To B-52 or not B-52!

[jcf]

Looking forward to the interceptor Blinder, altho it will actually get an "F" type name and a 'odd' number designator being a fighter I'd assume.  Always thought the idea would be rather neat to do as the bomb-bay would hold a bucket load.

Regards,

Mav

About the 'odd-numbers' for fighters thing, Tu-28/128, Yak-28, Yak-36 and Yak-38 ring-a-bell? 

[albeback]

Looking forward to the interceptor Blinder, altho it will actually get an "F" type name and a 'odd' number designator being a fighter I'd assume.  Always thought the idea would be rather neat to do as the bomb-bay would hold a bucket load.

Regards,

Mav

My thoughts exactly. The problem is I was considering arming it with the R4O(T) AAMs filched from my MiG 25 kits. The R40T is a seriously big missile. Mind you, the Russians are very resourceful & clever engineers. I'm sure a folding fin version would do the job!. I reckon I could get 3 or 4 "folding fin " R40Ts in the bomb bay. Maybe another pair under the wings. With a pair of AA2 or AA-13 short range AAMs  (on underwing launchers)to supplement this.

It's got to have a gun (or, guns - plural!!). It's widely recognised that the cannons installed on Russian aircraft are the about the best & most powerful available. There's plenty room between the forward nose wheel bay & the bomb bay to install a removable gun pack ( a la Hunter?) containing a pair of those whacking great NR30 30mm guns! I have a pair of gun pods salvaged from a Harrier which I wam going to "tweak" for the job.

[Maverick]

Jon,

Fair call, but I like to think that they're the exception to prove the rule

ableback,

love the idea of Acrids in the bomb-bay.  I don't know about 'Atoll' or 'Archer' (AA-11 - the AA-13 is a Phoenix class long-range AAM).  I'd actually consider a longer ranged weapon such as AA-3/K-8 'Anab' or AA-7/R-23 'Apex' if it's an older loadout or an AA-10/R-27 'Alamo' or AA-12/R-77 'Adder' if it's later.  You could even consider replacing the AA-6s with AA-9/R-33 'Amos' or AA-13/R-37 'Arrows' if it's a later machine as well.  Given the dimensions of the weapons R-33 - 4.15m L, R-37 - 4.2m L, R-40 6.0m L, one might surmise that a greater number of 'Amos' or 'Arrow' weapons would be able to be carried, especially given that they haven't got the large wings of the AA-6.

The Nudelman-Rikhter sounds like a good choice for an early machine, although guns & SRAAMs are really 'dogfight' weapons and I can't see an aircraft the size of a Blinder getting into a furball.  For the same reason, I'd consider the MRAAMs over the SRAAMs.

Maybe you could put a larger calibre weapon for stand-off capability against large bombers, etc?  Nudelman-Suranov NS-37 & NS-45 (ie: 37mm & 45mm) calibre weapons come to mind.

Regards,

Mav

[albeback]

Thanks Maverick
I got my missiles mixed up!! Probably an age thing!! I meant AA-8 (R60) Short range missiles.

I realise that the TU-22 would be no dogfighter but, my reasoning was to give the aircraft  as much flexibility as possible against a variety of targets. I wouldn't dream of flying it into a furball. However,I am thinking along the lines that the Russians learned from the Americans in Vietnam. THeir super technological & expensive Sparrow missiles. while ideal for large slow targets like bombers proved virtually useless against the agile MiGs (although, the rules of engagement certainly didn't help!!). The early Sidewinder wasn't much better! A missile like an AA-8 would probably be more effective against an agile target like a Tornado or Jaguar. I am of course no expert and, I welcome any thoughts. I think a gun is essential - after all, it would be very frustrating for our (hypothetical) Maj.I M A Sunuvabitch to have expended all his missiles & then find himself confronted by a nice fat juicy B-52 without having anything to shoot at it!!

NS-37 sounds interesting & I know they were fitted (or at least the improved N-37) was to the early Mig jets.

I reckoned the NR30 would be more than adequate. It gives the destructive power of the larger calibre round combined with rate of fire of the smaller NR-23. Add to that its high muzzle velocity & tremendous hitting power & you get a seriously nasty bit of kit!

[Maverick]

G'day albeback,

No sweat on the designators, Russian stuff can be awkward at the best of times.

