Super Tomcat 21

Spino · March 30, 2023, 04:38:47 AM

Some of you may have seen my Sea Harrier II project recently. That has been consuming a lot of my extra time, but I do want to get back to the ST-21. I decided I didn't like the way the AIM-152s looked as-is, so I removed them all for repainting. Going to go for something more like this photo - how they would probably look in service instead of the white prototype scheme.

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I also need to rework the wing glove extensions, mine are way too small. Not sure what other changes I might make, besides swapping out the existing chin pod for the one for the F-14D and adding some fairings for an APU and some other sensors. Maybe BOL chaff rails?

Spino · April 10, 2023, 12:29:44 PM

Okay so I have decided to take a different approach with the Super Tomcat. I originally wanted a full load of 8 AIM-152s and 2 AIM-9X, but I have decided to explore the strike fighter potential of the F-14 a bit, so I'll be using the AIM-54 rails on the belly to carry some air to ground ordinance, probably a pair of GBU-31 JDAMs and maybe some GBU-38s or AGM-154s if I can scrape them up. I will add either a Sniper or Litening pod to the starboard AIM-54 coolant fairing, and I will either 3D print a navigation pod to go on the port side or just leave it as-is. The wing glove mounts will retain the AIM-9Xs and a pair of AIM-152s, I don't see the point in adding AMRAAMs when I have the AAAM available. The finished product should look something like this:
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kerick · April 10, 2023, 02:41:34 PM

I have several AIM-54 missiles I think in 1/32nd scale Mr. Fontaine gave me. I'm wondering how they would look as long range strike missiles with some fin trimming and an air intake like your AIM-152. Maybe a booster rocket to get it up to speed? To go with my medium bomber/heavy duty strike aircraft. Maybe get three under the fuselage of it.

Spino · April 11, 2023, 04:52:08 AM

Quote from: kerick on April 10, 2023, 02:41:34 PMI have several AIM-54 missiles I think in 1/32nd scale Mr. Fontaine gave me. I'm wondering how they would look as long range strike missiles with some fin trimming and an air intake like your AIM-152. Maybe a booster rocket to get it up to speed? To go with my medium bomber/heavy duty strike aircraft. Maybe get three under the fuselage of it.

Interesting idea. Would the intake be for a ramjet or a turbojet? The former would allow for higher speeds and would explain the need for a rocket booster. A turbojet powered missile probably wouldn't need a booster if it was air launched

kerick · April 11, 2023, 12:36:04 PM

Quote from: Spino on April 11, 2023, 04:52:08 AM
Quote from: kerick on April 10, 2023, 02:41:34 PMI have several AIM-54 missiles I think in 1/32nd scale Mr. Fontaine gave me. I'm wondering how they would look as long range strike missiles with some fin trimming and an air intake like your AIM-152. Maybe a booster rocket to get it up to speed? To go with my medium bomber/heavy duty strike aircraft. Maybe get three under the fuselage of it.

Interesting idea. Would the intake be for a ramjet or a turbojet? The former would allow for higher speeds and would explain the need for a rocket booster. A turbojet powered missile probably wouldn't need a booster if it was air launched

Ramjet sounds good to me! All hypersonic and stuff. Anyone ever area rule a missile body? This would be prestealth aeronautics.

Spino · April 14, 2023, 05:07:32 AM

I'm not sure that the area rule principle is valid for hypersonics, but it might be. But even if not, a ramjet-powered missile could certainly achieve speeds of Mach 4.

Spino · April 15, 2023, 07:06:36 PM

After seeing Tomcatter's ST-21 build I feel a bit low. I used acrylic paint on the bottom of mine, and I don't have nearly as detailed a cockpit. But we'll see what I can do with it...

Spino · April 18, 2023, 11:20:47 AM

I may do a pair of JASSM-type weapons in the tunnel along with the GBU-31s, once they finish printing I'll see how they look.

Spino · April 21, 2023, 11:58:24 AM

The Phoenix rails have returned!

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Spino · March 11, 2024, 07:14:43 AM

Haven't gotten to this in a while, but I have finally decided it's time to finish this thing. I'll have to remove as much of this acrylic mess as I can and go back with grey primer, and that's after I fix the remnants of the AIM-152s on the belly. Hopefully I can still get this sorted, I feel a bit ashamed of it right now...