[Jeroen]

Thanks. I always liked the Corsair F4U. Even though it looks a bit like a model plane where the glue on the wing sections is becoming unstuck, it has always appealed to me.

There are still airworthy Corsairs about, especially in the USA. Quite a good number will have found their way to various museums all over the world.

Now that LTV A7 Corsair II is something very different! I don’t think any airworthy ones left about. Also you will really need to look hard to find them in museums. I have spoken to ex A7 pilot. Apperently it was quite an easy and accommodating jet to fly and it could deliver quite the punch. Cross wind landings were tricky though. Of course, if used on aircraft carriers that is simply not an issue.

Jeroen

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:72 Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero" Lt. Sumio Nouno, 11th Section, 4th Hikotai, IJN Carrier Hiryu, Pearl Harbor Attack, Hawaii, December 1941

Brilliant model with a lot of detail. Which brand is it ? Rare to see so much detail and opening compartments on a 1:72 propeller fighter model. I like the fact the panel lines are not deep and excessive which is the case in many small 1:72 built models.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Brilliant model with a lot of detail. Which brand is it ?

I missed writing the brand name in the header. It is Forces of Valor.

1:72 Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche(Altaya)

The Boeing–Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was intended to serve as a stealth, reconnaissance and attack helicopter. Its mission sets would include flying behind enemy lines in contested airspace to identify targets for more powerful attack helicopters or ground units.

The Boeing–Sikorsky team quickly set about building the program’s first two prototypes, leveraging the sort of angular radar-reflecting surfaces that gave the F-117 its enigmatic visual profile. Those surfaces themselves were made out of radar-absorbing composite materials to further reduce the RAH-66’s radar signature. The stealth helicopter also managed engine exhaust by funneling it through its shrouded tail section, reducing its infrared (or heat) signature to further limit detection.

Its specially designed rotor blades were canted downward to reduce the amount of noise the helicopter made in flight. Finally, a full suite of radar warning systems, electronic warfare systems, and chaff and flare dispensers would help keep the RAH-66’s crew safe while they rode behind Kevlar and graphite armor plating that could withstand direct hits from heavy machine gunfire.

The result of all this technology was a stealth helicopter that was said to have a radar cross-section that was 250 times smaller than the OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopter it would replace, along with an infrared signature reduced by a whopping 75%. It wasn’t just tough to spot on radar or hit with heat-seeking missiles, the Comanche was also said to produce just half the noise of a traditional helicopter. While the rotorcraft could still be heard as it approached, that reduced signature would mean enemy combatants would have less time to prepare before the Comanche closed in on them.

The RAH-66 was expected to engage both ground and air targets in a combat zone, and its munitions reflected that goal. Like the stealth fighters to come, the Comanche limited its radar cross-section by carrying its weapons internally, including a retractable 20-millimeter XM301 Gatling cannon and space inside the weapons bays for six Hellfire missiles. If air superiority had been established and stealth was no longer a pressing concern, additional external pylons could carry eight more Hellfires.

However, if the Comanche was sent out to hunt for other attack and reconnaissance helicopters behind enemy lines, it could wreak havoc with 12 AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles. Again, with air superiority established, an additional 16 Stinger missiles could be mounted on external pylons.

The pilot and weapons officer onboard would have utilized a combination of cockpit displays and helmet-mounted systems similar to the more advanced heads up and augmented reality displays found in today’s advanced stealth aircraft like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

It was equipped with a long-range Forward-Looking Infrared Sensor to help spot targets, as well as an optional Longbow radar that could be mounted above the rotors to allow the pilot to peak just the radar over hills or buildings–giving the crew important situational awareness of the battlefield ahead while limiting exposure of the rotorcraft itself. Once the Comanche spotted a target, a laser could be used to lock on for its onboard weapons systems.

The RAH-66 Comanche’s air-to-air credibility was further bolstered by the platform’s speed and agility. With a top speed just shy of 200 miles per hour and enough acrobatic prowess to nearly pull off loop-de-loops, the Comanche was fast, agile, and powerful… but by the time the first two Comanche prototypes were flying, it was also widely seen as unnecessary.

