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What If III Gallery and Poll - New and Improved!


  

50 members have voted

  1. 1. Repaints Section 1. If you choose one in this section, select "Not in the section" in the next one.

    • Black Knight's RAF Lavochkin La-7
      0
    • Black Knight's Finnish Spitfire
      0
    • Kallisti's RAF Thunderbird 2
      2
    • charley420's IAF F-23
      3
    • Black Knight's Ulster Super Chipmunk
      0
    • charlie_c67's Yellowjacket FRS.1
      0
    • Rickpadwick1801's RAF B-52R
      1
    • mirageiv's Lightning F.53
      2
    • TrojanThunder's RAAF Gnat
      0
    • tc2324's Puff the British Dragon
      2
    • Madhatter's Ukranian T-50
      1
    • Col's Belgian Lightning F.50
      2
    • fids' Wessex H(S)AS.3
      0
    • charlie_c67's Yellowjacket FA.2
      1
    • Black Knight's Swedish Harrier GR.53
      0
    • mirageiv's MiG-21bisN
      0
    • Not in this section
      19
  2. 2. Repaints Section 2. If you choose one in this section, select "Not in the section" in the previous one.

    • mirageiv's MiG-21SMT
      2
    • tc2324's TSR.2 GR.1
      2
    • Erwin's Red Baron Me262
      2
    • Mitch K's RAF Regianne Re.2000
      1
    • S5 modeller's Hydra triebflügel
      0
    • Hockeyboy76's British F-23
      0
    • Tim Moff's RAF F-105G Thunderchief
      3
    • Tim Moff's Gnat T.1 Aggressor
      0
    • Fatboydim's FAA A-1H Skyraider
      6
    • Pin's Yak-62
      0
    • Enzo's Nieuport-Delage NiD-622
      0
    • Enzo's RAAF Typhoon
      0
    • Max Headroom's Canadair Sabre GA.7
      0
    • Dave_R's Spitfire IX Special Export
      1
    • Pin's Royal Navy Rafale
      1
    • Pin's Ukranian Rafale
      0
    • Not in this section
      8
  3. 3. Kitbash section. You may choose one in this section AS WELL AS a Repaint choice.

    • tc2324's Sceptre F.1
      9
    • DAG058's Marineflieger Blenheim
      0
    • Mitch K's Macchi C.202M
      1
    • Trickyrich's RAAF Martin B-51G Panther
      8
    • kwaterous' Sea King
      2
    • Hockeyboy76's Alfa Romeo Pegasus
      3
    • stevehed's Fokker K1
      0
    • Arniec's Arado Ar-234 P5
      3
    • Hockeyboy76's stealth TSR.2
      0
    • Mottlemaster's Me 262 HG Nachtjager
      1
    • Speedman's A-11A Courser
      0
    • Enzo's Sea Swift T.8a
      0
    • raptormodeller's Spitfire GR.13A
      2
    • Dave_R's Sea Defiant
      1
    • Dermo245's Royal Navy Tornado
      7


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  • 2 weeks later...

RAF 99 Squadron VTOL Transport aircraft, 2066

Imai Thunderbird 2 kit, RAF Hercules decals from Airdecal

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RAF Transport is Go!
Build thread here
Edited by Kallisti
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  • 2 weeks later...

Shorts / D.H. Super Chipmunk of the Independent Ulster Air Force, circa 1974,

for anti-terrorist patrols along the Ulster/Eire border.

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Fitted with a trainable spot light under the starboard wing and a fixed 0.303 m/g under the port wing, an m/g in the rear cockpit for self defence and ground suppression. It has a conformal belly fuel tank for extended patrol time and to cope with the thirstier uprated supercharged engine.

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Puff the British Dragon?

With the success seen by the American`s during the Vietnam war involving AC-47 `Spooky` Gunships, the Ministry of Defence began to look into the need for such as system within her Majesty’s armed forces and how easy it could be integrated into the existing network.

In 1972 at the request of the MoD, the US Air Force delivered a AC-47 to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, (A&AEE), at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire for evaluation purposes. By now the United Kingdom had started to conclude it`s handing back of territories abroad and therefore the possible use of a British `Spooky` was seen to be in support of NATO forces in Europe.

The aircraft, serial RX769, wore standard RAF markings and was given the standard European grey/green topside and a black underside. Operations were perceived to be taken at night so low visibility roundels were also supplied.

After six months of trials the project was wound up.

While it was concluded that the weapons platform was sound and effective, government cuts forced the MoD to cancel any funding for what they believed to be `non-essential` projects.

