f111guru

Welcome @Jeffrey charlesto the forum. Great bunch of fol;ks here. Any particular genre and scale. Mine is 1/48th scale aircraft and at this point those I worked as a USAF weapons troop. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

To answer your question the main landing bays are similar from one to another. The lines you've dotted out to remove are fuel and hydraulic plumbing. Here are a few from left right and ceiling in the front of the main wheel well. The next couple are right to left in the back of the main wheel well. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

In the above set of images, the upper pylon access panel being removed I have to scratchbuild the umbilical's for the pylons, the upper wing pivot bearing assembly and the fuel transfer block out plates. Haven't started those yet. What I have also been working on due to not being able to paint is equipment associated with my job and aircraft at the time. When I got to Cannon AFB and assigned to the 524th Weapons Flight I noticed 2 things that stood out for us weapons troops. Had a modified MF-2 trailer for carrying BRU-3A rack assemblies and an equipment trailer for functional checking the F-111D. Latter on in my 13 years at Cannon we started flying AIM-9J missiles on the F-111D. So in the Italeri/ESCI ground equipment kit a NF-2 trailer in the kit. In the previous years I purchased a dozen Skunkworks USAFE/NATO missile cart kits. I modified the missile racks to fit the NF-2 trailer out of the Italeri/ESCI kit. Here are the prototype results: I still have a lot of work to do on the trailer and the BRU's. Once finished the BRU-3/A's will be tied down with straps and the trailer will show signs of extreme wear. The other piece of equipment the ring-out trailer as the guys in the 524 weapons flight use to call it. I took another trailer from the Italeri kit an produced this. Someone in the unit built this and was constructed like a house out of wood. To represent it that way I did this. I have clear and will get the windows cut and installed. The real trailer had plexiglass for windows. Prototype fitting is these next few images. I have the door to cut out and to finish the interior I'm planning to scratch a number of cable assemblies and try to find a wiring schematic for the F-111 aircraft. This will be similar as to what those guys had inside the trailer. This next trailer is a flightline use trailer to haul BRU-3/A and SUU-20 rack assemblies from aircraft to aircraft. Maybe your thinking why so much equipment. I spent 16 years or so on the F-111 aircraft. It started with the FB-111A then on to RAF Lakenheath for the F-111F conversion and ending up at Cannon AFB on the F-111D. In the 13 years at Cannon all the F-111's except for the F-111A came to Cannon. So in those years I plan diorama's for each of those aircraft. The extra diorama's are for a late model FB-111A and the AMP mod F-111F. I'm slowly working my workshop and weather allowing to paint. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@David WombyDavid, I did come across the vacuform master for what I made in the mid 1995. The back edge where the weapons bay vent cover were is missing. I made this from the double weapons bay doors from the kit. Only had one F-111D/F kit at that time. Here it is: Surprisingly the bay door outline did not show up when vacuformed. Great drawing of the assembly. This also may help All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@David WombyDavid, I don't have a drawing but photos that one could make in relation to the actual cradle assembly. Hobby Boss has a close cradle which I'm going to work with to make one in 1/48th scale. Some where in my parts bin have a 1/72nd scale made for a vacuform transfer. It's made from a Hasegawa weapons bay door assembly and a hand drawn cradle. I'll look for it and put it up if I find in a short time. At any rate here is the Hobby Boss mold of the cradle followed by some photos of the enclosure with the pave tack pod stored. I'll look for the vacuform master and I've done the same thing with the intake covers. I have masters for the F-111 and F-4. So hope this helps or gets you the outlines you seek. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@BoriszFound some other things in the nose gear well. This is a USAF drawing so should be accurate of the nose gear. The last two are of the Hobby Boss 1/48th scale nose gear and wheel well. Shows the link and how it's attached. The Hasegawa 1/72nd scale F-111 series has this as well. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@BoriszThe hinge point for the nose gear down lock assembly is just that a hinge or swivel point. That's where it dead ends and I don't have any other photos of that area at this time. This next photo is of a FB-111A on the Cannon AFB transient ramp. Hopefully I can address your other question. The EF-111A has two different nose gear doors. First is the right and has an overlap extending aft of the gear door edge. This next is the left gear door and notice the different over hang extension of the right. So to answer your question No they are not parallel. The front of the canoe radome should reflect the difference. I don't think any of the kits show this. I don't know when it changed or why. In the next photo is the area behind the left door and the front end of the canoe radome. Note the shape. If you want to get real crazy with the details, these next set should help you do just that. Starting on the left. The under side of the left door. The arc of the left rear edge. Rear and under side of the right door. Back edge of the right door. This should give you the answers you seek. I'll hut through my vark directories and see what else may help. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@BoriszSecond part of the EF-111A. Overall view of the profile and some up close of the radar dome. Again photo heavy. The left side is identical to the right so I won't bore with the left side images unless you ask for them. Watching with interest of your kit bash build, All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@BoriszHello, This will be photo heavy and lots of detail for your build. They are all taken from EF-111A CC 66-0016 on display at Cannon AFB New Mexico. These first batch are the nose wheel well. This has been demilitarized and parts are missing. The rocket motor for the capsule. This should get you the information on the nose wheel well. Next up the belly radome. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@BozothenutterIf you are talking about the background, then yeas. Just logged in using my I-phone and it showed a black background. I went to the setting or on my phone was a triple horizontal bar and turned the dark mode off. As soon as I did that a white background came up. Hope this is what your talking about. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Small update and this is due to the shakes and stiff finger joints. The jury is still out on the cause. So I've turned my attention to creating a better set of FB-111A weapons, fuel tank, and fixed fuel tank pylons. I'm not worried about dropping plastic just resin. In the following images I'll get into making the corrections in making a set of pylons. I do have a set or conversion set from Oz Mod/Scale Down SDA48004 Australia purchased some years ago. As you see in the image a correct set of weapons pylons and the fuel dump mast and fairing. The next set of images are from the USAF and hope they are at least some what accurate. First is the weapons pivot pylon with all the access panel for ease of weapons install. Note that the pylon has two section. During an emergency the lower part of the pylon is jettisoned and the pivot section stays with the aircraft. On the aft of the pylon is panel 110. It is crush-able as the pylon swings down during that movement. Also note the pointed nose panel 101. Next is the pivot fuel tank pylon. It is of similar shape and pointed nose as the pivot weapons pylon. Last is the fixed fuel tank pylon. Note the different angle of the pointed nose. Checked and the angle comes out to 35 degrees. That is what I cut from two pylons in the Hobby Boss kit. This pylon is on FB-111A 68-0248 at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum Rapid City SD. On to the kit pylons and had them ready for cutting. After cutting and mild sanding I used 80 thousands square strips to make the fronts. Not the writing on the pylons. PWP pivot weapons pylon, PFP pivot fuel pylon and FFP fixed fuel pylon. This is to keep my mind straight as to what and where they are install and loaded with on my FB-111A kit. Next is all ground down filed and sanded into shape. In due time I'll have them primed to see if any fill is needed. In the next couple of photos is of FB-111A 69-6509 taken on Cannon AFB transient ramp in the mid 80's. Note no sway braces on the pylons. Pivot pylon and where the ground safety pin is inserted. Also the tank pylon is jettisoned the same as the weapons pylon. However, it does not have a crush-able rear panel but a gap to allow the pylon to fall away. I've also been working on the wing of one of the F-111D aircraft that will be in a hanger diorama. I've cut open the upper panels for a phase inspection. I filled filed and sanded the pylon mount holes in the bottom of each wing and with the panels removed from pylon fuel access I drilled each station where I thought the pylon bearing assembly would be. Note the new holes for the pylons in the bottom of the wing. Yes the holes are larger that what the kit had but my plan is to make the pylon pivot tube to fit the pylons. Note the little white dots on the bottom of the wing. These are the original mounts for the pylons. So this is where I'm at and hope soon to able to paint and see what I have to do. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@taggorMark, Built this in 1996 for a retiring Major I worked for in my assignment to the 27th TFW quality assurance division. It's in 1/72nd scale Hasegawa kits. One was the F-111D/F and FB-111A. The command/wing/squadron badges are stickers and is sealed to the base. This next photo is of F-111D 68-0180 in the load barn. Sadly the negative was damaged but still shows the early marking of the F-111D fleet. This next image is of a Libyan Raider F-111F 73-0710. I used the F-111E kit from Academy, Verlinden F-111F conversion set and the Repli-Scale or Xtra Decal F-111F set I think. Far too many years since I built it. Completed in 1995 or yeah far too many years. I did cut out the slats and flaps to make the flaps. Not long after I completed this kit Xtra Parts came out with a set of slats and flaps. Have a number of them is the stash. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@taggorMark, If these are still available or to be re-released from Super Scale have Cannon's wing king aircraft 68-0127, This jet was still in SEA camouflage with a black underside. Also in SEA camouflage 68-0180 Super Scale has the tail band as blue. When I first arrived at Cannon AFB it was assigned to the 524th TFS Hounds Of Heaven with a yellow tail fin cap. When I left the 428th FS which had the F-111G converted from the FB-111A the 523rd had a mix of F-111D and F-111F aircraft. 68-0180 was and had the 523rd Blue fin stripe. The last photo is the EF-111A decal sheet from Super Scale and if you can find small gray letters to match you can make a 27th EF-111A assigned to the 429th. Squadron was newly reestablished at Cannon before I retired. This of course is to add to your collection of 27th decals of the time. I do try to keep up with all F-111 stuff. I've amass a ton of stuff model wise over the years. Lately I've invested in the Reskit F-111 cockpits for both Hobby Boss and Academy aircraft. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Mark, My wife and I came to Cannon in 1980 and have been here ever since. I have been assigned to every fighter squadron and the wing quality assurance in those 13 years. I retired in 1993. Can't really say if one squadron was better than the other and only say that the 523rd hold dear and near to my heart. The 523rd TFS was assigned to the 405TFW Clark AFB Philippines and Clark was my first assignment after tech school. So you can say the 523rd was my first and last duty squadron. Past through Hatch during one green chili festival actually come from a weekend in Silver City to visit the cave dwellers sites. Bought a bunch of green chilis to use in my bbq foods. Also been to Taos, Las Vegas, Red River, Angel Fire and a bunch of other historical places. Still have more to go. Tombstone we've been to twice. First time it was raining cats and dogs and muddy, too muddy to wander, the second was hot and steamy. We do try to visit as many history sites as possible through out the year. Talking movie aircraft, Cannon didn't have any like Top Gun but had a part in the 1984 film Red Dawn. They were seen dropping bombs in that scene. Short history All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Great start and I'll never get use to the length of the GAU-8. I'm a retired USAF weapon troop and the M-61/A1 20mm and the mini gun 7.62mm plus the M39A/1 20mm cannon are the guns I'm associated with. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Welcome @taggorto the forum. Similar as you I've done the zone-5 and the ARC and still visit ARC once in a while. My main stay is were on Britmodeller. I'm 1/48th scale aircraft but am not limited to that scale. Also ventured in the other subject matter. Second to aircraft is diorama's and like to mix with armor, figures and what ever else I can make into the plan. Again welcome and will try and remember to visit your builds from not too far up the highway. To answer green All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@CorsairfoxfouruncleDennis, I generally travel down the scratch building road when it come to something out of the ordinary. This way I can ponder whether my hand, eye and brain are on the same path. Especially at my age. The pave pat has the same or similar shape as the B-28 bomb but not the length. Also pondered the Russian/Soviet bombs as a source. When you get to the point to build I'll look forward to watching your build from the thread. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@CorsairfoxfouruncleDennis, Here are a few more. You may have them or not. At any rate: In a hanger somewhere. Wearing gray and white. Guessing this may be Major Fishers ride going by the number on the cowl. Appears to be 250lbs iron bombs and rocket pods with covers and the mini-gun. Image caption said Easter. My brain says bunny faces on the covers of the rocket pods. Napalm on the inboard pylon, and think it has something painted there. 750's and a 500lbs bomb load. WW2 configuration. The last is what I have planned for a future build besides the AEW-1 in 1/32nd scale. I have the Caracal sheet for this and to go along with a F6F-5 or -3 in the same colors sitting inside a Verlinden revetment. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@CorsairfoxfouruncleDennis, I don't think I've ever seen the pave pat munition in the aftermarket realm. So my guess is that a scratch build may be in the future. Here are some from my photo directory. Rocket pod with covers I'm guessing in the above. Rocket pods and SUU-11 mini gun. Fire bombs or napalm as they were called. Ordnance mix. Never had seen one but this was marked as a Pave Pat load on the right station. Hope this helps. Lots of information at one time on the internet. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Late for the party and first in line. I have one of the other A-10 kits from Hobby Boss. I'm guessing it is an A model from the 23rd TFW Flying Tigers. I'll grab a seat and make myself at home if that's all right with you. I'll take in all the info you can give on this kit. I have an F-111 series using this manufacturer and am correcting the issues as I go. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Great finish, love the desert weathering. Very real. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Hello John, Welcome to the forum. You are in the right place. I'm mainly 1/48th aircraft but have ventured in other subjects. I'll have to check out your AFV post. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Fantastic finish @gamevenderand some great artistic license to go along with the plane. Maybe the pilot is waving at his crewchief to bring his helmet, goggles and gloves from the lounge. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

Good day all. Yesterday I got my 2 re-release of the F-111A from Sprue Brothers by Hasegawa. No Sprue Brothers logo, just light reflection and my dinning room table as a back drop. I did notice in the decals the omitted names of the aircrew and the crewchief. Not sure the reasoning behind this but what is done is done. I don't have a decal printer and the inkjet I have the ink doesn't dry on the decal paper I used. Progressing along on the late version of the FB-111A module for the Hobby Boss FB. Also dug out the 1/48th scale Avionix F-111A resin cockpit. I'm going to adapt this cockpit to the F-111A from Academy for the later life 66-0016 F-111A with either NA or MO tail lettering. I've cut the mold bases from the main instrument panel, cockpit floor/consoles and the seats. No images at this time. Just a small update. More to come. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker

@Ad-4Nseems odd you mention that and was looking on Sprue Brother site and low and behold Hasegawa has released an addition to the F-111 family. Granted it's a re-release but with new decals. I bought 2 and may build one in the future. Now on to the F-111 series. Made a little bit of progress today. I cut out the main instrument panel and the anti-glare shield. Here are the test fit images. Only 2 today. With and without the wind screen Thanks for viewing and have a great day. All The Best, Ron VanDerwarker