The first Comanche prototype took to the skies in January of 1996, five years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The stealth helicopter had been envisioned as a necessary weapon amid the constant defense posturing of the Cold War, but without the looming threat of a technologically capable geopolitical boogeyman, the Comanche began to look more like a pile of problems, rather than solutions.

The Comanche was truly forward-reaching in its capabilities, but as is so often the case with first-of-its-kind platforms, that reach came with a long list of cost overruns and technological setbacks. The helicopter had proven to be far heavier than anticipated; So heavy, in fact, that some wondered if the stealth helicopter would even get off the ground with its intended weapons payload. And its weight was just the beginning of the Comanche’s headaches.

Just about every system intended for use aboard the RAH-66 met with setback after setback. Bugs in the software meant to manage the helicopter’s operation proved difficult–and expensive–to root out, the 3-barrel cannon wasn’t as accurate as intended, the target detection system failed to meet expectations, and efforts to both reduce weight and pull more power of the Comanche’s intended T800 turboshaft engines were both slow going.

Each of these issues could have been resolved with enough time and money, but the U.S. Army was already getting tired of waiting for the Comanche to live up to its hype. Then, September 11, 2001 shifted America’s defense priorities for decades to come. A year after the terror attack that would prompt a shift toward anti-terror campaigns, the Army reduced their order for Comanches by almost half, and just two years later, the program itself was canceled.

After decades of development and nearly $7 billion spent on the Comanche program, it came to a close in 2004 with just two operational prototypes ever reaching the sky.

Comanche's Life after death
After one of the so called stealth Blackhawks crash landed and subsequently destroyed) in Abottabad, While these modified stealth helicopters were not even close to what Comanches looked luje, the modifications these Blackhawks saw were almost certainly informed by lessons learned in the RAH-66 program. Reports from the scene of the raid also indicate how quiet the helicopters were as the American special operations team closed with their target. Clearly, efforts made to reduce the helicopters’ radar cross section, infrared signature, and noise level were all in play during the Bin Laden raid, just as they were within the Comanche prototypes.

And then there’s Sikorsky’s latest light tactical helicopter, the S-97 Raider. Its visual cues are certainly reminiscent of the company’s efforts in developing the RAH-66, and its performance is too. The S-97 Raider has been clocked at speeds in excess of 250 miles per hour–faster even than the proposed Comanche’s top speed–and like the Comanche, the Raider is nimble to boot.

The RAH-66 Comanche stealth helicopter may have been a bit too forward reaching for its time, but the lessons learned throughout its development and testing have clearly found new life in other advanced programs. With defense officials increasingly touting the value of stealth to increase combat aircraft survivability, it seems certain that we’ll see another stealth helicopter enter service at some point; And when we do, it will almost certainly have benefitted from the failures and successes of the Comanche.

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 46 ft 10.25 in (14.2812 m)
Width: 6 ft 8.25 in (2.0384 m) maximum fuselage width
Height: 11 ft 0.75 in (3.3719 m)
Empty weight: 9,300 lb (4,218 kg)
Gross weight: 12,349 lb (5,601 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 17,408 lb (7,896 kg) maximum fuel for self-deployment
Fuel capacity: 301.6 US gal (251.1 imp gal; 1,142 L) internal fuel + 2x 450 US gal (370 imp gal; 1,700 L) drop tank + 2x 112 US gal (93 imp gal; 420 L) optional side weapon bay tanks; Total 1,201.6 US gal (1,000.5 imp gal; 4,549 L) / 1,425.6 US gal (1,187.1 imp gal; 5,396 L) with weapon bay tanks
Powerplant: 2 × LHTEC T800-LHT-801 turboshaft engines, 1,563 shp (1,166 kW) each
Main rotor diameter: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
Main rotor area: 443 sq ft (41.2 m2) 5-bladed main rotor with fenestron tail rotor
Blade sections: - root: Boeing VR-12; tip: Sikorsky SSC-A09[36]

