What if

GROUP BUILDS => 2010 Group Builds => The Knackers Yard => F-111 GB => Topic started by: ElectrikBlue on July 04, 2010, 12:07:53 PM

Title: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: ElectrikBlue on July 04, 2010, 12:07:53 PM
The F-111N Thundercat is the result of General Dynamics and Grumman joint efforts to finalize the naval variant of the F-111!
Grumman was responsible among other things to lighten up the F-111B design and to equip the aircraft for its primary purpose, interception and air defense.
Finally, the F-111N proved to be a real success as a multipurpose fighter, especially in the Middle East where he took over from the aging Lightnings and Phantoms!

The F-111N blank was made using Christopher Cooper's (Coops213) very nice F-111B lineart with a few details of the his F-14 blank that can be found here:
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,28426.0.html (http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,28426.0.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-ThunderCat-blank.png&hash=d5f5335b55c3dcf5f2fd614d072438e09e72d3b3)

Detail of the Royal Saudi Air Force F-111N (first foreign customer of the Thundercat) still a work in progress... more to come! ;D
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-detail.png&hash=7a521f501484995142b707422b8405d1179da144)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Cobra on July 04, 2010, 12:20:53 PM
Great Job :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Tell me why do i get the Urge to hum the 'Top Gun Anthem' when i see a Plane like that? Great Work,Hope to see more. :cheers:Dan
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Gondor on July 04, 2010, 03:41:40 PM
Nice to be able to see the "Production" cockpit shape along with the lengthened nose, gives me a great idea as to how to finish my F-111B when I get around to it.

Gondor
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 04, 2010, 09:23:32 PM
 :thumbsup:

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: ElectrikBlue on July 08, 2010, 08:26:56 AM
I haven't had much time for whiffing these days, here a little update...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-update.png&hash=4ec872b8d6cc4f8f9b6a97617c9350ddc4099b5d)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Logan Hartke on July 08, 2010, 08:29:30 AM
Neat, but BRIGHT!

Cheers,

Logan
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Shasper on July 08, 2010, 08:51:40 AM
Love the camo, the gun position is questionable, but with the TCS pod it looks sooo right!
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: ElectrikBlue on July 09, 2010, 01:35:43 AM
Quote from: Logan Hartke on July 08, 2010, 08:29:30 AM
Neat, but BRIGHT!
Yes Logan thanks for noticing, it's because of my hilighting technique.
When I did my first templates, it worked quite well with black or white paint schemes  (at least better than with colorful camos).
I need to fix that!  :thumbsup:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-template.png&hash=2adc164a903cde8dd13983f4b620dc8d3f402641)

Quote from: Shasper on July 08, 2010, 08:51:40 AM
Love the camo, the gun position is questionable, but with the TCS pod it looks sooo right!
Thanks Shasper! Now it is too late to change the gun position... any suggestion?
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Shasper on July 09, 2010, 12:00:31 PM
The early model Varks tested a M61 pack in the weapons bay (but it was never used operationally), had the B gone into service the gun would be put there *when it was carried*, so if you pushed the F-14 gun bay bulge & vents back to where the front of said assembly is aft of the nosegear (under the roundle in your profiles), then you should be set ;)


At least thats my thoughts on it. . .
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Cliffy B on July 09, 2010, 12:25:49 PM
When the gun was installed in the weapons bay it had a protrusion on the underside of the starboard bay door running the length of the door.  In a port side profile you'd see very little of the gun save for a little bulge under the weapons bay.

I'm not sure why the gun wasn't used operationally.  The way it was set up it carried over 2,100 rounds!  Maybe it was a weight reason and restricted other ordnance.  They also could install fuel tanks in the bay.  Maybe it was prone to breaking down or had maintenance issues?  Anyone know?
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Ed S on July 09, 2010, 01:32:40 PM
Quote from: Cliffy B on July 09, 2010, 12:25:49 PM
When the gun was installed in the weapons bay it had a protrusion on the underside of the starboard bay door running the length of the door.  In a port side profile you'd see very little of the gun save for a little bulge under the weapons bay.

