D.H. Vixen F.A.W.2a

Started by Devilfish, July 08, 2022, 11:32:36 PM

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Devilfish

The RAF had shown an interest in the DH110 prototype, as it had been built to meet its' specifications.  Unfortunately a fatal crash at the 1952 Farnborough SBAC show made them look towards the far inferior Gloster Javelin.

What if they had persisted, as the Navy did?

The Vixen F.A.W.1 entered service in 1958, ahead of its seaborne counterpart. By the mid 60's, all Vixens had been updated to F.A.W.2 standard, in line with the RN machines.

The 2a was an attempt to increase the Vixen's dogfighting ability, by arming it with Sidewinder all aspect AAMs. 

By the mid 1970's, the design was showing its age, and most were being replaced in the fighter role by other types. 

An update to F.A.W.3 standard was considered.  This involved replacing the radar with a pulse doppler system to be compatible with Sparrow/Sky Flash missiles, but the idea never went past the prototype stage.

Kit: Airfix 1/48 Sea Vixen F.A.W.2
Wing fold deleted
Catapult and arrestor gear deleted

20220708_165952 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220708_170006 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220708_170010 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220708_170020 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220708_170035 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20220708_170054 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

Tophe

[the word "realistic" hurts my heart...]

loupgarou

Beautiful build. A really execllent light weathering.  :thumbsup:
Owing to the current financial difficulties, the light at the end of the tunnel will be turned off until further notice.

Knightflyer

Oh Wow - that I like indeed  ;D
Oh to be whiffing again :-(

PR19_Kit

Such an EXCELLENT build!  :thumbsup:

And a very sensible backstory too, if only the RAF had seen the error of their ways in choosing the Javelin! After all, it took Gloster NINE goes to get the Javelin right, and it onl took DH two attempts to perfect the Sea Vixen..................
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

Rheged

"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you....."
It  means that you read  the instruction sheet

Scotaidh

Thistle dew, Pig - thistle dew!

Where am I going?  And why am I in a handbasket?

It's dark in the dark when it's dark. Ancient Ogre Proverb

"All right, boyz - the plan iz 'Win.'  And if ya lose, it's yer own fault 'coz ya didn't follow the plan."

Old Wombat

Has a life outside of What-If & wishes it would stop interfering!

"The purpose of all War is Peace" - St. Augustine

veritas ad mortus veritas est

Gondor

Beautifully exicuted. Excelent level of weathering and ware on it too.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Gondor
My Ability to Imagine is only exceeded by my Imagined Abilities

Gondor's Modelling Rule Number Three: Everything will fit perfectly untill you apply glue...

I know it's in a book I have around here somewhere....

Wardukw

Bloody surpurb build..no two ways around it..surpurb  :thumbsup:
If it aint broke ,,fix it until it is .
Over kill is often very understated .
I know the voices in my head ain't real but they do come up with some great ideas.
Theres few of lifes problems that can't be solved with the proper application of a high explosive projectile .

NARSES2

Brilliant build  :bow: :bow: and as has been said the weathering is spot on  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

Hotte



Stan in YUL


kitbasher

What If? & Secret Project SIG member.
On the go: Beaumaris/Battle/Bronco/Barracuda/F-105(UK)/Flatning/Hellcat IV/Hunter PR11/Hurricane IIb/Ice Cream Tank/JP T4/Jumo MiG-15/M21/P1103 (early)/P1154-ish/Phantom FG1/I-153/Sea Hawk T7/Spitfire XII/Spitfire Tr18/Twin Otter/FrankenCOIN/Frankenfighter