Raaf Could-have-been's

[MAD]

Hi gents
I just found this,
It's the first time I have read this about the RAAF's F-111's which I found very interesting



In March 1970, the Australian Defence Minister Malcolm Fraser stated five options to parliament:
•   1 - cancel the F-111C order within 3 months;
•   2 - cancel the F-111C order within 3 months and get F-4E, tankers and recce aircraft;
•   3 - cancel the F-111C order within 3 months and wait for the F-111F to become available;
•   4 - place the F-111C in long term storage pending investigation of technical problems; and
•   5 - place the F-111C in long term storage pending investigation of technical problems and get interim
                  aircraft

Speculation for aircraft to form a replacement for the F-111C included the A-7 Corsair II or the F-4E Phantom II.

'Wow'
More advanced (solid-state / digital) avionics and more powerful-engine F-111F!!!
An opportunity missed

M.A.D

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

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

A thing of beauty, Mike. Very close to what I'm thinking...... Hmmmm maybe I should think a bit more 'laterally'

Ian

[GTX]

Some other options:

RAAF P-38 instead of Beaufighters?
Hurricanes/Spitfire Mk 1s instead of P-40s
Typhoon/Tempest instead of Mustangs
Late model Seafire instead of Sea Fury

Regards,

Greg

[Jschmus]

I seem to remember that the RAAF were supplied with F-4Es for a brief period while they awaited delivery of their first F-111s.  The article mentioned that some wanted to keep the Phantoms after.

[GTX]

Yes, it was pushed for by some but wasn't economically or manpower viable.

Regards,

Greg

[NARSES2]

Some other options:

RAAF P-38 instead of Beaufighters?
Hurricanes/Spitfire Mk 1s instead of P-40s
Typhoon/Tempest instead of Mustangs
Late model Seafire instead of Sea Fury

Regards,

Greg

I've made a RAAF Typhoon and have a Tempest II planned

[MAD]

That Lightning does look cool.

I just did some research and discovered the following RAAF/RAN could have beens..

A-5
B-47
Instead of the F-111

Breuget Atlantic
Nimrod (NODS OH YEAH)
Instead of the Orion

F-16 Instead of the F-18

Westland Lynx
Super Puma
Dauphin
Instead of the Blackhawk


Reference: Military Aircraft of Australia by Stewart Wilson.  
 

A-5
B-47
Buccaneer
Mirage IVA
TRS.2
Instead of the F-111

Breuget Atlantic
Nimrod (NODS OH YEAH)
MP / ASW proposal of the Boeing B-707 (I think!)
Instead of the Orion

Northrop F-18L
F-16 instead of F/A-18

I also believe we looked at the Sud (Aerospatiale) SA.321 Super Frelon

M.A.D

[GTX]

MP / ASW proposal of the Boeing B-707 (I think!)
Instead of the Orion

I'm not sure the 707 was ever actually offered as such - It was in consideration for Canada's Long Range Patrol Aircraft competition (I believe it came down to being between this and the CP-140) and would have probably been offered had it won there:




Regards,

Greg

[TsrJoe]

from the UK. National Archives ...

DO   164   27      TSR.2      Aust., B.47E/Valiant, RA.5C Sep.63

the file contains that the RAAF. favoured the RA.5C at that time, with the then in development TFX. as second choice, the TSR.2 was seen as being a poor choice due to costing and delivery (hence interim type offers, altho as can be seen in hindsight the F.111K was beset by a number of delays) and that the UK. assumed the type would be accepted just because of nationality ties

The UK. offered Vickers Valiant as an interim (the file noted that they were in the process of being withdrawn as unsuitable for use!!) altho there was a number of caveats to their use and deployment
The US. offered Boeing B.47E without restrictions (at least on paper!) altho as we know the RAAF. accepted the F.4E as a later stopgap prior to F.111K delivery

cheers, joe

[Sisko]

Some other options:

RAAF P-38 instead of Beaufighters?
Hurricanes/Spitfire Mk 1s instead of P-40s
Typhoon/Tempest instead of Mustangs
Late model Seafire instead of Sea Fury

Regards,

Greg

I've made a RAAF Typhoon and have a Tempest II planned

As have I

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Got something a wee bit 'special' planned for the near future.... stay tuned 

Ian

[NARSES2]

Some other options:

RAAF P-38 instead of Beaufighters?
Hurricanes/Spitfire Mk 1s instead of P-40s
Typhoon/Tempest instead of Mustangs
Late model Seafire instead of Sea Fury

Regards,

Greg

I've made a RAAF Typhoon and have a Tempest II planned

As have I

Great minds  Here's my take on a Aussie Tiffie.

[Mossie]

I should have an Aussie aircraft from the same period finished in the next couple of days with a slightly different look for the bird, I'll post it here when it's done.

[Mossie]

Well a bit later than I'd planned, a hand op, general procastination & some other stuff all soon got in the way, but here it is as promised.

Some other options:

Hurricanes/Spitfire Mk 1s instead of P-40s

Here you go Greg (although a late war mark II instead)!

CAC-14 Hurricane, 79 Sqn RAAF, Morotai 1945
Main thread: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,27978.msg418012.html#msg418012

[Daryl J.]

Not knowing a thing about Australian military aviation's history, I think a Vimy Bomber, DH-9, or SPAD XIII would look great sporting some sort of vintage kangaroo logo.

,
Daryl J.