Blackburn P.146...

[Archibald]

I have bought a Jaguar because it really looked like the blackburn P.141, but after a discussion with Thorvic I have to admit that
- The Jaguar was more in the class of the P.146
- If I wanted to make a P.141, the Phantom (AkA the Toom) was a better basis.
So, following the wise advices of the "king of scratchbuilding" I started changing my Jag into a Blackburn P.146

I started this afternoon... still plenty of work to do!

First pics



The Blackburn P.146 and P.141 were project of the late 60's. The P.146 had one Spey, the P.141 two M45. They are really what GB would have need
- to counter the Phantom, Tiger-II, Mirage F1 and other Viggen on foreign export markets (such as the deal of the century for example)

- For the RAF (with the P.141, no need for the Tornado ADV)
- For the RN had the CVA-01 been built...

Other pic

[ysi_maniac]

Very good start point    

[Archibald]

In every case, much better than this thing (it gaves it's air intakes, but it is intact...and crap! I'm asking what to do with it... for the moment, it's a spare stock to cannibalize!)

[Archibald]

More pics of the P.146, and first coat of paint (temporary : I have no white paint left     until next week)

[Archibald]

Work restart on this  project : today I bought a pot of white paint, and a DH-125 Dominie with lovely RAF decals... just what I needed!!  

[Brian da Basher]

I love the color scheme on that P.146 Archie! Reminds me of the Raspberry Ripple so beloved around here.

I only wish I'd known you needed RAF roundels. I could've included some with the other decals I sent you.

Looking forward to your next update,
Brian da Basher

[Phnx28]

Looking good, a definite improvement over the first attempt whatever happens. ^_^ P.146 makes a good substitute for the 'Toom and/or second-stringer for the Fairey Delta III if that get's curtailed (@ in real life). Would this use the Red Hebe SARH missile or its derivatives as well? I just love those original British-made AAMs and figure they could've served far longer than they did, what with Red Top being among the first all-aspect ones IIRC.

[Archibald]

I love the color scheme on that P.146 Archie! Reminds me of the Raspberry Ripple so beloved around here.

I only wish I'd known you needed RAF roundels. I could've included some with the other decals I sent you.

Looking forward to your next update,
Brian da Basher

Hmm this was an atempt as Raspberry ripple in fact.  
I'm fond of this paint sheme, too...  I googled ETPS Tornado and Jaguar T2 photos some days ago  

Don't worry for the decals, the airfix Dominie ( bizjets ) is full of lovely GB roundels...

In fact the P.146 needed more white paint (particularly in the wings and back) and this problem has been solved yesterday evening after a trip to the lovely city of Pau, spending a day with my sister and... buying models and paint.

I have to add another coat of white paint today, and add the Dominie markings. something coll is the airfix bizjet is the RAF variant painted black...the roundels and flag have white borders (edges ?) just like the rasperry ripple ones. that's cool, exactly what I needed

Plan to end the building today but I have first to left this forum (dilemna!!!)

[Archibald]

Et voila! canopies cleaned, white wings, and some details added... it look better...

[Brian da Basher]

Woah!! Goregous!!!

Brian da Basher

[Archibald]

added red strips. now it just lack the roundels!!!

[John Howling Mouse]

Sweeeeeeeeeet!    

[Archibald]

Merci! Here's the plane finished.

in 1965 the British governement decided to start from a clean sheet. all programs were rewieved, and the REAL needs for the RAF were carefully watched.
from this review, the following needs emerged

- long range interdictor aircraft : AFVG and F-111 were cancelled, the Bucc ordered as an interim type, and a long term program (the Tornado) was launched.

- CAS : the Harrier could fulfill the role.

- Interceptor and tactical fighter. The Spey Phantom was too expensive and not well suited to the British requirement, the Jaguar lacked performances. both requirement were merged into a single -seat, single engine fighter : the Blackburn P.146, to be later completed by a heavier fighter (the P.141, or a ADV variant of the Tornado)

The Blackburn P.146 Pirate won against the Vickers 593, Hawker P.1173 and
English Electric P.61

The Pirate FGR.1 made it's maiden flight with Beamont at the controls on 27th September 1969. It entered service (replacing the Lightnings) in 1972. Powered by a 9500 kgp Spey, the plane had good performances and agility. Compared to the Mirage F1, it had a better engine. The Viggen had a draggy delta wing, the MiG-23 a heavy VG wing. The Phantom lacked agility, the F-5E performances were inferior.
The P.146 had a big success on export markets, and 1600 were produced. this allowed the British aircraft industry to regain confiance after the traumatic year 1965...

XS728 was the 2nd prototype, flying in January 1970. It spend its whole career at the ETPS, and was used to develop the various standards of the Pirate (up to the FGR.5)

[Brian da Basher]

Archie I think you've topped yourself with this wonderful build! I am very impressed! I think you've achieved the pinnacle of whiffery - AIRPLANE PORN!!!

Brian da Basher

[Archibald]

Merchi!!!  ^_^ Porn to be alive!!!

The bigger brother of the 146, the 141 is coming (I have not decided what decals yet, but RN would be cool...)