F-111, FB-111, EF-111, Aardvark, Merlin, Raven, Sparkvark, and Pig

[elmayerle]

Greg, to the best of my knowledge, the TF30 was finally made to work reasonably well in the F-111 (though never in the F-14, IMHO) but that took quite a lot of time and effort.  I could see the UK getting impatient when the RR/Allison team had already demonstrated an afterburning version of the TF41 that was rather more potent than the TF30.  The other alternative I can see them exploring is replacing the TF30s with SNECMA-built TF-206s.

[elmayerle]

Jennings, if the RAF did procede with buying the F-111K, I could see at least two possible lines of development for replacing the troublesome TF30s.  The first would be RR/Allison Spey 300R (afterburning TF41) which had been demonstrated at a reliable 26.000 lbt in full burner in 1966-67 testing at Allison and, ISTR, AEDC (Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahome, TN) test facilities.  It might need a good nozzle, yet, but otherwise was well developed.  The second alternative would be to buy an alternate TF30 variant, the SNECMA-built TF-306.  I could see either approach working and both would be evidenced by a different set of exhaust nozzles.

I don't have the clipping to hand, but there was an article in a 1967 AW&ST issue that gave excellent coverage of the afterburning TF41 testing.

For a bit more "off the wall approach", have them use a version of the RM8 from the Viggen.

[nev]

No sir, the Falklands Black Buck missions would have gone off just as well or better with the 111 vs. the Vulcan (much as I'm a Vulcanophile in the extreme).

You're forgetting one thing - its not just simply a case of more AAR hook-ups.  The process involved to get enough Victors up in the air to refuel each other and return back, then taking off again to refuel the remaining Victors on their return was

VERY VERY VERY COMPLICATED

The runway at Ascension, and the RAF's Victor force was stretched to breaking point.  As it was the first mission came very close to disaster with the last Victor not transferring enough fuel to the Vulcan to make it there and back (and even then, that Victor was running on fumes on the way back).

With a shorter ranged a/c the whole thing would have been impossible.  Vulcan 607 goes into all this this in great detail.

[Hobbes]

Vickers offered a tanker variant of the VC-10 early on. Had the RAF taken that option, the tanker situation wouldn't have been so dire during the Falklands...

[Aircav]

Does the F-111 carry enough oil for the engines to do a 12hr flight?

[Jennings]

All interesting discussions.  Black Buck F-111s could easily have been done with "borrowed" KC-135s, and yes, the 111 has more than enough engine oil for a 12 hour flight.

However... as interesting as all this is, it's straying from the point of the thread

J

[P1127]

I wouldn't go for Hemp/grey for an RAF EF-111K - Hemp was chosen as the scheme for large aircraft as it hid them on the tarmac. It also wasn't a bad colour for losing aircraft in the grey/beige cloud you get in Northern latitudes

I'd imagine an RAF EF-111 woould be in the same scheme as the bombers (to disguise it's true role?) or, like the USAF aircraft, in an overall light grey scheme if it is designed to flit around at medium level in the battle zone.

How about a Mediun Sea Grey upper, barley grey mid and light aircraft grey lower surfaces?

[Scooterman]

Need some help.  I have a E model Vark and depending on what decals I can find/make, I might have to extend them to F-111C/FB-111A length.  I have the dims but what I want to know is how the wingtip changes.  Does it shrink because the leading edge and trailing edge get closer as the wing gets longer?  I hope I explained that right.

( I know that there might be issues with the intake shapes but I can live with whats in the kit-too much work there to change anything.)

TIA fellas.

[GTX]

Yes, the extended wingtips did continue to taper.  See below:





Regards,

Greg

[elmayerle]

Need some help.  I have a E model Vark and depending on what decals I can find/make, I might have to extend them to F-111C/FB-111A length.  I have the dims but what I want to know is how the wingtip changes.  Does it shrink because the leading edge and trailing edge get closer as the wing gets longer?  I hope I explained that right.

( I know that there might be issues with the intake shapes but I can live with whats in the kit-too much work there to change anything.)

Yep, the wing continues its taper, as shown by what Greg posted.  From the pictures, it looks like they added an extra flap on each side, too.  If you don't want to extend the wingtips, you can always whif it as a F-111K "Merlin".

[Nigel Bunker]

If it's a Hasegawa kit, don't bother as you'll drive yourself crazy trying the extend the flaps (which are extended on these kits).

If you're using another, get hold of a 1/100 or 1/144 F-111 and use the wings to extend the 72nd model.

Alternatively, if you want to make an Aussie F-111, they did operate 4 F-111As (short wing) for a while before they were converted to F-111C standard (IM me for more details).

[kitnut617]

I have an Italeri F-111A which I've been told is a very good representation of an A.  I've not been able to compare it with a Hasagawa F-111 I got recently though so I can't help there, but maybe someone else has got access to their models and can do a comparison.

[Jennings]

The Italeri kit is the old ESCI kit.  I owned one when it came out, but it's long gone.  It's a passable 111, but nowhere nearly as nice as the Hasegawa masterpieces.  Flaps and slats are molded shut (always down when 111's are parked, per the Hasegawa kit), but it otherwise does okay. 

J

[Thorvic]

What kit are you using Brad ?. As its an E then its either the Airfix/MPC one or the Hasegawa kit in 1/72. If its 1/48the scale or 1/144 then you might be able to get the extended wings from Scaledown (Ozmods).

If you using the Airfix kit then the Revell TFX wings may fit the kit as its breakdown is very similar to the original Revell kit.

To be honest the F-111 is not really that well covered for the 1/72nd modeller, Hasagawa's boxings tend to be limited but their standards have put the others to shame.

However i would have liked to have seen a proper bomb bay done by the after market boys as all are set as closed. Be especially handy with the FB-111A as it would allow SRAM to be loaded.

The other conversion that has special appeal would be for the F-111B to create the Carrier based interceptor. Only version so far has been the Revell TFX kit which bares only a passing resemblance to the first two prototypes and is crying out for a conversion kit.

G

[Scooterman]

I figured out the markings and short span wings are what I'm going wtih but I really do appreciate the info guys.  It will help for another project in 1/72.  For this one however, I'm using the Kitech rip off Academy F-111E in 1/48 BTW.

Scaledown!  Forgot about them!  Thanks Thorvic!