trickyrich Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Ok this wasn't going to be a project but after a few conversations with the person who drew these amazing pictures it's now become the next big project. This thread won't be the build thread but more a place for the idea/plan to mature. It'll either be in the Non-Injected or WhatIf GB........or I won't/can't wait and I'll start it early!! So it was inspired by these amazing profiles, specifically those of the B-51 (XB-51) shown below. I contacted the artist about them and it sort of went from there. He mentioned that there had been a bit of chat about building one but so far I’m the first person to actually take it the next step and attempt to build it. He’s dying to see the finished product......so no pressure on me!!! Well the Israeli version was the one I found the most interesting, but the nose of the second one I liked as well. So the plan was hatched to combine them both and build a precision strike aircraft for the Israeli air force. I also have another project that I’ve shown here for a RAAF Skyshark operating in Vietnam. That really got me thinking these past couple of days and now I finally have a plan!!! I’m chasing a 1/48 Collect-Aire XB-51, so I may get to do both eventually! So a real “WhatIf” scenario..... The Martin XB-51 was given the go ahead over the EE Canberra as the USAF’s new ground attack aircraft. The Australian government at this was also looking at a replacement for the Avro Lincoln bombers, and with strengthening ties to the US chose the B-51 over the Canberra. The contract also allowed for the aircraft to be built locally, with the first aircraft entering service in late 1953, initially seeing action in the Malayan Emergency. In 1967 in response to the request of the US, 2 Sqn sent a detachment of aircraft to Vietnam, primarily for bombing missions over the southern region, where they were commended for their performance. No.2 Sqn were deployed again in 1971 again in bombing support missions as well as a new ground attack role. For this the RAAF were supplied under a lend-lease arrangement 6 new “Tropic Moon III” B-51G’s, which had a modified nose containing FLIR, LLTV and laser designator. Plus one special Pave Gat modified aircraft that was fitted with a single M61 20mm cannon mounted in an Emerson TAT-161 turret fitted to a modified bomb bay. These aircraft were deployed to help combat the movement of enemy troop and supplies along the Ho Chi Min trail and other areas. Though not 100% successful at this task when compared to the AC-130’s, these aircraft served the rest of their time in Vietnam in this role carrying out over 12000 sorties for the loss of only two aircraft. On return to Australia they served with No’s 1 & 6Sqn until the last was retired in 1982, they were ultimately replaced by the North American A-5C & RA-5C Vigilante (can see another project here!). So this one is going to be one of the Tropic Moon B-51G’s, maybe even the Pave Gat one. I’ll be using a Anigrand XB-51 as the base and pinching the nose and other bits off an old B-57G I have, plus whatever else I can find in the spares box or on Evilbay which will suit the build. The scheme will be standard USAF SEA colours, it’s a “lend-lease” aircraft with RAAF 2Sqn markings. The only thing I felt that wasn’t quite right with the nose of the USAF B-51 was the angle of the radome and chin pod, they seem to be facing too far down. So a quick visit in Photoshop and a nose job later...... I have since been talking to the artist and he has mentioned that there is a RAAF version coming up, but it will be the “Avon” version with the side by side cockpit. So now if I can just hold off............. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Really looking forward to this project Rich - strike while the iron is hot I say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Both versions look great, I look forward to seeing the build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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