Spanish Armada F-4J

[anthonyp]

Here's another 1/72 Fujimi F-4J, done up in Spanish Armada colors.

This example Flew off of Spain's Midway class ship, the Santissima Trinidad, as well as their other carriers (two CVV"s and the first SAC-220 type ship), until they were replaced by F/A-18's and Naval Eurofighters in the mid to late 90's.  In the mid-80's, a low-vis paint scheme similar to the USN's F-4's was applied to the planes.

[anthonyp]

rear view

[pometablava]

Wow!. This F-4 looks great in Armada Española colours. I love the idea of a Midway class carrier in Spain and the name you choose it was credible in that time. Its funny.

In the real world, according to my files, it was considered to build a couple of Clemanceau class carriers but the price was well beyond Spanish economy.

[anthonyp]

Clemenceaus?  Really?  That would have been interesting.  Any info out on the web about it?  I might need to tweak my AH fleet lists.

[pometablava]

Information on internet not found.
Just a reference on LOS PORTAAVIONES ESPAÑOLES. C. Busquets, A. Campanera y J.L. Coello. Ed Agualarga. ISBN: 84-88959-02-8. Page 133.
These carriers were one of the candidates considered as a replacement for the "R-01 Dédalo". Studies were carried by 1970-1971 with in service planed by 1983. US SCS design was favoured with just one ship top be build with the name "Almirante Carrero Blanco". At the end a much modified SCS development entered service in 1988 as "R-11 Príncipe de Asturias".

I also read about it in a Spanish magazine called Defensa but I can't give more detail because I an't remember the precise reference. The magazine gave more details including Spanish interest on Leander class escorts but the British Government refused the deal to Franco's Government and this resulted in the purchase of Knox class vessels instead.

So you can imagine a near factible alternative Spanish Navy combat group in 1983 composed by R-88 and Leander

:ar:  

[pometablava]

A realistic air wing for an Spanish R88 could be composed by Super Etendard or F-18A.