Performance
Maximum speed: 175 kn (201 mph, 324 km/h) without mast radar
166 kn (191 mph; 307 km/h) with mast radar
Cruise speed: 165 kn (190 mph, 306 km/h) without mast radar
149 kn (171 mph; 276 km/h) with mast radar
Range: 262 nmi (302 mi, 485 km)
Combat range: 150 nmi (170 mi, 280 km) internal fuel
Ferry range: 1,200 nmi (1,400 mi, 2,200 km)
Endurance: 2 hours 30 minutes on internal fuel
Service ceiling: 14,980 ft (4,570 m)
g limits: +3.5 -1
Rate of climb: 895 ft/min (4.55 m/s) without mast radar
500 ft/min (152.4 m/min) with mast radar
Disk loading: 71 lb/sq ft (350 kg/m2) YRAH-66
Power/mass: 0.13 hp/lb (0.21 kW/kg) at MTOW, take-off power

Armament
1× Turreted Gun System with a 20 mm XM301 three-barrel rotary cannon (capacity: 500 rounds)
Internal bays: 6× AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, or 12× AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles, or 24× 2.75 in (70 mm) Hydra 70 air-to-ground rockets
Optional stub wings: 8× Hellfires, 16× Stingers, or 56× Hydra 70 rockets

Avionics
Miniaturised Longbow radar
Litton laser ring gyro and GPS Nav/Attack system

Although not a very detailed model, got this because not only is this model the only one available of the RAH-66, but also because I have a lot of old memories playing Comanche themed PC flight sims in the late 90s and early 2000s . Sims like Comanche 3, Comanche Gold , Enemy Engaged Comanche v/s Hokum. Although they are now hopelessly outdated and do not run on modern PCs, I still have those CDs in storage for nostalgia's sake.

[skanchan95]

1:72 Shinnakasu Heavy Industries VF-1J Valkyrie Lt Cdr Rick Hunter/Hikaru Ichijyo, SDF-1, Vermillion Squadron(Calibre Wings)

In the fictional Macross Japanese anime series and its English adaptation "Robotech", the first mass-produced transforming aerospace fighter mecha is called the VF-1 Valkyrie. The VF-1 Valkyrie is referred to as a "variable fighter" in Macross. A variable fighter (also known as a "veritech" fighter in the Robotech adaptation of the series), is one of a series of transformable aerospace fighters, primarily designed by Macross franchise creator Shōji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake. Variable Fighters are generally able to transform into jet/space fighters, a humanoid robot and a hybrid of the two modes, better known as Gerwalk (Guardian). The original VF-1 Valkyrie was actually named "Valkyrie", but the craft have generically been referred to as such in the series since then.

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and Grumman F-14 Tomcat with its variable-sweep wing design, served as the main design inspiration of the VF-1 and was named as "Valkyrie" as a tribute to the XB-70 Valkyrie.

In Macross/Robotech, the VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship(Super Dimensional Fortress-1). In the Macross world, U.N. Spacy was a fictional space military arm of the Earth Unified Government . It was established by the successor to the modern United Nations in order to defend Earth from a possible attack by hostile aliens, and was involved in Space War I against an extraterrestrial race called the Zentradi.VF-1s are shown to be carrier capable flying off the carrier SDF-1.



The VF-1 could transform into three different configurations or modes for different combat environments, and could perform the task of more than one fighting vehicle: In Fighter mode it would act as a jet fighter or a space fighter; in GERWALK (or Guardian in Robotech) mode it acts as a VTOL unit



or a "chicken walker" mecha; in Battroid mode (or Battloid in Robotech) it acts as a humanoid mecha(Robot).


The VF-1J is armed with two Mauler RÖV-20 laser cannons mounted on a ventral turret, a GU-11 55mm three-barrelled gun pod holding 200 rounds, four underwing hardpoints holding up to twelve medium-range AMM-1 missiles, twelve Mk-82 LDGP bombs, six RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles or four UUM-7 micro-missile pods containing up to 15 Bifors HMM-01 "micro-missiles". Like most of the VF-1's nomenclature, the "GU" and "AMM" designations of its weapons are references to current US military designations (GPU for Gun Pod Unit and AIM for Air Intercept Missile).

In fighter mode the VF-1's thermonuclear engines and the several vernier rockets on its fuselage make it capable of operating as an aerospace fighter. It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 3.87 at high altitude (above 30,000 m (98,000 ft)), and Mach 2.71 at medium altitude (10,000 m (33,000 ft)). Its wings, similar to those of the F-14 Tomcat, sweep between 20 degrees back and 72 degrees back.

Shinnakasu Heavy Industries VF-1J ("J" speculated as a prideful designation of the fighter's region of origin - Japan) is an upgraded version of the standard VF-1, typically assigned to the senior officer of an air team or to a squadron leader. Unlike Stonewell/Bellcom's VF-1D, the VF-1J remains a single seat fighter but shares the slightly increased firepower of that variant. The new head unit of the VF-1J (developed by Kyuusei Industry) features two Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannons in a slightly improved configuration. Naturally, when the Shinnakasu-designed GBP-1S "Armored" system was given first operational deployment, it was installed on a VF-1J.

Rick Hunter/Hikaru Ichijyo

Richard "Rick" Hunter/Hikaru Ichijyo was a celebrated human Veritech pilot, hero of the First Robotech War flying VF-1 Valkyrie, and later commander of the Robotech Expeditionary Force. He was one of the central characters in Robotech. Rick Hunter flew a white-with-red trim VF-1J for most of his career before the SDF-1 returned to Earth and his second one was shot down by friendly fire.

This model was on my wishlist ever since I came to know about it. Robotech used to be aired in on Star in the early 90s when Satellite TV was just launched in India.As a 10-11 year old kid coming from school, it was one of the shows I watched straight after reaching home from school at around 4 PM. Robotech was a part of a series of shows that included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(animated series), 1966 Batman, Wonder Years and Different Strokes. This used to be the Intro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYcdvZswlq0

VF-1J Technical Data
Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid
Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force
Manufacturer: Shinnakasu Heavy Industries
Cost: not publicly disclosed, but reported as approx 20 times that of a standard Destroid
Introduction: November 2007
Operational Deployment: February 7, 2009
Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat
Dimensions:
Battroid Mode: height 12.68 meters; width 7.3 meters; length 4.0 meters
Fighter Mode: wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended); height 3.84 meters; length 14.23 meters
GERWALK Mode: wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended); height 8.7 meters; length 11.3 meters
Mass: empty 13.25 metric tons; standard T-O 18.5 metric tons
Structure: space metal frame, SWAG energy conversion armor
Power Plant: two Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2001 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines, output 650 MW each
Propulsion: 11,500 kg [x g] x 2; or 23,000 kg [x g] x 2 in overboost (225.63 kN x 2); 4 x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake, 1 x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip); vernier thrusters with chemical fuel tanks (within backpack section for GERWALK and Battroid modes); 18 x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles
Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24
Performance:
Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h
Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87
GERWALK Mode: maximum walking speed 100 km/h; flying 500 km/h
g limit: in space +7
Design Features: 3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; fly-by-light; rectangular underfuselage air intakes with intake vane, variable ramps, and retractable cover shutters (for Battroid mode or space use); single-axis two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles operate in lieu of conventional elevators and horizontal stabilizers and in tandem with wing thruster roll control system; one ventral fin under each engine nacelle; large airbrake directly rear of cockpit canopy (nozzle feet operate as airbrakes also); two-section flap (with spoiler) and fowler flap occupy almost entire wing trailing-edge; leading-edge slats; conventional rudders with honeycomb construction in outward-canted vertical tail surfaces; two cooling sub-air intake/airframe lift adjustment slits located on forward main body in Fighter mode operate in lieu of glove vanes by controlling airflow; four times the mobility of the Destroid Spartan; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; retractable tricycle undercarriage (landing gear) with two steerable nosewheels retract rearward into nose and twin coupled mainwheels inward into fuselage; 2 x arresting hooks mounted underfuselage on engine nacelles; 2 x forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors in recessed emplacements within leg-joint nacelles (built below and to the fore of the cockpit canopy in egg-shaped blisters on either side of the Fighter mode nosecone); option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system
Transformation:
Min time from Fighter to GERWALK (automated): approx. 1.5 sec.
Min time from GERWALK to Battroid (automated): under 2 sec.
Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.
Min time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.
- Armament -
Guns:
2 x Fixed Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannons, firing 6,000 pulses per minute each
1 x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min
Bombs & Missiles:
4 x underwing hard points for 12 x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point)
or 12 x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point)
or 6 x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point)
or 4 x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point) each carrying 15 x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles
or a combination of above load-outs
Optional Armament:
Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system
or Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

