Convair/Avro F-109/CF-109 Archer

[CammNut]

This project has gone into a prolonged hiatus while I agonise over creating a set of appropriate landing gear, one which won't spoil the look, so I thought I would post the progress to date.

Backstory: When the North American F-108 Rapier was cancelled in 1959, the US Air Force issued an urgent requirement for a replacement long-range interceptor. After cancelling the Avro CF-105 Arrow, also in 1959, Canada joined the USAF in the search for a single interceptor with which to equip NORAD.

Convair offered a scaled-down, twin-engined version of the B-58 Hustler supersonic bomber, powered by the same General Electric J93 engines as the F-108. The logic was that adapting a proven design would reduce risk and speed development.

When Convair won the competition in 1960, it joined forces with Avro Canada to develop the aircraft as the F-109 for the US Air Force and CF-109 for what was to become the Canadian Armed Forces. The aircraft was named the Archer, which is the same in English and French.

This project was inspired by the B-58 that was modified to test the Hughes ASG-18 radar for the F-108 and by a scaled-down, twin-engined Hustler-like concept (but with side-by-side seating) that Convair designed for the LRIX long-range interceptor competition won by North American with the F-108.



The model is a 1/96 Lindberg B-58 masquerading as 1/72, with engine pods from a 1/64 Lindberg Hustler, windshield from a Tornado and canopy from a Tomcat (which also supplied the Phoenix missiles and their underfuselage adaptors). Markings are from a CAF CF-101B Voodoo, using decals by Leading Edge Models (excellent, with tons of stenciling).



The Archer is shown with a late-model, Phoenix-armed Canadian Forces CF-101 Arrow from a previous modeling phase (and on which the decals have gone murky with time, sadly). The landing gear, when added, will be modeled on the Arrow's, with tandem main wheels. I already have 1/48 white-metal Saab Viggen main legs that should so the trick.

[RussC]

Awesome. And that could export into a lot of NATO paint schemes and markings.

[Maverick]

Very nice stuff & welcome aboard.

Regards,

Mav

[PR19_Kit]

That does work REMARKABLY well, both in plastic and words. 

[The Big Gimper]

Sweet. Nice use of mixed scale components. Oh and any CAF aircraft looks better in 409 SQN markings.  

[CammNut]

Thanks. folks. I knew it had to be one colour - as that is all I can manage - and I thought that such a long, sleek aircraft would look good with the long stripe down the side, And it does!

[Daryl J.]

Beautifully done and welcome.

At first I thought this was an extension of real world Convair B-58 projects with some Canadian markings added.   Ya got me.     

[Scooterman]

NICE!!  And welcome!

[The Rat]

Some times you just have to sit back and say WOW! 

[sandiego89]

Great Job. Welcome! Love the CF-109!  It is just fine without landing gear.  Out of curiosity did you consider a pod like the B-58 to store the missiles? -not there is anything wrong with the Phoenix fit.  Just wondering. 

[Ed S]

Nicely done. It's always good to see a well done, clever scalarama. Looks appropriately 50's-60's.

Ed

[Weaver]

Wow - that looks superb - nice one!

[Cobra]

Superb Job Looks Awesome! looks almost like something you'd see in 'Thunderbirds',Stingray,or Captain Scarlet Episodes! i could just picture in my head, a Scramble Klaxon going off @ a CAF Base and crews running for their Aircraft! Keep up the Great Work Dan

[rickshaw]

That's quite nice.  Looks the part!   

[GTX]

Outstanding!