H P Victor B/K4

[McColm]

I'm sure that there is a metal undercarriage kit available, this might be better.
Thanks for your comments

[Army of One]

Sorry for not getting back to you....been in the loft....I don't know if SAC do a metal u/c....I'm sure they would.....one on its own is a hunk of plastic alone....let alone two together.....!!

[PR19_Kit]

Sorry for not getting back to you....been in the loft....I don't know if SAC do a metal u/c....I'm sure they would.....one on its own is a hunk of plastic alone....let alone two together.....!!

They don't, at least not yet.

See here for their current 1/72 list :-

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/category.cfm?PI=LANDING_GEAR&TI=2&SC=5&PT=

[NARSES2]

Sorry for not getting back to you....been in the loft....

What for 2 weeks   What did you do to get that term ?

[albeback]

Progress! Work interrupted recently as I'm preparing to move house. I'm painting by stages. This is a heavy model and, I'm painting by hand - I don't have/want an airbrush. Bit of tidying up needed & obviously the undersides of the wings need done!! . The glossy finish is courtesy of Xtrcrylix Dark Sea grey & Extra Dark Sea grey. I don't really like these paints - poor colour density & opacity but, being a thrifty ( a k a tight a****d ) Scot, I'd rather use until finished! Undersides are Revell Aqua colour Teerschwarz which has a nice eggshell finish. Intake covers to follow!

[Howard of Effingham]

Strewth, that's going to take up a LOT of space when it's done! 

my comments entirely! 

[albeback]

Strewth, that's going to take up a LOT of space when it's done! 

my comments entirely! 

Lol!!
72cm wingspan ! Fortunately my new flat has ACRES of wall space for display shelves!! SWMBO also takes a keen interest in my hobby! At her suggestion, I will be usingh my spare bedroom as a display room!

[PR19_Kit]

Strewth, that's going to take up a LOT of space when it's done! 

my comments entirely! 

Lol!!
72cm wingspan !

For those of us died-in-the-wool Imperialists, that's just over 28"!

[Tophe]

Belated comment : wow!

[Rheged]

Strewth, that's going to take up a LOT of space when it's done! 

my comments entirely! 

Lol!!
72cm wingspan !

For those of us died-in-the-wool Imperialists, that's just over 28"!

......or about two cubits for those of considerably  advanced years.

[albeback]

Strewth, that's going to take up a LOT of space when it's done!  

my comments entirely!  

Lol!!
72cm wingspan !

For those of us died-in-the-wool Imperialists, that's just over 28"!

......or about two cubits for those of considerably  advanced years.

Or, about 4 spans for those even MORE advanced years!!

I'm also hoping to do another Victor "whif" but, using a standard B2 with open bomb bay & a s*** load of whizzbangs!
I have a pair of Airfix Valiants & thought I might combine both sets of bomb bay parts. Not measured anything up yet but, width/depth looks ok AND, the Valiant has LOTS of bombs!! .Am I right in thinking that on the Victor the bomb bay doors also retracted upwards into the bomb bay? Open to alternative ideas on how to proceed here

Allan

[PR19_Kit]

AFAIK the Victor's bomb bay doors worked pretty much like a Vulcan's in that they slid up inside the fuselage but left bits of them hanging out in the breeze to keep the airflow from churning up the inside of the bomb bay. The Victor also had a deflector at the front of the bay as well, but I can't find a piccie of that deployed anywhere.

[albeback]

Let's get the silly (alternative history) back story out of the way first!!

Following an almost unheard of sensible  decision by British politicians (namely that the RAF really did NOT need more than one type of strategic bomber),the decision was taken to proceed with production of Handley Page's radical proposal for an improved Victor. Based on an already proven design, the Victor B4 could be largely manufactured using existing tooling and assembly jigs - thereby largely eliminating a lengthy (and very expensive )design/development.. This naturally appealed to the mentally ossified & almost brain dead bean counters of H M Treasury.

