McDonnell Supermarine Voodoo FR1

[andrewj]

In 1960 the RAF were looking for a replacement for the Supermarine Swift FR5 in the low level fighter recconaisance role. the Hawker Hunter was dismissed as having no performance advantage over the Swift, so a new aircraft was needed , several British designs showed some potential but were some years away from service , a new aircraft was needed now !.
      A proposal was made for a licence built version of the American F-101 Voodoo to be built in Britain to fill the gap, and so the Vickers Supermarine Co got the contract to quickly engineer the aircraft to suit RAF needs.
     The McDonnell Supermarine Voodoo FR1 differed from the original US aircraft in several respects, the undercarriage was modified and strengthened to allow better rough field performance, the canopy was strengthened to better stand the stresses of prolonged low level flight. The most important change was to the engines , with the American engines being replaced with two Rolls Royce RA 16R afterburning engines, these gave a better performance and lower fuel consumption.    Finally a British designed Camera suit in a new nose and four 30mm Aden cannon completed the conversion.
    The Voodoo FR1's entered service with No's 2 and 79 squadrons in RAF Germany and saw service for many years until being replaced by the Photo-Recce version of the TSR 2.








Model is modified Revell 1/48 kit

Andrew

[sandiego89]

Looks great!  Especially like the photo gear in the nose.  Well done

[The Rat]

Finally a British designed Camera suit in a new nose...

Vinten F95s? The Swift had them, and from all accounts they were damned good.

That is one cracking job, it looks so natural in that scheme. Love the new canopy! 

[NARSES2]

That does look nice 

[PR19_Kit]

EXCELLENT Stuff, an aircraft after my own heart, and I've had slightly similar ideas to that as well. 

Who's kit is the 1/48 Swift FR5 on your comparison pic, I don't think I've seen one of those before?

[Captain Canada]

Beauty ! Another one that just looks right....love that camo and markings combo....probably my all time favourite !

Love the 4 cannon nose...great idea for a low-level recon bird. In wartime, might as well take a couple of pot shots while you're out playing !

What's the idea with the nose gear ? Did you lose the original one ? 

Also, is the canopy the original one, only painted over ? Love the way it changes the look of the Voodoo, certainly makes it look more English ! ( to me, anyway )

Great job !

[Logan Hartke]

That is quite lovely.

Cheers,

Logan

[kitnut617]

The single seat/cannon nose makes the F-101 really attractive, got a 1/72 project half finished before it was packed away for our house move some years ago, still in the box unfortunately, not seen it since then --- 

[lancer]

That is one beautiful looking Voodoo. It looks great in those markings

[andrewj]

Thanks for the positive response chaps , really appreciate it.
The canopy is the kit two seat canopy cut down and added to the fairing sawn of the fuselage , bit of Milliput and paint and there it is. The nose gear is the upper leg from the Voodoo kit added to the mainwheel and fork from a Hawk, improves rough field performance.
The Swift FR5 is the Falcon vac-form kit, lovely little models with a bit of patience.

Andrew

[James]

Great work. Looks right imo.

[Weaver]

That's a very nice piece of work, and I don't even like Voodoos.....

[kitbasher]

Well I do like Voodoos and that is excellent.  

I keep looking at the picture and thinking about how it would look with Swift wings.

Want a Matchbox Voodoo to whif!!

[Hman]

That looks so right 

[kerick]

The canopy is a great idea! Needs a couple of Sidewinders to go with the guns (just for self defense of course)!