing just didn't work properly) or due to cost reasons (a fixed wing is less complicated and hence less expensive). IMHO, the latter is quite plausible - it almost resulted in a single engined poor mans version of the Typhoon for Germany.
Regards,
Greg
Believe me or not, I have thought about the same hybrid model, with a Tornado F.3 body and a Super Hornet wings... but finally, I will do my Tornado ADV as a USAF swing winged Wild Weasel, while I just wasn't able to destroy my Super Hornet...
So, that's the first time I could see what such a mix looks like, and it purely ROCKS!!
:wub: :wub:
For my part, I prefer the first back story... A Royal Navy Sea Tornado FG.5 circa 1990 or even a modernised FGR.6 circa 2006 (with TARPS reccce pod, ASRAAM and/or Storm Shadow missiles under the wings :wub: )!!!
Or even a GR.6 or GR.7 variant specialised in the ECM and SEAD missions... Well, I just really enjoy Wild Weasel aircrafts, specially the navalised ones...
Add to that a new landing gear, probably from the Hornet, and you'll have a totally new aircraft for the Royal Navy!!
Other possibility is the export market, with German Navy for anti-ship (from land bases) and maybe Saudi Arabia for CAS and penetration...
But well, I prefer the RN idea ;)
I have been thinking in a cheap fixed wing Tornado many times but I did not realize that this F-18 solution is just perfect. I like it very much. :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:
Well, my Tuesday target came and went with very little progress towards completion.
This was due to the combination of a busier than anticipated weekend and a nasty cold that had me feeling like doing nothing for two days.
The good news is that I am off work tomorrow and Friday, so I may make some progress. The bad news is I'm taking those days off because the dear wife has to have knee surgery tomorrow. :(
Some of you may remember she had knee surgery a little over a year ago to fix a knee injury. Unfortunately that one didnt do the trick, so now she has to have a more invasive procedure, which we are told is certain to fix the problem.
So anyway, hopefuly over the next few days I'll get a little modeling done between making potato soup and administering powerful narcotics.
Quotemaking potato soup and administering powerful narcotics.
Sounds like the duties of a Soviet Prison guard :lol: .
I hope your wife recovers quickly.
Regards,
Greg
Very good looking aircraft. It looks so natural put together like that. :wub: I hope your wife is doing well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. :)
Eddie
The second back-story is just so fantastic & radical, it 'could almost' make me forget about being a republican ! (In the UK a republican is, usually, someone who stands for the reduction, in power of the Monarchy, not its abolition..... well it's good for tourism, isn't it !).
Anyhoos - the second back-story. Luvvit. If I'd thought of it, I'd be going down the A-10 route, as I am intrinsically lazy and have no thoughts whatsoever of making fantastic hybrid models, merely content to paint them different colours ! :ph34r: The idea of a 'night of the long knives' in Whitehall is also very, very appealing !
Fantastic idea, Nick, looking forward to it's evolution !
Ian
My vote is for backstory #2, Nick. I really like the thought of all those bureaucrats resigning and a revamped U.K. military.
Best wishes to Mrs. AD on her recovery!
Brian da Basher
#2!
Best wishes too...
:unsure:
#2 works for me. That looks like a cracking good idea. One thing I'm looking at for my Tornado F.5 is a recontour of the LERX along the lines of what was looked at for the Tomcat 21; you might want to consider something like that or something like the Hornet's LERX.
Cheers,
Evan
Quote#2 works for me. That looks like a cracking good idea. One thing I'm looking at for my Tornado F.5 is a recontour of the LERX along the lines of what was looked at for the Tomcat 21; you might want to consider something like that or something like the Hornet's LERX.
Cheers,
Evan
I am thinking of adding a LERX out to the front of the intake.
Thie project is progressing, though at a slow pace. So far the gear bays and cockpit are painted. Tomorrow I'm hoping to either get the forward fuselage assembled, or the get the rear fusealge done and begin working on fairing the new wings in.
Maybe a few pics tomorrow...
QuoteI am thinking of adding a LERX out to the front of the intake.
Great minds think alike. That's pretty much what I intended for the F.5.
The camera's having a bit of an off day, so no pics I'm afraid. But to summarize the day's progress, the cockpit and gear wells are done and in their respective fuselage sections. I also started measuring and marking the wings to get them in the right spot.
I'll try for some pics tomorrow night if I get anymore work done on it.
Sorry for the poor lighting, but here is a hurried photo of the progress so far. I ruched the cockpit a bit and wasnt happy with it, so I popped it back out to redo (the hase cockpit can be installed from beneath when the forward fusealge is assembled). The wings are attached and the LERX is installed. I cut the flaps and slats and tacked them on temporarily for this pic. Tomorrow I hope to get the LERX and the wing faired in with a bit of milliput/putty, and maybe get close to painting.
