RCN A-4C

[NaOH]

THE RCN got rid of the Banchees in '62 right around the time the A-4C was rolling off the line. I'm going to assume they would be able to operate off the Bonadventure.

What say the RCN (before the amalgamation into the CAF) picked up a squadron worth of A-4C's to replace the VF-807 Banchees. What colour would they be operated in? Grey/white US style or the RCN greys from the Banchee? Since we Canadians generally make up our own schems for aircraft I'd think the grey/white scheme would be forgotten for the RN/RCN grey scheme. The Sea Kings still had this scheme as well.

What flag would go on the tail? Canadian Ensign or a Maple leaf? I'm not sure when the change came but I think it was late 60's.

How about a weapons fit for the early to mid 60's? Rockets, 500 pounders, AIM-9? Did the A-4C have the ability to pack a nuke since we still had them then?

Any special Canadian gear needed?

I like my WHIFs as 'accurate' for the time period as possible (no twin engine, Heater Ferris paint schemed, Phoniex missle packing Scooters). Give me some motivation guys!  


I know Brad will be all over this.  

[Iranian F-14A]

Hmm,well as far as weapons goes,I believe the "C" only had 3 external hardpoints.I'd go for some 500lbs Mk82s on MERs and drop tanks.In in the chance I'm wrong,and it has 5 hardpoints,I'd still go with the MERs and drop tanks but also add some AIM-9Bs or some other early AIM-9 model under the outter hardpoints.Maybe if you wanted to go all air to ground,replace the AIM-9s with Zuni or some other unguided rocket pods under the outter wings.

[Captain Canada]

I'd go with whatever markings the Sea Thing and Trackers had at the time.

Bombs are always cool, but Sidewinders are a must.

Now, get building !

[rallymodeller]

Markings probably would have been the traditional EDSG over Sky. The tail would have had the Maple Leaf on it much like the CAF (Air), the change happened around 1965-1966. Alternately they could have used the Canadian Naval Jack:



just to be different. The roundels also probably would have changed to the common style.

Armaments-wise, anything the USN hung off Scooters would have been fair game although if they were replacing the Banshees early Sidewinders and some sort of AW radar would have been a must. Zuni and 2.75" rocket pods would have been common, as would dumb bombs, most probably of British pattern.

[NaOH]

I tend to agree with EDSG over sky for paint. Probably a Maple Leaf flag as well. They would have been retrofit around '68 anyways from further research.

What do you think, roundell under the canopy or over the speed break?

I'm thinking centre line tank (small carrier) and a british style bomb under each wing (one pylon per wing). AIM-9B's could  go on for A-A instead. What colour would the drop tank be, sky or half and half?

When is Richard going to do me a profile?    

[Son of Damian]

What flag would go on the tail? Canadian Ensign or a Maple leaf?

If the RCN saved its air component from joining the CAF then showing some pride is in order, the naval ensign on the tail would do nicely.

What do you think, roundell under the canopy or over the speed break?

Over the speed brake is boring, I would go with under the canopy or on the engine intake.

What colour would the drop tank be, sky or half and half?

Half and Half

Did the A-4C have the ability to pack a nuke since we still had them then?

The A-4 was originally designed for the nuclear strike role and except for maybe the Argentinian A-4AR Fightinghawks all are capable of carring a nuke.

Canada had Nukes??? Did they develop them on there own or were they a gift from the US or UK???

When is Richard going to do me a profile?

Jennings all ready did one

[rallymodeller]

While we have never had nuclear weapons of our own, our aircraft have deployed them on several occasions. CAF Voodoos were armed with Genie nuclear-tipped rockets, the BOMARC misiles had nuclear warheads, and in the 60's the RCAF/CAF was tasked with low-level nuclear strike in Europe. In each of these cases the warheads actually belonged to the US and were under US control.

HOWEVER...

...we are (like Japan, Germany and Italy) more than capable of developing our own nuclear arsenal if deemed necessary -- in a matter of months if not weeks.

Hmm. Gives me an idea for a profile...  

[Archibald]

Of course we can also imagine that in the mid-60's the US governement decide to bolster his allies navies. As a consequence, 15 Essex are sold all over the world, with the famous trio Crusader/ Skyhawk / Tracker (the latter beeing used in abig variety of role COD, ASM, AEW...) and some helos (sikorsky first, later UH-1s).
Australia, canada, japan, israel, iran, germany, GB among many others received the upgraded Essexs with the "standard" air group.  

[GeorgeC]

HOWEVER...

...we are (like Japan, Germany and Italy) more than capable of developing our own nuclear arsenal if deemed necessary -- in a matter of months if not weeks.

Don't say that! You could be fitted in before Iran and North Korea

[Son of Damian]

Hmm. Gives me an idea for a profile... 

Any hints as to what it maybe???  

[Shasper]

A-4B/C/L/Q had 3 underwing pylons while the E-N and all the spin-offs had 5 pylons.

Shas B)

[rallymodeller]

Hmm. Gives me an idea for a profile... 

Any hints as to what it maybe???

<brief thread hijack>

Started it last night. Should have it up tonight.

<end thread hijack>

[Jeffry Fontaine]

The A-4C was cleared to carry the Mk7 weapon on the centerline.  Somewhere I have an image of an A-4C in flight with that shape but for the moment, the attached image of the Mk7 all by itself will have to do.  The lower fin was designed to fold up to allow for safe clearance between the weapon and the ground during take off.  

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Another candidate weapon for use on the A-4C would be the Mk1 BOAR (Bureau of Ordnance Aerial Rocket) that was based on a modified Mk7 with a rocket motor mounted at the rear.  This weapon was produced on very limited quantities and there is at least one image of a Banshee launching one during the test and development of the weapon.  

[Jeffry Fontaine]

As promised.  In flight shot of the Mk1 BOAR being launched from a Banshee.  Now if you could just alter the image to include a roundel surrounding a maple leaf...