1/48 BAC Eagle B.1

Devilfish · November 07, 2017, 01:07:01 AM

In order to salvage the TSR2 program, BAC offered the RAF a staggered introduction of the airframe and its systems. By 1964 it was well known that the technology required was not mature enough yet to carry out every role asked of it in a single airframe.
To allow the aircraft to perform all the specified roles, it was proposed that initially at least, the nuclear and conventional attack missions be carried out by differently configured aircraft.
The first, and most important variant, was the B.1. As strategic nuclear attack was the entire raisin d'etre of the project, this was where most of the effort went.
The Eagle B.1 was a dedicated low level strategic nuclear bomber. Equipped with wing mounted slipper tanks and an extra internal tank at the forward end of the bomb bay, unrevealed combat range was in excess of 1500Nm.
General weapons load was two We.177B nuclear free fall bombs.
The B.1, unlike its conventionally armed sibling, had in flight refuelling capability from the outset.
Although the low level roll was optimised, it was decided, for crew and aircraft safety, to continue the use of anti-flash white, but only on the undersides, which were more likely to be exposed to the weapon's flash.

DSC_0971 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

DSC_0976 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

DSC_0972 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

DSC_0967 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

DSC_0970 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

Alongside the GR.2

DSC_0978 by Paul Carter, on Flickr