The Chat

[Weaver]

Free idea for anyone who wants it:

The Spanish Civil War ended in an inconclusive stalemate in 1938 with both sides still (sorta) intact. After the war, the allies initially supported the Republicans (but not enough to actually start a war), but as they drifted further and further left, the CIA engineered a coupe on the Nationalist side that removed the problematic Franco and replaced him with more 'reasonable' officers, paving the way for the Kingdom of Spain (i.e. the Nationalist bit) to join NATO. (De Gaulle couldn't stomach this and that's another reason why France left the NATO command structure). The Spanish Republic, by contrast fell victim to an internal takeover by the Communist Party and while they could never go as far as joining the Warsaw Pact, they were supported by the Soviet Union from then on.

Result? Build any Cold War jet you like from either side in pre-'38 Spanish Republican or Nationalist colours...

[NARSES2]

I've actually built a Republican Spanish aircraft (it's on here somewhere) post WWII

I built a Yak 3 and here's the scenario

With the success of the Nationalist Ebro offensive in 1938 the Republican armies succeeded in reuniting their Catalonian forces with the main areas under their control. Given that the eyes of the world were now increasingly focused towards central Europe, and that both sides in Spain had seen their respective supporters gradually draw back their involvement in the peninsular the war slowly turned into a trench bound stalemate and by 1940 had drifted into an unofficial truce with both sides ruling their respective parts of Spain as they saw fit.

After the fall of France many expected Hitler to continue south and complete the job that Franco and the Nationalists had started. However his eyes were firmly fixed eastwards and the Republican regime survived. Both sides in the civil war provided "volunteers" for their respective allies on the Eastern front, the Nationalists the Blue Division, whilst the Republican's provided the aptly named Red Division. With the end of the war both of these volunteer forces returned home, indeed the majority of the Blue Division had done so in 1944. Amongst these returnees were the airman of the Red Division who also brought with them their mounts as a gift from the grateful Russian nation.

The details of the Coup d'état of 1948 which saw the leftish Republican government replaced by a much more Stalinist aligned one are beyond the scope of this brief history but none the less it cause serious ripples among western governments who now found themselves having to support a Nationalist government who was a supporter of the "other side" during the war. Thus while Franco's forces received P 51's and A 26's the Republicans received Yak 3's and 9's and Tu 2's.

[Mossie]

I had grand plans, which I whittled down to a grand-ish plan, now it's just a plan.  The real world is getting in the way of anything but a simple build, work commitments are eating into my home life.

I'm planning a Canberra P.12 fighter, using Colin's Red Deans but not the full set as I want to do a pointier nose that was on some later plans.  I started the nose years ago from a 1/32 Stuka drop tank but that's as far as I got.  It'll be RAF, but wearing an unusual scheme, at least for a Canberra.

[Rheged]

I hope to have a suitable extended backstory, which you may take as an entry to the Cold War GB, and/or as a copyright free set of ideas, available before the end of the week.  Do I post it here, or in the "Finished Builds" thread?

[zenrat]

I had an idea today while grokking some of my stash.

Soviet Thunderscreech equivalent.  I'm thinking either a Mig 15 or 21 with a prop.  Back story could be turboprop development or just to produce something that made Bears seem quiet.
15 might be better as it has a deeper fuselage and thus more room for the propshaft to pass under the pilot.

[PR19_Kit]

Hehehehe, MAGIC idea! 

[Dizzyfugu]

I had an idea today while grokking some of my stash.

Soviet Thunderscreech equivalent.  I'm thinking either a Mig 15 or 21 with a prop.  Back story could be turboprop development or just to produce something that made Bears seem quiet.
15 might be better as it has a deeper fuselage and thus more room for the propshaft to pass under the pilot.

That does not sound bad - I also had the idea of a MiG-15 with a fat prop/spinner, ring air intake and straight wings. Not necessarily Soviet, though.

[Captain Canada]

Yes that is a good idea !

[Nick]

Here's some heresy for Fleet Air Arm fans....

The last proper aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, left the Royal Navy in 1979. In order to maintain their air power role the FAA persuades Whitehall to copy the German method whereby the Bundesmarine or Marineflieger operates aircraft from shore bases.

Traning is based at RNAS Yeovilton, while operational strike squadrons operate from RNAS Culdrose, Lossiemouth, Prestwick and Manston.

From 1975 the aircraft used were a mix of Phantoms for fighter cover and Buccaneers for the naval strike role, a role at which they excelled. Gannets were used for AEW for some years until replaced by Nimrods and later the E-3 Sentry.

By 1990 the Buccs and F-4s have been stood down and replaced with ex-RAF Tornados converted to the IDS role. 

[Thorvic]

Here's some heresy for Fleet Air Arm fans....

The last proper aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, left the Royal Navy in 1979. In order to maintain their air power role the FAA persuades Whitehall to copy the German method whereby the Bundesmarine or Marineflieger operates aircraft from shore bases.

Traning is based at RNAS Yeovilton, while operational strike squadrons operate from RNAS Culdrose, Lossiemouth, Prestwick and Manston.

From 1975 the aircraft used were a mix of Phantoms for fighter cover and Buccaneers for the naval strike role, a role at which they excelled. Gannets were used for AEW for some years until replaced by Nimrods and later the E-3 Sentry.

By 1990 the Buccs and F-4s have been stood down and replaced with ex-RAF Tornados converted to the IDS role. 

Sounds good to me Nick

[kitbasher]

By 1990 the Buccs and F-4s have been stood down and replaced with ex-RAF Tornados converted to the IDS role. 

Well as the RAF operated Tornado GR.1Bs armed with Sea Eagles in the anti-shipping role, have the FAA operate these not the RAF.

[Dizzyfugu]

From 1975 the aircraft used were a mix of Phantoms for fighter cover and Buccaneers for the naval strike role, a role at which they excelled.

As a side note, the Buccs were actually considered for fleet defence - armed with four Red Tops (oddly, two under the wings, two under the air intakes - the Buccaneer's radar was rather easy to make compatible with these AAMs), and there were even plans for a dedicated fighter variant with an enlarged wing area for better high altitude performance.

[Captain Canada]

I like the ideas Nick. I'm having a lot of Naval thoughts for my builds as well.

[Nick]

By 1990 the Buccs and F-4s have been stood down and replaced with ex-RAF Tornados converted to the IDS role. 

Well as the RAF operated Tornado GR.1Bs armed with Sea Eagles in the anti-shipping role, have the FAA operate these not the RAF.

I do have an old Airfix Tornado Gr.1 kit somewhere but it might have some parts missing.

Of course, after the Tornado is the Typhoon. But what about a similar long range swing wing, the F-111 in FAA markings? 

[kitbasher]

By 1990 the Buccs and F-4s have been stood down and replaced with ex-RAF Tornados converted to the IDS role. 

Well as the RAF operated Tornado GR.1Bs armed with Sea Eagles in the anti-shipping role, have the FAA operate these not the RAF.

I do have an old Airfix Tornado Gr.1 kit somewhere but it might have some parts missing.

Of course, after the Tornado is the Typhoon. But what about a similar long range swing wing, the F-111 in FAA markings? 

I'd stick with the Tonka Nick.  Not even the US continued with the F-111B!

And I think the old NATO weapons set has Sea Eagles in it - and I also recall (but may be wrong) that the Airfix Bucc S2 has them too (and all the while I'm talking ¹/₇₂).

Sea Tonka in an overall single shade of grey finish extrapolated from the final FAA Buccaneer scheme could look really nice.