Lightning and Eagle

[Hobbes]

The 1970 fuel crisis led to frantic research into alternatives. When the Americans introduced biofuels like ethanol and vegetable oil derivatives in 1975, initial scepticism was followed by widespread adoption and the collapse of the oil market by 1980.

Plummeting revenue led to the infamous 1979 speech by King Khalid, announcing sweeping changes in all areas of government spending. Fortunately for the Saudis, all their neighbours faced the same problems, decreasing their ability to wage war against each other.

One major consequence was that the Saudi military would have to continue using old military hardware instead of the planned replacements. One example was the Lightning F.53. Introduced in RSAF service in 1969, it was planned to be replaced by 1985. Now the RSAF would have to make do with the aircraft for another 15 years.

By then, English Electric was no longer in the business of building aircraft, its assets being turned over to BAe. BAe offered an update that fit the RSAF budget, and kept the aircraft at least somewhat competitive against those used by neighbouring states. It consisted of modern IR missiles (the Sidewinder), two extra missile hardpoints, and a helmet-mounted cueing system, plus a set of less thirsty engines purpose-designed by Rolls-Royce.

These photos depict a Lightning in 1990, with a full missile load and the new low-visibility color scheme in use by then.

[Hobbes]

What if the USAF had adopted the Phoenix for use on its aircraft?

(sorry, can't come up with a good backstory right now)

[cthulhu77]

Fantastic !!!!  More pics, please !
         greg

[Hobbes]

Both models are Revell 1:144. For the F-15 I scratchbuilt the wing pylons (standard fueltank+2 missile-pylons), for the Lightning I made the two extra missile pylons. The extra missiles (Phoenix, 4x Sidewinder) are from Arii weapons sets.

[Hobbes]

Time for the backstory for my Phoenix-equipped F-15.

In 1985, Chairman Chernenko dies, and is replaced not (as Western observers expected) with reformist Gorbachev, but with Viktor Grishin, a well-known hardliner. Tensions between the USSR and the West increase immediately. In 1987 the Soviet army brutally breaks a massive strike in Poland, effectively silencing the proponents of change that have begun to stir all over the Warschaupact.
The Cold War is fought with renewed resolve: Russian probes of US air defences are once again commonplace. This time, it's not the lumbering Bear that does the probing, but supersonic Backfire and Blackjack bombers, which are often observed to be carrying  cruise missiles.
To counter this increased threat, the USAF decides to fit long-range missiles to its front-line F-15Cs. By 1987, the first F-15s are fitted with modified radars and Phoenix missiles. The conversion was hastily done, with extra electronics added to the already fiddly AN/APG 63, and with Phoenix missiles slung on fuselage pylons, instead of being carried conformally.
The F-15CP gets nicknamed Mule by its pilots, because this mating of two species isn't an unqualified success: the big, heavy Phoenix missiles increase drag, reducing range to the point where the USAF has to send tankers along with routine patrols. The combat system also proves recalcitrant, requiring frequent reboots of the targeting system. Raytheon representatives are sent to Alaska to improve the system in the field, and are overheard referring to this assignment as 'the Gulag'.
A more capable variant is planned, with the new AN/APG 71 radar, and conformal carriage of four missiles along with conformal fuel tanks. This F-15G was planned to enter service in 1991.
In 1990, however, the USSR economy collapses. Grishin is deposed, then stands trial. A junior member of the Politburo named Boris Yeltsin is elected to replace him, after he presents a bold program for economic and political reform.
The USAF squadrons patrolling Alaska have no encounters with Russian aircraft from then on, and the Phoenix is quietly withdrawn from active service. The F-15CPs are mothballed.

The aircraft pictured is an F-15CP at the start of its career.  

[cthulhu77]

bravo !!!!  Great stuff !!!

           greg

[viper29_ca]

Actually your Phoenix equipped F15 is not that far off base. The early F-15s were designed and equipped to be able to mount and fire the Phoenix missile, but the USAF of course never adopted the Phoenix so it was never used....

[Hobbes]

Yeah, that's what I based my story on: in tests, the USAF found that drag from the Phoenix missiles was so high, it limited range too much to be useful.  

[anthonyp]

Don't forget the F-14 IMI (Improved Manned Interceptor) concept, where there was a mockup of the F-14 with drop tanks, and a swollen belly tank mounted between the engine nacelles, armed with four AIM-54's and two AIM-7's.  It had incredible range, but the concept was killed by the incredible cost.  

BTW, great job on the models!!

 

Here's a pic:  

[alanqua]

Hello,

This F-15 with the Phoenix missiles looks like the F-15N... McDonnell Douglas proposed a long time ago a naval version of the F-15 with 4 Phoenix missiles.
I'm currently working on the project to build this whatif model. I am also drawing a profile.

Regards
Alain