Aussie-UK Joint Cruise Missile - Jindivik!

[Lawman]

The Jindivik target drone was developed by GAF in Australia, starting in 1948, with a piloted test version flying in 1950, and the first unmanned one in 1952. The Mk2 quickly replaced the Mk1 in production, from 1953, with the Bristol Siddeley Viper turbojet engine, and the faster Mk3 flew in 1961. It then went on to a very successful production history, with hundreds produced over the years, mainly serving the RAAF and RAF.

Anyway, enough of the facts, now for the conjecture!

In 1958, it was decided that the days of the high altitude bomber making it into Soviet airspace were coming to an end. As a result, two projects are chosen; the first of these is to be a high speed missile, based on the American WS-199B Bold Orion air-launched ballistic missile project (that inspired the Skybolt); the second of these is to be a terrain-following air-launched cruise missile. The former project, Bold Orion, becomes a joint project, when Britain expresses a strong desire for the project to actually become the missile, not just form the inspiration for a new missile (i.e. Skybolt); it uses many off the shelf components - Thiokol TX-20 first stage, and an Altair second stage, and parts from a variety of other missile systems. After a round of tests, steadily ironing out the problems, it finally enters production in 1961, replacing a variety of US and UK weapons, and ending the days of B-47s, B-52s, andV-bombers flying to Moscow to drop free-fall nuclear bombs!

The second project is to be a much cheaper system, developed jointly with Australia, capable of being mass produced, and used for both air-launch (RAF and RAAF) and ground launch (Army and RAF), carrying smaller tactical nuclear warheads. The new missile is to be based on a high speed derivative of the Jindvik; it is enlarged a little bit, and given an advanced swept wing, and a basic terrain-avoidance radar and INS in the nose. It is to have a range of up to 1,000km, relying on its B.S. Viper engine, and carry any of the following: a 1,000lb HE warhead, a cluster warhead (with hundreds of small bomblets, both AP and AT) or a tactical nuclear warhead. The missile is to accompany the Blue Water shorter ranger missile, which is intended for attactical targets near the forward battle area, whereas this cruise missile is intended to attack staging areas, airbases, and other targets that are deeper into Warsaw Pact areas. Development moves ahead quite quickly, with the Aussies handling the airframe design and some avionics, while Britain develops the terrain-following systems and the warheads. The first example, a heavily modified Jindvik, flies as early as late 1959, though being nothing more than a basic proof of concept (with none of the advanced systems onboard). The internal avionics are tested in a variety of different aircraft, ranging from a Dakota (cheap and available) to a Canberra (able to fly fast and low enough to test it, yet big enough to mount everything). It all comes together in late 1961, with a series of highly successful trails in Woomera, and off the Australian coast. The missile is then tested in mountainous terrain when it is sent for trials in Canada, and the simple, but effective terrain avoidance systems work very well. The navigation systems also work well, allowing the missile to fly to pre-planned targets with a very high degree of accuracy (relatively).

The RAF receive a new batch of Avro Vulcan B.2s, and Handley Page Victor KB.2As -the Victors being new build dual-role bomber/tankers, using the B.2 airframe. The Aussies, not needing the range of strike initially, opt for only the Vulcans. The air-launched cruise missile enters service in 1963, being certified for both the Vulcan and Victor; it is carried either internally (four missiles, plus a large fuel tank in the upper half of the bomb-bays) or externally (four on wing hardpoints). The Aussies look at getting the (de facto Skybolt) air-launched ballistic missiles, but decide that they don't need it, and cannot justify the expense. Britain inducts both systems, using the Vulcan to launch the long range Skybolt-type, with the Victors carrying the cruise missiles, while still carrying enough extra fuel to act as tankers! By the late '60s, the Jindivik ALCM is updated, with a newer Viper engine, and re-designed aeroshell, to help reduce its radar signature, as well as a new guidance system, allowing multiple sets of target information to be loaded, and then selected in flight. As such, the RAF's V-Bomber fleet remains a highly effective deterrent, alongside the Navy's new Polaris missiles, which enter service in 1970, after the decision to buy being made in 1963, based on the highly successful cooperation on Skybolt.

[GTX]

Interesting.  Another idea would have been to simply turn the Jindivik into what it had such strong potential for - a URAV!  Maybe even have extended wingtips.  Anyone know if you can get a Jindivik model?  I like the idea of doing a whole series of Alt Jindiviks.

Regards,

Greg

[puddingwrestler]

High Planes models does a Jindivik in 1/72 - I know cause I have one!
It has multiple sets of markings, a take off trolley and alternate parts to make either the Mk 1 or Mk 2 intakes. Mold quality is fairly poor however.
I got mine from an eBay store in Aus, pretty sure they are still in porduction.
I've been thinking of turning mine into a manned version (No, not a GAF Pika - a manned version with the top mounted intakes!)

[Aussie747]

Here is a link to the High Planes website Jindivik page http://www.hiplanes.dragnet.com.au/new/1_72_kits/7203.htm

And one for their email address hiplanes@dragnet.com.au

[GTX]

Thanks - wish someone did a 1/48th

Regards,

Greg