RA1 Watchkeeper Royal Air Force

vee1-rotate · November 20, 2013, 12:46:26 PM

As austerity starts to bite, the Royal Air Force realise that it would be advantageous to combine roles and retire both the E3 and Sentinel aircraft. Their replacement - the Watchkeeper. This aircraft is equipped with synthetic apperture radar, airborne surveillance radar and an advanced optics suite (tiny white blister just behind the synthetic radar). It is flown by a crew of 6: 2 pilots, 1 mission commander (and optical systems operator), battlefield radar mapping officer, airborne radar operator, and signals intel/electronic warfare officer. The crew are seated in comfort in "assisted exit" seats and the aircraft has an endurance of up to 14 hours before refuelling (or 20 with ferry pods attached) and a cruising speed of 300kts. It is capable of carrying stores on external hardpoints including fuel, electronic warfare pods, or - for targets of opportunity, a small number of offensive stores including bombs and missiles. The aircraft features a large moving map and a multiple integrated sensor suite - allowing the mission commander to make real time decisions on the battlefield. This is a fully integrated and multi capable ISTAR asset, using the latest computing and radar technology - truly a leap forward.

I hope that the images come out ok - I'm new to the forum and not sure what I'm doing! I also posted this to Britmodeller but it seems more relevant here. I think I will do some other bits on this - perhaps some underwing stores, but with a busy real life flying career and upteen children, who knows when it will get done! I also have a replacement/upgraded version in mind - and a spares box that is itching to be raided....! Any comments/suggestions/critiscisms are welcome!

CSMO · November 20, 2013, 01:00:50 PM

It looks like a Short Skyvan that has been stretched like a rubber-band. Adios, Larry.

dadlamassu · November 20, 2013, 01:18:40 PM

Nice work! Quite convincing.

Incidentally you can see the images by right clicking the icon and selecting "open in new window"

Thorvic · November 20, 2013, 01:18:45 PM

Its just a case of finding the right link from Photobucket, to embed the image its best to copy the direct link and use within image tags.

Now as to the model, that looks a rather interesting build, i like it

Welcome to the forum BTW

lenny100 · November 20, 2013, 01:22:50 PM

nice start to your time here, welcome to the madhouse

deathjester · November 20, 2013, 01:24:53 PM

Woah!! What a great model - Well Done Sir, and welcome!!

vee1-rotate · November 20, 2013, 01:48:59 PM

Ahh, did one of you guys do something? Some of the pictures have appeared (others, perplexingly haven't)!

I tried to build the aircraft in the style of the Sentinel and give it that sneaky look. I'm really pleased with it, but I expect its successor to be much better. Hope you all like it!

Thorvic · November 20, 2013, 01:53:25 PM

Quote from: vee1-rotate on November 20, 2013, 01:48:59 PM
Ahh, did one of you guys do something? Some of the pictures have appeared (others, perplexingly haven't)!

I tried to build the aircraft in the style of the Sentinel and give it that sneaky look. I'm really pleased with it, but I expect its successor to be much better. Hope you all like it!

Yeap fixed those as well for you

Geoff B

Captain Canada · November 20, 2013, 01:55:29 PM

Nice one ! Very interesting to look at....love the shape and the high wing.

Nice collection of RAF subjects as well. Perched on a shelf like that, it looks to me like you don't have a cat !

vee1-rotate · November 20, 2013, 02:06:10 PM

Thanks Thorvic; and Captain Canada - no cats but a whole clan of young children!

There has been plenty of battle damage... This is only one shelf among many - much to my children's pleasure and wives irritation!!!!

Rheged · November 20, 2013, 02:08:57 PM

This is a pretty good way of introducing yourself!! It looks as though an F111, an Islander and an A10 are possibly part of this story!!

vee1-rotate · November 20, 2013, 02:19:28 PM

Not bad... F111 (from the long scrapped remains of my first ever kit), Dornier 228, A10, lancaster and 1/24 ME262 among others! The serial is actually ripped off a BN Defender.

PR19_Kit · November 20, 2013, 02:55:39 PM

An EXCELLENT piece of work there, and what an entrance too!

rickshaw · November 20, 2013, 03:51:09 PM

Very interesting. Nicely executed. Good combination of kits there!

CSMO · November 20, 2013, 04:07:11 PM

Cool beans! Question: What are you going to make with the remnants from this build? waste not, want not. You deserve full marks for originality. Welcome. Adios, Larry.