RA-12B Dark Avenger

MartG · February 02, 2009, 06:23:50 AM

Another flying wing for my collection

When the US Navy cancelled the A-12 Avenger in 1991, it was not public knowledge that the aircraft was the subject of interest from another ...er...agency

, who were on the lookout for a new reconnaisance aircraft.

After the cancellation, this agency carried out continued research, and determined that by removing the need for carrier operations the existing problems of weight etc. were largely bypassed. A decision was made to procure several aircraft optimised for the covert recon role. Apart from deleting the carrier specific items ( tailhook, wing fold, thicker lower skin panels which had contributed to the original weight issue ), the weapons bays were modified to carry a wide range of sensor packages.

ysi_maniac · February 02, 2009, 06:47:30 AM

WWWWOOOOWWWW

Very good, indeed!

sotoolslinger · February 02, 2009, 06:52:04 AM

Quote from: ysi_maniac on February 02, 2009, 06:47:30 AM
WWWWOOOOWWWW

Very good, indeed!

Must agree , too cool

Brian da Basher · February 02, 2009, 11:24:31 AM

Nice one, Mart! Your U.S.A.F. "Project Blue Book" color scheme and markings are perfect for it!

Brian da Basher

Rafael · February 02, 2009, 12:44:40 PM

I like it, Mart. Very, very much!!!

The front and rear shots are superb

Rafa

Gary F · February 02, 2009, 12:56:51 PM

Nice one MartG ... but what kit/conversion/scratch build?

Gary F

MartG · February 02, 2009, 01:03:37 PM

Thanks for the comments chaps

Quote from: Gary F on February 02, 2009, 12:56:51 PM
... but what kit/conversion/scratch build?

Gary F

Anigrand 1/72 resin kit

Green Dragon · February 02, 2009, 01:46:54 PM

Nice Dorito Mart, shame the real ones got cancelled.

Paul Harrison

Taiidantomcat · February 02, 2009, 02:38:21 PM

Quote from: Green Dragon on February 02, 2009, 01:46:54 PM
Nice Dorito Mart, shame the real ones got cancelled.

Tell me about it, On a bright note it only cost $5 Billion to cancel the program

Excellent model

anthonyp · February 02, 2009, 07:28:18 PM

Quote from: Taiidantomcat on February 02, 2009, 02:38:21 PM
Tell me about it, On a bright note it only cost $5 Billion to cancel the program

You hit the nail on the head why I called that SecDef by his first name only... (I AM NOT GETTING INTO POLITICS, THIS IS PLANET-PENTAGON BASED ONLY!!!! Idiot space aliens live in those walls. I speak from my experiences due to encounters with them...)

In any case, I think this may have finally convinced me to buy that Anigrand flying Dorito kit.

noxioux · February 02, 2009, 08:38:18 PM

Excellent. That makes about two of these that I've actually seen built!

philp · February 02, 2009, 11:26:06 PM

Would love to see one of these in "corn chip" camo.

Wyrmshadow · February 03, 2009, 12:00:41 AM

Cool.. here's one I did a year ago. Not in plastic of cource.

Nick · February 03, 2009, 09:02:47 AM

Hmm, £42 including postage seems pretty good. I'm sure they cost about £80 when they first came out. All their kits seem to have dropped in price.

That is also probably only the 3rd one I've seen built.

NARSES2 · February 04, 2009, 02:57:32 AM

Quote from: Nick on February 03, 2009, 09:02:47 AM
Hmm, £42 including postage seems pretty good. I'm sure they cost about £80 when they first came out. All their kits seem to have dropped in price.

Something slightly odd has happened that's true Nick. It used to work out about 30% cheaper (inc. postage) to buy from Anigrand direct to the UK then from Hannants. Now it can be about the same price. It's definitely better to wait until Hannants get them in now to check the prices rather then buy direct straight away. It might be something to do with getting more kits from the moulds (Mike M's thoughts) and Hannants do tend to get the better quality castings lately.

Arnold still beats Hannants on delivery though