A North American Vigilante interceptor - NR-349 ADC

[Mike DeTorrice]

This is a very basic "what-if" 1/72 Airfix model of the North American Vigilante, done here as the circa 1971 NR-349 ADC three-engine interceptor concept version for the U.S.A.F. The NR-349 from North American Aviation was to use three J-79 engines and carry Phoenix missiles to provide high-speed air defense for the NORAD areas of the U.S. and Canada.

I saw a model of this plane in the San Diego Aerospace museum in 1980 and took a picture of it, which I used as a rough guide 5 or 6 years later to do this interpretation of the design. The model version in the SDASM was done in a gull grey and white scheme and carried 6 Phoenix missiles, but this edition is in an all-black scheme and has some additional features and is carrying only 4 missiles. The NR-349 is an interesting design and deserves a much better execution than done here, but I recall I enjoyed ad-libbing my way rather crudely through to it's completion !

Just for comparision, I have included a more standard earlier 1/72 Airfix RA-5C carrier-based Vigilante done in an only slightly "what-if" manner by carrying Paveways in a kind of U.S.Navy armed reconnaisance role, which the craft were not reported at all to have been tasked with.

Photo Series 5-9-11 076mod6XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr

Photo Series 5-9-11 073mod4XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr

NR-349 ADC interceptor mod1XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr

Photo Series 11-29-11 004mod6XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr

Photo Series 11-29-11 002mod4XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr

Vigilante 3-22-11-II 001 mod3XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr

Mike

[mrvr6]

mean as hell mate

the black 1 has a hint of firefox about it

[robvulcan]

awsome ive been wanting to do a vigilante myself as a what iff its such an attractive plane

[woody37]

Great idea and your photo's add to it's effect, cool

[Viking]

Fantastic! looks very menacing.

Cheers,

John

[Colin W]

Fantastic idea and well executed. It would look great next to an F-111B and Tomcat.

[F-32]

Very cool build

[Mike DeTorrice]

Thank you very much to everyone for your kind remarks !

That is a very perceptive comment about the Vigilante's resemblance to the MIG-25 Foxbat. Several aerospace writers like Bill Sweetman and a few others have noticed this, too, especially in regards to the original Vigilante mockup displayed, which featured twin fins at that time. I guess one can imagine a version of the Vigilante (with one or two fins) constructed in titanium or steel and having two J-58's or J-93's (or three J-79's) and being capable of speeds near Mach 3 and heights around 75, 000 feet. It would be a somewhat less capable F-108 Rapier, but still able to be a very capable advanced interceptor.

Changing some structural elements at the rear of the Vigilante to hold larger diameter engines was supposed to be a rather expensive proposition, but even with three J-79's and aluminum construction, the NR-349 would probably have terrific climb and acceleration and perhaps be able to dash to speeds of Mach 2.5+ to complete an interception mission. A load of Phoenix missiles would always be serious trouble for an attacking bomber in any event !

Mike

[goose]

very nice i like the idea of both, i agree the dark one is firefox esk, two cracking builds

[Moofles]

I really like that, must pick myself one up at some point.

[Alan P]

great idea, and you made a beautiful plane look BAAAAAD!

Al

[raif]

I'm starting to like this 'What If' thing, and I have to say the Airfix Vigilante was the first plane model I ever made way back in the late 70's, I think it was 65p from Woollies!