Cross Pollinated Machines

[Matt Wiser]

Just out of curiousity, has anyone done a what if aircraft in the hands of the enemy? A Ta-183 or Arado E 555 in USAAF postwar eval markings (usually with a FE-xxx for the buzz number)? Or a Japanese B7A2 Grace or Nakajima G8N Rita in USN (for the Grace) or USAAF (Rita)? MiGs are obvious-there has been a USAF marked MiG-15 (A NKAF defector flew one to Kimpo and got $50K for delivering the plane, plus a $50K bonus-he's now a surgeon in San Diego)-with Chuck Yeager handling the Flight Test in Okinawa; Add a MiG-17, MiG-19, (there are pics of a -21 Fishbed C in USAF markings over Nellis AF Range), -23,-25,-27,-29,-31, or a Su-24 or -27. (The USAF had a squadron that did fly captured MiGs and Sukhois-the Red Hats- at Nellis AFB in the 1970s and 80s) Or a Libyan Mirage in the hands of either the U.S. or a NATO ally? Any Iraqi AF aircraft could easily be found in U.S., British, or Aussie hands for evals (various MiGs and Mirage F-1s, along with Helos) Of course, various U.S., British, or French aircraft in the hands of the Soviets/WARPAC countries, captured Israeli aircraft in Egyptian/Syrian hands, are all possible. It's known that two F-5Es and several A-37s were sent from Vietnam to the Soviet Union after Saigon fell in '75, and two F-5s and an A-37 went to Poland, while another F-5 went to the Czechs. Ironically, the planes in the latter two countries are displayed in their old VNAF colors, with markings oversprayed. But the english stencils are still there.

[tigercat2]

I have done a few - just did an old Lindbergh DO-335 in USAAF markings, also I have a Mig -23 and -29 in USAF markings, a SAAB Viggen in USAF (hey, why not its not an enemy A/C, but looks great) and a few more.  Will post pictures as soon as I clear out the digital camera.


Wes W.

[nev]

Its an idea I hadn't thought of before, but I like it    

[Captain Canada]

I did a Huckebein in RN colours, not actually a captured a/c, but from captured plans !

Neat ideas !

 

[Gary]

Hey, how about an F-5 in overall black with red circled stars for national markings...

oh yeah, that was Topgun.    

[Swamphen]

DO-335 in USAAF markings

That's not "really" Whif, as there was actually at least one Pfiel in stars 'n bars (pic is in Warplanes of the Luftwaffe).

The idea sounds great - how about an F-20 with red stars?  B)  

[retro_seventies]

a SAAB Viggen in USAF (hey, why not its not an enemy A/C, but looks great)

YES tigercat, YES!

i've got a few viggens sitting on my shelf, and one is going to be a US Marines one, always thought that the small carrier/highways STOL performance would appeal to the marines for CAS and top cover....will use the marines (from an intruder) decals that i have.  Been waiting to build it for AGES, might actually finish this one...

i KNEW i liked you....lol    

[Mike Wren]

there was a book published by Midland a few years ago called War Prizes which covered all the Axis a/c captued, evaluated etc by the Allies, although it's out of print at the moment    

[NARSES2]

Plus of course there's the Eric Brown book about his test flights in all the captured Luftwaffe stuff

[tigercat2]

a SAAB Viggen in USAF (hey, why not its not an enemy A/C, but looks great)

YES tigercat, YES!

i've got a few viggens sitting on my shelf, and one is going to be a US Marines one, always thought that the small carrier/highways STOL performance would appeal to the marines for CAS and top cover....will use the marines (from an intruder) decals that i have.  Been waiting to build it for AGES, might actually finish this one...

i KNEW i liked you....lol  

You can check out a photo of this USAF Viggen over in the picture post area.  

Brilliant idea about the USMC using the Viggen - a much better fit than for the USAF - I may pick up another kit and dress it up as a USMC bird.


Wes W.

[elmayerle]

For the USMC, I'd be tempted to model a JA-37 rather than an AJ-37.  I wonder if the RM8 could've picked up any improvements from the late -2XX series JT8D's, since it derives from an early JT8D.  A joint engine development program, with the US engines made by P&W, would be a nice touch.  For the engine designation, I'd look at using the last unused number from before the numbers were reorganized by McNamara.  I just checked and labelling it a TF42 would work nicely.  I can see the diamter and bypass ratio being unchanged, but picking upt eh aerodynamic and materials upgrades of later JT8D-2XX engines.

[P1127]

I've got an RAF Mig-15 in progress, but that might not be What-If  

[Joe C-P]

I have a YaK-38 in RN markings - a defector's aircraft.
An F-14 in Soviet markings - sold by Iran to Russia.
A USN Su-34 and USMC Su-25 in the pipeline - these were bought for training, ended up used in combat.
I have a German SPG from my youth that might be re-marked - sold or captured.
I'd love to do a Kawanishi H8K "Emily" flying boat in USN overall sea blue - one actually was done up this way for testing.

I've re-marked a Soviet "Zubr" for the USMC - sold post Cold War.
My most extensive conversion was a Deutchland "pocket battleship" rearmed with US medium and light guns, painted in Measure 22. She heavily damaged by a giant "rogue" wave, and captured off the US coast before the US entered WW2.
And I'm planning a Soviet ex-Graf Zeppelin CV.

This is one of the easiest of what-ifs to do - just build the model and swap markings and paint. It's a good introductory step, plus if you find an actual example you can torture JMNs.  

JoeP

[lancer]

Plus of course there's the Eric Brown book about his test flights in all the captured Luftwaffe stuff

I've got that one,  damm good read too.

[retro_seventies]

For the USMC, I'd be tempted to model a JA-37 rather than an AJ-37. I wonder if the RM8 could've picked up any improvements from the late -2XX series JT8D's, since it derives from an early JT8D. A joint engine development program, with the US Engines made by P&W, would be a nice touch. For the engine designation, I'd look at using the last unused number from before the numbers were reorganized by McNamara. I jsut checked and labelling it a TF42 would work nicely. I can see the diamter and bypass ratio being unchanged, but picking upt eh aerodynamic and materials upgrades of later JT8D-2XXx engines.

     

great stuff evan, just one of many reasons why you are invaluable around these parts.

already knew about the jt8d connection, and have always been slightly amused that it was the powerplant for the viggen...

any exterior changes because of the hypothetical new engine?

agree about ja-37, btw - much more of a multi role aircraft, especially with the right software.