Texas Naval Air Service Aircraft

[nev]

I'd switch the Paveways for JDAMS.

Cost of Paveway bomb kit = $100,000
Cost of JDAM bomb kit = $2,000


Go figure

[elmayerle]

I just did some further research here and may have to revise my suggestions.  The Oerikon KCA round apparently is the same basic round as the GAU-8 uses (differences in cartirdge material and rpiming, not in dimensions) and the JA-37 uses it in the Mauser Mk.30 cannon.  At a 173mm cartridge length vs. 112mm length for 30mm ADEN?DEFA cartridges, that might be a bit much to fit into the ammo bays of a Skyhawk.  Current NATO standard 25mm rounds, the same as the Oerlikon KBA, look to be about the best choice at this point (rougly an inch longer than standard ADEN/DEFA 30mm rounds - 137 vs. 112), though you'd have to resurrect/complete the British Straden revolver cannon (originally to be fitted to the Harrier GR.5/7/9 but now apparently abandoned).

I'll have to think further on a full equipment fit.

[Bryan H.]

25mm Oerkilon KBA cannon are fine; I'll just have to put them in other aircraft in my inventory.  I think they'd work fine in Kfir C.10's, Jaguar's, Tornados, etc...

Really looking forward to seeing what you'd do with an A-4, Evan.  

Bryan

 

[Scooterman]

Keeping with the guns, the Mauser 27mm in the Tornado and Gripen (and JSF at one time) might be a better choice then trying to rehash the 25mm Harrier gun.  That 27mm round is hard hitting, good for both air and ground and not all that bigger than the 20mm.  
(all of that IIRC-I'm at work and don't have the specs in front of me)

I'm not really sure the F414 would fit guys.  I thought it had a bigger diameter than the F404.  Maybe the RM12 used by the Gripen would be better?

And targeting pods-I can't see where you're thinking about mounting it Evan.  There isn't a lot of room next to the nose gear and it's doors.  As much as it pains me to remove a gun, but maybe built into/slightly below the wing/fuselage join (where the cannon normally would be)  Maybe repcakage the pods guts to fit into the former ammo/breech areas and just leave the 'ball' end sticking out?  FOV might be poo-poo (with an english accent) at certain angles but all you'd really need is fwd down swinging thru the vertical and back to the rear (ala PaveTack).  Your side to side swing is the limiting factor.

Let's not forget the bang seat too!  Have to replace with something lightweight and FAST.  Not a lot of time to get out when you down in the weeds or clipping waves.  The new Mk.16 in the Rafale would work.  So would the Mk.12 from a Brit Harrier in a pinch......

[elmayerle]

F414 has the same basic dimensions as the F404 and RM12, the difference is in internals and inlet airflow.

I agree the 27mm Mauser would be a suitable alternative to the 25mm gun that was to go in the UK's Harrier II's (the original Harrier had a pair of 30mm ADEN's).  I don't know that there's that much to choose between the two cartridges, but the 25mm one is standardized and also works for Bushmasters, the GAU-12, et al. whereas the 27mm round is only chambered by one cannon.

One alternative might be to fit one Mauser Mk.30 firing the Oerlikon KCA round and use the sponson for the other cannon as a conformal mounting point for the targeting pod.  On the other hand, and I don't have a good three-view of an A-4 to hand, could a conformal carry point be added just behind the nose gear well to leave the centerline pylon free?  I figure there's going to be some structural redesign, along the lines of what Singapore had to do, to install the AMAD (Airframe Mounted Accessory Drive) gearbox and such to go with the F414 (it greatly simplifies engine installation and removal to not have to disconnect every system, but just disconnect the AMAD drive shaft and the engine fuel, oil, bleed air, and electrical connections.

[Bryan H.]

Just for Swampy...  Here's a list of standard weapons in the Texas inventory; I'm sure there's some catagories I'm missing but this seems pretty inclusive to me.  Some of the options are a little long in the tooth but we keep'em around for the proverbial "rainy day" and training until they're used up.  The only thing I know I'm missing is a little more NATO/Western vs. US variety.

AAM's:
AIM-9L,M,P,X Sidewinder's
AIM-120A,B,C AMRAAM's
Python 3's
Python 4's
AIM-54C's Phoenix's (in storage-stock is low & they're rarely used)

AGM/AShM's:
AGM-65D,E,F,G Maverick's
AGM-88C HARM's
AGM-122A Sidearm's
ALARM's
AGM-84D Harpoon's
AGM-119A,B Penguin's
AGM-84E SLAM & SLAM/ER's
AGM-154A,B,C JSOW's  
Durandal's
AGM-123A Skipper's

Bombs:
Mk.80 Series LDGP's
Paveway II/III LGB's
Rockeye II Mk.20 cluster bombs
GBU-29,30,31,32 JDAM's

Rockets:
Zuni's (2 & LAU-10, 4 shot launchers)
Hydra's (LAU-68, 7 & LAU-61, 19 shot launchers)

However, like Swamphen suggested many other Western, Israeli & Russian armaments are certified for use.  Texas keeps a limited stock of Matra Magic 2 R.550's, AA-11 Archer R-73's & AA-12 Adder R-77's for training.

