What if

Hot Research Topics => Aircraft, Armor, Weapons and Ships by Topic => Topic started by: Spey_Phantom on December 15, 2012, 06:51:02 AM

Title: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: Spey_Phantom on December 15, 2012, 06:51:02 AM
i was out shopping this morning and i was looking at a kit of a Boeing 787.
while i was there an idea jumped to mind.

the 787 is generally a civilian airliner, but i think there are potential military applications for it.
thinking of roles such as AEW&C (longer loitertime/range then the E-737 wedgetails), maritime patrol,... but most of all i was thinking of a KC-787 Air Refueling tanker version (read somewhere that the long range and fuel efficiency of the aircraft would make it an ideal tanker aircraft.
building new ones right now on the assembly line would be impossible now that Boeing is overbooked on Civilian orders, maybe we might see some tanker conversions in about 10 years time, when there are large numbers available.

i think this aircraft has a lot of whif-potential  :mellow:
any other ideas?


Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: Go4fun on December 15, 2012, 08:10:07 AM
How about packing it full of air launched AEV drones and Cruise missiles for a long range strike package?  :o
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: pyro-manic on December 15, 2012, 08:21:02 AM
SIGINT platform with lots of little aerials and a silly name.
Air Force One
Airborne laser
Vulgar VIP transport with copious sparkly bits.
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: scooter on December 15, 2012, 08:28:29 AM
Quote from: pyro-manic on December 15, 2012, 08:21:02 AM
Air Force One

NEACP- the National Emergency Airborne Command Post, currently the E-4 variant of the 747
JSTARs replacement
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: lenny100 on December 15, 2012, 09:51:39 AM
done it few years back

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi116.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo1%2Flenny100%2Fwhatif%2FDSCF0111.jpg&hash=eac0df1c01b1f3b8da04426637b5ff2103b64a89)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi116.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo1%2Flenny100%2Fwhatif%2FDSCF0109.jpg&hash=4bc219bcd25e041c4a04a5bf1b41cead849e935d)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi116.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo1%2Flenny100%2Fwhatif%2FDSCF0112-1.jpg&hash=a6612f0fd3d6b9222a6e88b7c0520445ba6d3f0b)
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: Mossie on December 15, 2012, 12:30:36 PM
One I always fancied was backdating it to the 7E7 concept drawings.  Boy did it look cool compared to 787 that has emerged.

A 787-9 wouldn't be too difficult to do, simple stretch to the fuselage and might lend it to some roles such as the tanker.
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: FAR148 on January 06, 2013, 11:40:00 AM
How about a retro KC-787

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv61%2Ffar148%2FKC787.jpg&hash=8438e81301ec1d54fefc8a81d8ec95b2fe4359bf)

And a Shamo scheme

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv61%2Ffar148%2FKC787shamoscheme.jpg&hash=598530e9c57c0fc3c440b023e8d5d1820dc8670e)

Steven L  :wub:
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: Dork the kit slayer on January 06, 2013, 12:24:03 PM
Im booked on one to the States this coming May. Hope they have those nice three piece models in the duty free.
I can see a couple of those schemed decorating my shelf.
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: Joe C-P on January 10, 2013, 05:14:10 PM
Just keep a fire extinguisher around the model.
:wacko:
Title: Re: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Post by: Dork the kit slayer on January 11, 2013, 02:40:06 AM
Quote from: JoeP on January 10, 2013, 05:14:10 PM
Just keep a fire extinguisher around the model.
:wacko:


OOOOH  saucer of milk for Joes table  LOL