Daryl J.'s Rather Random Thought Repository

[pyro-manic]

what was actually wrong with the javelin?

Big, heavy, draggy, slow, un-manoeuvrable, nasty deep stall problem, protracted development (it didn't actually meet the original spec. until the Mk.7) etc. It (just about) filled the requirement at the time, but was less than ideal (especially since the nature of "the threat" changed so rapidly during the period - the requirement was originally issued in the late '40s) and quickly retired once better options (Lightning) came along.


Daryl: Don't call your PR Meteor anything like "optical" or "eyes" - the point of the colour code system was that it didn't give any clues as to the project's purpose. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Rainbow_Codes

[Daryl J.]

Daryl: Don't call your PR Meteor anything like "optical" or "eyes" - the point of the colour code system was that it didn't give any clues as to the project's purpose. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Rainbow_Codes

Got it.   Thanks. 

[Daryl J.]

Hasegawa RF-4J preliminary thoughts:   Peace Jack Phantoms are cool IMHO, but getting a 1:48 conversion for Hasegawa's kit is far more costly than I'm willing for.    And if I were to do a Peace Jack, it would not be IDF.  So, how about a dedicated Recce nose pack for the F-4J airframe?   However, being that smaller air forces are the target market in this scenario, make the Recce nose removable and replaceable with the regular F-4J fitments.      An approximately 1/2" extension would be added immediately aft the radome with appropriate glazings for the cameras.      Granted, the aircraft could not do a head-on approach with this setup.   But it would be a Recce Phantom that at a show could possibly leave a few wondering if it really existed.  


Hasegawa A-4 thoughts:    Add wing tip rails to the aircraft and use the A-4K square tail for a quick and very noticeable profile change.   Having gone to IPMS shows since 1997, I've never seen a non-gray or non-aggressor A-4 Skyhawk.   Doing one up in greens such as the Kiwis did would set it apart on the table.  

Revell Strike Eagle thoughts:   Add Patriot Missile containers beneath the wings given the current conditions on the Korean peninsula.
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Started projects:

Tamiya Meteor F.3 continued:   Just picked up an Airfix Red Arrows Hawk kit.   The two extra drop tanks in it should be large enough to convert to optical pods without dominating the overall look of the airframe.    At this time I'm leaning towards a Speed Silver/Oxford blue RAF machine.   I just can't build a backstory that would give me a wraparound of Kiwi dark greens.   Alternatively a Speed Silver/Kelly Green aircraft of No.3 Squadron based in Hong Kong might fit the current Asiarama TB going on.  

Hasegawa Draken:  Khemed.   Project is started but it is also spring in the PacNW after a particularly difficult fall/winter on the professional level thanks to a previous owner.   It will be on again/off again until complete as I need something besides modelling for R&R.  But, Herge would be proud!  

Hawegawa RF-35 Draken:  Kit finally arrived, awaiting resin accessories.   Decals in hand suitable for USAF SEA circa 1960's   Asiarama TB elsewhere on this site.  

Hasegawa RF-4E:    Viggen splinter scheme planned using left over Swedish decals from Khemed Draken.    Working on a back story of how the Swedes worked on the Peace Jack program unofficially and utilized an American RF-4E airframe but kept it in Swedish markings for the duration of their work.       

[Daryl J.]

Summary of some favorite ideas mostly from others for my To Do list:

Monogram AV-8A:   U.S. Army, outer pylons carry Brimstones or Hellfires
Airfix Sea Harrier FRS.1:   Similar to above
Hasegawa TA-4J:  2 AN/ALQ-99 pods.  
Hasegawa TA-4F:  2 fictitious ASMs on the wings, fuel on the center pylon.  ?Sidewinders?
Airfix Sea Harrier FA.2:   Two Penguins, targeting pod on center hard point
Airfix Sea Harrier FA.2:  U.S. Army, Afghanistan 2002-current
Monogram AV-8B:  Greek markings.  Kormorans. 
Monogram F-5E (or F-20):   Recce nose from Monogram kit for sensors, U.S. Army Fast FAC
Tamiya Skyraider:  napalm tanks wherever possible, S. American markings.  War on Drugs

Credit to whom credit is due.

