Raaf Could-have-been's

[Martin H]

Some other types offered to the RAAF and RAN from the snippets of news ive collated from Air pictorial and Air international. (with a lot of help from Geoff B.)

March 1965.
Northrop N-285B. A carrier capable F-5, being offered to the RAN.

April 1970.
RAAF, looking at Gazelle as a Sioux replacement.

1971.
RAAF. Looking at Buccaneer as a stopgap before F-111's enter service.

August 1976.
RAAF looking at the F-15 & F-18L for air defence and the Mirage F-1, Jaguar International & SAAB Viggen for ground attack.

April 1977.
40 A-10's offered to the RAAF for Ground attack/maritime strike.

August 1977.
RAAF to eval Viggen, Tornado and Mirage F-1 to replace its Mirage III's.

May 1978.
RAAF looking at both the E-2 and Nimrod for AEW.

that lot should give a few model ideas

[DropBear]

Not here to promote sales of the mag, however, thought the front page picture on the current issue might spark the interest of a new 21st century RAAF whatif.

http://www.ausaviation.com.au/Online/conte...ntentsindex.htm


Could be interesting to buy Italeri 1:72 scale Super Hornet and X-35 and do a half/half morph.

Thoughts?

(you will need to scroll down the page to view cover artwork).

[Mossie]

Tophe would be in raptures!!!  

[DropBear]

Not quite sure what one would call such a beast or infact what designator you could give it?

Perhaps add 18 to 35?

Maybe F/A-53 LiteBug2

     

[MAD]

Sorry I know this forum is somewhat old

But I read in The Vulcan Option for the Royal Australian Air Force (Air Power Studies Centre, written by Denis O'Brien, March 1994).
That the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was the preferred choice of the 'Murdoch Mission' of 1954.
It was also the personal favored fighter design of Air Vice-Marshal A.M. Murdoch himself, to meet RAAF Operational Requirements No.OR/AIR34 'Fighter' aircraft!
Lockheed had advised the then Minister for Air, Athol Townsley, that they could supply 66 x F-104A Starfighters for A 44-million, with delivery in 1957/58, as compared to an estimated cost of A 55-million if they were to be locally produced with delivery over the period 1960-65.

As much a fan of the misunderstood and underrated F-104 as I have become over the past few years.
I must say I am glad we (the RAAF) did not choose it!

As for the Saab F.35 Draken, I have read elsewhere that although an outstanding fighter design (offering the best all-weather air-to-air interception capability of the contenders!).
It was thought to risky – 'politically', because of Sweden's neutrality and non-war stance
(This actually came to fruition during the Vietnam War, when Sweden threatened to stop supply of 84mm Garl Gustav's to Australia – hence we did not use them in combat in Vietnam).
The Dassualt Mirage IIIO won that competition (But unfortunately we did not pursue and take up the French offered much more capabe built and trialed Avon powered variant, which they had designed principally for the RAAF!!)

Likewise at the time the RAAF was looking at replacing the Dassault Mirage IIIO, as its principle fighter-bomber, the then Air Vice Marshal (sorry, I can not remember his name) favored the Mirage F.1, principally on the grounds of how well the Mirage IIIO's had transpired into and during service.
But again politics had a reflection on this decision, for during the Vietnam War, the French had also threatened to cut of the supply of engines and spares, if they were deployed to the Vietnam theatre.
A lesson learnt thankfully by the RAAF!

Of note is the fact that during the assessment of the Mirage IIIO fighter replacement, that RAAF pilots were the first pilots outside that of French to fly the prototype Mirage 2000, so keen was the French to capture a sale from the likes of the RAAF, with its reputation!

More to follow if anyone is interested
Unfortunately almost all my books, with these references are in storage, whilst I am posted were I am at present!!
But I have my trusty Blackberry in my webbing at all times!!!!!

M.A.D

[GTX]

Sorry I know this forum is somewhat old

Nothing wrong with reviving old threads IMHO .

Likewise at the time the RAAF was looking at replacing the Dassault Mirage IIIO, as its principle fighter-bomber, the then Air Vice Marshal (sorry, I can not remember his name) favored the Mirage F.1, principally on the grounds of how well the Mirage IIIO's had transpired into and during service.
But again politics had a reflection on this decision, for during the Vietnam War, the French had also threatened to cut of the supply of engines and spares, if they were deployed to the Vietnam theatre.
A lesson learnt thankfully by the RAAF!

Whilst I agree the Mirage III was probably a good choice from a capability POV, it is interesting if you speak to anyone involved with maintaining them in service - I have yet to hear a single positive word!

Wrt the Mirage F.1, as I mentioned a few pages back, apparently Dassault offered around 1971 for Australia to join in a co-production agreement whereby Australian Industry would manufacture components for the world market regardless of whether or not the RAAF ordered the type.  During 1972, it looked as though the offer was going to be taken up but eventually, the DoD recommended against it - I'm not sure the specific reasons given though.

More to follow if anyone is interested

Keep it coming.

Regards,

Greg

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Sorry I know this forum is somewhat old

As much a fan of the misunderstood and underrated F-104 as I have become over the past few years. I must say I am glad we (the RAAF) did not choose it!
M.A.D

Interesting that this thread should re-surface at this time. At this time of year I start putting together a potential projects for the year list (usually on a spreadsheet, sometimes in my head, but always it's forgotten by the time I get to the Huddersfield show in February !!). In the What If section this year, Both a Mirage 2000O and a RAAF Starfighter are VERY near the top...... 

Ian

[Mike Wren]

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,14469.0/highlight,mirage+2000eo.html

[gunfighter]

 

[B777LR]

As for the Saab F.35 Draken, I have read elsewhere that although an outstanding fighter design (offering the best all-weather air-to-air interception capability of the contenders!).

Thats interesting. When the RDAF looked for new fighters back in the 1960s, they looked at the F-5, Mirage III and Draken. The Draken was inferior to the Mirage in terms of Air to Air, but was cheaper and more reliable. The F-5 was found to be superior in Air to Ground, but was the most expensive of the lot.

[BlackOps]

I'm going to try to work this one into plastic this year 

[GTX]

Regards,

Greg

[Maverick]

Nifty Hog Jeff,

As a question, do you know the specific FS colours for the scheme.  They seem as rare as hen's teeth.

Regards,

Mav

[BlackOps]

Mav, unfortunately I have no clue, just kinda eyballed it.

[Maverick]

Jeff,

Fair enough too.  I have yet to find a site that gives a legit callout & every time i've tried it comes out looking off.

Regards,

Mav