Three prototypes were constructed using existing B2 airframes. First flight was made on April 12th 1965.Despite its huge bulk and weight, test pilots reported that the type retained the Victor B2s docile handling. 60 production aircraft were ordered, the type entering service in 1969 just as the RAF was relinquishing its nuclear deterrent role.

The 5 crew members were placed in the port fuselage.To provide a view to both sides , the cockpit was relocated upwards & aft. The pilots and 2 AEOs were located in the upper cockpit.the radar navigator/bombardier was situated in the lower forward nose. All crew members were provided with Martin Baker Mk 6 rocket assisted ejection seats. The starboard nose section housed the radar/ECM/ESM gear.

The Victor B4 retained the B2s huge bomb bays .Each of which could accomodate up to  35.000lbs(15900 kg) of stores. Additional fuel tanks could also be installed in the bomb bays if needed. With full internal fuel (including bomb bay tanks), external ordnance up to max of 20,000kgs (44,000lbs) on 4 underwing hardpoints.  

Over the years, the type has been constantly upgraded to keep it current. The Victor B4 saw it's first combat during the 1982 Falklands War.On the first day of combat a Victor  of 55 Sqn deposited 42 1000lb bombs on Port Stanley airfield.

The following day, 3 aircraft were tasked with visiting Argentina itself. With bomb bay tanks and,again carrying a reduced load of 42 x 1000lb gp bombs, both aircraft attacked Argentinian fighter bases which were responsible for covering Buenos Aires. By navigating around Argentinian radar coverage and, descending to low altitude ( not what it was designed for!)  both aircraft achieved complete surprise and deposited their loads along the runways. THe 3rd aircraft - XL233 ( subject of this model) paid a visit to Buenos Aires. With large union flags and the slogan "Quien grita ahora Argentina!" ( Who's crying now Argentina!) emblazoned across the underside ( just to leave no doubt as its identity!) XL233 roared over the city at rooftop height during the morning rush hour dropping thousands of leaflets advising the populace that a second visit would be less benign! Showing a clean pair of tails & leaving a panicked& terrified population in its wake, the crew exited the scene without trouble.

Following the ending of the Cold War, short sighted bean counting buffoons ( a k a politicians) decided that the Victor B4 should be withdrawn as part of the so called "peace dividend". However, a certain Mr S Hussein put paid to that ill considered notion by invading Kuwait. By this time equipped with the Bae Systems 4500 kg Tallboy II deep penetration bomb ( known affectionately to armourers as MFAB ( Monstrous F****r of A Bomb). Victors were deployed to the middle eat where they played havoc during the opening stage of Desert Storm. Capable of penetrating up to 100ft underground, virtually nothing was safe from these massive bombs.

Upgraded constantly to keep it current, Victor B4s continue to serve with 55, 9 & 617 Sqn. They are scheduled to remain in service until at least 2025.
Some specs!
Wingspan 52 ms
Max t o weight 195,000kgs
Range ( with max internal fuel) up to 7000 miles
Weapons (internally) - variety of stores can be carried including;
up to 70 x 1000 gp bombs, BL755 or other Cluster bombs
up to 30 x 2000lb JDAM type
Externally - variety of ordnance up to 20,000 kgs on 4 underwing hardpoints.

Finally,officialdom & bureaucracy took a bow to reality during the Gulf War. Virtually all aircraft taking part carried nose art of some kind.This was officially sanctioned and, to this day, XL233 bears the name "Black Widow"

Phew! Glad it's all over For the record, the bombs are 1/48 scale GBU-24 Paveway III types. They scale in nicely! Nose art for "Black Widow" came from a Two Bobs B-1B sheet. Tail insignia from the Xtradecals 1/72 TSR 2 sheet (617 squadron). Hope you like her. I am now going to pour myself a stiff whisky!
As always, I welcome your questions/ comments/hints/tips/constructive criticism

Allan

[NARSES2]

Great model, fantastic back story 

[lancer]

Very nice indeed.