A-4 Skyhawk

[dy031101]

And going through the E & M models. I would say if BaE came up with the Sea Harrier as a Skyhawk replacement it would pull history back on track. Given that the Centaurs would be in need of replacement the Invincible class would have come about as their replacement.

I couldn't help to wonder if the Royal Navy would still have switched to a STOVL-specific replacement for the Centaur class if UK's government didn't try to compel the Royal Navy into abandoning aircraft carriers for good in the 60s.

[DarrenP]

Mmmmm interesting one. But were would the UK have gone with it. The Sea King was proving to be an able AS platform so the through deck cruiser to replace the Centaur light carriers would have been an alternative and I'm sure their Lordships would have put the case forward for a "Light" fighter to put on them as the light carriers would have been part of the convoy escort force. The Large carriers IE the Malta class would have been part of Strike groups.

[Geoff]

Just a thought but how about replacing the RN's A-4s with Seahawks based on the Hawk 100/200 family or even better the JaguarM, perhaps with the Agave radar set up used by the indian AF in the anti-ship role??

[Geoff]

Duh just seen these posted by MartinH - -

[DarrenP]

Or even a Jaguar with a Blue Fox radar although the Foch class carriers were bigger than Centaurs so the Jaguar maynot be feasible.

[GTX]

I was just reading about how Afghanistan is looking for a light attack aircraft (will probably be a second hand job to compliment the-r new C-27s (refurbished G222s) - both the L-159 and AMX have been offered.  Then I thought:  What about the ex-RNZAF A-4K Kahus.  They are still looking for a home.  Afghani A-4 anyone?

Regards,

Greg

[Sauragnmon]

A slight modification on the A-4 came to mind, well a twofold one.  We take the A-4, and we move its inboard hardpoints out just a little, just a hair, so that an MER hanging on the rack can sit fully loaded, without the gear door hitting one of the bombs.  Then we take the engine... and go from the Dry 404, to the Dry 414 - Super Scooter From Hell!!! I don't know what else could be done, as the layout is quite a good one in general with the airframe.

[GTX]

I was just reading about how Afghanistan is looking for a light attack aircraft (will probably be a second hand job to compliment the-r new C-27s (refurbished G222s) - both the L-159 and AMX have been offered.

Greg: are these to supplement or replace the ANA Air Corps' handful of L-39s? </real world>

Not sure - just reading news reports such as this.

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Thanks Greg. I guess Alenia has an advantage (having provided G.222s already). But those were paid for by the US. So, donated A-4s would be a shoe-in ... a Kahu refurb part-paid for by the US and NZ?

I know a few people involved with the RNZAF A-4s, so am already thinking about how this could be turned into reality - sorry BDM mode slipped on.  If I really wanted to go whiff though, I'd give them an airframe refurbishment to extend fatigue life, maybe a minimal cockpit upgrade to include GPS or similar and if I really wanted to make them competitive, a F404 upgrade along the lines of the Singaporean ones.

Regards,

Greg

[rickshaw]

Thanks Greg. I guess Alenia has an advantage (having provided G.222s already). But those were paid for by the US. So, donated A-4s would be a shoe-in ... a Kahu refurb part-paid for by the US and NZ?

I know a few people involved with the RNZAF A-4s, so am already thinking about how this could be turned into reality - sorry BDM mode slipped on.  If I really wanted to go whiff though, I'd give them an airframe refurbishment to extend fatigue life, maybe a minimal cockpit upgrade to include GPS or similar and if I really wanted to make them competitive, a F404 upgrade along the lines of the Singaporean ones.

Regards,

Greg

Competitive against whom?  I wasn't aware the Taliban was yet fielding an airforce and all their neighbours are basically friendly (including Iran).

[Shasper]

Think he was speaking of the A-4s competitors for the Afghan deal.

[elmayerle]

Thinking about the A-4, I'm wondering if using the two-seater fuselage as the basis for a single-seater with the cockpit where the aft cockpit is on the two-seater would give more useful room for avionics or other useful mission systems?  I can see some interesting potentials there.

[Shasper]

Something similar to the Su-39?

[elmayerle]

Something similar to the Su-39?

Well, that'd be one way, retainign the front cockpit and putting avionics et al. in place of the back one (Mitsubishi F-1 did that, too) but I was originally thinking of moving the single cockpit aft and up with a longer nose ahead of it that would give the option, if desired, of a larger radar/fire control fit or other upgraded avionics.

[Radish]

I have a Monogram 1/48th OA-4M which as the slightly damaged back-seater canopy, in that it has a small hole in int...clearly battle damage!!
However, I've decided to do it as the aforementioned idea...great minds think alike?....where the rear seat space contains electronic gizmos, etc., and the rear caopy is covered over. I can do that.

But what as??
Ideas "so far" are.....

RAF in Afghanistan
RAF in the Gulf War circa 1991/2
Imperial Navy (ie British Empire).....lots of steampunk additions, and a colour scheme of various metallic shades.

Whatever idea is selected, be assured the finished product will be fully loaded and absolutely filthy.