The AMRAAMs are for this pic only, as I havent decided final weapons fit. Since I'm a big believer in democracy, and the popular vote was for the second backstory, this will end up as a Tornado F.3 rebuilt by BAE Systems as an FG.5, circa 2010 serving in Afghanistan...or Iran....or South Korea...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FTornado003.jpg&hash=8bc79610db5b668e0f0e5a768b5ac69592bc33ce)
Now that looks cool. Good job on the dropped slats & flaps *shiver goes down spine remembering that argument on ARC......*
:wub: :wub: :wub:
Nev, what argument?
Here's a couple of pics after today's progress. Not much done today really, just fairing in the LERX with milliput and green putty. As with last night's AMRAAMs, the ASRAAMs are just test fitted for the pics to see how they look. Personally I think wingtip rails look best with Sidewinders, but for my backstory they would be a bit outdated (though I'm sure the RAF will still have plenty in stock well into the 2010s).
Back to work tomorrow so I may not get much more done over the next 3-4 days, but hopefully I'll have it ready to paint over the weekend.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FTornado008.jpg&hash=387736780cc4340c409e09694a08ce4e9fbe2bf3)
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Lookin' good, AD! B)
Brian da Basher
:wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:
Hey, ... very nice !
It reminds me to the proposed Indian HF-73 on this early side drawing ... even if the later concept looked very different !
Cheers, Deino :wub:
this was maybe a later wind-tunnel-model ...
Deino, AD, this is cool! Fantastic drawing of the HF-73 (Deino, browse' alternative history you'll find a thread on the subject :) ) and really cool model!!! :wub:
Damm that is looking very sweet Nick. Looking forward to seeing her with paint on.
QuoteDeino, AD, this is cool! Fantastic drawing of the HF-73 (Deino, browse' alternative history you'll find a thread on the subject :) ) and really cool model!!! :wub:
Where ??? :blink: .... can't find it !!!! :angry:
I only found a tread about the "HF-24 Marut" and "Wilson's Folly: UK defends India in the 60s" !!! Otherwise the search function doesn't work.
Thanks, Deino :huh:
Quote:wub: :wub: :wub:
Nev, what argument?
The "who makes the best 1/48 Super Hornet" argument - that was fought over
ad nauseum before the kits were even released!!!!To the Hasegawa fan-boys the Revell kit wasn't worth tuppence because it didn't have droppable flaps/slats. Some even went as far as to say they would never buy another Revell kit because of it <_<
I do like what I see :wub: :wub: :wub:
QuoteTo the Hasegawa fan-boys the Revell kit wasn't worth tuppence because it didn't have droppable flaps/slats. Some even went as far as to say they would never buy another Revell kit because of it <_<
That is seriously anally retentive.
QuoteDamm that is looking very sweet Nick. Looking forward to seeing her with paint on.
Wot Lance said.....
Ian
QuoteDeino, AD, this is cool! Fantastic drawing of the HF-73 (Deino, browse' alternative history you'll find a thread on the subject :) ) and really cool model!!! :wub:
Hi Archibald !! Just a reminder ... can You PLEASE give me the link ?????
Cheers, Deino :cheers:
QuoteQuote:wub: :wub: :wub:
Nev, what argument?
The "who makes the best 1/48 Super Hornet" argument - that was fought over ad nauseum before the kits were even released!!!!
To the Hasegawa fan-boys the Revell kit wasn't worth tuppence because it didn't have droppable flaps/slats. Some even went as far as to say they would never buy another Revell kit because of it <_<
:lol: :lol: :lol:
And did revell fan-boys defend revell by saying that revell had better cockpit detail?
I don't want to re-hash the whole argument, but the Revell kits main fault is that it isn't Hasegawa.
So pointing out better detail, weapons included, half the price etc etc is totally irrevelant. As is the fact that one makes an E, the other makes an F. All that matters is that it isn't Hasegawa. The fact that the Hasegawa kit has droppable flaps and the Revell kit doesn't is all the Hasegawa fan-boys need to prove their argument. In their eyes Revell have only ever made 2 kits worth buying; the 1-48 Sabre-Dog and F-15E. This is because they live in a bubble where the only kits they buy are 1/48 American jets.
It rumbled on and on and on for months in numerous threads, and along with the "F-14 v F-18" debate and Chuck Norris now has the same use as Lemon Pie does over here for pouring on potentially volatile threads.
QuoteI don't want to re-hash the whole argument, but the Revell kits main fault is that it isn't Hasegawa.
So pointing out better detail, weapons included, half the price etc etc is totally irrevelant. As is the fact that one makes an E, the other makes an F. All that matters is that it isn't Hasegawa. The fact that the Hasegawa kit has droppable flaps and the Revell kit doesn't is all the Hasegawa fan-boys need to prove their argument. In their eyes Revell have only ever made 2 kits worth buying; the 1-48 Sabre-Dog and F-15E. This is because they live in a bubble where the only kits they buy are 1/48 American jets.
