USAF F-99C, Vietnam CAS, 1966-COMPLETED

[Weaver]

Looking good! 

Yes,I think the CBU's are a bit too far back: if you look at the Singaporean Hunter pic I posted, they're right up behind the Sabrinas, and they need to be forward of the tire/ground contact points for rotate clearance.

Remember that the weight limits on the 'new' wing pylons were probably quite low. We know that can take a Sidewinder or a handful of 80mm rockets, but I suspect a full napalm tank would be too much for them. There's also not much sideways clearance on the outboard 'new' pylon, i.e. the one in between the standard pylons, although, am I right in thinking that you've spaced the standard pylons out a bit more?

Here's a random though that's too late for this build. For the SEAD mission, delete the lower two cannons and replace them with internal link/case collector boxes. You can now get an avionics rack in place of their ammo boxes, and ESM/ECM aerials in the Sabrinas, which can be extended back as far as the main u/c doors, i.e. into the 'belly bomb' space.

[Old Wombat]

Oh, yeah, certainly on her way to awesomeness!

[nighthunter]

I still think that Sidewinders should be on the out most pylons.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Moved the TER forward a little.  Looks much better and would work better.  Time to get ready for work, but a rainy day forecast here tomorrow so should get the fast few fiddly bits installed and get her finished. 

[MiB]

I'm sorry....ehmm....and the canopy?

[AeroplaneDriver]

I'm sorry....ehmm....and the canopy?

What about it?

[AeroplaneDriver]

Well here she is...

Hawker F-99C Hunter, USAF 524 TFS, Vietnam
March 5, 1966

This Hunter is depicted before taking off for a CAS mission supporting US Army forces from the 28th Infantry Regiment during Operation Cocoa Beach.  It is armed with a  CAS loadout of 2 x BLU27 napalm canisters and 2 x CBU75 cluster bombs, plus 2 AIM-9B Sidewinder AAMs.  The Sidewinder was not a common weapon fitted to Hunters in Vietnam until the last year of its deployment in 1968, but were occasionally fitted.  This aircraft has a kill marking from downing a MiG-17 on an earlier mission when carrying Sidewinders. 

[The Rat]

WHIFFGASM! 

[kitnut617]

Wot 'e said  -----   

[jalles]

Yeah, that's beautiful! It's just perfect, well done 

[philp]

Looks good in SEA camo.

[Weaver]

Well that's come out looking really good - well done Sir! 

[NARSES2]

Fantastic build 

[Old Wombat]

Extraordinarily well done!

[TomZ]

Wow, looks absolutely stunning!

TomZ