Oh this is number 2...

[lancer]

Here's my second GB entry. I could'nt think of a decent back story for this one, suffice to say that it's a Japanese Air Force Tornado GR4 used in the maritime strike role. She's armed with 2 Sea Eagle missiles, which are mounted staggered under the belly. She carries 2 1500L fuel tanks and 2 Sidewinders under the wings. The squadron markings come from the Fujimi F4EJ decal sheet, the Hinomaru's are by Techmod and the stencil data are kit supplied.

[anthonyp]

Very cool, Lance!!  Can't really tell, but are the colors on that light grey and dark green?

   

[lancer]

The colours are Barley Grey and Oxford blue. I figured it'd be a good overwater scheme for a maritime strike bird.

[GTX]

Lance,

I could'nt think of a decent back story for this one

If I may:

"In the late 1980's Japan decided that they really wanted to emphasis the air-to-ground (and Sea) capabilities of their new FS-X project.  Hence a proposal to develop a F-16 derivative was passed up.  Instead, in 1987, the JASDF selected a variant of the Panavia Tornado IDS as the Japanese FS-X aircraft to replace the Mitsubishi F-1 aircraft.  In 1988 Mitsubishi was selected as prime contractor for the aircraft, which became known as the F-2. The programme involved technology transfer from the European Panavia Group to Japan, and responsibility for cost sharing was split 60% by Japan and 40% by Panavia.  The aircraft's integrated electronic warfare system, mission computer and active phased array radar were developed by Mitsubishi Electric.

Four flying prototypes were developed, along with two static prototypes for static testing and for fatigue tests. Flight trials of the prototypes were successfully completed by 1997, and the aircraft entered production in 1998. The first production aircraft was delivered to the Japanese Defense Agency in September 2000 and over 49 F-2 fighters have been delivered. The aircraft are being assembled at Mitsubishi's Komaki South Plant in Nagoya.

In the Maritime Strike role, the F-2s are armed with ASM-3 anti-ship missiles (a derivative of the BAe Sea Eagle ASM).  The aircraft is also capable of deploying the Raytheon AIM-9L short-range Sidewinder and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries AAM-3 short-range air-to-air missile as well as numerous ground attack stores.

The Japan Defence Agency originally planned to procure a total of 130 F-2 aircraft  with deliveries to beyond 2010. However, the future of the programme is uncertain, following delivery of the 76 aircraft already ordered."


Regards,

Greg

[Brian da Basher]

Very nice lancer! I really like your camo paintjob on it. And Greg, nice backstory!

Brian da Basher

[lancer]

Thanks Greg, thats a hell of a backstory.  

[John Howling Mouse]

Cool.  Is the ordnance "stock" or "What If"?
I like the way the missiles are staggered.

Beauty.    

[lancer]

Cool.  Is the ordnance "stock" or "What If"?
I like the way the missiles are staggered.

Beauty.  

Barry, The ordnance is stock. The Tornado took over from the Bucc in the anti shipping role. Despite trying to find info on the loccation, I couldn't find anything, so I stuck 'em on the belly. The staggering came about due tot he fact that the pair of missiles didn't fit side by side. Personally, I like the way it looks. But, I'll take your comment as a compliment.

[GTX]

Lance,

You were correct in placing the Sea Eagles (err... I mean ASM-3s) on the belly.  Here are a couple of pics of the RAF Tornado GR.1Bs carrying Sea Eagles:



As for the staggering of the missiles - a special Japanese modification!

Regards,

Greg

PS.  Only too happy to provide the backstory - it was pretty much a simple modification of the 'real' F-2 story.

[John Howling Mouse]

As for the staggering of the missiles - a special Japanese modification!

Thanks for the pics, Greg.

Love it when Whiffery tops real life: great job, Lancer!

[elmayerle]

I'm so tempted to do a "F-2B" version of that one with the fuselage extension of the ADV grafted in to give greater fuel capacity for over-water patrols and EJ200s replacing RB.199s for better performance.

[GTX]

Evan,

You could use the Tornado 2000 proposal as the basis for your F-2B version - maybe say that the Japanese purchased the rights to this stretched version:




Regards,

Greg

[elmayerle]

Hmm, that does give one to think.  I suspect I might could use the inlets from a 1/144 F-22.  *sigh* With work as it is, more ideas than time.

[Hobbes]

Wow, that first photo is cool.

And I so want to build a Tornado 2000. The 'Long range penetrator' version sounds interesting too...

[NARSES2]

Another nice one Lance