F-111M Merlin S.1

[Devilfish]

By the turn of the 1970s, the Royal Navy were looking at replacements for the Buccaneer.   Despite inter-service rivalry, they were impressed with the RAF's F-111K Merlin aircraft, now coming into service.  It fulfilled all their requirements, and, as the US Navy had developed a carrier-borne variant, albeit abandoned, it would be carrier capable.  The F-111M was basically a standard F-111 with the F-111B longer wings, and arrestor hook. 
The nose was hinged, as with the F-4M, to allow storage, and to fit on the carriers lifts.
In 1975, the Merlin S.2 entered service with 803 Sqn FAA

Kit is the 1/48 Hobbyboss FB-111
Decals from spares box.  Sqn marking masked and painted.
Arrestor hook from F-14 (via my swing wing Jaguar)

20200426_192448 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192458 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192453 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192509 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192514 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192523 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192557 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
2020-04-26_10-29-40 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200424_162323 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192621 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20200426_192615 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

VERY convincing, and it makes a nice pairing with the Merlin.

Lovely job. 

[rickshaw]

I think you mean the "longer wings of the F-111C or the FB-111."  The F-111A had short wings.  The F-111K was to have had the longer wings as standard.  The first few were to be short winged.  The MOD had change the wings after the initial order.

Apart from that, an interesting build.   

[Knightflyer]

That looks excellent. Oh to be able to build like that! 

[su27rules]

Excellent!!   

[Doug K]

Really suits that paint, lovely

[Devilfish]

I think you mean the "longer wings of the F-111C or the FB-111."  The F-111A had short wings.  The F-111K was to have had the longer wings as standard.  The first few were to be short winged.  The MOD had change the wings after the initial order.

Apart from that, an interesting build.   

My mistake, I keep getting the A and B confused. It should read "longer wings of the F-111B"  (changed in original post)

According to all sources I've looked at, the FB-111 was basically an F-111 with the longer wings from the F-111B.

Also, there's been a lot of talk about what the RAF were meant to be getting. I think the confusion stems from the fact that the K was to have FB-111 undercarriage, so most assumptions were that it would have the wings too, but photos of the 2 under construction show they were to have short wings.

[sandiego89]

Looks great, fantastic scheme. Really like the belly photos.

[NARSES2]

Both good modelling and photography, lovely build 

It does suit that classic F.A.A. scheme, but then most types do.

[Captain Canada]

Oh yeah ! That really does look good ! And the two of them together is defo quite the site to see. Great stuff.

[dwomby]

Terrific idea and she looks great in that scheme. 

I'm not sure the RN had a carrier that could have coped with it though

David

[PR19_Kit]

Terrific idea and she looks great in that scheme. 

I'm not sure the RN had a carrier that could have coped with it though

The Ark had hefty catapults. 

And if they could have Merlin S1s they could have had CVA-01 as well.

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Excellent backstory and modelling!

[Martin H]

Terrific idea and she looks great in that scheme. 

I'm not sure the RN had a carrier that could have coped with it though

The Ark had hefty catapults. 

And if they could have Merlin S1s they could have had CVA-01 as well.

I was thinking along the same lines Kit.

[sandiego89]

...........I'm not sure the RN had a carrier that could have coped with it though

The Ark had hefty catapults. 

........

Of course she could, especially after her late 1960's major refit, which included the longer catapults, 100 foot amidships plug, and strengthened arresting gear!  The Fleet Air Arm F-111B was quite capable aboard the upgraded Ark Royal!! 

My build, 1/700 scale