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BAe Kestrel

Started by Devilfish, May 02, 2013, 11:39:01 PM

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Devilfish

May 02, 2013, 11:39:01 PM
In the late 70's it was realised by most military powers that the best was to keep an aircraft safe, was for it not to be seen.  So far, no one had invented a cloaking device, so the next best thing was to make it invisible to radar.  Rumours were leaking that the Americans were working on a stealthy aircraft, so BAe were tasked with coming up with a design for use by the RAF.
By the early 80's a prototype had flown, and by the mid 80's it was in service.
Called the Kestrel, but known affectionately as the 'dart' due to it's shape, the plane was a low level ground attack aircraft.  Not totally radar invisible, but giving enough protection head and tail on to evade SAMs, the Kestrel was popular with it's pilots, who flew regular sorties in West Germany, close to the border, usually without detection.
Powered by 4 RR Viper engines, which gave good thrust, low IR in conjunction with shrouded exhausts, and plenty of redundancy.
To keep costs down, BAe were instructed to use as many off the shelf parts as possible, but to the casual observer, the only obvious parts ar the Hawk undercarriage.

Due to high cost per unit, only one squadron was equipped with the Kestrel, that being 41Sqn, based at Gutersloh in West Germany.











Dizzyfugu

#1
May 03, 2013, 12:14:51 AM
Nice! The F-19 kits are always a good basis for a whif, and the RAF livery suits it VERY well.  :thumbsup:

NARSES2

#2
May 03, 2013, 07:32:57 AM
That is nice  :thumbsup:
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

tc2324

#3
May 03, 2013, 07:46:47 AM
Glad to see you got this one finished Paul.  :thumbsup:

Top job as always.
74 `Tiger` Sqn Association Webmaster

Tiger, Tiger!

Devilfish

#4
May 03, 2013, 08:23:59 AM
Quote from: tc2324 on May 03, 2013, 07:46:47 AM
Glad to see you got this one finished Paul.  :thumbsup:

Top job as always.

I was waiting for the seat.....

Weaver

#5
May 03, 2013, 09:19:43 AM
Nice one - looks great. :thumbsup:

I have a broken one of these put aside with the vague idea of scaleorama-ing it to 1/72nd one day.
"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot."
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Army of One

#6
May 03, 2013, 11:26:07 AM
Great build.....like it lots....like the scheme...... :thumbsup:
BODY,BODY....HEAD..!!!!

IF YER HIT, YER DEAD!!!!

Nick

#7
May 03, 2013, 11:52:44 AM
Fantastic build there, well done!

JayBee

#8
May 03, 2013, 11:58:20 AM
Fantastic looking build, pity you chose the name Kestrel as it had already been used in the RW.

Jim
Alle kunst ist umsunst wenn ein engel auf das zundloch brunzt!!

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They are just physical manifestations of collisions between enigma & conundrum particles.

Any aircraft can be improved by giving it a SHARKMOUTH!

seavixen

#9
May 06, 2013, 11:24:29 PM
I like it but the name Kestrel implies something that is able to hover. Much like the Harrier's predecessor.
Stackridge: Rhubarb Thrashers of the World Unite

Devilfish

#10
May 07, 2013, 12:00:07 AM Last Edit: May 07, 2013, 02:37:02 AM by Devilfish
Quote from: seavixen on May 06, 2013, 11:24:29 PM
I like it but the name Kestrel implies something that is able to hover. Much like the Harrier's predecessor.

I normally give the names a lot more thought, but for some reason this one was rush job.   Names get reused....Typhoon.... Tornado....Nimrod Lightning....

Most birds of prey hover....Hawks do, but we don't see the Red Arrows hovering in their routines, lol  

I chose Kestrel because it's a small efficient killing machine.....much like this.  In, strike, out......
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