Bryan

[elmayerle]

You might want to add a slightly "what-if" AGM-122C "Advanced Sidearm" based on an AIM-9L/M/P airframe and with a more capable seeker than that fitted to the AGM-122A.  A similar seeker could be readied in a modular package to let Python missiles or Japanese AAM-3 or AAM-5, or equivalent missles be converted to ARMs.

[Swamphen]

Here's a good reference for all kinds of military designations:

http://www.designation-systems.net/

Definitly need to add Sidearm... and perhaps Tacit Rainbow?

One thing you might want to consider is fitting your A-6Fs with Slammer capability and using them as 'Missileer' type missile trucks.

[elmayerle]

TR is good only if you also fix the seeker problems.  Now, I can see using the AGM-137A TSSAM as long as you hold the manufacturer's feet to the fire on development costs (I was there, I know some of the nonsense that happened).  The basice missile worked like a charm in all air-launched varieties (ground-launched BGM-137B had it's own special problems and we never got to demonstrate we'd fixed them ).

Now, a good multi-function AESA radar in the A-6F's would allow you to also hang AIM-54C's and -54C+'s and use them in a Missileer role (mind you, I'd go with a "what-if" AIM-54D that replaced the rocket motor with a LVRJ/IRR (Low Volume RamJet/Integral Rocket-Ramjet) propulsion system with inlets either in the base of the fins or clocked 45 deg. from the fins (I like swept-forward inlets, as on some of the Russian missiles with this kind of propulsion).

[Bryan H.]

Just updated tthe weapon's (above) with proper designations...  I'm thinking about doing up an A-4T (using the 1/72 Fujimi A-4M kit) on a South Pacific cruise/exercise carrying a strike load; 1x Maverick (station 1), 2x LGB's on a TER (station 2), 1x drop tank (centerline), 2x Rockeye's (station 4) and 1x Maverick (station 5.)    

Perhaps another A-4T w/a precision attack load (through defended air-space); 1x AA-11 (station 1), 2x AIM-120 (station 2), centerline fuel tank, 1 or 2x JDAM (station 4), 1x Python 4 (station 5.)

I'm still trying to devise a cool camo-scheme for my Scooters; I'm wanting something a little different (yet believable), maybe for a South Seas/Caribbean/tropical environment.

Bryan

[Jschmus]

Maybe you could use a variation on the blue schemes that Navy F/A-18s in the DACT squadrons wear.  VFC-12 flew a similar pattern on their A-4s before they switched.  I'll see if I can find a picture.

[nev]

The only thing I know I'm missing is a little more NATO/Western vs. US variety

How about adding some Meteor AAMs in there?  

Or some JP233s?  (probly bigger than your A-4s though )

How about some BLU-755 cluster bombs?

Matra rocket pods?

[Swamphen]

Definitly JP-233, and maybe MW-1 as well...?

As for Scooter camo for SWPAC, how about Glossy Sea Blue?    

[Bryan H.]

Did some "research" this weekend in my trusty Wings of Fame.  Found out some interesting Scooter stuff...  Did you know Douglas proposed putting either J-79's or Spey engines in their little Skyhawks for export (for both land & carrier-based versions.)  Also, in competion with the LTV A-7, they also proposed a version using the dorsal hump as a conformal fuel-tank instead of electronic gear and yet another engine (the TF30.)

There was an interesting mix of countries Douglas marketed to.  They tried to sell A-4's to Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, India, Japan, Brazil, and many others I can't rememeber right now.  The Canadians, Indians & Dutch were targeted for carrier-capable A-4 sales efforts!

I think I'll keep the dorsal spine in my A-4T but use it a conformal fuel tank; if a Scooter can take a J79, Spey or TF30, the F414 should be no problem!    The TF30 got me thinking maybe a TF30 equipped A-4 could take an F110 as a replacement to maintain commonality with my Tomcat 21's & F-16's.  An F110 equipped Scooter would be a fast little plane!  B)

Bryan

[Joe C-P]

Indians Scooters, eh? Hmm... I think I have some Indian decals for my little planes; I just have to find some little A-4s.  ^_^

JoeP