BAe / Hawker Osprey FRS 2 Falklands 1982

[andrewj]

In 1965 the P1154 was cancelled on cost grounds by the incoming Labour government, but a need still existed for a new fighter/strike aircraft for the Royal Navy. Hawker Siddeley proposed a lighter two seat P1154 based partly on the RAF's Harrier but revised to meet navy needs. The BS 100 engine with PCB was used along with a two seat layout and an undercarriage suitable for catapult or V/STOL purposes, this meant the aircraft could be used on any existing or future RN carriers.
The project was helped by the government refusing to release funds for the purchase of F4 Phantom aircraft from the USA ,for reasons of foreign exchange. The costs for the new aircraft proposed by HS were less than that of the Phantom purchase so the government seized upon this and ordered the new HS aircraft.
The HS Osprey was quickly developed and entered service in 1974 aboard HMS Ark Royal, many enthusiasts realised upon seeing the "new" aircraft that they were in effect the P1154 resurected, luckily for all concerned the politicians hadn't noticed.
The Osprey was capable of mach 1.75 and initially carried 4 Redtop missiles in the intercept role or bombs and rocket pods in the strike role. The updated FRS2's introduced in 1980 could carry Sidewinder and Sparrow missles as an alternative to Redtop.
Following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands in early 1982 , a British task force led by HMS Ark Royal was sent to recover the islands, the Osprey's performed brilliantly in their intended role, shooting down thirty Argentine aircraft without loss to themselves.








Model in 1/48 scale Osprey FRS 2 ,899 NAS, HMS Ark Royal Falklands 1982.

Andrew

[PR19_Kit]

Utterly BRILL! 

And what's it made from please?

[andrewj]

Thanks Kit, it's mostly made from plastic.

[Cliffy B]

That's one sweet looking kitbash man!    Might even fool some judges 

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks Kit, it's mostly made from plastic.

Well yes, I rather guessed that. 

I meant what kits, if any, did you build it from?

[andrewj]

Thanks Kit, it's mostly made from plastic.

Well yes, I rather guessed that. 

I meant what kits, if any, did you build it from?

Sorry Kit , couldn't resist that, It's a mix of an Airfix Sea harrier and a Phantom with a pack of Milliput thrown in for luck.

[kitbasher]

Gets my vote!

[Hobbes]

That's very nice. Do you have any in-progress pictures of the build?

[PR19_Kit]

Sorry Kit , couldn't resist that, It's a mix of an Airfix Sea harrier and a Phantom with a pack of Milliput thrown in for luck.

Hehe, nice one.

If you look at it sideways you can see the various outlines now you've told us. It looks SO darned plausible! 

[JayBee]

Now that is absolute CLASS 

Jim

[kerick]

Brilliant idea expertly built!

[Mossie]

Pointy!  Nice job.

[sandiego89]

Excellent!  Can we get a belly photo to see the nozzles?

[lancer]

Pure bloody brilliance!!!

[Army of One]

Awesome......truly awesome.....!!!!