When RX769 left Boscombe to travel back to the States in February 1973, the British gunship `dream` left with it.

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Edited by tc2324
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Vickers Supermarine Sceptre F.1
74 (Tiger) Squadron
RAF Coltishall
1961

Developed from the much larger Vickers Supermarine 559 proposal from 1955, the Vickers Supermarine Sceptre F.1 was born from the 1957 Defence White Paper and entered service in 1959 as a point defence fighter.

It`s role was very much influenced from the theories and thinking of the day in that nuclear missile technology was expected deliver a knock out blow to the infrastructure of NATO and it`s airfields.

The design team at Vickers Supermarine looked at way`s in which the RAF could launch a defensive response without the need for a long runway to launch and recover. Finally, very much like the Luftwaffe had adopted at the end of the Second World War, a ZELL, (Zero Launch Length), system was incorporated into the design with a cockpit capsule `ejecting` the pilot from the rest of the aircraft once the mission was completed and it had returned to friendly airspace. (Again, the thinking was that no airfields would be available upon return).

The launching system and cradle were set upon an upgraded and modified Churchill tank chassis and during times of tension the aircraft would be deployed into the field's and wooded areas of Western Germany and the United Kingdom.

The system was operational for a short period and was withdrawn from use in 1963 when the English Electric Lightning was available in larger numbers to replace it.

While the Sceptre was just a minor foot note in British Aviation history, it is believed to be responsible and strongly influenced the creative thinking behind Sci Fi shows like Fireball XL 5 and Thunderbirds.

Only one example survives and is being restored behind closed doors at the RAF museum at Cosford.

Crew - One
Length - 58 ft 3 in
Wingspan - 39 ft
Powerplants - Two Reheated De Havilland Gyron Engines each with 20,000 pounds of thrust
Max Speed - 2.5 Mach
Service Ceiling - 61,000 ft
Endurance - 45 minutes
Armament - 4 Air to Air Missiles

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Edited by tc2324
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Marineflieger Blenheim Mk.IX - 1950s Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Build Link - http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234988506-marineflieger-blenheim-mkix-1950s-maritime-patrol-aircraft/

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Back Story

Towards the end of the Second World War the Blenheim bomber had become obsolete. The RAF moth balled a large number of airframes at RAF Shawbury with the vision of them being sold on Post-War or alternatively to be converted into a trainer. In 1945 the Admiralty issued requirement GR.17/45, for an Anti-Submarine and Strike aircraft. Fairey responded with the Type Q which late developed in the Gannet and Blackburn responded with the B-54/B-88. However these developments took time and were slow to come into production.

Post War saw tensions building in Central Europe as the Soviets began to face off with the western nations. It soon became evident that the future front-line would be on West Germany's border. Even although there were British, French and American Forces based in Germany, the Bundesmarine and Bundewher would have to share responsibility for the defense.

In late 1949 the West German Government approached the Admiralty and the Ministry of Aviation with the view of acquiring a cheap and readily available Maritime Patrol Aircraft, for which the primary role would be the defense of the Germany's Baltic coast. With the Fairey Gannet still in development so an alternative was looked at. It was decided the mothballed Blenheim's would fit the role if suitable modifications were made. A team of researchers were immediately tasked. The group were mostly British however they were supported by aviation scientists who were captured in Germany at the end of the war.

Modifications included a major overhaul of the engines to tuboprop contra-rotating blades. This increased the Blenheim's Speed and and lifting capacity considerably. The airfame was also strengthened and some changes were made to the overall shape and identity of the aircraft. It was to be fitted the 2 Radars, one where the the dorsal turret was located, for surface scanning. And another bellow the turret, for subsurface scanning. It was armed with one torpedo. This was backed up by 2 newly developed rocket pods on each wing, similar to modern day SNEB pods. These were for attacking surface shipping. The Mk.IX was also armed with a cannon pack consisting of 4 cannons, which could also be used for defense of surface attacks.

The Blenheim Mk.IX entered into service in late 1951. 34 aircraft were based at Marinefliger-Geschwader 5 (MFG5) Kiel-Holtenau, near the city of Kiel in Northern Germany. The aircraft operated with a crew of three, a pilot, a navigator and Radar/Weapons operator.

The aircraft was deemed a success and filled the void during a time of need. The Blenheim Mk.IX's helped with future developments and research. Lessons learned from the project would be introduced into the Fairey Gannet, Avro Shackleton and ultimately the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod.

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This is a Macchi C.202M, a Merlin-engined version of the iconic Italian fighter. The full backstory is in the build thread.

