Rockwell/Panavia F-24 Tornado "Wild Weasel" COMPLETED

[AeroplaneDriver]

Some progress on this pig of a kit over the past few weeks.  The way this thing is ridiculously over engineered is very frustrating.  I can't see myself being in a hurry for another Revell 1/48 Tornado.  I'll be ready for a nice shake-n-bake Tamiya Corsair or something after this! 

Anyhoo...

Various RWR/EW bits n bobs fitted around the nose.  The right front Skyflash/AMRAAM bay has been replaced with an ECM fairing, with the fairing and missile bay containing the internal components of the AN/ALQ-131 pod. 

I was torn on the paint scheme, leaning from the start towards multi-tone grays for a late 90s example during the NATO Kosovo Campaign.  After toying with some of the F-4G and F-16 schemes, I went with my own three tone of Light Ghost Gray, Dark Ghost Gray, and Gunship Gray.  I wasn't too sure as I was spraying it, but the more I look at it, the more it's growing on me.  Still need to do some touchup on the horizontal tail, and paint the radome. 

[NARSES2]

Like that scheme 

[Old Wombat]

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate: I'm not really keen on the scheme.

HOWEVER, this is not my build & I wouldn't be surprised if you turned this scheme into something I admire before the end of the build.




I still think some kind of lizard scheme would have looked better, though.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Getting closer to finished.  The original plan was for a Spangdahlem Wild Weasel, but my lack of foresight means that the F-16 kit decals I'm using don't work too well on the Gunship Gray tail...so change of plan to something a little closer to home...using the Shaw based Tiger Meet scheme from the F-16 for a little more color. 

Still needs weathering and the flaps/slats, gear, weapons, tanks, reverser buckets, and various fiddly bits attached, but I see light at the end of the tunnel.

[jalles]

You can count me as one who really likes that scheme, and the decals are looking great. I can't wait to see it with the canopy masks off!

[Old Wombat]

Later shots look better but still not my favourite.

The build, however, is still looking great!

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

I think that when it all comes together and the slats & flaps are in-situ, the camo will come-right, just now, I'm a little 'on the fence' about the effect. I'm with Senior Marsupial that the build is phenomenal, superb attention to detail - as always - may just inspire me to unearth a well known 5th Gen. French  two-seater...

Looking forward to the final reveal, Nick.



Ian.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Well this pig of a kit is finally done.  I generally knock a build out in 2-3 weeks.  This one took over a month.  I honestly cannot say it was a fun build.  I was excited about the subject, but Revell's kit sucked every ounce of joy out if the build. 

From the awful end-opening box, to misnumbered parts, more flash than actual parts, incorrect instructions, and the absolutely ridiculous level of over engineering and poor fitting parts this is a kit that I am glad to see the back of. 

Having said that I'm fairly happy with how it turned out overall.  I was a little unsure of the scheme at first, but after the construction nightmare I was not in the mood to tackle my original idea of a Euro I scheme.  However the somewhat Hill Gray style camo has grown on me and I'm fairly happy with it.  Better planning while spraying would have let the tail decals stand out a little better, but overall, I'm happy. 

But anyway....

Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990-91 delayed plans for a 1991 competition between the F-16, F-15, and Tornado to replace the USAF's fleet of aging F-4G Phantoms in the "Wild Weasel" SEAD role.  Peace Dividend budget pressures and the costs of the Gulf War also put pressure on the program, but the war did highlight the value of a dedicated SEAD platform, while at the same time showing that the F-4G was nearing the end of its career. 

In an effort to save costs, and in part because of the Tornado's performance and to thank the UK for their significant contribution to the war, the Pentagon decided to place an order in mid 1991 for 124 Wild Weasel Tornadoes.  Designated the F-24A in US service the first "American" Tornado flew a remarkably short 6 months later in December 1991. 

In fact this first US Tornado was a heavily modified RAF Tornado F.2 taken from storage.  For budgetary reasons it flew as a "proof of concept" aircraft in December receiving a USAF 1991 serial number, but shortly was sent to Rockwell's Palmdale, CA plant for complete conversion and modification.  When it flew as a production aircraft in June 1993 the aircraft had been modified for the SEAD role. 

Since budget was a large driving force in the program, the original plan for a heavily modified Tornado IDS was shelved in favor for a less modified ADV airframe.   The Longer fuselage of the ADV allowed for greater fuel carriage, and the additional fuselage length made the addition of a boom refueling receptacle along the spine easier.  Other modifications included US specific avionics (though a great deal of the F.3s excellent EW suite was retained).  US avionics included systems for carriage of the AGM-88 HARM missile, and classified avionics carried in a fairing at the top of the vertical fin.   US United Technologies ACES II ejection seats replaced the Martin Baker seats in the F.3, and a modified AN/ALQ-131 system was fitted semi-internally with some components taking up the space of the forward left MRAAM bay.  The other three semi-recessed missile bay were retained, though AMRAAMs were rarely carried by F-24s outside of missile training, as carriage interfered with the IDS belly pylons fitted to carry two AGM-88 HARM missiles.  The IDS outer pylons were also carried frequently, carrying a further two HARM missiles.  Inboard pylons were RAF standard and normally carried Sidewinder and/or AMRAAM missiles, or a combination of both.  Consideration was given to fitting the US M61 Vulcan or GAU-12 Equalizer cannons, but in the end budgetary issues, and the expected limited cannon usage in the assigned role lead to the F-24 retaining the Tornado's Mauser 27mm cannon. 

Following the first two modified F.2s, BAe supplies 22 complete "green" F.3 airframes to Rockwell for conversion, before Rockwell assumed production of some components,  After the first 24 aircraft US Tornadoes had approximately 60% US content, with the Panavia partners providing some completed components for final assembly.  The F-24's engines were license built by Allison as the TF-44, based on the Turbo Union RB.199-104. 

This build represents an 79th Fighter Squadron F-24A in early 2002, still wearing the special markings it wore during the Tiger Meet of the Americas at Buckley AFB in August 2001.  By early 2002 the squadron had deployed as part of Operation Southern Watch, patrolling the skies of Iraq as part of the effort to contain the regime of Saddam Hussein.  It carries two AGM-88 HARM missiles (the only offensive air-to-ground ordnance carried during Southern Watch) as well as a pair of AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles and a single AIM-9M.  It is also equipped with the tail fairing mounted towed decoy system added in early 2000. 





More pics showing off the HARMs in the next few days. 

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Nick, I think it's an impeccable build of a notoriously challenging kit. Kudos to you, sir, love the 'final reveal' looks just about 'spot on' to my eye.



Ian.

[Weaver]

Well done - the camo looks particularly good 

[Old Wombat]

Brilliant job, AD, especially as she fought you all the way!

Still not my favourite scheme but you've got the Tornado to wear it well!

[NARSES2]

Very, very nice sir