It rumbled on and on and on for months in numerous threads, and along with the "F-14 v F-18" debate and Chuck Norris now has the same use as Lemon Pie does over here for pouring on potentially volatile threads.
And they think us whiffers are wierd...
QuoteQuoteDeino, AD, this is cool! Fantastic drawing of the HF-73 (Deino, browse' alternative history you'll find a thread on the subject :) ) and really cool model!!! :wub:
Hi Archibald !! Just a reminder ... can You PLEASE give me the link ?????
Cheers, Deino :cheers:
I'm sorry, too much enthusiasm! That was the thread on the HF-24 you found (no direct link to the HF-73 I agree... :unsure: )
...but of course, you can resurect it and add a post on the HF-73 if you want :)
Time for an update finally!
It's been hard to get any modeling done lately between work and doing most of the household stuff since the lovely wife is still on crutches from her surgery.
No pics tonight, but major assembly is complete with what promises to be the last round of fill-sand-repeat drying away. Tomorrow I'll get the painting started, and maybe start getting the weapons load finalized.
Pics tomorrow!
I decided to stay up late and get some paint on this build tonight, so here are a couple of pics of the first coat. Sorry it's gray, but it'll look a bit livelier when it's finished.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FTornado011.jpg&hash=065bca99aae4e0e9225739525f047e8f872615f3)
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Lovely model, really!!! Keep on...
Looking good, AD! I can't wait for your next update!
Brian da Basher
QuoteQuoteI don't want to re-hash the whole argument, but the Revell kits main fault is that it isn't Hasegawa.
So pointing out better detail, weapons included, half the price etc etc is totally irrevelant. As is the fact that one makes an E, the other makes an F. All that matters is that it isn't Hasegawa. The fact that the Hasegawa kit has droppable flaps and the Revell kit doesn't is all the Hasegawa fan-boys need to prove their argument. In their eyes Revell have only ever made 2 kits worth buying; the 1-48 Sabre-Dog and F-15E. This is because they live in a bubble where the only kits they buy are 1/48 American jets.
It rumbled on and on and on for months in numerous threads, and along with the "F-14 v F-18" debate and Chuck Norris now has the same use as Lemon Pie does over here for pouring on potentially volatile threads.
And they think us whiffers are wierd...
It is a true and sad statment/ Look at how much of a stir the ALL NEW 1/48 Italeri Chinook is causing...a quite murmur at best. Never mind that its the first and only injection molded 1/48 'Hook on the market...ah why bother...
As for the kit. AD I am always in awe at your building prowess!!!
Thumbs up!
Two-tone gray paint is finished. This is now shaping up to be a Tornado FG.5 dased in Iraq at the start of the campaign agains Iranian nuclear facilities in 2010. Weapons load is shaping up to be 2 x GBU-24 Paveway III on the the fuselage pylons (Skyflash mounts are filled and GR.1/4 pylons fitted), fuel tanks on the inboard wing pylons, with ALARMs on the shoulder pylons as on the EF.3/GR.4, AMRAAMs on the wingtips, and probably a TIALD and jamming pod on the outboard pylons.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FTornado015.jpg&hash=6e886d5e6aa45865d7fc6c4fed8d764a4943785f)
Wow! This is shaping up nicely!
QuoteIt rumbled on and on and on for months in numerous threads, and along with the "F-14 v F-18" debate and Chuck Norris now has the same use as Lemon Pie does over here for pouring on potentially volatile threads.
Did someone say Chuck Norris? Facts (http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/)
Mmm, someone managed to take a too-short fuselage attached to a too-big fin, and make something attractive out of that. I didn't think it was physically possible to do that to the GR Tornadoes.
Looks like it should be a treat.
OK guys, last pics before the completed article. Tonight I got the decals on and tacked the Paveway IIIs and ALARMs on to see how it's going to look. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get it weathered a little, get the gear on, load up the weapons (still have to ad wingtip AMRAAMs, 1500l tanks, TIALD and Skyshadow pods) then the fiddly bits like antennas and pitots.
For now here she is-not the best pics and still a lot of detail work and cleanup to do.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FTornado019.jpg&hash=81665a3f79bf8cc36c7f014d6393c04d30cf38a9)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd87%2FAeroplaneDriver%2FTornado020.jpg&hash=0fa0f601d6b384ede60914efcf8b64606cfbfbf0)
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Holy cats that's sharp, AD! B)
Brian da Basher
She's coming along just fine Gary!
^_^
Almost, not finished, perfect :wub: :wub:
Why did i open this thread, and think "oh no, not another tornado" :P
Oh man those underside shots are unreal ! It so changes the look. I want one. Prob with 2 tails to really confuse the pundits....
:cheers: :tornado: :wub: