Completed Builds Since Last Summer

[anthonyp]

Well, I finally found the time to sit down and type up the backstories to every model I've built over the last, um, year (I think).  I posted a few back in April, but lost steam as other things got in the way.

I still haven't been able to get back to building, but I got the old creativity going again after an almost two week vacation these last two weeks (the massive amounts of beer and sun may have had something to do with it too).

I've already post one new model in one of my Michigan threads (it was another VFA-209 F/A-18A+, this time Air Baron 08, another aggressor bird).  I'm not going to bombard the board with more threads than anyone knows what to do with.  Instead, I'm artificially inflating this thread's post count.

The pics are larger than what I like them to be, but I'm lazy, and there's a lot of them.

Here, in no particular order, are the builds, by nation, starting with Argentina:

Fury FJ1 Argentinan Navy

With the purchase of the Cruz Meridional from the US, four squadrons of Fury FJ1's were supplied to the Argentinan Navy.  These were sold by the US manufacturers as the latest and greatest in naval fighters to Argentina, where in reality, the USN had pushed ahead with the FJ2 and later versions of the Fury.

The FJ1 served with the Argentinan Navy until 1964, when they were withdrawn and replaced by F-11 Tigers.

(This was a Pegasus Models 1/72 FJ Fury kit that I picked up off of eBay.  It was an easy kit to build).



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Next up is Aruba:

Tucano T.1 Aruban Air Self Defense Force

The Tucano is the primary aircraft trainer for the Aruban Air Self Defense Force.  These planes replaced the T-28 Trojans which were getting long in the tooth.  

This particular example is shown after an unfortunate accident on the ground, where the wheel chocks and brakes were not in place when an engine test was being undertaken.  It should also be noted that these types of accidents happen with quite a bit of regularity, as most personnel would rather be at the Club Med Resort and Officer's Club.

(This is the 1/72 Airfix Tucano.  It went together nicely, but balance is an issue, and I had no idea what to do with it.  It looks like I chose the wrong shade of blue to paint it, in order to use those decals...)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Next, Estonia:

Hawk 200 Estonian Air Force   

As the former Soviet Republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia became more and more involved in NATO, they divested themselves of ex-Soviet weaponry and equipped themselves with Western equipment.  Where Lithuania took the role of the offensive minded Baltic state, Latvia became the support and army aviation state, and Estonia became the light attack, training, and naval warfare state.  To this end, Estonia purchased 54 Hawk 200 light attack aircraft for use in two air support regiments.

The below example is seen on the ramp at an airbase in Afghanistan, just prior to a mission.

(This is a 1/72 Matchbox Hawk 200 kit)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Next, something for JHM... a T-tail from Belgium:

Curtiss XF15C1 Belgian Navy

As with most experimental US Navy fighters, the USN never adopted them for widespread service, if at all, though that didn't stop the Pentagon from allowing the company salesmen to go overseas to sell their lemons, er, designs to allied nations.  

Curtiss Aircraft drew "Europe" from the hat of potential suckers, and sent off their salesmen to ply their wears.  The most successful of these sales teams was the one that headed into Brussels with the XF15C1 design in their brief cases.  After showing the production designs and expected performance, and convincing them of the wisdom of having shore based fighters that could deploy with allied navies should the need arise, the Belgian Navy agreed to purchase 36 of the planes.

After the first squadron was received and put through the grind of operational use, the Belgians discovered they'd been had.  They attempted to cancel the rest of the order, but there was an airtight clause in the contract that said that any attempt to cancel prior to 2/3 of the contract being met will result in forfeiture of all funds applied to the contract, plus damages worth 20% of the entire contract.  The Belgians grit their teeth, accepted the second squadron of F15C1's, and said adieu to whatever funds they were swindled out of by Curtiss' salesmen.

(This is an, um, uh... I know this one...  Olimp Pro 1/72 resin XF15C-1 kit.  Went together nicely, other than the resin prop)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Next, Taiwan:

Taiwanese F-15W

The Taiwanese F-15W is a locally built F-15A with some heavy modifications.  The Taiwanese gave the plane the original squared off wingtips similar to that of the prototype F-15's, though with a few modifications to actually make them work.

Because of the great expense of these planes, only 44 of them were built.

(This was a 1/72 early Monogram F-15 kit with the squared off wingtips)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Next, the Bahamas!

Tradewinds Bahamian Navy

The old Tradewinds amphibious cargo plane never really made it in USN service, though exports to the civilian and allied island nations did keep the production line open after the USN gave up.  Even though the original engines never lived up to expectations, they did provide enough power for the planes in their new roles of short range hauling around the Caribbean and South Seas.  

The Bahamian Navy purchased three of these planes for use in cargo transporting and personnel movement throughout the islands.  After their first reengining in 1967, the planes would become much more reliable and longer ranged.  Two subsequent engine upgrades took place, allowing continued service.  The planes are expected to continue in service until 2009, when the Grumman HU-30 comes online.

(This is one of those reissued Revell Tradewinds kits)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

I return to the Eddie Murphy country of Zaamunda now:

Kingdom of Zaamunda Spitfire

Pictured here is King Kinte Jofrie's Spitfire as seen in service during WWII.  The Kingdom of Zaamunda was one of the few non-aligned nations in Africa that fought with the Allies against the German Afrika Corps, then deployed to Britain to assist with the invasion of Europe.

King Kinte Jofrie was credited with eleven kills, before his father put an end to his pilot career in late 1944.

This fighter is on display at the Royal museum, next to King Jaffe Jofrie's F-5, and the other former royal rides.

(I think this is a 1/72 Fujimi Spitfire)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

And now, GLORIOUS Henristan:

Su-15 Republic of GLORIOUS Henristan Air Force

(Apologies to gooberliberation, who's original thread can be found here.)

As a former Soviet republic, Henristan inherited many ex-Soviet aircraft.  Among them were three regiments of Su-15 interceptors that were to be replaced by Mig-21's, Mig-23's and Mig-29's at various points in history, but the Kremlin never really remembered that they had these Su-15's in the middle of nowhere, so the Su-15's soldiered on.

When Henristan gained independence, the Su-15's became the initial bulwark of air defense.  Two operational regiments were formed out of the three stationed in the country.  There are no plans to replace these fighters, though rumors of new equipment crop up every-so-often.  These are promptly put down by the leadership of the country.

(This is a 1/72 KP Models (I think) Su-15/Su-21 kit)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Up next, Chile:

F-16E Chilean Air Force

When the US began exporting F-16C's to Chile, they also offered the longer ranged F-16E (aka, F-16XL) as a strike bomber option.  The Chileans asked that the ability to fire AGM-84 Harpoons (and variants) be integrated into the design, so that they might use it for a maritime strike fighter.  This capability came in handy during the conflicts with Peru and Argentina which defined the late 90's.

This particular example is shown prior to a sea control mission, in which it attacked and sunk two Argentinian spy trawlers, and downed an enemy Super Etendard.

(This was a 1/72 Monogram F-16XL kit)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Up next, the first of my multi-plane posts.  Here's the Cuban Republic.  I had some fun with custom decals:

XF8B-1 Cuban Republic Navy

The F8B-1 is yet another example of a failed US design going on to serve with an allied nation, though the F8B-1 was made to be workable.  This Boeing design served from land bases and occasionally deployed to USN carriers for joint operations.  The planes were marginally successful when deployed about Cuba's Essex class ship.  They served with the Cuban Navy in the COIN role until 1965.

(This was a Valom (I think) 1/72 XF8B-1 kit.  Went together well, other than the wing assembly)



For more pics, click here.


F2H-3 Banshee Cuban Republic Navy

When the Cuban navy received its first carrier (an Essex class ship), they went about arming the ships with effective weapons systems from the country that created the ship.  The USN was just beginning to divest itself of Banshees when the opportunity arose to sell them abroad.  Cuba eagerly took all they could get their hands on, as well as any other planes the USN was moving off to second line duty.

The Banshees performed admirably until the mid 70's, when they were finally withdrawn from service.

(This is a 1/72 Hobbycrap F2H-3 kit)



For more pics, click here.


F-4N Phantom II Cuban Republic Navy

In the mid 80's, the USN began to retire their Phantom fleet.  The venerable fighter had reached the twilight of its career with the service it began life with, but other opportunities awaited it.  The F-4N version was the first to be retired from active service of the two remaining variants in USN service.  With hundreds available for other duties, the planes were opened up for export.  Cuba had been on the waiting list for new fighters for their license built Midway class ship (acquired from Brazil in 1979).  The ship was recently refit to handle planes of the Phantom's weight class, and the Cuban Navy was eager to use it to its fullest extent.  The fighters and the carrier went on to distinguish themselves in the various conflicts in and around Latin America.  The F-4N's are scheduled to finally be retired and returned to the US in 2009, when F/A-18's become available for use.

(I think this was a 1/72 Fujimi F-4N... no, wait, this was a Hasegawa F-4N kit.  I just remembered this had the fin tip that kept falling off).



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Next, Communist Honduras... sorta:

Tunnan Sandinista Liberation Air Force

The Sandinista National Liberation Front made a living off of making life Hell for the ruling class in Honduras.  They were little more than an annoyance until 1978 when unexpectedly, the Sandinistas started carrying out organized attacks not only on the ground, but in the air.  Somehow, the Sandinistas came into possession of some Tunnans that used to be in the Peruvian Air Force.

The attacks continued for some time until they finally overthrew the ruling party in 1979.  The Sandinistas set up a socialist government with the intent of setting up a workers' paradise similar to the Soviet Union

Fortunately for not only Honduras, but the rest of Latin America, the Sandinistas were promptly attacked and overthrown by the combined strength of the Cuban Republic and the newly formed United States of Central America.  Following a three year campaign, Honduras was liberated.  Another year later, it was incorporated into the USCA as a full member.  The dream that was once the Federal Republic of Central America in the 19th century became a reality in the late 20th century, and included nations from around the Caribbean and northern South America.

Today, the USCA consists of Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the former Dominican Republic, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Ecuador.  Staunch allies of the US, they work to combat the spread of socialism and the drug trade that comes out of the Southern nations in South America.

(This is a 1/72 Matchbox Tunnan)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Going back to Europe, here's Italy:

F-15A Italian Air Force

Following delays in the Eurofighter program, and the unavailability of Tornado ADV's from the UK, the Italian Air Force needed a new interceptor when it became obvious that the old Starfighters and other vintage 60's aircraft they were employing would not last much beyond the year 2000.

Enter the US Air Force and their surplus F-15A's sitting in the Arizona desert.  The US ended up offering 60 of the old, yet effective, fighters to the Italian Air Force.  They underwent a modernization program akin to the F-16ADF that briefly was in service with the Italian Air Force (prior to reequipping with F-16C's), allowing the fighters to carry AMRAAM's and have the latest in IFF and jamming capabilities.

These planes are scheduled to continue flying until about 2015, when it is expected that enough Typhoons will finally be in service to fulfill their mission, though no one is holding their breathe.

(This is a Heller 1/72 F-15A)



For more pics, click here.


MB339A Italian Navy

The Italian Navy sought a homegrown solution for primary carrier training, though they didn't want to drag out the old Alpha Jets again.  Instead, they went about navalising an MB339, though it was never as effective as hoped.

(I forget the company that makes this little kit, but there's not too many MB339 kits out there.  This was a nice little build)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

How can I forget about Canada, eh?

