In flight refueling.....help needed please

[Army of One]

Dear all......things have finally settled down at home n work. During my recent holiday I had time to work on the back story of my project. I have most things covered but have stumbled on an idea for a suitable a/c for the role of in flight refueler. Without giving to much away at the moment the aircraft used for the airforce in my story are mainly recently retired from RAF service,my timeline being from 2006 onwards. I had thought of using KA6D Intruders with 4 wing tanks and the internal refueling system but the USN retired them 1997....to long ago. Maybe stored in the desert and reactivated ...?? Also thinking of conversion of one or two 737/A319/A320 size a/c from the civil fleet with buddy pack style pods mounted outboard the engines seem easy enough rather than a major refit with the rear mounted drogue unreeling from the fuselage....had though bout ex Indian AF B (1) 58 Canberra's that were retired in March 2007,and they were tropicalised......again,buddy packs outboard of the engines......any comments or suggestions would be appreciated......H
Hopefully this is the right place to post this........

[GTX]

What aircraft are already in your Air Force?

Regards,

Greg

[PR19_Kit]

Flight Refuelling converted an RAF Canberra as a tanker in the 50s sometime, but it had a hose reel in the rear end of the bomb bay, and an overload tank at the front I think, so there is some sort of precedant.

[Army of One]

PR19 thanks for that,Greg sent u acouple of PM's.....H

[sandiego89]

Would largely depend on how much fuel you need to offload.

If you have a large amout to offload, the 737 or larger is a good choice.  Many older 737's would be available, but may be high cycle arirames, not the best bet if you wan them to last for decades like the tristars.

C-141 starlifter.  many retired in your time frame.  Not RAF but avialble.  Old airframes.

Canberra.  Nice choice, but limited airframe avialable during your time period.  

for buddy type aircraft I suggest the Tornado F2/ADV.  Put big tanks and a buddy pod. Eliminate wing sweep for bigger tanks if speed is not an issue.

S-3 Viking.  Not RAF, but proven refuleler.  Was being draw down in your time frame.  

[Army of One]

I was leaning more to the small jet with tanks n buddy pods like an A6 or A7. Thought about using the Indian AF Canberra's as they fit the time frame. Would only need about 5-7 a/c. The airforce they will be serving will be small,flying local air defence,protection of territorial waters and possibly strike missions. The distance to cover will be approx 130-150 miles from friendly to enemy coast. I like the idea of the Tornado ADV as a tanker......it would retain some form of missile capability so it could defend itself if not escorted.......many thanks.....H 

[sandiego89]

You are welcome.  May also have some economy if you have the tanker be the same base airframe as your air defense fighter. 

A-7 would be a good choice with hundreds in the boneyard in the US, but again not RAF. Lots of payload.   

Tornado would be very neat.

I guess Bucaneer is out of your tiame frame. 

An out of the box idea- Dominie.  Strip the interior of seats, put in a few tanks and a buddy pod. Already in RAF service. 

Have fun! 

[thedarkmaster]

If it is the small country I'm thinking of (   ) then how about a Dominie with wing tank/refueling pods or maybe even a Hercules which could fit many roles in the airforce.

[Army of One]

Mainly RAF.......not opposed you using other stuff if available.......when I have finished the jackanory it will be clearer.....and probably other countries will offer help.........would have loved to use the Buccaneer and had thought about it but they went early 90's. Dominie sounds great as well...is the option the Airfix 1/72 one......?....H

[Army of One]

Which one you thinking of....? 

[thedarkmaster]

well evidence points towards Malta/Knights of St John

[Army of One]

Malta it is.........just gotta find time to start making the kits I have lined up and complete the jackanory.......

[GTX]

What about good old C-130s or even G.222/C-27s or C160 Transalls in combo tanker/transport role.  Maybe also in conjunction with buddy tankers.

Regards,

Greg

[Army of One]

Does anyone think refueling pods for a victor would look oversize on a Canberra or is it a standard size pod? Found a lovely resin set at heritage.......either that or try n make my own out of an old fuel tank.....basket will be hardest for me in 1/72 I think....

[thedarkmaster]

I have a spare set off a Revell Victor you can have mate