BAC ECR.2 Electric Eagle

[MartG]

Development begun in the late 1970s, with the prototype making its first flight in 1982, with its service debut in 1984. Externally similar to the modifications made to create EF-111A , internally the ECM fit was all UK developed, and was essentially an amalgamation of various earlier ECM systems developed for the V-Force bombers, including the Blue Saga RWR, Indigo Bracket, Red Carpet, Red Light, and Red Shrimp jammers. Most of the new equipment was housed in the weapons bay, though some was located in the existing electronics equipment bays.

Unlike the similarly equipped Canberra E.Mk14 the ECR.2 was capable of accompanying the strike aircraft all the way to the target at supersonic speed, though the risk of its highly sensitive equipment falling into enemy hands in the event of it being shot down would probably prevent its use in this way. In contrast to the US equivalent, the ECR.2 is often armed, normally carrying a pair of Sidewinders for self defence.

Given its effect on enemy radars, and where it was manufactured ( BAe Warton, near Blackpool in Lancashire ), the aircraft has been nicknamed the Blackpool Illuminator by its crews in a reference to Blackpool's famous tourist attraction.

Fin tip pod is from the Monogram EF-111 Raven, underfuselage transmitter pod is half of a Mirage IV drop tank, inner pylons from a Vigilante, tanks from a Tornado F.3, plus odds and sods from the spares box.

[K5054NZ]

      Way, way too cool Mart! Awesome stuff!



Keep those entries comin, folks! I know, I'm hardly one to talk....

[NARSES2]

Nice one Mart

[PolluxDeltaSeven]

Love electric birds, and this one is pretty good!!
Where did you find a 1/72 Raven model? I'm looking for one for years, but noone is available in my city.

[upnorth]

Love electric birds, and this one is pretty good!!
Where did you find a 1/72 Raven model? I'm looking for one for years, but noone is available in my city.

The 1/72 EF-111 is actually not difficult to find, at least three manufacturers have done them:

Monogram made one in the mid 80s and Revell Germany redid it in the 90s sometime.

Esci made one that was reissued by AMT in the late 80s and more recently by Italeri (The Italeri issue should be easiest to find as it was put out only a few years ago.

Hasegawa also reissued their EF-111 a couple of years ago.

[The Rat]

Great concept Martin, and well executed!      

[lancer]

Brilliant job Mart, she looks awsome.