BAC Vanquish B.3

[Devilfish]

In the mid 60's, before any metal had even been cut, the MOD commissioned a report into the viability of the use of Concorde in the military. 

The report identified three possible uses. 

1) A transport aircraft

2) A bomber

3) A reconnaissance aircraft



With the cancellation of the TSR2, the RAF were desperate to keep hold of the nuclear deterrent, so an order for 40 military Concordes, or "Bomcorde" as they were nicknamed, was placed

Five would be transports, to be named Vanquish C.1

Five would be Recon, named Vanquish PR.2

And the final 30 would be nuclear bombers, named Vanquish B.3



The B.3 carried long range fuel tanks internally, were the passengers would have sat.  A retractable in flight refuelling probe could extend this range if reqd.



Due to the fact that most of the time the aircraft would be subsonic, it wasn't deemed necessary to paint them white.  They were limited to M1.7, which was thought to be sufficient, with a 20 minute dash allowed at M2.0



The B.3s were divided into 4 squadrons, with 7 aircraft each, and 2 as "floating" aircraft for spares, training etc, as required.

All 4 sqns were based at either Waddington or Scampton.



The aircraft generally carried 2 nuclear stand-off missiles, but a 3rd could be carried if required.

Flight crew was 5 (Pilot, co-pilot, engineer, weapons operator and EW operator).  Accommodation was provided to carry a second crew, as the aircraft were often on standing airborne patrol for many hours, due to the aircraft's incredible range.



The pilots rotated between the bomber and C.1/PR.2 sqns to keep currency in high Mach flying (the C.1 being white could fly at M2.0)

20220118_213748 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220118_213756 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220118_213813 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
2022-01-18_09-30-14 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220118_211944 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220118_212059 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220118_212122 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220118_212242 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[Pellson]

Another Bombcorde! I love it!! 
I have two in the Stash^TM, one for the RAF and one for the Armée de'l Air. God knows where to put them when completed, though.. 🤪

[Knightflyer]

Oh Wow - That is gorgeous 

[Devilfish]

Another Bombcorde! I love it!! 
I have two in the Stash^TM, one for the RAF and one for the Armée de'l Air. God knows where to put them when completed, though.. 🤪

My problem exactly

[comrade harps]

    

[zenrat]

Such a graceful aircraft.  Even in fatigues.

[PR19_Kit]

That looks WONDERFUL! Most impressive, both model and backstory. 

Which kit was it please?

[Devilfish]

That looks WONDERFUL! Most impressive, both model and backstory. 

Which kit was it please?

Did I forget? Revell/Heller/Airfix 1/72.  Terrible fit, loads of filler, and takes up loads of room....

[PR19_Kit]

Oh yes, that's a BIG kit!

I have one in The Loft, but sure if I can get it through the hatch to bring it downstairs again.........................

I have heard it's a putty sinkhole, but I'm well armed with tubes of Presto.

[Devilfish]

Oh yes, that's a BIG kit!

I have one in The Loft, but sure if I can get it through the hatch to bring it downstairs again.........................

I have heard it's a putty sinkhole, but I'm well armed with tubes of Presto.

Yes, it did need filler on every single joint.  It didn't help that I filled the windows and doors.  But even the instructions show to apply filler to a lot of the joins and sink marks.

[NARSES2]

Oh my that does look good 

[Tophe]

   Ahem, as a pacifist I am not happy to see the civilian Concorde transformed into a nuclear bomber, but I imagine this colour would be for a reconnaissance fast plane, and I like this change extending the Concorde family...

[PR19_Kit]

I was thinking about the PR version, and its colour scheme too.

Of course PR Blue comes into it somewhere, it always does, but not sure if it should be on the top or the bottom. 

[scooter]

I was thinking about the PR version, and its colour scheme too.

Of course PR Blue comes into it somewhere, it always does, but not sure if it should be on the top or the bottom. 

I'd say bottom - Hemp over PR Blue (specialized formulations that can withstand M2+ dash speeds).  Considering that Foxbats and 'Hounds are going to have a merry time trying just trying to catch up in the first place when she's dashing, let alone get to altitude.

Which reminds me, I really need to get back on to my Londthyrian Vanquish VC.1 profile repaint

[McColm]

Great work, I have one in the stash as well. I'm thinking of kitbashing it with the Airfix B-1B Lancer.