Out of Retirement - Discussion thread

[jcf]

That's not far-fetched - just look at the P-51 coming back for Korea, and a piston-engine aircraft would certainly have been a better ground attack platform than early jets like the Meteor. Malaysia from 1948 until the Sixties comes to my mind, with a long-lasting anti-insurgency campaign by Commonwealth troops. I have a Tempest II somewhere in the stash, as well as some unguided missiles... 

The P-51/F-51 was still in service with USAF when the Korean War started, and many more
were in ANG units, so it really wasn't a matter of coming back.

P-47s on the other hand would require a resurrection from the dead.

[McColm]

Why does my Airfix Avro Vulcan B.Mk2 keep starring at me  ? I read somewhere that it was considered as a contender to be converted into a AEW platform for the RAF.

[kitnut617]

P-47s on the other hand would require a resurrection from the dead.

I think the Dominion Republic operated P-47's around then, didn't they Jon ?

[rickshaw]

P-47s on the other hand would require a resurrection from the dead.

I think the Dominion Republic operated P-47's around then, didn't they Jon ?

As did the ANG units of the USAF.  The P-47 was dying out but not quite dead by the time the Korean War broke out.  However AIUI the decision was made to stick with the F-51 in Korea 'cause it was there in Japan, whereas the F-47 wasn't.

[jcf]

F-47 numbers were small and spares were an issue, unlike the F-51, also the
majority of the in-service F-47s were with ANG units east of the Mississippi
(the exceptions being Hawai'i ANG with F-47N for long-range air defense patrols,
and Puerto Rico ANG), ANG units in the west were equipped with the F-51.

When the Korean War began, there were 1,167 F-47s on hand, but most of these were
in storage–only 265 Thunderbolts were active in ANG units and they were all considered
second-line aircraft. Additionally, the rapid demobilization after World War II affected the supply
system and the availability of spares for the Thunderbolts throughout the post-war years. For
instance, the 23rd Fighter Group stationed on Guam in 1947 had pilots who had not accumulated
the required night time flying hours because their Jugs lacked functioning flight instruments. The
group's historian noted "the installation of these instruments is contemplated in the near future,
depending of course, upon Tech Supply." Historian Kenneth P. Werrell was told the F-47 was not
used in Korea primarily because of the lack of spare parts.

On Sunday June 25, 1950 (the day the North invaded the South), 897 F-51 and 38 RF-51
Mustang fighters remained in the U.S. Air Force active inventory. A further 764
Mustangs were then being operated by the U.S. Air National Guard. The F-51Ds had
sufficient supplies of spare parts, so they were chosen to go back to war and again, as in 1942,
they went in a close-support role.

265 F-47 in ANG service with limited spares versus 1,699 F-51 in active USAF and ANG service
with proper spares support. Math and logistics win.

As to loss numbers:

335 F-51D Mustangs were lost in the Korean War, with 264 pilots killed or missing.
Of these losses, 172 fell to enemy ground fire, ten to enemy jet fighters, with forty-four
missing and unaccounted for, and the remainder to accidents.

The F4U and AD experienced heavy losses in Korea–almost all of the 312 Corsairs and 124
Skyraiders lost to ground fire

Both powered with air-cooled radials which were supposedly more resistant to ground fire,
the Corsair's wing mounted oil-coolers being it's main vulnerability.

In short to get the P/F-47 back in service in Korea in place of the F-51 would be a major
undertaking.

[zenrat]

I have a RW aftermarket sheet of transfers for Jugs serving with Chile, Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba.

How about Skyraiders brought out of retirement for Desert Storm?

I'm thinking about updating a car by dropping in a newer engine.  Ford or Mopar - I have resin modern engines for both makes.

[Rheged]

Somewhere in the stash (if one of my sons hasn't annexed them)are a Deltic and  a British Railways class 4 tender engine.  Were I to build these in Network South East or Virgin West coast colours, would they be an appropriate entry in this build?

[Dizzyfugu]

That sounds cool. 

[TomZ]

Somewhere in the stash (if one of my sons hasn't annexe them)are a Deltic and  a British Railways class 4 tender engine.  Were I to build these in Network South East or Virgin West coast colours, would they be an appropriate entry in this build?

They most certainly would!

TomZ

[perttime]

Piper PA-48 Enforcer goes into production.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-48_Enforcer

[PR19_Kit]

The idea of a BR Class 4 in Network SouthEast colours is MIND boggling! 

A Deltic in the current LNER scheme would be very topical though. 

Perhaps I'll paint up my Kitmaster Garratt in the Virgin scheme? 

[Rheged]

I can offer these pix from the depths of the interweb:-https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pin/384283780686859647/ and https://www.google.co.uk/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNRVcMs9mgApE7D3NcAb6qqwtmqvWQ:1570739651671&q=steam+engines+in+modern+livery&tbm=isch&source=hp&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi7uOOXxZLlAhW1RBUIHZSPDLwQ4216BAgFECM&biw=1366&bih=620#imgrc=iL_AQ4oLA4LAdM:&spf=1570739661816

[zenrat]

And then there is the failure of the F-35 programme which, combined with the discovery that stick & string construction was actually stealthier than modern composites, led to modern air forces raiding their museums and operating missile armed biplanes...

[Devilfish]

Why does my Airfix Avro Vulcan B.Mk2 keep starring at me  ? I read somewhere that it was considered as a contender to be converted into a AEW platform for the RAF.

The one that always got me interested was either a "fighter" version. Basically, carrying loads of air to air missiles, or upgraded ala B-52G style

[NARSES2]

Somewhere in the stash (if one of my sons hasn't annexed them)are a Deltic and  a British Railways class 4 tender engine.  Were I to build these in Network South East or Virgin West coast colours, would they be an appropriate entry in this build?

LNER. I'd pay extra for my regular trips up North in a train pulled by a "proper" locomotive