[skanchan95]

Airborne

[skanchan95]

I pray none of your aircraft models ever crash on this thread, but if they do, this Firefighting truck is on standby to launch swift rescue services .

1:43 Sides S3X Dublin Airport Authority
Sides is a French manufacturer of Airport firefighting vehicles. The Sides S3X is one of their firefighting trucks. The model represents a Sides S3X based at Dublin Airport, Ireland

[skanchan95]

1:72 Bell 47/OH-13G Sioux, US Army 4077th MASH, #56-143170, Korea

Originally designed as a single engine, light helicopter for use by civilians, the Bell H-13 Sioux first flew on December 8, 1945 as the Bell 47 prototype. The 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946. Later redesignated H-13 by the United States Army Air Forces, the improved aircraft was used as an observation and basic training helicopter. The design is characterized by a full bubble canopy, skid landing gear and welded-tube tail boom. It has two high-level mounted saddle fuel tanks and a two bladed single rotor. The H-13 was immortalized by the long-running television show M.A.S.H., where it was portrayed in its role as a medevac aircraft.

The Bell H-13 Sioux helicopter was acquired by the US Army in 1946 as an adaptation of the Bell commercial Model 47. It was the first Army aircraft named for an American Indian tribe, a tradition that is still used. The H-13 was the primary helicopter used during the Korean War for all tasks (e.g. wire laying, liaison, reconnaissance and training), but most famously for Medical Evacuation (MedEvac).

Bell 47 in IAF service
Four examples of the Bell 47G-2 helicopter were received by the Indian Air Force in early 1954 followed by a last batch of six in Aug 62 bringing the total operated to 15. The helicopter was used extensively along side Sikorsky S-55s and Mil MI-4s from Nepal to Ceylon in CASEVAC and SAR tasks. The last Bell 47s faded out from the Helicopter Training School at Jodhpur in 1978. The Bells were used actively in the Indo China war of 1962 evacuating wounded from the battlefront under enemy shelling. BZ 542, the second received from the USA was hit by Chinese shelling whilst landing to evacuate wounded in Oct 1962. The pilot Sqn Ldr VK Sehgal is still listed missing. Initially all choppers were received in overall white and then painted olive sometime in 1965.

General characteristics
Crew: 1 or 2
Capacity: 1 passenger or 2 litters (1,057 lb (479 kg) payload)
Length: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Empty weight: 1,893 lb (859 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 2,950 lb (1,338 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming TVO-435-F1A six-cylinder vertically mounted horizontally-opposed air-cooled piston engine, 280 hp (210 kW)
Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 2 in (11.33 m)
Main rotor area: 1,085 sq ft (100.8 m2)

Performance
Maximum speed: 91 kn (105 mph, 169 km/h)
Cruise speed: 73 kn (84 mph, 135 km/h)
Range: 214 nmi (246 mi, 396 km)
Rate of climb: 860 ft/min (4.4 m/s)

