Or should I say modern heavy fighter bomber. Something less than a B-52, B-1 or B-2 but with much more payload than an F-16 or F-18. There was an idea for an enlarged F-22 with an internal bomb bay. Same thing could probably be imagined for an enlarged F-23. I was just thinking of a stretched F-14 Tomcat that would be a real "Bombcat"! Take an F-16XL and really go scale-a-rama with it. Add some real tech that would give it excellent accuracy. I'm thinking a two person crew would be standard if not three. I'm just throwing ideas around right now but do you guys think this could be a good whiff?
Scale-o-rama some Mirages with two or more engines maybe B-58 style.....
So a better FB-111? Something with better low altitude and sprint capability than what we've got now, while still hauling around a useful payload and able to defend itself in the event of interceptors?
Quote from: scooter on September 13, 2022, 08:25:39 AMSo a better FB-111? Something with better low altitude and sprint capability than what we've got now, while still hauling around a useful payload and able to defend itself in the event of interceptors?
A bigger and better F-111 exactly. On BTS it was suggested a half scale B-1 type. Something with fighter type abilities and a lot more payload. One comment from a B-1 pilot said the B-1 handled like a loaded Phantom. Pretty good for a strategic bomber. Also something that could be based closer to the combat zone without freaking out other countries instead of flying all the way from the US. I'll have to dig through the junk box and see what I have.
There was an enlarged F-23 concept.
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/northrop-f-b-23-rapid-theater-attack-aircraft.209/
(https://0c362696c3578ae7bc01-16b11b40c48ad30544d19be29645b401.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/FB-23.jpg)
TSR 2 front end mated to an F-23 ? Not quite I know, but nonetheless a very neat looking aircraft :thumbsup:
Quote from: NARSES2 on September 14, 2022, 12:01:00 AMTSR 2 front end mated to an F-23 ? Not quite I know, but nonetheless a very neat looking aircraft :thumbsup:
I had a brain fart of an F-111 front end attached to a widened F-15 fuselage and larger wings. Or extra large swing wings. Or who knows what. A very volatile imagination situation.
Quote from: kerick on September 15, 2022, 09:50:11 AMQuote from: NARSES2 on September 14, 2022, 12:01:00 AMTSR 2 front end mated to an F-23 ? Not quite I know, but nonetheless a very neat looking aircraft :thumbsup:
I had a brain fart of an F-111 front end attached to a widened F-15 fuselage and larger wings. Or extra large swing wings. Or who knows what. A very volatile imagination situation.
Did you overlube your brain? ;D
I think it needs an oil change. ;D
The B-21 Raider will likely be about 75% the size of the B-2. Similar planform to the B-2, so perhaps not as sexy as a big fighter bomber, and likely not able to maneuver if it has to fight it out with someone
I've been thinking of an F-111 front end and an F-15 or F-14 widened fuselage. Trying to add a third engine might be a challenge. Maybe an F-16 style under fuselage scoop but squared up like the Eagle or Tomcat intakes.
Quote from: NARSES2 on September 14, 2022, 12:01:00 AMTSR 2 front end mated to an F-23 ? Not quite I know, but nonetheless a very neat looking aircraft :thumbsup:
Or ------
Quote from: kerick on September 20, 2022, 05:05:03 PMI've been thinking of an F-111 front end and an F-15 or F-14 widened fuselage. Trying to add a third engine might be a challenge. Maybe an F-16 style under fuselage scoop but squared up like the Eagle or Tomcat intakes.
I've read somewhere, an F-15 can carry the same load as a Lancaster.
And this was Chris Payne's very nice build. I was going to try building one too, got all the bits to do it but never started it.
There was a plan for the so-called FB-22 - basically an enlarged/stretched F-22, conceptually a stealthy FB-111 with an MTOW of ~120,000 lb (54,431 kg). Lockheed Martin proposed its unsolicited design as a "regional bomber" to complement the aging U.S. strategic bomber fleet. Lockheed Martin appeared to suspend work on the concept following the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, which called for a new strategic bomber by 2018.
You could always use the old Airfix Avro Vulcan as a starting point, a new cockpit taken from a F-14. Twin tail fins.
Or you can use my started builds as a form of reference.
(https://i.imgur.com/PhUEGrO.jpg)
A kitbash using a 1/144 B-2 and the 1/72 Airfix RA-5C.
Then there's this lot.
(https://i.imgur.com/zMJ41gy.jpeg)
Quote from: kitnut617 on September 21, 2022, 06:09:31 AMI've read somewhere, an F-15 can carry the same load as a Lancaster.
Hm, yes. I can just imagine an F-15 trying to fly with a Grand Slam loaded.................. :-\
I could try building a couple of the 5000 pound bunker buster used in Desert Storm.
I've got the kits out to compare shapes and dimensions and see if this might actually work. Our club's show and contest is Oct 15th so I might be able to pick up spare parts there. I need to paint the one I'm working on and finish it in time for the show.
