Vive le Phrance!

AeroplaneDriver · September 26, 2010, 07:50:01 PM

OK kids...it's been a long dry spell from modeling so what better way to jump back in than a GB?

So...the VERY basic backstory....following the 1968 inflight breakup of four Mirage IIIs the Armee' de L'air grounded the entire Mirage III fleet...faced with an immediate and urgent need for a multi-role fighter the French government evaluated several options for a stop-gap measure, but quickly settled on the McDonnell Douglas F-4E, placing an order for 48 aircraft on January 7, 1969. Even though the French lacked a RIO/WSO position in it's tactical fleet an aggressive sales campaign and attractive training contract won the day for MDD.

Though originally intended as a temporary measure, the Phantom proved popular with the French. Following the 1972 modification of all Mirage III ariframes the French mothballed their Phantom fleet. Twenty-eight were sold to South Africa in 1975, but the remaining 16 survivors were converted to F-4G standard between 1978-1980 to fill a need for a dedicated SEAD airframe. The French F-4Gs carried the same SEAD avionics as USAF F-4Gs, but were also wired for MARTEL ARMs, thought a AGM-45 capability was also retained.

By 1991 12 French F-4G(F) Phantoms remained in service. With retirement on the horizon the French Phantom fleet finally went to war in Iraq in January 1991, claiming 9 Iraqi radar installations, all with MARTEL missiles.

Ian the Kiwi Herder · September 28, 2010, 08:53:47 AM

OK, Nick, you have my attention

Ian

ChernayaAkula · September 28, 2010, 10:51:54 AM

Quote from: AeroplaneDriver on September 26, 2010, 07:50:01 PMVive le Phrance!

Absolutely EPIC use of the Phantom-"Ph"!

Geoff · September 28, 2010, 12:02:39 PM

I'm in.

Tophe · October 11, 2010, 10:09:11 AM

funny

AeroplaneDriver · October 29, 2010, 08:12:03 AM

OK....back to the drawing board.... $:-\$

I love the Frantoom Idea, but when I sat down to start this build I found that the Fujimi F-4G I was going to use is badly warped. Nothing beyond repair, but I'm just not in the mood for that kind of build at the moment, so the Phantom idea is shelved 'till a later date...

Gonna go stare at the stash now and see what other inspiration comes to me...

Taiidantomcat · October 29, 2010, 09:52:12 PM

Quote from: AeroplaneDriver on October 29, 2010, 08:12:03 AM

Gonna go stare at the stash now and see what other inspiration comes to me...

Best of luck!

Ian the Kiwi Herder · October 30, 2010, 02:10:26 AM

Quote from: AeroplaneDriver on October 29, 2010, 08:12:03 AM
OK....back to the drawing board.... Gonna go stare at the stash now and see what other inspiration comes to me...

Nothing wrong with (another) RoG Hunter, Nick

Ian

AeroplaneDriver · November 01, 2010, 07:39:32 AM

Very true Ian...however on Friday I found my muse and got most of the 'pit done. Been away all weekend, but hope to get more work done tomorrow. Let's just say my entry will need a new name...because "Oryctérope du Cap" just doesn't have that warplane ring to it...

Mossie · November 01, 2010, 07:53:15 AM

Your a bit slow, otherwise you could have entered two GB's with that one!

AeroplaneDriver · November 01, 2010, 07:57:36 AM

Yeah, that hit me as I plucked it from the stash...oh well...one is better than none, right?