RAF Merlin GR.1 from an Academy 1:48 F-IIIA

[Big Bird]

Been a while since my last whif build, so I'm going to build this for the upcoming What If Group build on Britmodeller.com

With the cancellation of the TSR.2 project in 1965, the British Government placed an order with General Dynamics for 100 F-111 aircraft. The specification of the British airframes differed from the initial F-111A and thus was given the designation F-111K.

General Dynamics experienced several problems with the F-111 that was delaying the start of production of the F-111K, Britain would have been prepared to wait if it had not been for the loss of two Vulcan bombers which after relinquishing their nuclear deterrent role had switched to the low level strike role. The thinking being that the large, strong delta wing would be ideally suited to the low level environment. However this was not the case, after the 2nd Vulcan crash whilst at low level the wreckage was taken to RAE Farnborough where it was reassembled and inspected. What was found was very disturbing and led to the grounding of every Vulcan. Just about every aircraft showed signs of severe fatigue of the airframe.

This left the RAF in desperate need of an aircraft for the low lever penetration and strike role. The British Government approached General Dynamics and was offered 50 F-111A aircraft as a stopgap until the F-111K was ready. This offer was accepted. These aircraft were delivered to 9, 12 35 and 617 Squadrons. At a delivery and naming ceremony at RAF Scampton The F-111s were given the Name Merlin and the designation GR.1

The GR.1s were to serve until 1973 by which time the British Government had got a little fed up with waiting and in order to keep costs lower and speed up delivery had opted to change it's order from the K variant to the Australian C variant.

Upon delivery of the F-111Cs They took on the name and designation Merlin GR.3. The GR.1 were returned to General Dynamics for conversion to EF-111A Ravens.

My build is X? of 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton in 1969


I pinched this picture from the internet, I don't know who owns it but I use it here for illustration purposes only and respect the intellectual property rights of the owner

Box and sprue photos

[Big Bird]

Ohhh missed that one, ok ignore this I'll enter the GB here as well.

[GTX]

Perhaps you would care to consider entering it for the What If F-111 GB?

I'm sure Comrade Gregorski, Commissar of all things F-111 GB would be delighted....



Duncan

Good man!

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)

[bacofoil]

Has anyone done a Royal Navy F-111B ?

[GTX]

Has anyone done a Royal Navy F-111B ?

I think so, though another won't go astray if you want to do one for the F-111 GB comrade...hint, hint!

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)

[Big Bird]

Perhaps you would care to consider entering it for the What If F-111 GB?

I'm sure Comrade Gregorski, Commissar of all things F-111 GB would be delighted....



Duncan

Good man!

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)

Err try Girl/Woman/Miss but I answer to Mish 

[sotoolslinger]

Very cool ,little sis

[Brian da Basher]

It's going to be a lot of fun to see what you do with this one, Big Bird! Great to see you back at the bench!

Brian da Basher