I'm not sure why the gun wasn't used operationally.  The way it was set up it carried over 2,100 rounds!  Maybe it was a weight reason and restricted other ordnance.  They also could install fuel tanks in the bay.  Maybe it was prone to breaking down or had maintenance issues?  Anyone know?

A lot of the reason they didn't use the gun in the Aardvark (at least for the USAF) was that the higher ups never intended for it to be used as a ground strafer.  It was too expensive for that, and since it was the best medium bomber available, they intended to use it flying long range low level interdiction missions.  And since it wasn't much of a dogfighter, they never expected to use the gun in an A-A mission. So it was a matter of the best use of the a/c for the mission it was expected to fly.


Ed
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 09, 2010, 06:08:39 PM
I'm sure i recall a story of at least one RAAF F-111 having a gun related incident years ago.

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Shasper on July 09, 2010, 06:28:18 PM
Using the gun in a RW Vark is like loading a B-2 with 'Nam era M117s ;)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 09, 2010, 07:14:57 PM
Quote from: GTX on July 09, 2010, 06:08:39 PM
I'm sure i recall a story of at least one RAAF F-111 having a gun related incident years ago.

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)

Thought so - A8-131. This aircraft had a round from its gatling gun deflected off the shroud door and through the nose wheel well, exiting through the radome near the pitot probe. Repairs took 5 months to complete.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adf-gallery.com.au%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FF-111-A8-131%2FBC_3A8_131a.jpg&hash=8082bdfe1b5be345781eed2542b4b6b17a6f1201)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adf-gallery.com.au%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FF-111-A8-131%2FBC_3A8_131b.jpg&hash=8208035fe711f9ee7a9adfe2035ae6051888d3cf)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adf-gallery.com.au%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2FF-111-A8-131%2FBC_3A8_131c.jpg&hash=6f73a19576a0283c29a159fbc2293dfc8385c6dc)

BTW, see here for some info on the gun fit:

http://www.f-111.net/models/weaponsbay/index.htm

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Gondor on July 10, 2010, 12:33:28 AM
After seeing those pictures of the F-111C and knowing how much the US thought that the Missile was the greatest thing since sliced bread, when I eventually build my F-111B it will not carry a gun, just missiles.

Gondor
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 10, 2010, 08:03:38 AM
Why not use pelicans - they are much more dangerous ;D:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282422892_wEtMC-O.jpg&hash=2c5f4dd0ca7f3341f01a412f6fc8d2ecf4e0bbb9)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282422984_xgAin-O.jpg&hash=08fc032f6b857bddff527ee290250da3e859a0c2)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423041_aeN4A-O.jpg&hash=abd0205097551349804bd0e2f07471cb6ba8e238)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423094_V9HUA-O.jpg&hash=47ebfbfeec833e5dc43d77fe40775de49f999bc9)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423174_cvF3E-O.jpg&hash=a93d65c42ded40976b478cbaa2e859c970bd7538)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423139_z7GTE-O.jpg&hash=73ff167cd12106db9f5b115240b592729e936fb7)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423209_Tq5wy-O.jpg&hash=bbf09cde8e925c42cc01dd55dc6abed9328ed62a)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423251_7PUmy-O.jpg&hash=de774398f942cf3c4de3f28d0c06823ff514a24c)

Story (http://www.news.com.au/f-111-almost-downed-by-a-pelican/story-e6frfkp9-1111116104156)


Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: Cliffy B on July 10, 2010, 11:37:53 AM
YIKES!  What's with the "plywood" looking nose cone?  I thought they were fiberglass or is that what I'm seeing?
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 10, 2010, 12:51:15 PM
Quote from: Cliffy B on July 10, 2010, 11:37:53 AM
YIKES!  What's with the "plywood" looking nose cone?  I thought they were fiberglass or is that what I'm seeing?

I'm not sure of the exact material (some sort of fibre composite) but that is a real radome.

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: NARSES2 on July 11, 2010, 12:55:27 AM
Was the pelican ok ?  ;D Probably the one in Green Park that eats pigeons...bit of more then it could chew this time  :wacko:

Like Cliffy my first impression was "plywood randome ????" then realised it was some sort of "fibre board"
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 11, 2010, 01:32:32 PM
Sorry to say the Pelican was Cat 5.

