Couple Of Skyhawk Questions

Burncycle · March 14, 2007, 05:40:08 PM

I'm putting together a 1/72nd scale A-4 skyhawk and was thinking about modifying it a little. Had a couple technical questions...

1. Is there any reason overwing hardpoints (ie Jaguar / Lightning) could not be added on the wings, located approximately above the inner two wing hardpoints? By moving the sidewinders up there, it would free up the outer underwing hardpoints for pods or more weapons. It doesn't look like it would hinder anything externally, but I didn't know if it would be possible or if it screwed with something inside.

2. Since the Skyhawk uses a varient of the APG-66 radar of the F-16, is there any reason Harpoon could not be integrated? One should fit neatly on the center hardpoint, obviously it would require new wiring/avionics, just wondering if it's feasible.

Shasper · March 14, 2007, 06:38:26 PM

On #2, While in theory it should work, could the Scooter get airborn? If the Harpoon is out of the question, why not go for the Penguine?

Shas B)

Scooterman · March 14, 2007, 06:53:06 PM

Answered backwards-

Yes APG-66 can cue a Harpoon so that's not all that off but I think the size would be an issue. A standard anti-ship AGM-84 weighs roughly 1200lbs (540kg) so by the book a Scooter could carry one on the centerline (stressed for 5000lb) or one on either inboard wing plyon (3000lb) but two would be a hell of a load. Go one on the centerline and twin inboard tanks or what Shas suggested and ride two Penguins on each of the inboards with a bag on the c/l.

As for mounting AAM rail above wing-YIKES. The A-4 wing is TINY. Now I'm not the one to answer aerodynamic questions but notice all the little vottex generators on the wing? They're there to keep the airflow going in the right direction. I think something mounted on a pylon might disrupt it enough.......

My $0.02 worth......

Jennings · March 14, 2007, 07:19:48 PM

As small as a Scooter's wing is, I would imagine you'd get *serious* turbulent flow problems with the interaction of the overwing store/pylon and the fusealge. Also, don't forget the gravity fuel filler cap is located just above the right hand inboard pylon area.

J

Burncycle · March 14, 2007, 07:51:24 PM

Thanks for the comments, that's what I needed to know... overwing hardpoints are out!

Son of Damian · March 14, 2007, 09:16:28 PM

You could go with wing tip hardpoints instead, I would imagine.

rallymodeller · March 14, 2007, 10:07:13 PM

QuoteYou could go with wing tip hardpoints instead, I would imagine.

Trouble with using wingtip pylons on teh Scooter is that the balance horns for the ailerons take up pretty much the whole wingtip -- there's be no place to mount 'em.

Son of Damian · March 15, 2007, 04:10:33 AM

Aircraft designers used ballance horns for ailerons as late as the 1950/60s???

Jennings · March 15, 2007, 06:53:43 AM

QuoteAircraft designers used ballance horns for ailerons as late as the 1950/60s???

And they still do. All ailerons need to be balanced (we're not talking about video game airplanes like F-16s, btw), and there are only a couple of ways of doing that. It's not archiac technology. The A-4 was designed to be simple and cheap, and the aileron design follows that philosophy.

J

Shasper · March 15, 2007, 07:08:03 AM

Since the Scoot has such long legs, why not just redesign the out stations for dual-use pylons (one that has the 'shoulder' AAM rail) ?

Shas B)

Scooterman · March 15, 2007, 09:44:07 AM

QuoteSince the Scoot has such long legs, why not just redesign the out stations for dual-use pylons (one that has the 'shoulder' AAM rail) ?

Shas B)

I don't think that'll work either. The outboards are really out there and anything deeper might cause drag/airflow issues at the tip.

PanzerWulff · March 15, 2007, 10:02:35 AM

How about a small wingtip extention increasing the span a couple of feet to clear the arelon balance horns say 1&1/2 to 2 feet per wing that should clear them and supply a little extra lift (Not much I'm sure)

Jennings · March 15, 2007, 10:34:25 AM

QuoteHow about a small wingtip extention increasing the span a couple of feet to clear the arelon balance horns say 1&1/2 to 2 feet per wing that should clear them and supply a little extra lift (Not much I'm sure)

Yeah, but then you're messing with perfection

Try putting a wingtip extension on that lovely little wing and make it look good...

J

gunfighter · March 15, 2007, 12:10:38 PM

How about going for a lighter short range AAM such as Mistral or Stinger?. Maybe it can be attached on a wingtip launcher without much disturbance, and you are getting some extra punch. Other option could be twin rails for the AIM-9, I saw something alike in post-falklands SHARs. Sure the scooter has a small wing, but so does the Sea Harrier. I imagine an asymetric load: 2 Sidewinders on one wing, and whatever you want in the other: ECM, chaff, rockets, etc. I´ve seen these kind of arrangements in A-10s, so I think it could work in other planes.
Well, some ideas...

Shasper · March 15, 2007, 01:59:29 PM

Quote
QuoteSince the Scoot has such long legs, why not just redesign the out stations for dual-use pylons (one that has the 'shoulder' AAM rail) ?

Shas B)
I don't think that'll work either. The outboards are really out there and anything deeper might cause drag/airflow issues at the tip.

Ok, then how about the inner pylon, leaving the outers for other loads (similar to the Tornado)?

Shas B)