BAe Swift FB-25A ++FINISHED ++

[McColm]

This was based on the Trumpeter 1/72 YF-22 Lightning II (Raptor) and it did have the radar antenna taken from the Sidetrack Harrier conversion set until I knocked it off the shelf this morning damaging one of the wings.
Having cut both wings off and removed the tail elevators the donor wings originally from the Mirage IVP but used on two builds have been glued in place. Held on with sellotape (I haven't got any masking tape). The residue will be washed off in due course.

[McColm]

The BAe Swift was supposed to be a stopgap for the Royal Air Force slowly replacing the older examples of the Eurofighter Typhoon in the interceptor role but also had the capability for the bombing missions this caught the attention of the USAF as it looked very similar to the Raptor. The differences being the engines, wings and it could be a two-seater. The Swift used lighter materials than the Raptor and in mock dogfights between the two out manoeuvred it with an increased endurance of 40%.
Across the boarder the Canadians were having problems with the F-35 so naturally the Swift was on loan until they placed an order.
Flight trials against the F-15 Eagle revealed that the Swift could surpass it as a fighter but not as a bomber. The advantage was that the Swift could land on an aircraft carrier something that the F-15 has never been able to do.
A naval version with folding wings, single and two seater M & N was funded by BAe,  the USNAVY and the French Navy with five aircraft each nicknamed the Sea Swift until final production.
The BAe Sea Swift would be the largest fighter that the Fleet Air Arm operated, the French started replacing the older Dassault Rafale in the Air Force and Navy. Talks with Germany, Spain and Italy continues.
The RAF has ordered 75, with the Royal Navy receiving 25 funding from the USAF and USNAVY has met with stiff opposition but they both have received 50 aircraft on a temporary basis and the Canadians 30 aircraft also operated on a leasing agreement. The French hasn't disclosed how many they have only to state that the engines and avionics are French built.


Decals are from the Matchbox RF-101 The Happy Hooligans depicting the Canadians and the USAF on loan from the RAF.




Open cockpit, as I still need to add a bit of detail.



Yes the other side is slightly different


Looks good with the new wings.

[kerick]

That's looking pretty cool!

[thundereagle1997]

It reminds me of a stealthy F-106.

[McColm]

Finished.

[kerick]

It reminds me of a stealthy F-106.

Exactly!  Nice job.