Harrierpilot Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have spoken (ok - e-mailed) to Southern Sky Models and he's hoping to have a EA-18G Growler sheet out later this year /early next year as soon has he gets some more information about the jets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastmcc Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have spoken (ok - e-mailed) to Southern Sky Models and he's hoping to have a EA-18G Growler sheet out later this year /early next year as soon has he gets some more information about the jets. COOL ... good guy too fast service... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrierpilot Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 The RAAF Growlers have now been given their serial numbers. They are between A46-301 to A46-312 A46-301 was officially "Rolled" out last month and A46-302 had also taken it's maiden flight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastmcc Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 be cool to see these in RAAF colours.. thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Here are a couple of pictures You will note the main colours are similar to RAAF 'classic' Hornets and not the other Super Hornets in the fleet and they will be operated by 6SQN with all the F/A-18Fs going to 1SQN eventually. Currently, the 2 RAAF Growlers are unique in the fact they have been wired for AIM-9X sidewinders and an ATFLIR pod (last picture). The USN version doesn't have these (yet). The aircraft are going to Pax River to have the new systems trialed. Eventually, the USN aircraft will have these features added. Link to Article 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 The RAAF Growlers have now been given their serial numbers. They are between A46-301 to A46-312 Not A44-xxx? Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Not A44-xxx? Interesting. Yes Greg, it was decided that the Growlers were 'different' enough to warrant a new AI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Got it, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I wonder if those in the RAF who plan our air Operations are looking in awe at the (future) capabilities of their counterparts in the RAAF. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Probably - but only because they don't see the overall damage these 'shoot from the hip' procurements have done to the overall force structure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles81 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Probably - but only because they don't see the overall damage these 'shoot from the hip' procurements have done to the overall force structure. mmmm yes, like Abrams tanks and black plastic stocks for the EF88s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 As dumb as the colour choice is for the first batch of the new rifles, I wouldn't say that colour counts as 'force structure.' As for Abrams, tanks have been part of the force structure since 1941 and were acquired in a contested manner via the full capability development process. The same cannot be said for the EA-18G, the purchase of which required the cancellation of other projects. Still, lovely jets & a great modelling subject. Hopefully we'll see some nice colour schemes in the years to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Foster60 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 A slightly cryptic comment, it is a must have capability for modern operations? Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles81 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 As dumb as the colour choice is for the first batch of the new rifles, I wouldn't say that colour counts as 'force structure.' As for Abrams, tanks have been part of the force structure since 1941 and were acquired in a contested manner via the full capability development process. The same cannot be said for the EA-18G, the purchase of which required the cancellation of other projects. Still, lovely jets & a great modelling subject. Hopefully we'll see some nice colour schemes in the years to come! Intrigued by this Greg. The Growler was subject to full capability development consideration and entry in the Whitepaper, and as far as I can see nothing suffered for the ADF in acquiring it, certainly nothing that has significantly altered the balanced and networked force we have been working towards for the better part of the last 20 years. The mechanised battlegroups in Army seem to be progressing apace so nothing I can see for you to complain about as a result of Growler. Currently seeing the Growlers doing some amazing things in support of the ground force right now in an untidy part of the world and all I can say is glad we are getting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Provision was certainly made for possible Growler conversions of the last twelve 'F+'. The first discussion in the White Paper was in 2009, however, there was not a project entered into the Defence Capability Plan, meaning that a (fiscal) provision had not been made for the conversion: ie it was not budgeted. Flash forward to 2012, and the RAAF was informed that certain items required for any F+ to G conversion would soon no longer be available 'forced' a decision point. The original decision was to execute the F+ to G conversions for six (? Memory fail here) aircraft. To fund this (remember, the conversion was multi-year, so required money that was multi-year, not single financial year, thus DCP under spends were out [C-17 etc]), the RAAF 'helpfully' offered the cancellation of Land 17 Phase 1C, the self propelled howitzer (AS9 'Aussie Thunder' - seriously, where do they get these names?). SPH had been in both the White Paper and the DCP since 1999, so had a (multi-year) provision attached to it. This duly occurred. Money was reprogrammed from a programme that was on the books for well over a decade to fund an activity that was later cancelled. I understand that priorities can shift, but the biggest frustration was that the RAAF 'need' is never so great that they ever (in what I've seen over many years) offer to de-scope or cancel their own projects, only those of other services. That is the most detail I am willing to provide on that. The White Paper 13 included an electronic attack need for the first time - to be fair, the government in 2006 was smashed for the hitherto not formally required C-17 purchase, so at least this time they had the sense to retrospectively justify the capability. At the same time, they announced that the conversion of the F+ would now not occur, with the purchase of 12 new build EA-18G going ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Maybe this (probably pretty dry & arcane to most) discussion should be moved to Real Aviation - unless there's a 'Real Bureaucracy' section of the site I'm unfamiliar with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles81 Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Greg, I know you love these discussions but agree it is now getting somewhat arcane (even if Defence did trade off a koala for a real force enabler) so I will leave it with a quote "... if one accepts that premise, air power provides our Government with multiple options for exerting coercive influence, or delivering precise blows or merely putting an adversary at risk in order to influence his behaviour; then it is obvious that air power must take its place at the centre of our national security strategy." That is why when I get back to Australia around the same time that Ronin Graphics releases the appropriate decals I may spend my leave constructing one of these great modelling subjects rather than bemoaning the absence of an SPG in the orbat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Seems we agree on that - very nice modelling subject and an effective tool, to boot. Be sure to post a WIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles81 Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Best laid plans, looks like the Growler will go on hold as I have just been warned out for an overseas posting, so 8 weeks back in Oz and then off again for 2-3 years. The WIP will have to wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Best laid plans, looks like the Growler will go on hold as I have just been warned out for an overseas posting, so 8 weeks back in Oz and then off again for 2-3 years. The WIP will have to wait. Boy Ken, you seem to have all the fun Perhaps after your next posting you can get back to the bench and finish (or start something). Thanks to you and Greg on a most interesting contribution to the discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 An excellent discussion. It didnt decend into the usual "train wreck". I love the RAAF and enjoyed the info shared. Now wheres my Super Hornet and decal sheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrierpilot Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 The First pair of RAAF EA-18G's arrived "down under" for the Avlon show last week before they jion No.6 Squadron at Amberley. The jets were A46-306 aand A46-307. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 7 hours ago, Harrierpilot said: The First pair of RAAF EA-18G's arrived "down under" for the Avlon show last week before they jion No.6 Squadron at Amberley. The jets were A46-306 aand A46-307. They arrive at Amberley prior to the show with A46-305 and 308 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helios16v Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Welcome to the EW club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAGATIGER Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 (edited) Hi there I was looking to do a Legacy Hornet in RAAF colors only to know that those aircraft use SRAMM and now I wonder the weapon load of the Growler (I supposed to need an extra for a Mate sample) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASRAAM So the big question is where to get decals in 1/72 scale??? Best modeling Armando Edited March 12, 2017 by RAGATIGER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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