BAC Retaliator FRA.1 pictures are on Flic.kr

[McColm]

This build will be based on a 1/72 North American RA-5C Vigilante turning it back into the A-5A or something very similar using a few spare parts.
I have been reading an article online with photos of the process, they used the Revell RA-5C model kit and plastic card in layers to cover over what would have been the hump. Then used a few parts from an F-15 for the interior and seating with spare parts .
 I'm thinking what if the hump was cut off from the part that fits over the top of the engine air intakes and the gap filled in with putty/filler (apart from the Trumpeter model). I wouldn't stay true to the A-5A but change the jet exhaust pipes and add a few extra stores.
 This would have been flown by the Royal Air Force as an interceptor, reconnaissance or ground attack, perhaps entering the ECR field/Wild Weasel (EF.1) and the anti-shipping (FRA.1B) with a training version as another possibility.
I won't know how difficult this will be until I have a go.

[NARSES2]

Interested to see this, always liked the Vigilante. Always looked "the business" to me back in the day.

[McColm]

I have changed the name to the Retaliator as the USAF had shown an interest in the North American A3J Vigilante strike aircraft, as a tactical bomber, however this project never was never accepted.
However the Royal Air Force would receive a batch of the A3J-2 (A-5B) bomber with the pronounced hump and adopt the name Vigilante for the bomber/reconnaissance version with British engines and avionics. Becoming the BAC Vigilante GR.1A and GR.1B, the FRA.1Bs handed back to Fighter Command for surplus spares or banner towing for gunnery practice. As with most aircraft of the day buddy refuelling was the norm, some Vigilantes became dedicated refuelling tankers and electronic warfare platforms.

[Captain Canada]

Sounds simple enough. The two always looked the same to me lol

[McColm]

The BAC Retaliator FRA.1 will be fitted with the avionics carried over from the BAC TSR-2,  although eventually the ground attack version would replaced with the Tornado the fighter/interceptor would replace the Lightning F.6 and the Vigilante GR1.B would replace the Buccaneer in the anti-shipping strike role.
The Eurofighter Typhoon would take over the role of air defence and ground attack,  however the Retaliator reduced in numbers mixed with the Vigilante would replace the Canberra in the reconnaissance role, then go on to be a ECR platform reverting back to the Panthfinders in times of conflict.
The sleek looks have given way to warts 'n' all, the rear cockpit canopy becoming clearer and fitted with blackout curtains, analogue replaced with digital avionics and incorporating new materials with economical engines, sometimes mistaken for a fixed-winged F-14 Tomcat. The paint schemes have also been varied, mostly experimental to confuse allied and hostile countries on what was actually flying.
Officially too big to land on a British aircraft carrier until recently, the Retaliator and the Vigilante retained the arrestor hook, so if the USNAVY fleet was in the area they were fair game for an unauthorised pitstop, even the French Navy lending a hand.
2020 MOD UK figures suggests that 30 BAe  iRetaliator/Vigilantes are still operational in the Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance,  specialising in performing the suppression of enemy air defenses both on land and at sea operating out of RAF Lossiemouth , 12 Squadron  B Flight .

[McColm]

Work has started on the 1/72 Hasegawa North American RA-5C Vigilante model kit. The nose wheel well has been glued in place and the two fuselage halves glued together. The hump, Air engine intakes and the piece at the rear for the vertical tail fin are all glued on. I left them overnight so it should be pretty solid when I make the first cuts.
I was going to use the Italeri 1/72 Tornado F.3 and lengthen the fuselage to allow the Vigilante wings but it doesn't look quite right, so I will be using the Tornado as a parts donor.

[McColm]

Progress so far,  I gave up with the idea of using pieces of plastic card to fill holes left by the hump, instead I used quite a lot of Milliput 2 part epoxy putty. The grey plastic parts are from the Hasegawa Tornado F.3


https://flic.kr/p/2rYdKoY

[McColm]

 The BAC Retaliator was used by British Airways to train their Concorde pilots so they could get used to flying at Mach 2 ,the maintenance crew tweaked the engines to run at Mach 2.5 for 30 minutes and cruise at Mach 2.35 with a host of what if the engines stalled or an electrical malfunction.
It was a common sight seeing the Retaliator climbing to 60,000ft and the training instructor switch the engines off,  the trainee would have to restart the engines before the altimeter showed 3,500ft. None of the Retaliators were lost over the Bristol Channel.
NASA also used the Retaliator for collecting air samples, material testing and 'blind flying ' just incase of flying in fog or the loss of instruments in the cockpit.

[Captain Canada]

Looks like a big Eagle.

[McColm]

Looks like a big Eagle.

There's a concept model with twin tail fins by North American that looks like a boxy F-15C.

[McColm]

Future project for a V/STOL version.


https://flic.kr/p/2rYfDdb




Twin-fins and single seater,  reminds me of the Mig-25 or if you squint your eyes a F-15 Eagle.


https://flic.kr/p/2rYmcXR