Quote from: PR19_Kit on September 21, 2022, 09:44:55 AMQuote from: kitnut617 on September 21, 2022, 06:09:31 AMI've read somewhere, an F-15 can carry the same load as a Lancaster.
Hm, yes. I can just imagine an F-15 trying to fly with a Grand Slam loaded.................. :-\
I think it was referring to the amount of smaller bombs and the ""normal"" load of a Lancaster ;)
dorsal mount and launch it over the engines with a drouge chute? :thumbsup:
Why oh why do i keep giving myself these ideas :banghead:
Quote from: kitnut617 on September 21, 2022, 10:39:11 AMQuote from: PR19_Kit on September 21, 2022, 09:44:55 AMQuote from: kitnut617 on September 21, 2022, 06:09:31 AMI've read somewhere, an F-15 can carry the same load as a Lancaster.
Hm, yes. I can just imagine an F-15 trying to fly with a Grand Slam loaded.................. :-\
I think it was referring to the amount of smaller bombs and the ""normal"" load of a Lancaster ;)
Weight of ordinance equivalent to a Grand Slam, around 22k lbs.
Wasn't there a British design (pre TSR.2) for a low-level bomber/strike aircraft with a large (atomic) bomb mounted on the back for toss bombing? I have some vague memories... :rolleyes:
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on September 22, 2022, 03:10:23 AMWasn't there a British design (pre TSR.2) for a low-level bomber/strike aircraft with a large (atomic) bomb mounted on the back for toss bombing? I have some vague memories... :rolleyes:
All my memories are vague these days.....
Quote from: scooter on September 21, 2022, 03:30:58 PMQuote from: kitnut617 on September 21, 2022, 10:39:11 AMQuote from: PR19_Kit on September 21, 2022, 09:44:55 AMQuote from: kitnut617 on September 21, 2022, 06:09:31 AMI've read somewhere, an F-15 can carry the same load as a Lancaster.
Hm, yes. I can just imagine an F-15 trying to fly with a Grand Slam loaded.................. :-\
I think it was referring to the amount of smaller bombs and the ""normal"" load of a Lancaster ;)
Weight of ordinance equivalent to a Grand Slam, around 22k lbs.
The F-15E has pylons that are good for 23,000 lbs
Yep, and the Mudhen can carry that load farther and faster than a Lancaster. ;D
I got out some kits last night and played around with them. Looks like an F-111 front end could fit onto an F-14 fuselage with less remodeling than I thought. I would have to slightly widen the F-14 fuselage where it would meet the F-111 parts. Debating wether to use the ESCI F-111 or the Monogram EF-111A. I have the Revell F-14 to use for the back end. I wish I could enlarge the F-14 parts about 15 or 20%.
Quote from: jcf on September 22, 2022, 12:49:10 PMYep, and the Mudhen can carry that load farther and faster than a Lancaster. ;D
I should think so too! The Lanc was designed in the late 30s, and the F-15 in the late 60s. It's called 'progress'.
But an F-15 still can't carry a Grand Slam..............
Yeah! maybe not a Grand Slam, half a Tallboy though ---- ;D
Quote from: kitnut617 on September 22, 2022, 04:00:00 PMYeah! maybe not a Grand Slam, half a Tallboy though ---- ;D
A medium bomber F-111 meets F-14 combo carrying about three of those bunker busters with the JDAM kit would be fun!!
I was playing around with some kits tonight and I think the Monogram EF-111 and the Italeri F-14 kits will work. Between the two of them I can get some extra length in the fuselage and slightly widen the F-14 rear fuselage to match the F-111. Looking at extending the F-111 bomb bay part way down the F-14 fuselage and maybe a conformal hump aft of the cockpit. I started out thinking of multi tone grey but that's been done before so it's either European 1, SEA or SAC FB-111 camo. I also checked out an F-18E kit and it had some funky looking cruise missile in it that might work into the plan.
Well the F-111 body kitbashed with the Tornado GR.1 cockpit works so the F-14 should front end shouldn't be a problem.
I just thought about carrying an Air Launched Cruise Missile on this build. and a couple bunker busters to follow up on the target with. Probably not practical but could be fun. An F-18E kit had two AGM-84 SLAM-ER that I might steal. Now to find who makes them in 1/72. Finding painting directions for an F-111 is harder that finding hens teeth. The kits I have show grey of the EF-111A or tan/olive /black which doesn't sound like any F-111 I've ever seen. Could just make something up but I like part of my builds to be plausible.
Also, does anyone know if the fuel tanks from the Monogram A-10 kit are close to the F-111 tanks? I've read the A-10 inherited the big tanks from the F-111 program for ferry flights. I have two of those or maybe F-15 tanks.
Looks like I need the AGM-158 JASSM missile for tactical strikes. Modelcollect make a kit but its expensive not even including shipping so the search goes on. Another company from Ukraine called Armory makes them at a better price. Delivery might be lengthy but its no rush for me.