Agile missiles are, as you mentioned, perfect against an agile opponent, but if said opponent (even a strike aircraft like the Tonka or Jag) got within striking distance of a Tu-22, I'd have to back the smaller aircraft every time.  It's a bit like the Bf-110s during WW2, excellent heavy weapons platform for knocking down bombers, but if there's anything agile about, they're toast.  That was my main reason for the MRAAM, but as you say, early tech wasn't always guaranteeing a kill against an agile opponent.

I think the NR-30 would be good, from all I've read about it, it packed quite a punch and was a nice high-velocity weapon which made for good AA shooting.  The other weapons had a bit of a lack when it came to velocity, a bit like the Mk 103 vs Mk 108 issue with the 262.  I don't see any problem with our Soviet pilot plinking away against a Buff with a cannon, as long as it's a deflection shot from the side.

Either which way, I love the idea of a ridiculously huge 'fighter'.  It sounds so very Soviet.

I had similar dreams of an FB-1B and a belly full of AMRAAMs.

Regards,

Mav

[scooter]

I had similar dreams of an FB-1B and a belly full of AMRAAMs.

Regards,

Mav

As have I, Mav.  But its a belly full of Phoenixes and AMRAMMs, with a handful of Sidewinders just in case.

Beaut super Old Dog, BTW

[albeback]

G'day albeback,

No sweat on the designators, Russian stuff can be awkward at the best of times.

Lol!! Tell me about!!
A valid point about the Tonka or Jag. However, I still wouldn't like to a driver of said aircraft finding myself being chased by a couple of AA-8s looking for an intimate encounter!! We clearly both think on the same lines so, I think we should agree to differ on that little matter The NR30 cannon had, I believe, about twice the kinetic energy of a 30mm Aden or DEFA round . It used a much more powerful cartridge. Until the GAU-8 Avenger appeared, I think the Swedish Oerlikon KCA 30mm was the closest the West had to matching the NR30.

Your FB-1B is, I think viable. I don't know if you have Cable/Satellite tv but, if you do there's a good chance you might have encountered "Dogfights "on Miltary History. One episode, a 2 hour special entitled "Dogfights of the Future" featured an aircraft called the B1-R. In this role it was employed as a stand off interceptor with a whopping load of 24 AMRAAMs. If you have seen it, then I apologise for repeating the information . However, there is plenty information about the B1-R on the internet. Aircraft will be be powered by the same engine as the F-22 & will have Mach 2 capability at the cost of about a 25% reduction in range.

I can just see your next "what if" Lol!!

[famvburg]

       The FB-1B is closer to a real proposal than you may know. In the early '80s, Rockwell proposed a B-1C for Air Defense Command, equipped with the F-14 radar & Phoenixes in the bays. As for big Soviet interceptors, Tupolev offered an interceptor version of the Tu-144 airliner.

I had similar dreams of an FB-1B and a belly full of AMRAAMs.

Regards,

Mav

As have I, Mav.  But its a belly full of Phoenixes and AMRAMMs, with a handful of Sidewinders just in case.

Beaut super Old Dog, BTW

[jcf]

How about resurrecting the Soviets 1930s experiments with recoil-less aircraft cannon?

http://ram-home.com/ram-old/gun-drp.html

http://vvs.hobbyvista.com/Research/Grigorovich/I-Z/index.php

[mchoo2005]

Megafortress!!! COOL!  Surely you're gonna arm it with AIM-120C Scorpions? And don't forget the tail Stingers! 

[pyro-manic]

How about resurrecting the Soviets 1930s experiments with recoil-less aircraft cannon?

There were many post-war British designs (from Gloster, Hawker and Supermarine for a start) that were meant to be armed with a 4.5" recoilless gun for bomber-killing. The weapon itself never came to anything, but the Soviets could certainly have followed the same logic and come up with something similar.

[McColm]

What about a laser or three?

[albeback]

Megafortress!!! COOL!  Surely you're gonna arm it with AIM-120C Scorpions? And don't forget the tail Stingers! 

I've yet to raid my "Box of Death" for a suitable load of whizz bangs!! Model however is otherwise complete, painted &  (mostly) decalled! Pictures to follow very soon.

[sotoolslinger]

Very nice work there. I have a Megafortress planned my own self Nice to have ideas to steal

[albeback]

Very nice work there. I have a Megafortress planned my own self Nice to have ideas to steal

Be my guest!! As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!!