One Week Build 2022 - Finished Entries

[NARSES2]

This will be the place for your finished builds, profiles and stories.

[AeroplaneDriver]

US Navy Blackburn/Vought A-7C Buccaneer AGM-84 Harpoon Test Aircraft, Naval Weapons Center-China Lake, c.1977
Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer S.2C

Two back-to-back crashes of the A2F-1 prototypes in 1961 combined with development issues with its complex Nav/Attack computer system led to significant slippage of Grumman's program to provide the G-128, the aircraft that would eventually become the Intruder.  As the delays mounted the Pentagon became more and more worried about the Navy falling behind and being unable to provide any kind of significant strike capability.  By early 1962 the Intruder still looked 4-5 years away and other options were being unofficially considered. 

One of the staff officers assigned to the program had just returned from an exchange tour with the British Royal Navy, where he had flown the Blackburn Buccaneer during its entry in to service.  While still an aircraft in its infancy the aircraft impressed those who flew it, so in late 1962 Commander Harry "Snapper" Organs presented a proposal to bring the Buccaneer into US Navy service.  The Pentagon was reluctant to turn to an overseas option, but the experiences with the Hawker Sea Hawk ( seen here https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=47636.0 ) and the Canberra a decade earlier opened the door to the Navy operating the Buccaneer. 

In early 1963 the US Navy approached Blackburn regarding a Buccaneer purchase.  The shortcomings of the S.1 were already becoming apparent, so US financial support for the planned S.2 upgrade was welcomed.  McDonnell production lines were full of Phantoms and Grumman had enough on their plate with the Intruder issues so the Navy approached Vought to be the US prime contractor for the Buccaneer.  Vought were developing the aircraft that would become the A-8 Corsair II but had production capacity to handle the Buccaneer. 

With the long-term plan still focused on the A-6 the US placed an order for 82 Buccaneers to equip five Carrier Air Wings with a highly capable all-weather attack platform.  With US investment the S.2 standard Buccaneer entered service in 1964 with the Royal Navy, and six months later with the US Navy.  The initial 12 airframes were delivered in "green" state to Vought for integration of US avionics and weapons, with the subsequent 70 aircraft being delivered to Vought as kits to be assembled locally. 

The Buccaneer served well with the US Navy, but like the earlier Sea Hawk, its front line career was short lived.  With the fully mature A-6A Intruder entering service in 1968, the Buccaneer squadrons began re-equipping.  Though the priority was towards A-1 Squadrons all A-7s had left front line service by 1972.  The aircraft went through several upgrades with the A-7C being the final type in US service.  The type saw service in Vietnam, with 9 being lost in combat, but with an exemplary record.  A further 24 were converted to KA-7C tankers which were in service until 1983.  Eight A-7Cs were diverted to the Naval Weapons Center where they served as weapons testbeds until 1989. 

Though it's frontline career was short, the Buccaneer was well loved in US service.  It's handling and low level capabilties became legendary, and even though the A-6 had a more advanced avionics package many crews who converted missed the Buccaneer.  This model depicts a Naval Weapons Center Buccaneer at China Lake in 1977 while conducting trials for the AGM-84 Harpoon missile.  It is equipped with two live missiles for a live test in August 1977.  This aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair in a 1984 runway overrun accident, but was restored and is now on display at the Pima Air Museum in Tucson, Arizona. 

[Dizzyfugu]

I resent to you a Supermarine 'Spitfire' LF.16e; specifically aircraft 'QV-J (NR 761)' a.k.a. 'Dooleybird' of the Royal Air Force No. XIX (Fighter) Squadron, mount of Flight Lieutenant Arthur S. 'Joe' Doley; RAF Acklington (Northumberland, UK), 1946.








More pics and some background here: https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=50559.msg960719#msg960719

[sandiego89]

MiG-19.  Inside Red Hat hangar #4 at Groom Lake as part of the US exploitation/evaluation of the MiG-19 under the Have Candle code designation.   

1/72 Central (Sentaru Mokei) MiG-19 Farmer B. 1970 boxing

by Sandiego89







Build thread: https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=50570.0

[PR19_Kit]

The Irish Air Corps SAAB JAS 39 Gripen.

In 2010 Ireland decided to increase their defence spending considerably, mainly due to constant incursions into their air and sea space by Russian intruders. Being unwilling to ask for help from the UK the Dáil voted to purchase 12 SAAB Gripens, two of which were to be two-seaters, and an MD-11 which was to be converted into a tanker to increase the patrol times of the Gripen fleet. This in conjunction with a doubling of their naval forces, was hopefully to persuade the Russians to keep further away.

The Gripens were to be armed with the standard 27 mm Mauser cannon, twin Sidewinders on wingtip rails, and up to four AMRAAMs on underwing racks. The AMRAAMs were in short supply originally so the IAC purchased some ex-RAF Skyflashes in the interim. Numerous other stores could be carried for the tactical role, as well as up to three auxiliary fuel tanks.







Build thread here https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=50592.0

[Captain Canada]

Holy ____ ! I started, and finished a kit ! Thanks for the inspiration guys, it's great to be back.

Hughes H-4B Hercules
     
     VMR-152 USMC Korea 1959. Upgraded Spruce Goose with turbines


2096A006-FEED-4859-8825-753C18B8823E by Todd Pomerleau, on Flickr

[Nick]

In 1956 the Government of Lebanon announced that it was interested in buying Folland Gnats for the Lebanese Air Force. For some reason they decided to go with De Havilland Vampires instead.

This is my interpretation of what a Gnat would look like in Lebanese Air Force colours.

I used the modern 1/72 Airfix kit and some very old and delicate ESCI decals for the national markings. Tamiya sprays and a mix of Xtracolor, Tamiya and Humbrol paints for the details.

[Ed S]

Czechia and Austrian were freed from German occupation in early 1945 as allied forces surged north from Italy and Yugoslavia.  As a result, both nations ended up aligned with the West and both joined NATO.  As a front line nation adjoining the Soviet bloc, they both received significant military aid from other NATO nations.  The Czechs were happy to receive the F-100 Super Sabre as their primary day fighter.  The one pictured here is from the 60's as camouflage came back into vogue after the bare metal and colorful markings of the 50's







The quick build summary is at:    https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=50562.0