Airbus WHIF Ideas

[elmayerle]

Like that proposal Boeing cooked up as a B-1 rival: stick a poo-poo-load of ALCM's in a 747 and drop 'em out the back like parachutes out of a Beverley...

Actually, I think it was out a bay door in the bottom.  There was also a study of air-launching an ICBM out the back of a C-5; there were even a few tests run using older Minuteman variants that had been removed from siloes.

[Davey B]

As I remember it Evan (don't have the book on the B-1B I saw thew pic in to hand), the door was somewhere around the tail, as I say sort of like the parachute doors on a Blackburn Beverley. I could be wrong, tho. I've slept since then  :dum:  :dum:

I do remember the tests done on the C-5/Minuteman concept, I do believe it was abandoned due to a combination of cost and lack of anything approaching accuracy...

[uk 75]

There seem to be a whole lot of plastic kits, snap together models and metal models of the European Airbus 380 project around.

Remembering that the 747 started life as a competitor against the Lockheed C5, could the Airbus 380 be the basis for a European megalifter.  Not being a technical type I cannot really say, but given that it will have a fuselage, wings, engines, there must be some scope for this role.

Another option, though it would require constant fighter escort, would be as a flying missile platform.  The huge fuselage could house a range of missiles of either the ballistic or cruise type.  Some time back the USN wanted a so-called arsenal ship as a missile platform. 380 could provide the Europeans with a similar, but more mobile platform.  

Another role might be as a flying Anti-Ballistic Missile radar and shoot-down platform (using either missiles or lasers).

Finally, a way out one.  The size of the 380 would allow it to launch a large number of microlight special forces aircraft.  A 380 could be kept aloft over the horizon from any trouble spots and approach when needed.

I think Revell does a cheap kit so over to you....

UK75

[F-32]

A380 in the old high gloss white and grey RAF transport colours with a lovely blue flash down the middle...................................nice!

[Davey B]

Nah, absolute crock o' poo-poo (with an english accent)! Give me an An-124 any day! Antonov Condor C.1, 53 Sqn...    

[lancer]

Nah, absolute crock o' poo-poo (with an english accent)! Give me an An-124 any day! Antonov Condor C.1, 53 Sqn...  

Soooo when're you gonna build it eh Dave??      

[Davey B]

Oh strewth, last thing I need is something ELSE on me to do list!

Although I do get paid next week...

Anyone recommend a Buccaneer in 1/72? I remember the Airfix one to be an appawling fit, 'specially the airbrake    

[nev]

Something of a Hobsons choice methinks.  Theres the Airfix & Matchbox kits.....

Now, a new tool Bucc by Revell, that would be nice    

[AeroplaneDriver]

This could get interesting...

[nev]

Whilst it looks cool, an A380 AF1 is NEVER going to happen....  

OTOH, as I've pointed out before, the A380 could airlift an entire infantry battalion and their personal equipment in one go - would need some conversion work to carry anything Hummer-sized and upwards though.

[Flanker37]

This is interesting, especially the date of the article.

I was talking about this when Revell first released the A380 kit way back when.

I was even asking in various other forums if anybody had the old 1/144th 707 airforce one decals or if there were any for the 747 out.  But there weren't any.  Nobody could tell me the FS of the colours used.

So i quickly give up on the idea.

Even more so because in all the forums i visited.  I got verbal abuse saying America would never buy a French Airliner.

Too bad, because it would look awesome as AF1

on another note, If the Americans wouldn't buy a French airliner, i guess they wouldn't buy an Anglo/Italian Merlin Helicopter either for Marine 1

[Mossie]

Hannants are restocking the Minicraft 707 Air Force One.  They also do the colours in their Xtracolor range, X164 & X165:

http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=MC14457
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php...GE=50&offset=0&

Time to ressurect that idea!  And now you can counter the abuse by quoting an article!

[Flanker37]

I'm glad i have a spare A380 sitting in the house, my model shop had them on cheap at the time, and i bought 2.  I did one in the Virgin markings, because i didnt want to do it in house colours or the saudi.

So i have a spare A380, and i want to do a 707 anyway at some point.  So thanks for the info.

Looks like Air Farce One is on the drawing boards again.

But im not going to just do a repaint.  I might add some antenna off the wing-tips like the VC-25 has, and some lumps & bumps of miscellaneous ECM & other stuff etc  

[Archibald]

This could get interesting...

Is this serious, or is it a joke ?    (don't know the magazine)

Yes, the A380F would be, on paper at least, a nice replacement to the C-5.
158 metrics tons load (Vs 120 for the Galaxy) and, even better, 2 times the range
(5000 km for the Galaxy, 10 000 for the Airbus).

Trouble is, there's no cargo ramp nor moving nose on the 380, rather a huge lateral door.
It won't be as practical as the C-5 to load Abrahms tanks    
And the cargo variant is on hold for some months, since FedEx decided to cancell its order.

And I can understand USAF if they prefer buying 747-8 instead.

But what an irony it would be! The 747 replacing the Galaxy... revenge of Boeing, 45 years later!    

Well, Airbus is not french, don't forget that, according to the french PM himself, my country is near bankrupcy      
Airbus also include Germany and Spain, among others partners.  ^_^  

By the way, I still think that buying 5 * A380-800F would be a bargain for the french air force, this would help boosting those rusted Transalls

Notice to airmen

I DON'T WANT ANY BOEING Vs AIRBUS THREAD HERE.
(so keep your opinions on A380 difficulties fort you, ok ? thanks in advance )

[Hobbes]

The 747 has the same problem as the A-380: no ramp. The USAF should be buying An-124 instead.