Boeing/MBB VA-105 Firefly

[Rafael]

For years the CRW (Canard Rotor Wing) was only a mere curiosity. Projects like Boeing's and DARPA's X-50 embodied the advances made with technology in the area.

Its capability to stop its rotor in midair, transforming it into a wing for conventional, fast flight was a potential too valuable to let go.

But it wasn't until the year 2020 that a practical, manned CRW vehicle entered service in the armed forces. The Marine Corps, pioneering and leading the initiative fielded the first squadron of VA-105 Fireflies, and experimented with the concept in various deployments and excercises.

The VA-105 was a marvel of technology, and its VTOL nature was the entry ticket into shipboard deployment. Advanced sensors and electronics, and spacious cockpit granted the type a variety of missions and configurations no other aircraft of its size has ever fulfilled.

The ability to take off and recover vertically, a long range/endurance, its whishpering rotor/wing technology and a high speed, made it ideal for the roles of scout, tank hunting, transport for small units, patrol, armed scort, reconaissance and close support.

Its size made it possible to embark large numbers aboard ship, and its payload was enough to compare it to the previous generation's gunships.

The most numerous version, the Corp's AV-105 was armed with a fixed 20mm cannon, AGM-214 stormbringer anti-tank/antiair missiles, APKWS missiles, and rockets. Multi-spectral target ID, Classification and tracking equipment was integrated into the Firefly. Even the Navy ordered a LAMPS-capable AV-105 for small ships.

The AV-105's first combat operation was the scort of MV-22 Ospreys leading the first attack wave in the operation to recover the island of Tegawan in 2026. Elements of the Corps successfully suppressed all threats and not one MV-22 scorted was lost. Also, a great number of Furisian Armor and Infantry fell prey to its devastating arsenal.

Its performance and capabilities endeared this little fighting machine to its users, and the AV-105 will be a common sight in the air for many years to come.

This was my Sunday Project, a funny and interesting recovery of a small BO-105 lying in my abandoned corner, beyond repair.

I hope you like it.

Rafa

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[Brian da Basher]

Woah is that cool, Rafa! That rotor wing looks very believable indeed! I really like your striped camo paintjob too!

Awesome!

Brian da Basher

[AeroplaneDriver]

Now THAT is a whif!!!

     

[The Rat]

KICKASS!

 

[Sisko]

That is one funky lookin rotor.

[Tophe]

WOW...

[Archibald]

Vraiment bien! kind of supercopter brother...  

[Rafael]

Woah is that cool, Rafa! That rotor wing looks very believable indeed! I really like your striped camo paintjob too!

Awesome!

Brian da Basher

Hi, Brian!!!

This was my anti-boring sunday project. It wasn't planned, so I played it by ear. When I finished it last evening I was at a loss of what to do as camo, then the rotor reminded me of the one in that Schwarzenegger (sorry if I misspelled it, Mr. Governor) movie wich had 3 stripes and I simply copied it and extended it all 'round. It was fun, and quick!!!.

Thanks.

Rafa

[Rafael]

A-D, Rat, Sisko, Tophe and Archi, It honors me to receive your comments for you are such accomplished modelers,

A big Thank U!!!!

B)  B)  B)  B)


Rafa