Regards,

Greg
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: simmie on July 11, 2010, 03:50:34 PM
I have to say serious airmanship to bring that home!!

That mess that use to be a radome must have seriously messed up the handling!!

Very well done to the crew!!
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: ElectrikBlue on July 12, 2010, 12:04:10 PM
Quote from: GTX on July 10, 2010, 08:03:38 AM


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423209_Tq5wy-O.jpg&hash=bbf09cde8e925c42cc01dd55dc6abed9328ed62a)(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcastlemaine-boy.smugmug.com%2Fphotos%2F282423251_7PUmy-O.jpg&hash=de774398f942cf3c4de3f28d0c06823ff514a24c)
I did not know the Varks had teeth!? :lol::lol::lol:
Impressive photos of the damaged Vark, thanks for sharing Greg!

The gun will remain in place permanently, just in case we meet more pelicans...




A few things to finish...

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-RSAF-AA-template.png&hash=42505dc5b4cd78e2891b3a6f53ad36b6ba4b6a2d)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-USNAVY-WolfPack-template.png&hash=2141290612842cbce65471a79ca0c4e1cf7fdeb1)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-USNAVY-WolfPack-Blue-templat.png&hash=8dc3bad571f1f7fdfbccbfde442cc11fed3d0fa2)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 12, 2010, 12:21:18 PM
 :wub: - I wonder if any other users will see these in their colours???


Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: ysi_maniac on July 12, 2010, 06:42:27 PM
F-111N is a great design! :wub: :wub: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :bow: :bow:
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: rickshaw on July 21, 2010, 08:03:19 AM
Quote from: GTX on July 09, 2010, 06:08:39 PM
I'm sure i recall a story of at least one RAAF F-111 having a gun related incident years ago.

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)

I seem to remember that somewhere as well.  I'm sure I've seen pictures of Pigs with a gun package arranged in front of them with all the other ordnance they were supposed to be able to carry.    The Cs were also equipped to carry Sidewinder which was rather surprising I felt when I learnt that.
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: rickshaw on July 21, 2010, 08:08:00 AM
Quote from: Cliffy B on July 10, 2010, 11:37:53 AM
YIKES!  What's with the "plywood" looking nose cone?  I thought they were fiberglass or is that what I'm seeing?

Thats basically what you're seeing.  Its a fibre reinforced plastic composite - essentially fibreglass.  When such composites "delaminate", they well, delaminate.  I'm actually surprised they were able to bring the nose cone home in such a state.  I'd have thought it would have been ripped off by the airstream.  That bird must have hit hard and slid down the starboard side and into the engine.   I wonder which apprentice got the job of hosing and cleaning the engine out?
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: ElectrikBlue on July 21, 2010, 08:20:20 AM
Thanks for all these details! ;D

Now that I moved everything to my new computer, I can work again on the F-111N profiles...
...here is a little progress shown on an alternative 'Vandy 1'.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi703.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww37%2Fjmsfbip%2FF-111N-Vandy1.png&hash=bb228560ffa6c1f946cf2be330d17d567cd3a2b4)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: GTX on July 21, 2010, 09:43:14 AM
Quote from: rickshaw on July 21, 2010, 08:03:19 AM
Quote from: GTX on July 09, 2010, 06:08:39 PM
I'm sure i recall a story of at least one RAAF F-111 having a gun related incident years ago.

Regards,

Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)

I seem to remember that somewhere as well.  I'm sure I've seen pictures of Pigs with a gun package arranged in front of them with all the other ordnance they were supposed to be able to carry.    The Cs were also equipped to carry Sidewinder which was rather surprising I felt when I learnt that.

Details on page 1.

Regards,


Comrade Gregorski (Commissar of all F-111 GB things)
Title: Re: [Profile] General-Dynamics/Grumman F-111N ‘ThunderCat’
Post by: sideshowbob9 on July 22, 2010, 05:28:35 AM
Vandy 1 is awesome!