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

[pyro-manic]

Saur: The Italeri 1:72 F-14A kit comes with a set of spare F110 nozzles, just FYI. A nice cheap source for a set if you're looking.

[Sauragnmon]

Well Damn, Pyro, if I'd known that before I'd ordered my Hase Tomcat for the bashfest, I would have been ahead in the game.

Damn, guess I might have to go looking for aftermarket F110's somewhere maybe.  I think the Hase Tommy comes with TF30's instead, which are of no benefit as they already are mounted on the Raven to begin with.

I wonder what a Sovietized Raven might look like - AL-31's or such in the engine mounts, Flanker or Flogger-style wings for a Fixed or VG variant, an IRST ball off the Flanker sitting dead center in the cockpit mount.  Maybe give it flanker style tailplanes.  Fencer meets Fullback meets Raven.  There's a little image-bashing inspiration for ya Greg.  Any thoughts?

[GTX]

What if the F-111B had entered service and then been developed with new engines (say GE 110s) etc:

Greg,

Not just the F-111B, but any F-111 version would benefit from this modification.  One of the reasons I have been hoarding exhaust parts from modern aircraft was to effect a cosmetic change to the F-111 for just this reason.  Figured the F110 or F100 parts would go a long way towards suggesting an engine upgrade and if you could source some of the exhaust parts from a pair of F-32 or F-35 kits you would be making a real fashion statement :^) 

Purists' beware, we don't care if it won't fit in real life just as long as it looks good on the model.  :^|

Well the GE110 for the F-111 was a definite possibility - I know since I was involved with investigating just that for the RAAF's Pigs a few years back.  A stealthier exhaust would be possible too.

Regards,

Greg

[KJ_Lesnick]

GTX,

Regarding your V/STOL F-111-concept:  Wouldn't all those lift jets add a lot of weight?


Kendra

[GTX]

GTX,

Regarding your V/STOL F-111-concept:  Wouldn't all those lift jets add a lot of weight?


Kendra

To a degree yes, though the weight of the VG mechanism and associated structure would also be gone.

Regards,

Greg

[Archibald]

VG + lift jets ? looks like the Vickers type 584, a monster project from the 60's...

[GTX]

How about the F-111 as the basis for a small, supersonic civilian/executive jet:



Regards,

Greg

[PR19_Kit]

How about the F-111 as the basis for a small, supersonic civilian/executive jet:

Now doesn't that profile have just a hint of Vigilante about it somewhere?

[retro_seventies]

Now, take the passengers out, put bombs and fuel in, and whistle up some canards, and there you have an excellent long range bomber.  Wow. 

[ysi_maniac]

^^^^^^^
For that matter you already have FB-111H (which is in my whiffing wish list).

[GTX]

^^^^^^^
For that matter you already have FB-111H (which is in my whiffing wish list).

Mine too - I think we will be scratchbuilding that baby though.

Regards,

Greg

[ysi_maniac]

I have reserved a F-111 and a Tomcat. But you are right, this project will need lots of scratch.

[Jennings]

Okay, so we're agreed that the RAF were going to call the F-111K the Merlin.  And I'm assuming the designation would have been GR.1 for the initial service aircraft, with the trainers being GR.1T's.  But how would they have been designated when they were upgraded in the 1980s and '90s?  The Tornado went from GR.1 to GR.4 (same airframes), so would the Merlin have done the same? 

And would the newly purchased EF-111s have been Merlin E.1s??  Merlin E.3s??

Any thoughts appreciated.

J

[Green Dragon]

It could have been GR.2, GR.2T and E.3 unless the EF-111 entered service first then it would be E.2 and GR.3 GR.3T, unless of course the MOD class the EF as a totally new type, then it would be E.1 but might lose the Merlin Name.......maybe?
Are you sure about the traner being GR.1T and not a T.2 like we have with the Jaguar?

Paul Harrison

[Thorvic]

Hi J

Well it would all depends on upgrades and how they quanitify as worth a full number or just a sub letter such as GR1A. Typhoon is already upto its 5th number and thats likely to increase with the more capable Tranche 3 enter service (if ever ordered)

We know the F-111K had two versions ordered for the UK, the 4 Trainer versions and the remaining Strike variants. If the dedicated EW Sparkvark was delivered then that would have had an E prefix and its own allocation in the numbering sequence.

As for the lettereing GR we associate as G for ground attack and R for Recon. The Tooms, Jags, Harriers and Tornados all carried this as they we intended to support the ground forces close to the battle in West Germany. Merlin on the otherhand was long range (nuclear) strike recon, so could actually get the S for Strike coding as per the Buccaneer although generally regarded more as Naval term for Anti-shipping as little ground in sight !!.

We know the F-111K was more envisaged for long range strike with the 50 being split between 2 sqdns of UK based aircraft, and 2 squadrons East of Suez operating from the Island bases and head quartered in Australia in a joint base with the RAAF. These would have provided the UK power projection with the none replacement of the carrier groups (C-5's were envisaged as troop haulers to fly the troops and kit to any hotspots).

They could also have adopted the B for Bomber prefix if they had replaced the Vulcans and Victors although that may have been more suited for a 2nd order of FB-111's complete with AGM-69 Sram.

Hope this helps

Geoff

"The most important feature would be 50 F-111A's, organized in four squadrons, half of which would act in the reconnaissance role. The decision to try to make do with only 50 F-111A's was based on three considerations: first, he frankly did not think he could get approval from the Cabinet for a larger number; second, the major aircraft project for the British in the 1970's is an Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft (he said sometimes called the poor man's TFX), which it was planned would be the follow-on aircraft; third, the British want the

F-111A's mainly for the Indo-Pacific area, where they hope to operate in stride with the Australians, who are also buying F-111A's. Mr. Healey reiterated that the key problem is the dollar cost of the billion dollars worth of airplanes being bought from the US.

Mr. Healey then indicated that this force structure would provide an overall capability to do nearly everything the British are doing now. It would have a wide range of peacekeeping capabilities, including logistic support for UN operations; a capability for intervention against unsophisticated enemies; greatly improved airlift capability, especially by incorporating C-130's; a strong reserve in the UK; and an amphibious capability East of Suez. It would also incorporate a powerful conventional deterrent against sophisticated nations, relying on F-111's for reconnaissance and strike roles, plus submarines and missiles. He stressed that the F-111A's are critical to the whole force structure"

From the US State Department Archieves