McDonnell Douglas F-15M Canadian Navy

While the USN was busy developing the swing wing F-15N for use off their carriers, McDonnell Douglas was working on a companion project for use by allied nations off of the ski-jump equipped variant of the CVV design.

The first customer of the so-called "F-15M" (M for Maritime) was the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, though as more and more ski-jump CVV's came online, more allied nations took advantage of the superior heavy fighter design.  The Royal Canadian Navy, which had just taken delivery of the first Ski-jump CVV in the mid-90's, took advantage of the latest upgrades for the F-15M and bought four squadrons (two for deployment, two for training, though they could be deployed in an emergency).  Their total order was for 36 F-15M (CF-155M in Canadian service) single seaters, and 12 TF-15M (CTF-155M) two-seaters.

One notable feature of these planes is their low ground clearance.  This feature required the redesign of the central tank, which was now affixed to the fuselage in a very familiar (to McDonnel Douglas aircraft users) way.  It was almost flush mounted, much the same way the venerable F-4's central tank was.  Another interesting feature was the return to the squared off wingtips, similar to the prototype F-15 design.  The straight wingtips allowed for two wingtip sidewinder rails to be installed, giving the plane an additional two AAM's in combat.  With the proper software updates, AMRAAM's can be used in these positions.

Typical air-to-air armament consists of four AIM-7 and six AIM-9, though a mix of four to six AIM-120 with an accompanying four to six AIM-9's can be carried as well for updated aircraft.  The massive AIM-97C can be carried, though not as many as the USN's F-15N (a max of six can be carried by the F-15N, whereas only two can be carried on the F-15M).  The outer wing pylons can be used for additional missiles, though their use significantly degrades performance, so they are seldom used.

This particular example is shown just prior to being deployed on the HMCS Magnificent in 2000.

(This is an early Monogram 1/72 F-15 with the square wingtips.  I added two wingtip rails, and stole the undercarriage from an ESCI F-18 kit.)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Malta?  I'm just all over the map, ain't I?

Maltese Spitfire

While Malta was a British Colony, it did take on its own defense during the later stages of WWII.  Two squadrons of Spitfires were sent to form the basis of the Maltese Defense Force.  They performed adequately and were kept in service until 1948, when they were replaced by P-51's (which lead to an amusingly quick succession of aircraft over the decades, going between American and British planes, until ultimately American designs became the norm, with F-16's providing the current air defense).

(I think this was a, um, uh, Heller, I think, 1/72 Spitfire kit.  All's I know is it was molded in black plastic, which didn't want to set itself too quickly.)



For more pics, click here.

[anthonyp]

Going over to the Pacific now, here's Japan:

Japanese Air Self Defense Force Sanders Roe model 53 (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F-53J)

The Japanese were never ones to rely on the outside world for their defense needs, but the futuristic SR.53 (and later SR.177) proved a bit too tempting to the Japanese team sent abroad to find new planes.

Even though the SR.53 was viewed as a tech demonstrator by the British, the Japanese negotiated for the plans to it and the later SR.177, in hopes that it could be made to defend Japan.

In reality, the SR.53 proved to be more trouble than it was worth.  At least initially.  The Japanese massaged the design over the years until finally getting a suitable fighter in the early 70's.  By that time, though, better and more advanced planes had begun to show up for use by Japan, but the Soviet threat to the Northern Islands required that all available assets be used.  

The F-53J (designation in Japanese service) entered service in 1979, and was upgraded with newer engines, weapons systems, and even given a small radar.  The rocket engine was kept, as it decreased time for dashing to an intercept, which was required for use in the north.

The final version of the F-53J, the F-53J Kai, first entered service in 1999.  It differed little externally, but the inside of the aircraft was almost completely new, including the ability to carry the latest AAM's.  It is expected that this new design will survive until 2009, when the winner of Japan's F-X competition begins to enter service.

(This is a Polish knockoff of the 1/72 Airfix SR.53, with some Hasegawa weapons on the wingtips)



For more pics, click here.