Fictional Tactical Strike Aircraft designs

[TsrJoe]

Over the years there been a number of hypothetical/fictional 'TSR. type' aircraft designs ranging from speculative OR.339 configurations published by 'Flight', through to an 'X.15/TSR.2 hybrid' featuring in the 'Jeff Hawke' comic strip, a TSR. like design illustrated in a 1987 'Battle' comic, as well as showing up in a tv series, as an adjunct to the main story.

an example of the latter, an interesting design for a 'tactical strike' type aircraft from an episode of 'Joe 90' something different... hmmm   now how do i make that one... 1/48 F.5??? (suggestions welcome!)

http://cmtaylor.members.beeb.net/VG104.htm

[TsrJoe]

'Joe 90 Tactical Bomber'

... just found the 'Joe 90' episode with the tactical bomber which i think at that time mightve been designed and built by Mike Trim under Derek Meddings?...i picked up a cheapo video containing it in my local supermarket (£1.99)...'The amazing adventures of Joe 90' (its the second or third episode in the tape)

the story itself was unfortunately typical of the series, and it brought back to me why i hated the puppet brat even back then when i was a primary school kid! dunno why its creators thought it would appeal! (and yip i did have glasses back then too...aarrgghh!)

... the most un pc. pile of sh.. i have seen in many years, simplistically put...the brat (who thanks to experimentation on him by his father who works for the intelligence services..hmmm!) mugs the original pilot, flys the bomber over to 'eastbloc' (Soviet Union?), completely flattens a missile base (ol' George Bush would love it!), evades missile and flak attack, then for good measure takes out a couple of the latest Migs (looking suspiciously like 'Angel interceptors' from the brill 'Captain Scarlet'!) then of course landing safely back in merry old England in time for hot cocoa and biscuits!...as i said a pile of ....!

...an interesting design nontheless, and a worthy addition to the listing of fictional 'TSR.' types...looking like a cross between a Northrop F.5 and the old Hawk 'Nuclear bomber'!

cheers, joe  

[TsrJoe]

'TSR.2MS'

...the Japanese Anime/Manga series Stratos 4 features one of the most thought through TSR.2 derived designs as yet, a ZELL. launched TSR.2 (from a MAZ. towed MX. launcher? no less!) the aircraft being fitted with 2 large RATO. units, a tail mounted booster rocket similar to the NF.104, and carrying an IRBM. sized missile beneath its belly (the latter being similar to an actual TSR.2 proposal!)

...other modifications to the aircraft are RCS. units on nose and wingtips, a'la X.15, a redesigned cockpit for very high altitude operations with porthole type windows, and prone crew positions for pilot and WSO.

i can definately reccomend picking up the original series for an hour or two of viewing pleasure... B)


cheers, joe  

[MartG]

the story itself was unfortunately typical of the series, and it brought back to me why i hated the puppet brat even back then when i was a primary school kid! dunno why its creators thought it would appeal! (and yip i did have glasses back then too...aarrgghh!)

... the most un pc. pile of sh.. i have seen in many years, simplistically put...the brat (who thanks to experimentation on him by his father who works for the intelligence services..hmmm!) mugs the original pilot, flys the bomber over to 'eastbloc' (Soviet Union?), completely flattens a missile base (ol' George Bush would love it!), evades missile and flak attack, then for good measure takes out a couple of the latest Migs (looking suspiciously like 'Angel interceptors' from the brill 'Captain Scarlet'!) then of course landing safely back in merry old England in time for hot cocoa and biscuits!...as i said a pile of ....!

Unfortunately a lot of Gerry Anderson's productions were let down by weak storylines - some of the 2nd series of Space:1999 could only be described as dire. A pity, 'cos as you say the hardware designed by Derek Meddings/Mike Trim/Brian Johnson/etc. were excellent

[naoto]

...other modifications to the aircraft are RCS. units on nose and wingtips, a'la X.15, a redesigned cockpit for very high altitude operations with porthole type windows, and prone crew positions for pilot and WSO.

i can definately reccomend picking up the original series for an hour or two of viewing pleasure... B)

cheers, joe 

If there's any question regarding why a prone position for the pilot and WSO is used, it's answered in a few scenes from inside the cockpit -- especially regarding the camera positioning (perhaps it has something to do with your viewing pleasure?).  The orbital "Meteor-smasher" lifting body craft are also quite interesting.  Again, there's that thing regarding the in-cockpit camera angle too... (and isn't it interesting that most of the pilots seem to be female?)
The short sequel shows a bit more of the aircraft that makes its appearance at the end of the first series.  The second series continues the story with a different group of pilots and some more vintage aircraft.

[TsrJoe]

'Jeff Hawke Reconaissance Aircraft'

... having obtained copies from the original Jeff Hawke strip 'The flight across the Atlantic' by Sydney Jordan, and prepared a basic working drawing from the images therin, (a published ga. type drawing doesnt seem to match the original illustrations!) i am currently in the process of starting a model of this interesting design with its X.15 Sateloid side cheeks and rear end, TSR.2 forward fuselage, and underwing podded jets a'la B.58 Hustler!

Stage 1 ... take one Revell 1/64 X.15 kit and one Blackbeard resin TSR.2 ...

to be continued...


cheers, Joe  

[elmayerle]

'Jeff Hawke Reconaissance Aircraft'

... having obtained copies from the original Jeff Hawke strip 'The flight across the Atlantic' by Sydney Jordan, and prepared a basic working drawing from the images therin, (a published ga. type drawing doesnt seem to match the original illustrations!) i am currently in the process of starting a model of this interesting design with its X.15 Sateloid side cheeks and rear end, TSR.2 forward fuselage, and underwing podded jets a'la B.58 Hustler!

Stage 1 ... take one Revell 1/64 X.15 kit and one Blackbeard resin TSR.2 ...

to be continued...


cheers, Joe

TSRJoe,

Is this the story line where the balloon crossing the Atlantic runs into some ETs?  I remember seeing that one when it first came out in the late 70s.  Remarkably, the paper in a west Texas town (San Angelo) carried Jeff Hawke.

[TsrJoe]

Hi Evan, yip thats the one...definately a different story from the norm! I love the opening frames with the single finned XB.70 refuelling aircraft and 'Bristol 188 like' design taking on fuel from the fintip (shades of the old Hawk XAB.1!) via a nose mounted probe (a'la Mirage IV) all very sweet!

 

[elmayerle]

Okay, now I'm intrigued.  Is there anywhere I can get collections of the "Jeff Hawke" comic strips?  From what I remember, I'd really like to.

Thanks for any and all help.