F-12B paint scheme

tigercat2 · April 05, 2005, 06:17:46 PM

I found an old AHM 1/72 YF-12A the other day (I think it is the old Revell kit - does not fit too well), and am thinking about a what-if scheme instead of the black that the YFs were in. Actually the first scheme used was NMF with black masks on the chines and RAM, but I am thinking of an operational bird, F-12B or C, perhaps ADC gray with black masks on the RAM, and colorful squadron markings, perhaps a dash of International Orange for an early test bird.

Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Wes W.

John Howling Mouse · April 05, 2005, 07:36:55 PM

- Flying prototype:zinc chromate primer with bits of black
- 3 tone camo finish (just to be anachronistic for the subject)
- anti-flash white (just to be anachronistic for the subject)
- deep gun metal (semi-gloss black with some silver and a touch of gloss blue mixed in)
- splinter camo in near-black and two other shades of deep gray

retro_seventies · April 05, 2005, 08:00:34 PM

how about the same scheme as marines harriers?

when it was time to replave the av-8a, there was (he lied) a fly off between the Viggen, the YF-12, and the AV-8b.

ahhhhhhh the possibilities.

YF-12s supporting the marines in Panama?

Viggens in Desert Storm?

AV-8bs in...on no...that actually DID happen....

Good luck with this one...you know that Chris (Narses2) did an Aussie one, right? maybe he can share a few pearls with you....

NARSES2 · April 05, 2005, 11:04:36 PM

Retro I think Tiger (down boy

) is talking about the interceptor version of the Blackbird ? I built an Aussie Rockwell XFV12-A "Jaburu"

Chris

elmayerle · April 06, 2005, 01:33:40 AM

Well, first of all you need to remember that a fully operational F-12B would not be indentical to a YF-12A. The nose was redesigned as shown in several articles/books and it had the longer tail of the SR-71 which allowed them to do away with the folding ventral fin. ALso note that according to this entry the production AIM-47B woudl've looked a bit different.

As to colors, I'd assume ADC gray with the black panels for the really hot areas as on the YF-12A. However, aircraft deploying in combat with the AGM-76 variant of the AIM-47 would've likely had a multi-tone black/gray camoflage scheme.

tigercat2 · April 06, 2005, 10:13:53 AM

QuoteWell, first of all you need to remember that a fully operational F-12B would not be indentical to a YF-12A. The nose was redesigned as shown in several articles/books and it had the longer tail of the SR-71 which allowed them to do away with the folding ventral fin. ALso note that according to this entry the production AIM-47B woudl've looked a bit different.

As to colors, I'd assume ADC gray with the black panels for the really hot areas as on the YF-12A. However, aircraft deploying in combat with the AGM-76 variant of the AIM-47 would've likely had a multi-tone black/gray camoflage scheme.

Thanks very much for the info. I recall reading that there was a plan for production F-12Bs to have a nose with the chines extended, as the SR, and I did not realize that the F-12B would have the SR's extended tail.

Therefore, it would be pretty easy to take a stock SR kit and turn it into what would have been a production F-12B.

Wes W.

elmayerle · April 06, 2005, 10:26:25 AM

QuoteI recall reading that there was a plan for production F-12Bs to have a nose with the chines extended, as the SR, and I did not realize that the F-12B would have the SR's extended tail.

Therefore, it would be pretty easy to take a stock SR kit and turn it into what would have been a production F-12B.

I know, I've got the necessary extra Testor's 1/48th kits to do so (years ago I got a real deal at a closeout sale) and the other bits will let me do a proper A-12. I'm debating whether or not to leave the fixed ventral fin on it or not.

I will admit that I'm sorely tempted to do a camoflaged F-12B in an "assualt breaker" mode with the AGM-76's to clear the way for incoming bomber streams (your choice of bombers, B-70, B-1A, and/or one of the proposed strike varaints of the A-12/SR-71 family).

tigercat2 · April 06, 2005, 11:49:53 AM

Quote
QuoteI recall reading that there was a plan for production F-12Bs to have a nose with the chines extended, as the SR, and I did not realize that the F-12B would have the SR's extended tail.

Therefore, it would be pretty easy to take a stock SR kit and turn it into what would have been a production F-12B.

I know, I've got the necessary extra Testor's 1/48th kits to do so (years ago I got a real deal at a closeout sale) and the other bits will let me do a proper A-12. I'm debating whether or not to leave the fixed ventral fin on it or not.

I will admit that I'm sorely tempted to do a camoflaged F-12B in an "assualt breaker" mode with the AGM-76's to clear the way for incoming bomber streams (your choice of bombers, B-70, B-1A, and/or one of the proposed strike varaints of the A-12/SR-71 family).

An F-12 as an "assualt breaker" with the AGM-76's would be awesome, and what better aircraft to clear the way for than B-71Cs or Ds (developed versions of the SR-71, with more range and payload).

It strikes me that the whole A-12 family was sort of a Mach 3 version of the De H Mosquito - the same basic aircraft used for fighter, bomber and recon roles.

Wes W.

elmayerle · April 06, 2005, 12:27:55 PM

I'm leaning toward modelling a mix of two different strike versions of the basic design, the one carrying four SRAM's and the one with an internal weapons bay and have it releasing LGB's to targets designated by a suitably stealthy scout aircraft.

Note: Documentation has been published on both fo these variants.

Gary · April 06, 2005, 03:26:37 PM

Awwwwww crap! Thanks a lot guys! I have an SR in the stash and NOW I have some ideas of what to do with it.

Matt Wiser · April 06, 2005, 11:24:58 PM

This sets up some interesting possiblities: F-12B/C v. MiG-25s/31s. The Foxbat never successfully intercepted an SR-71, ever. Plenty of attempts, as former MiG drivers have stated. The first to give a Soviet POV from this was Viktor Belenko, who flew a MiG-25 Foxbat-A to Hakodate AP in Japan in 1976. The AA-6 Acrids and the missile computer could not cope with a closing speed of over Mach 5, and the SRs simply could outrun the missiles in a tail chase. Not to mention that the SR flew higher than the missile's maximium altitude. The MiG-31 Foxhound tried to close the gap, but the AA-9 Amos still couldn't catch a Blackbird. Now, if the Blackbird coming at Ivan is an F-12 with AIM-47s...just watch the AA-6/9s become fireworks before you splash the poor guy who fired them.