Douglas Sentinel E.2t

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

I snagged an Italeri EB-66 off that well known on-line auction site beginning with 'E' last night, with the full intent of painting in 60's era glossy MSG/DG/White... then I started thinking about the back story....

Looking carefully at Americas ongoing experience in Vietnam, the RAF began looking for a limited number of airframes to convert as stand-off Jamming aircraft for use in the European theatre in the event of the cold war turning hot.

The obvious candidate was the Canberra but with a maximum of three crew and limited space within the airframe, a larger paltform was needed. America initially offered low-time B-47 airframes suitably modified to British requirements, but these were refused, in-turn the RAF asked about the availability of EA-3 Skywarriors, but the US Navy was busy refurbishing as many as possible to meet their own requirements.

So finally the B-66 was offered - a number of them had been temporarily based in the UK throughout the early sixties - the RAF accepted and the first of six aircraft was delivered to RAF Sculthorpe in January 1966....

OK, be gentle with me, it's only 0715 here, and I didn't sleep too wel last night....

I H-G

[Geoff_B]

Hi Ian

Nice simple one, just have the US passing on fully configured EB-66 to the RAF for Electronic recon along the Eastern Border on NATO. Possibly base them in RAF Germany and use the dual language stencilling. The Canberras & Gannet were mainly used for ECM training for own own forces to simulate the Soviet Jamming tactics and develop ways to cope with it.

G B)  

[lancer]

Nice scenario Ian, very plausible.

[Gary]

Cool. And very plausable.  

[elmayerle]

Very plausible backstory indeed.  I'd much rather be in an EB-66 than a EKA-3B anyway, easier to get out if needed.

[The Rat]

I've always thought that the B-66 was a beautiful aircraft, and unfortunately overlooked. Go ahead and do it!

I've got one on the go right now in fact, but it's more in the 'Alvis' mode of whiffers.  ^_^  

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Throughout the late 50's and early 60's the RAF watched with some interest the developments the Americans made in electronic recconaissance platforms. Seeing a need to supplement the mixed bag of Canberras, Varsitys' etc then in use (and especially in the high threat area of the West German/Polish/Czech border); In 1966 The RAF leased, initially, four spare WB-66C (Sentinal E.1) airframes, then a further four EB-66C's (Sentinel E.1A)to form a series of two plane 'flights' for detachment all over the world - dependent upon their forseen need.

The original four WB-66 airframes were returned to the US for update to EB-66K standard (Sentinel E.2) in 1968 simultaneously two of the remaining four EB-66C airframes were 'downgraded' to electronics 'trainers' (Sentinel E.2T)and remained for the most part in the UK.

No two Sentinels, regardless of designation carried exactly the same equipment and aerial fit, thus providing modellers with endless scope for research and argument !

Douglas E.2T Sentinel
(Douglas Destroyer TEB-66K-1)
360 Squadron
RAF Sculthorpe, 1968















This is the Italeri kit, with only the wing-tip pods added, (from some unidentifiable missile found cowering in the spares box). Paint is all Xtracolour enamel shot through my new AZTEK brush. Decals from Modeldecal. And YES that is MEDIUM SEA GREY on the top surface - I'm guessing that the RAF would prefer the Soviets to believe that their new 'Ferret' was actually a bomber and thus painted it like a V-Bomber.

As ever all comments, questions and downright abuse is warmly welcomed. Thanks for looking & Happy Christmas, all.

Ian

[bluntie]

Outstanding work there Ian, just b****y OUTSTANDING!! :jawdrop:  

[Glenn Gilbertson]

No abuse - great idea and a beautiful model! Well done!
:salute:  

[lancer]

Beautiful work Ian

[McGreig]

Great idea, beautiful finish and another whiff that looks much more attractive than the real thing      

[SPINNERS]

Chapeau!

[Mike Wren]

you kept this one quiet... very nice!    

[ysi_maniac]

 
Beautiful, outstanding, gorgeous, ...
   

[Scooterman]

Ian........

 

Makes me want to break out my RAF Skywarrior project!