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France and Germany replacement ASW concept proposals

Started by McColm, August 05, 2020, 11:38:28 PM

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McColm

Germany has suspended upgrading their Lockheed Martin P-3G Orions and are looking for an interim aircraft until the joint venture with France is underway.  France is looking for a replacement for it's Atlantique ATL2,  instead of the ATL3, a new airframe is being considered by both parties.
My first thought was the Dassault Atlantique ATL3 as both countries have operated the Atlantic ATL1,  France is undertaking a midlife update on it's Atlantique fleet.
The Airbus A320, an alternative to the Boeing P-8 Poseidon.
The Airbus A400M Grizzly,  flown by both sides in a similar layout to the Lockheed Martin SC-130J.
The Germans did consider the Lockheed Martin P-7.
Then there's the rest of the world,  with the amphibious options.
Of course in the Whiffing world they would go for the revamped BAe Nimrod MR.2P,  A wider fuselage would be needed. The Revell 1/72 Dassault Breguet Br1150 Atlantic kit as the fuselage donor and the Airfix BAe Nimrod as a kitbash.  The Airfix wings do fit the Revell fuselage with a little bit of persuading and additional wing spars. The weapons bay is deeper than the Nimrods' but needs improvement with the aid of a razor saw.
I have put a solid nose in  the Atlantic by painting it and a raid in the spares box did uncover the nose cone of the Hasegawa/Revell Lockheed P-3 which fits but alters the profile.  With the dipping radar removed this could become the crews entry hatch or an ideal place to mount a gatling gun. A combination of landing gear is needed or an alternative to create more ground clearance. It's not an easy build,  fortunately the glazing in the Atlantic does reveal a lot of details in the cockpit area. The side windows reveal nothing.
The name of this creation would be the Airbus MR.1A Valkyrie.

Did anyone ever do any artwork of the BAe Nimrod in the French or German camouflage schemes?