avatar_Brian da Basher

Post your completed entries here!

Started by Brian da Basher, April 01, 2008, 02:00:32 PM

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kitbasher

Quote from: kitbasher on May 03, 2008, 03:45:39 AMFailsworth Falcon DRA.1 ZT895 '025' , 6 Sqn RAF, Akrotiri 2014
As the USA had developed the RQ-4 Global Hawk, so the UK developed the broadly similar (albeit smaller) Firecracker DRA.1.
Having gained essential UAV experience with RQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers in Afghanistan, the RAF wanted something more capable to bridge the gap between those types and the BAE Systems Taranis UCAV that was planned to enter service in 2017 as the unmanned element of the RAF's Future Offensive Aircraft Capability. 
However, strains on the British defence budget, plus contractural obligations to the multi-national Typhoon fighter and the Joint Combat Aircraft/F-35 Lightning II projects led to the Taranis being relegated to technology demonstrator status and Tranche 3 Typhoons being built mostly as two-seaters to replace the Tornado GR.4.  The JCA (aka Lightning FGA.1) entered service as planned, and thus by 2020 the RAF would be operating just two manned fast jet types.  The unmanned capability was not ignored, however, and using much of the technology developed for Taranis, the Firecracker (built by BAE Systems subsidiary, Failsworth Aerospace) came to be. 
Built to a lower specification than the Taranis, and intended to fulfil a less demanding role (ie similar to that of the Reaper), the Firecracker was considerably less expensive.  Eschewing a turboprop for a turbofan, the Firecracker's speed was greater than the Reaper's.  Range was greater, but less than Global Hawk's (leading to the type being nicknamed 'Regional Pigeon' by the RAF).  A variety of sensors and weaponry could be carried.
36 Firecrackers were built, these serving with the joint RAF/Royal Navy 360 Sqn in the UK (which also had the type training role), 6 Sqn RAF in Cyprus, and 1417 Flight  RAF in the Falkland Islands.







Details of the build and more pictures are at http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,19428.0.html  ;D ;D

Moment of reverie going through some of my old builds and found this one.  Built 14 years ago but set in a future that is now 8 years in the past.  Time flies!
What If? & Secret Project SIG member.
On the go: Beaumaris/Battle/Bronco/Barracuda/F-105(UK)/Flatning/Hellcat IV/Hunter PR11/Hurricane IIb/Ice Cream Tank/JP T4/Jumo MiG-15/M21/P1103 (early)/P1127/P1154-ish/Phantom FG1/I-153/Sea Hawk T7/Spitfire XII/Spitfire Tr18/Twin Otter/FrankenCOIN/Frankenfighter