This build was created from an Italeri Macchi C202 with the engine donated by an Airfix Spitfire Mk1. The colours are those of Brother-Commander Gabor Sass, commanding officer of 24 Fighter Squadron of the Sovreign Military Order of Malta, based on the island of Karpathos during the Battle of the Islands. Paints are Tamiya mixes and the decals and home-made.

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Belgian Air Force English Electric (SABCA) Lightning F.50

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Using the Trumpeter kit modified to correct some of its errors along with scratch built wing pylons and spares box missiles allied to decals from the Revell Hunter F.6 kit.

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Martin B-51G Panther “Tropic Moon III” wt Pave Gat, 6SQN RAAF Vietnam 1973

Built as: 6 Squadron B-51G fitted with Pave Gat platform, Phan Rang Air base, Vietnam 1973

Kit: 1/72nd Anigrand XB-51

Plant: Model Master Enamels & Metalizer Lacquers, Tamiya & Gunze Acrylics

Extra stuff:

Pavla B-57G Cockpit Set

Squadron B-47 Clear Vac Canopy

Master M61 20mm Barrel set

Italeri B-57G Nose & other bits.

Blood Sweat & Tears!

Build Link: build link

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Story (....and it's a long one!)

After the initial failure in the “Night Intruder/Bomber” fly off against the EE Canberra in May 51, Martin wasn’t put off. The XB-51 had a good turn of speed and general handling and performance was good, fuel economy though was not. So Martin set to the task of improving this notable by fitting a newer version of the General Electric J47 along with structure changes as well as the ability to fit wing mounted drop tanks. The variable incident wings were dropped as well to help save weight.

Initial plans to produce the EE Canberra in the US by Martin was scuttled by the then Labour government as relationships between the two countries soured again, and by Christmas of 51 the whole project was in doubt.

Martin had been in the meantime reviewing and implementing changes to the XB-51 program to make it a more suitable aircraft that met the Air Forces requirements. At the same time Martin had been courting other air forces as well with this new design. The Australian Air Force had shown early interest in the EE Canberra but a falling out by the Menzies government with the UK Labour Attlee government over trade and migration, and the forth-coming ANZUS treaty, this ended. The US was now the flavour of the moment and the RAAF was offered a deal on the B-51 they couldn't refuse.

The B-51B entered RAAF service in mid 1954 and quickly gained a reputation for its handling and precision bombing abilities, even though its range was still a bit of an issue.

By the start of the Vietnam war B-51D’s had entered service with the RAAF, these were a major step forward in the B-51 program, with new avionics, improved engine performance and economy. But the two changes that were to have the most notable effects were the change a new cockpit layout and the fitting of the “Big Wing”. The “Big Wing” was a requirement the RAAF had wanted right from the start, but there had been development issues, which had held this up until the D model. These new wings had additional stores points as well as larger fuel tanks fitted.

Two squadrons were sent to Vietnam, 2 & 6 Sqn, these aircraft operated along side a detachment of Skysharks, which were providing Close Air Support for the Australian Army at the time. As the war continued on the role of the B-51’s started to change and an aircraft with improved all-weather/night-time abilities was required.

The result was B-51G, introduced in 1971, which had a variety of new sensors and equipment fitted. The USAF had only a modest interest in this model and only operated one squadron, the RAAF went on to modify all but a few of their B-51’s to this new configuration (four were converted to RB-51D’s). The modification program was call “Tropic Moon III” (there were two earlier programs using different aircraft). In addition to the new FLIR/LLLTV systems fitted in the new nose of these aircraft a new Pave Gat new gun system by Emerson was fitted to a few of these aircraft. These gun platforms fitted into the bomb bay of the B-51and featured a remotely controlled M61 20mm Gatling gun and optics system. In use along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, these Pave Gat fitted B-51G’s proved to be devastating to ground forces and infrastructure.

These aircraft continued in serve with the RAAF in Australia and overseas until eventually replaced by the RF/F111’s. They were finally retired in the early 80’s after over 30 years of service.

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In late 2010 the Canadian military was having problems with survivability,maintenaince and the attack characteristics with its black hawk helicopters. To solve this Ottawa issued an operational requirement for a multirole search and rescue attack helicopter with high survivability.

