Boeing ERB-56C Vigilance with photos

[McColm]

I intend to build several versions of Project LAMP LIGHT proposed back in 1951 as a chain of early warning radar sites across the USA, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Originally based on picket ships and oil-rig platforms. With modified Convair B-58 and P6Ms as high-speed long-range interceptors. In the meantime the Boeing B-47E Stratojet would be heavily converted into an armed AWACS aircraft with a 3ft by 12ft antenna, the bomb bay would be armed with
air-to-air missiles and pylons fitted under the wings. In-flight refuelling probe fitted to increase the range of endurance. A suggestion was made to improve the B-47 with longer wings and better engines. It would look something like the line drawing below.



The 1/72 Hasegawa Boeing B-47E is a good starting point, as to the rotodome I have a couple of 1/144 scale pieces that came from the Boeing E-3A kits but I'm thinking about using the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye kit as I have a few other options for these.
The Vickers Valiant B.1 is another candidate for this build, I'm not too sure on what air-to-air missiles to use.
The Matchbox/Revell/Airfix  H.P.Victor could also be used. If I had the room a B-52,so that's going to be a smaller scale.

[TsrJoe]

now thats an impressive beast, hmm how bout a British equivalent using Valiant with long range Red Dean missiles

[McColm]

now thats an impressive beast, hmm how bout a British equivalent using Valiant with long range Red Dean missiles

I'll have a look into the Red Dean missiles 

[PR19_Kit]

Colin Freightdog does them for a fighter Canberra conversion, they're BIG!

[McColm]

Thanks for the information 

[McColm]

Although not quite the same my version has eight turbofans, the Flightpath ERB-47H resin nose radome, the Airfix Vickers Valiant ECM and cockpit canopy. Spare Airfix Fairey Rotodyne shaft and a 3D printed test piece rotodome, plus spares.










Since these photos have been uploaded I have removed the inner outriggers and moved the rear main landing forward so its now touching the surface.
I shall rewrite the backstory as I have merged the Boeing ERB-56B Vigilance onto this subject.

[McColm]

Backstory

Project Street Light was to provide airborne early warning coverage Britain and the Commonwealth from the USSR plus WARSAW pack countries launching an attack during the Cold War.
The British decided to use surplus Boeing RB-47Hs and ERB-47Hs, upgrade the engines and install their own avionics which included a rotodome. Originally these aircraft would carry long-range and short-range air-to-air missiles but as the technology improved these were removed. To supplement them the Vickers Valiant bomber would be converted into a FASS AEW platform., this meant a total rebuild due to the request of the Air Ministry
Parts from surplus Valiants made their way onto the Boeing ERB-56B Vigilance, designation kept due to prospective export orders both in the USA and non-Commonwealth countries that were interested including the Middle East.
Restrictions would be placed in later years for export orders. The boffins estimated that 120 aircraft would be sufficient at the time which was the 1950s. Four Squadrons of 30 aircraft plus a training flight for the crews. Each aircraft would carry five radar operators with a minimum crew of pilot, copilot and navigator with the requirement of two additional crew stations (ECM and ESM).
 Squadron Alpha would cover Canada, the UK and the Polar Ice Cap.
Squadron Bravo would cover the Mediterranean and the Middle East
Squadron Charlie,  Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica
Squadron Delta used to support the other Squadrons and be the primary training unit. Additional duties for support of Costal Command and the Royal Navy.
Additional aircraft would be required with the Handley Page-Martin  Magestic MR.3 which were being replaced by the Lockheed Cormorant MR.1 and the Transall Skyguardian AEW.1. With older aircraft replaced with the latest batch of AEWs to maintain the coverage.

[Diamondback]

Question: is there a purpose in the wingtip pods being toed out like that? Seems to be a very efficient way of adding drag, so I'm wondering what makes the extra drag worth it.

[McColm]

Question: is there a purpose in the wingtip pods being toed out like that? Seems to be a very efficient way of adding drag, so I'm wondering what makes the extra drag worth it.

They are the test camera pods on the prototype, removed on the production model.

[HarryPhishnuts]

That's really cool. Interesting how the whole bomber as air-to-air missile truck concept is supposedly coming back into fashion

[Diamondback]

Question: is there a purpose in the wingtip pods being toed out like that? Seems to be a very efficient way of adding drag, so I'm wondering what makes the extra drag worth it.

They are the test camera pods on the prototype, removed on the production model.

YF-12A had camera pods too, but they were axial. Not trying to start an argument, just curious about the engineering behind the choice.

[McColm]

After the flight trials had finished the outer wingtip camera pods were removed and the data examined, checking the airflow to the engines, exhaust gases, engines heat signatures that sort of thing.
Later versions would get wingtip ESM pods, with some ending their days as ECM trainers with additional lumps and bumps before being turned into target drones.

[McColm]

Although the Handley Page-Martin Magestic R.4 would be the primary SIGINT for the Royal Air Force the Boeing ERB-56C would be a multi-mission platform combining AEW with EW, in times when the Magestic wasn't serviceable or undergoing maintenance. It would also serve as a training aircraft for the Ravens.








The British equivalent was the Vickers Valiant FASS AEW.4, surplus Valiant bombers that were retired from service were stripped down and rebuilt by SJMcColm Engineering Ltd. Early examples kept the reconnaissance cameras until the AEW.5 series became the replacement model. The AEW.5s were kept until their flying hours expired giving fifty years of service defending the UK skies.

[Diamondback]

Makes you wonder what a Lamp Light-ed Vulcan might be like. Per my prof the former Six Driver, the bird and crew you sent over to come play in Giant Voice '81 was a real bugger for his 318th FIS OPFOR pilots to bag.

[McColm]

Makes you wonder what a Lamp Light-ed Vulcan might be like. Per my prof the former Six Driver, the bird and crew you sent over to come play in Giant Voice '81 was a real bugger for his 318th FIS OPFOR pilots to bag.

I do have plans for a kitbash using the Hasegawa Boeing B-47E Stratojet and the Airfix Vickers Valiant. I think that most of the parts from the Stratojet will fit on the Valiant apart from the wings and engines, it resembles something similar to the Boeing Model 450-65-10 series.
Which will mean the Airfix Avro Vulcan and the Handley Page Victor also getting the LAMP LIGHT treatment. I think that I have enough spare parts for these builds.