[Daryl J.]

Eduard 1:48 Albatros D.III OEFFAG 153 with a parasol clear doped linen wing and deep olive fuselage.

[Daryl J.]

Phurther Phantom Phantasizing:

Hasegawa's RF-4B with a pair of fairly large phictitious anti shipping missiles on the inboard pylons and a targeting pod somewhere on the belly.   F-4E or FGR.2 could substitute.

Aurora Phantom converted to single seat attack version.  There would be a bucketful of markings options but how about RNZAF?

[Daryl J.]

In 1/72, graft on a F-4E gun nose onto Fujimi's FG.1 Spey Phantom.   Serves in Canada, RAF, and/or Norway.   

[Daryl J.]

 For the Revell 1:48 Ventura:   Replace at a minimum the cowlings and props with suitable resin replacements.   From the USAF Tamiya Skyraider add a number of underwing stores.  With Evergreen sheet, scab on cockpit armor.   Eliminate the dorsal turret.   USAF SEA cammo.

For the Hasegawa 1:48 3 blade Hawker Typhoon:  besides resining it up with aftermarket improvements, convert the wing in part to a fabric one.     Or go the other way with Hasegawa's Hurricane...a metal aft fuselage.   

[Daryl J.]

Trumpeter 1:48 MiG-23 series:   US Adversary markings.   I have no clue whether or not there was a MiG-23 in U.S. use during the 70's and/or 80's but why not?
1:48 MiG-25:  Saudi Arabia, desert colors
1:48 ''Big Banjo'' Banshee:  USAF Arctic
1:48 Rafale M:  New Zealand, dark green
1:48 Ka-14:  Civilian sportplane

[Daryl J.]

Regarding the new Airfix Javelin:   Canada and Sparrows.  NMF/White with typical Canadian trim colors.

Regarding the Revell Rafale M:  Swedish splinter, French hi-vis markings for a joint Franco-Norse exercise in Svennesland.   

[Daryl J.]

Regarding the Airfix Sea Vixen:  AIM-54 capable, service in N. America be it Canada, USAF, USN, or USMC.  Phoenix missiles readily sourced at the current time from Eduard.   To save on cost and to draw attention to modifications elsewhere, cover the canopy.  

Edit:  overall green RCAF Starfighters could possibly be near Fs34127, Fs34098, and/or Fs34088.   Note weathering patterns of the paint plus the weathering pattern on the box art of the Sea Vixen.

[Daryl J.]

 Regarding the Kitty Hawk 1/48  Jaguar A:

Canada, 1980-2010+
Radar nose from the Heller Super Etendard, faired in.   Preferably a resin copy as the SUE kit is costly.
Sea Eagle missile from the Airfix Buccaneer on the centerline
Wing tanks, oversized.
Colors: British Slate Grey & Extra Dark Sea Grey over Light Sea Grey. Lo-viz markings.   West Coast

Regarding the Heller 1/48 Etendard series:

Continuing the Canadian theme---1965-2000ish
Canada presumed active conflict between Russia and the United States would mean active combat in at least western Canada.  In order to better provide battlefield information, Etendard IVPs were purchased.   Eventually they were actively used in Iraq and the Balkans.     Note to self:  consider SuE as well.  

[Daryl J.]

Hasegawa 1:48 Skyhawk, any version released to-date:   French markings and munitions, sand paint scheme.  Abeche, 1986.  Support for Operation Epervier.

[Daryl J.]

Academy MiG-29UB:   Covered burner cans, air intakes, and canopy.  Underbelly and underwing pods for electronic jamming. Representative antennae on wing tips, tails.   No IRST.


Bilek Yak-23:  random African air force instead of the MiG-15.

[Daryl J.]

Hobbycraft CF-105 new tool:  based in both Norway and Greenland on the east and in BC on the west circa 1965-1985, missile type not determined as of yet.