Surprisingly it was a new company named Ranch helicopters Ltd which won the contract for this highly secretive chopper designed for special forces operations in mind. Their solution was a highly modified Sea-King helicopter with new engines, re-engineered canopy, extra hardpoints,new radar and comms systems and a whole host of classified sensors. It had a top speed of 200 mph, it could carry 22 fully armed troops with a crew of 5 including: a captain,pilot,engineer,gunner and a medic. The new helicopter first flew in 2012 under the cover of darkness. These first flights did however highlight a few critical drawbacks, the most crucial caused the lost of a prototype: at full power the blades detached, to solve this a new bolt was introduced and the problem was solved. Apart from this and other small problems the Sea-King entered service in early 2013.

It was a hit with the people that flew it, it was comfortable,fast, reliable and VERY durable. However, on the 16th of March 2013 one of these Sea-Kings was flying a covert operation deep in the Helmand province of Afhganistan; the mission didn't go to plan, on the home leg, a lone taliban with an RPG-7 took aim at the mysterious helicopter and fired, the rocket made a full explosion and destroyed the tail and critical-stability gyroscope, the chopper briefly plummeted before the insanely skilled pilot regained control and flew the chopper to a nearby American base.

During the devellopement of the new Sea-King it was seen early on that if one was ever to land at an American base the Americans would take great interest in the secret helicopter and the CIA would seize it in the name of customs to copy it. Therefore it was considered illegal to land this helicopter at ANY American base apart from a worst case scenario. It was always advised to pilots of the Sea-King to try and land at a British base, the British had given blueprints and the radar systems for the Sea-king and would not copy it.

On that night however, it WAS a worst case scenario, the nearest British base being out of range so they landed right in the middle of the American base. The 4 dead and 5 injured were immediatly evacuated to Bastion, sadly for the Canadians a CIA aeronautical expert happened to be on site. That Sea-King was seized and transported back to Langley for detailed analysis. The Canadians never got it back. The Canadians thought about going to court and even short listed the countries best lawyers for the case, however, because this was a black project they couldn't go to court. There was also a strong possibility that the CIA would bribe the judge, so the case was dropped.

One year later, the helicopter is recommissioned at NASA's Dryden base, they claimed it was a 'purpouse built' helicopter for agility trials, however repairs on the tail were clearly visible, Ottawa, realising what had happened immediatly went to court against NASA and the CIA. The international judge found the CIA guilty of illegal weapons proliferation and NASA were found guilty of illegaly buying a military aircraft. The judge ordered all of the American copies of the Sea-King to be incenerated. These were: the original crashed helicopter and 3 reverse engineered prototypes. Sadly for Ottawa Lockheed-Martin had put into production 60 of the type, these weren't declared at court. The US governement hasn't admitted to this but several photos of the type have been put into circulation on the internet by the Taliban through Al-Jazeera.

The aircraft picture is one of the 3 reverse engineered prototypes, after operational trials with the 66th rescuer squadron of the USAF in the combat search and rescue role.

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Thanks to raptormodeller for the awesom backstory.

Cheers,

K

:pilot:

Edited by kwaterous
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  • 2 weeks later...

Alfa Romeo Pegasus.

Fed up of their Italian Coussins, The Lamborghini's being re-nowned world wide for making the craziest cars, Alfa Romeo sent a young designer Guido Avante off to come up with something truly out of this world. It just so happens that our hero stumbled across a few bits & bobs. Namely an Italian Harrier, a Ferrari F310B & access to Alfas complete spare parts back catalogue. Guido inspired by steampunk, copious amounts of vino & grappa had an epiphany..... He would build the first flying car, but to really take it to the "bulls" he would make it the first flying race car.

Kits used

Airfix 1/32 1933 Alfa Romeo

Revell 1/24 Ferrari F310B

And the spares box.

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Arado Ar-234 P5

flown by Oberst Günther Radusch

Kommodore NJG 3

September 1945 Berlin, Germany

History: On the 6th of June 1944 the Allied landed in Normandy. But instead of having succes, they were thrown back into the sea. The Allies needed to do a new build up after the heavy losses and there wouldn’t be a new invasion until May 1945. This gave the Germans enough time to halt the Russians near the Polish bourder. This also gave them enough time to bring the Me-262 and the Ar-234 into play. The losses of bombers for the Allies was to great and they would have to waight till the Americans could bring their B-29’s over.

What If: The Germans were still having some trouble with the RAF bombers at night. So to have a new night fighter they converted a few Ar-234 C’s into the P5 version untill the later and better versions were available. NJG 3 was the first unit to get the Ar-234 P5. They were placed at the staf disposall from NJG 3. As a very experianced night fighter, Oberst Günther Radusch was the first to fly one in the defence of Berlin.

Building tread here. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234987629-arado-ar-234-p5-nightfighter-update-finished-30-10-2015/

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Cheers,

Edited by Arniec
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