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RAAF F/E-18F Switchblade

Started by Firefox, April 06, 2021, 04:53:23 AM

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Firefox

The kit was the Academy 1/72 E/A-18G snap tight kit. I must say it's pretty good snap tight kit and allow one to build quickly, but might not be everyone's cup of tea. Instead of building the RAAF E/A-18G, I made a slight twist.

Background story:
In the very near future, everything north of Australia had gone to hell. Like a textbook exercise, the allied forces sent in their state of the art stealth forces, F-35s. To their surprise, the enemy employed their all new anti-stealth radar. The F-35s were almost like sitting ducks if not for the well trained pilots, the network capability and the newly fielded loyal wingmen. But not too soon, the enemy revealed another surprise: AI assisted hacking and targeted full spectrum jamming. It crippled the Link 16 network and disabled the loyal wingmen if not turning them against the hosts. The RAAF rushed to introduce countermeasure with the allied forces. The F/E-18F was the answer. They were converted from the F/A-18F that the RAAF was about to retire. The aircraft was stripped off all communication and network capabilities to prevent any possible hacking. The back seat guys were simply called EO (Electronic Officer). They were basically hackers with bare minimum flight training. Their job was to identify, track and counter-hack the source on the fly. The antenna sit on top of the spine can trace any signal from any airborne units and satellites, while there were two small repeaters just in front of the intakes to deal with seaborne targets. The entire electronic suit sit outside of the flight control systems in case it was hacked. Once a target was identified, the EO would start the counter hacking and the pilot would head to the source as fast as possible. Should the counter hacking failed, the pilot would need to neutralize the target in time, be it shipborne, airborne or satellites. Each F/E-18F was armed with various air to air missiles, anti ship missiles and an anti-satellite missile on the centerline. Each F/E-18F was a lone wolf and they were on their own the moment they started the engine. But the critical tasks that entrusted to them would turned the tide to give allied forces some breathing space.








rickshaw

How to reduce carbon emissions - Tip #1 - Walk to the Bar for drinks.

NARSES2

Quote from: rickshaw on April 06, 2021, 06:11:51 AM
Interesting.   :thumbsup:

Indeed  :thumbsup: I wouldn't of guessed it was a snap tight kit
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

Old Wombat

Has a life outside of What-If & wishes it would stop interfering!

"The purpose of all War is Peace" - St. Augustine

veritas ad mortus veritas est

Pellson

What a backstory!!  :wub:

The kit's great too.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!

DogfighterZen

I like it, very interesting idea and well explained in the backstory. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
"Sticks and stones may break some bones but a 3.57's gonna blow your damn head off!!"

chrisonord

Really cool idea,  and I  would not have guessed it  was a snap together kit either.  :thumbsup:
The dogs philosophy on life.
If you cant eat it hump it or fight it,
Pee on it and walk away!!

McColm


zenrat

Fred

- Can't be bothered to do the proper research and get it right.

Another ill conceived, lazily thought out, crudely executed and badly painted piece of half arsed what-if modelling muppetry from zenrat industries.

zenrat industries:  We're everywhere...for your convenience..

Tophe

 :wub: Very good, and very inspiring, thanks!
Weeks ago I made such a AEW F-16 (as drawing: http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/F-16drwD_ej.jpg ) but you are right I should correct it for being better: 2 fins for the radar drag not to make inefficient the fins, 2 seats to have a radar operator.
Thanks!
[the word "realistic" hurts my heart...]

Wurgerman

Nice work !  👍

Wurgerman 

comrade harps

You had me the moment I spied the ALARMS.  :thumbsup:
Whatever.

Tophe

Quote from: Tophe on April 09, 2021, 07:48:00 PM
Weeks ago I made such a AEW F-16 but you are right I should correct it for being better: 2 fins for the radar drag not to make inefficient the fins, 2 seats to have a radar operator.
I made it now at https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=39083.405
Thanks again! ;)
[the word "realistic" hurts my heart...]