[skanchan95]

1:72 Lockheed Martin F-16I Fighting Falcon/Sufa #427, 253rd (Negev) Sqn, Israeli Air Force, Ramon Air base (JC Wings)

The F-16I is a two-seat variant of the Block 52+ F-16D developed for the Israeli Defense Force – Air Force (IDF/AF). Israel issued a requirement in September 1997 and selected the F-16 in preference to the F-15I in July 1999. An initial "Peace Marble V" contract was signed on 14 January 2000 with a follow-on contract signed on 19 December 2001, for a total procurement of 102 aircraft. The F-16I, first flew on 23 December 2003, and deliveries to the IDF/AF began on 19 February 2004.

Just like F-16D Brakeets in Israeli service, the Israeli Air Force had selected the F16I in a two-seat configuration only, with the rear seat being occupied a dedicated Weapons System Operator(WSO)

One major deviation of the F-16I from the standard Block 52 variant is that approximately 50% of the avionics were replaced by Israeli-developed avionics, such as the Israeli Aerial Towed Decoy replacing the ALE-50 and autonomous aerial combat maneuvering instrumentation, which enables training exercises to be conducted without dependence on ground instrumentation. Elbit Systems produced the aircraft's helmet-mounted sight, head-up display (HUD), mission and presentation computers, and digital map display. Furthermore, the F-16I can employ Rafael's Python 5 infrared-guided air-to-air missile, and often uses Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)'s removable conformal fuel tanks (CFT) for extended range. Key American-sourced systems include the F100-PW-229 turbofan engine, which offers commonality with the IDF/AF's F-15Is, and the APG-68(V)9 radar.

Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) - These tanks are manufactured by the "Israel Aircraft Industries" and increase the aircraft's amount of internal fuel by 50%. The conformal fuel tanks (CFT), holding 450gal of extra fuel, are mounted on both sides of the upper fuselage. The very low drag configuration CFTs have a very small effect on the aircraft’s agility, handling quality and flight limits. The use of the conformal tanks increases the aircraft’s mission range and combat endurance.

Spine - F-16I Soufa is fitted with a dorsal avionics compartment. The first version produced with the dorsal compartment was the Israeli two-seat block 30 F-16D aircraft, produced in the late 1980s. The large dorsal compartment extends from the rear of the cockpit to the fin and houses additional avionics systems, chaff and flare dispensers and the aircraft’s in-flight refuelling receptacle. The F-16I is equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems developed in Israel. These systems are improved models based on those installed in the F-15I. The aircraft features advanced Israeli communication systems as well.

AGP-68(V)X Radar - Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) enabling the tracking of ground targets day or night, at any type of weather. The radar improves target-tracking performance and allows for automatic targeting instead of manual, thus saving valuable time. The radar also features improvements in the field of aerial targets including aquistion range and tracking quality.

Helmet Mounted Cueing System - An Israeli development. On top of the goggles which F-16I pilots and navigators wear is displayed various aircraft information such as height, speed and weapon systems data. This data be linked to the system, enabling the weapons to be launched on an enemy target using sight only. In addition, a camera mounted in the helmet records that which the pilot views allowing examining what the pilot saw in flight during debriefing.

253 Squadron "Negev"
Israel established the 253 squadron"Negv" (named after the Negev desert in Israel) in 1976 with Mirage and Nesher aircraft tranferred from the 101 squadron. The squadron reportedly added several Kfir C-2 aircraft in 1982 until the squadron was converted in 1987 to operate F-16A and F-16B fighters. In 2004, Israel began to acquire F-16I aircraft. As of 2005, the 253 squadron "Negev" is one of three squadrons that fly the F-16I (the other two being the 201 "The one" & 119 "Bat" squadron).

On 21 March 2018 Israel's government officially confirmed that F-16Is from 253 and 119 Squadron along with F-15Is from 69 Squadron, took part and successfully completed Operation Orchard on 6 September 2007 destroying the nuclear installations of Syria constructed with the help of North Korea.









Notice how the pilot canopy is gold tinted while the WSO's canopy is clear




























Barak & Sufa -With the Hobbymaster Israeli F-16C Barak(Lightning)

[skanchan95]

Airborne
The stand is not a part of the box and as is the case with JC Wings 1/72 models, had to be bought separately. Good thing about the stand is that the stand supports the model even if you mount the model at an angle - it makes it looks as if the model is flying and banking left or right. I purposely did not use the ugly pilot figures that JC supplies in the box.






Apart from the canopy, the rudder and elevators move as well
















The Litening Day/Night Navigation and Targeting Pod & Reccelite
Day/Night Electro-Optical Reconnaissance Pod mounted just in front of the engine intake


Weapons/Attachments - AIM-120C AMRAAM on Wingtips, Python IV IR missile, GBU-24 Laser Guided bomb and F-16 drop tanks.


The spine that houses the F-16I's gizmos

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:72 Lockheed Martin F-16I Fighting Falcon/Sufa #427, 253rd (Negev) Sqn, Israeli Air Force, Ramon Air base (JC Wings)

Great addition to your Israeli Air Force collection! Somehow the single seater looks more proportionate and appealingly. A colleague of mine(before a career change) is an ex-Israeli C-130 pilot and his brother is a Sufa pilot.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Currently work in progress but will be packed and finished sometime later this year since I am moving. Any guesses for this aircraft? Easy one for the experts on this thread.

Attachment 2474590

Finally managed to finish this today, some initial pictures:

1/48 Scale Indian Air Force Mirage 2000H, Tigers Squadron KF135 in 1991 based at Maharajpura AB, Gwailor.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Finally managed to finish this today, some initial pictures:

1/48 Scale Indian Air Force Mirage 2000H, Tigers Squadron KF135 in 1991 based at Maharajpura AB, Gwailor.

Great work, as always.

I do not mean to disrespect your work and have always admired it, but aren't the colours a bit off on this Mirage? Especially the grey? Shouldn't it have been light sky blue instead? But, it doesn't take away the wonderful detailing your have put on the model.

One more thing, the IFR probes were fitted on IAF Mirages sometime after the 1999 Kargil War and before 2003/04 (there was no need for IFR probes because the IAF did not have an aerial tanker back then). No. 78 Sqdn's first IL-78MKI tanker arrived in the year 2002 or 2003 I think.

So it should be KF135 in 2000 at Maharajpur AB - the squadron decals were barred from IAF aircraft sometime in the year 2000 or 2001.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Great work, as always.

I do not mean to disrespect your work and have always admired it, but aren't the colours a bit off on this Mirage? Especially the grey? Shouldn't it have been light sky blue instead? But, it doesn't take away the wonderful detailing your have put on the model.

One more thing, the IFR probes were fitted on IAF Mirages sometime after the 1999 Kargil War and before 2003/04 (there was no need for IFR probes because the IAF did not have an aerial tanker back then). No. 78 Sqdn's first IL-78MKI tanker arrived in the year 2002 or 2003 I think.

So it should be KF135 in 2000 at Maharajpur AB - the squadron decals were barred from IAF aircraft sometime in the year 2000 or 2001.

Thanks, yes the colours are off by a mile I bought a kit that came with glue and paint at the same price of a kit without them. I assumed the paints would be of good quality and the correct shade but they were not. I foolishly painted the model with them without trying them on a test area. I could have scrapped the paint off but it usually ends up filling the panel lines and damaging the model so left it as it is.

Interesting info about the aerial tankers, I didn't know it took the IAF so long to get them.

[Aravind_M92]

Added this to the collection. Alliance Air ATR 72-600 by Herpa wings in 1:200 scale

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Aravind_M92

Added this to the collection. Alliance Air ATR 72-600 by Herpa wings in 1:200 scale

Very nice. Does it come with a stand?

[Aravind_M92]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Very nice. Does it come with a stand?

Yes sir. Stand is available with this model!