[skanchan95]

1:200 F/A-18C Hornet US Navy VFA-27 "Royal Maces" CAG/DCAG's bird













The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft (hence the F/A designation). Designed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations, and since 1986, by the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

The F/A-18 has a top speed of Mach 1.8 (1,034 knots, 1,190 mph or 1,915 km/h at 40,000 ft or 12,200 m). It can carry a wide variety of bombs and missiles, including air-to-air and air-to-ground, supplemented by the 20-mm M61 Vulcan cannon. It is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines, which give the aircraft a high thrust-to-weight ratio. The F/A-18 has excellent aerodynamic characteristics, primarily attributed to its leading-edge extensions. The fighter's primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries, such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role, and the Grumman A-6 Intruder and LTV A-7 Corsair II in the attack role.

The Hornet first saw combat action during the 1986 United States bombing of Libya and subsequently participated in the 1991 Gulf War and 2003 Iraq War. The F/A-18 Hornet served as the baseline for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, its larger, evolutionary redesign.

Retirement of US Navy F/A-18Cs
US Navy has all but retired all of its F/A-18Cs. One of US Navy's last F/A-18C Hornet Squadron VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" had the honor of putting the F/A-18C through its final operational deployment aboard the USS Carl Vinson, which returned from a three-month cruise in April 2018. During that deployment, the Carl Vinson made history by being the first American aircraft carrier to make a port visit in Vietnam.

The other two F/A-18C squadrons - VFA-131 "Wildcats"VFA-37 Bulls still operate the legacy F/A-18C Hornet but these squadrons will not deploy anymore with these types.

VFA-34 will transition to F/A-18E Super Hornet in the upcoming months, likewise followed by VFA-131 and VFA-37.

VFA-27 "Royal Maces" was my squadron of choice when I used to play the flight sim Hornet 3.0 ages ago. Hornet 3.0's Intro was one of my favourites flight sim Intros.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzimrBj7M_4

[skanchan95]

Now for a bit of nostalgia....

The A320 series has two variants, the A320-100 and A320-200. Only 21 A320-100s were produced. These aircraft, the first to be manufactured, were delivered to Air Inter – later acquired by Air France – and British Airways as a result of an order from British Caledonian made prior to its acquisition.

The primary changes of the -200 over the -100 are wingtip fences and increased fuel capacity for increased range. Indian Airlines used its first 31 A320-200s with double-bogie main landing gear for airfields with poor runway condition which a single-bogie main gear could not manage.

Powered by two CFM International CFM56-5s or IAE V2500s with thrust ratings of 98–120 kN (22,000–27,000 lbf), its typical range with 150 passengers is 3,300 nmi / 6,100 km. A total of 4,512 of the A320ceo model have been delivered, with 220 remaining on order as of 30 September 2017.The closest Boeing competitor is the 737-800.

1:200 Hogan Indian Airlines Airbus A320 VT-EVP "50 Years of Flying"
Airline: Indian Airlines
Registration:VT-EVP
Serial number: 257
Type: 320-231
First flight date: 07/10/1991
Engines: 2 x IAE V2500-A1

Delivered New to Balkan Airlines as LZ-ABA on 23-12-1991

Wet leased by Indian Airlines on 29-03-2001 and was registered VT-EVP. In between this A320 saw service with various European Airlines.

After Indian Airlines was merged with Air India in 2007, VT-EVP flew with Air India till 2011 (in Indian Airlines colours and was not painted in Air India's colours).

Returned to lessor in March 2011 after which it was scrapped.













VT-EVP in its glory days


VT-EVP getting scrapped


1:200 Hogan Indian Airlines Airbus A320 VT-EYH
Airline: Indian Airlines
Registration:VT-EYH
Serial number: 344
Type: 320-231
First flight date: 16/06/1992
Engines: 2 x IAE V2500-A1


Delivered New to Shorouk Air(Egypt) as SU-RAG in July 1992

Wet leased by Indian Airlines on 27-10-2004 and was registered VT-EYH. In between this A320 saw service with various European Airlines.

After Indian Airlines was merged with Air India in 2007, VT-EVP flew with Air India till 2010 (in Indian Airlines colours and was not painted in Air India's colours). Returned to lessor in Feb 2010 and stored (may have been scrapped)











VT-EYH:


The two IC A320s together






DBJets was personally involved in development and realization of these two Hogan Indian Airlines A320 models. Indian Airlines/Air India had the unique distinction of operating a few double bogey main landing gear A320s which were recently retired. I wish Hogan had modelled that in registration of that particular model.

[skanchan95]

1:200 Hogan Lockheed C-130H Hercules 85-1361 "Spirit of Texas" USAF
Serial No: 85-1361
Plant: Lockheed Marietta Plant
Delivered: August 1986
Aircraft Name: Spirit of Texas
Unit: 181st Airlift Squadron, 136th Airlift Wing, Texas Air National Guard, United States Air Force
Base: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas



















The real C-130H 85-1361


My Hercules Fleet:

Black nosed C-130s looked far better than grey coloured nose C-130s which have become the norm today.


The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft. The versatile airframe has found uses in a variety of other roles, including as a gunship (AC-130), for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting. It is now the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. More than 40 variants of the Hercules, including a civilian one marketed as the Lockheed L-100, operate in more than 60 nations.

The C-130 entered service with the U.S. in 1956, followed by Australia and many other nations. During its years of service, the Hercules family has participated in numerous military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations. In 2007, the C-130 became the fifth aircraft to mark 50 years of continuous service with its original primary customer, which for the C-130 is the United States Air Force.The C-130 Hercules is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years, with the updated Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules currently being produced.

Compared to older C-130 models such as A,B & E models, the C-130H model has updated Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, a redesigned outer wing, updated avionics and other minor improvements. Later H models had a new, fatigue-life-improved, center wing that was retrofitted to many earlier H-models. For structural reasons, some models are required to land with certain amounts of fuel when carrying heavy cargo, reducing usable range. The H model remains in widespread use with the United States Air Force (USAF) and many foreign air forces. Initial deliveries began in 1964 (to the RNZAF), remaining in production until 1996. An improved C-130H was introduced in 1974, with Australia purchasing 12 of type in 1978 to replace the original 12 C-130A models, which had first entered RAAF Service in 1958. The U.S. Coast Guard employs the HC-130H for long-range search and rescue, drug interdiction, illegal migrant patrols, homeland security, and logistics.

C-130H models produced from 1992 to 1996 were designated as C-130H3 by the USAF. The "3" denoting the third variation in design for the H series. Improvements included ring laser gyros for the INUs, GPS receivers, a partial glass cockpit (ADI and HSI instruments), a more capable APN-241 color radar, night vision device compatible instrument lighting, and an integrated radar and missile warning system. The electrical system upgrade included Generator Control Units (GCU) and Bus Switching units (BSU) to provide stable power to the more sensitive upgraded components.

The equivalent model for export to the UK is the C-130K, known by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as the Hercules C.1. The C-130H-30 (Hercules C.3 in RAF service) is a stretched version of the original Hercules, achieved by inserting a 100 in (2.54 m) plug aft of the cockpit and an 80 in (2.03 m) plug at the rear of the fuselage. A single C-130K was purchased by the Met Office for use by its Meteorological Research Flight, where it was classified as the Hercules W.2. This aircraft was heavily modified (with its most prominent feature being the long red and white striped atmospheric probe on the nose and the move of the weather radar into a pod above the forward fuselage). This aircraft, named Snoopy, was withdrawn in 2001 and was then modified by Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace as flight-testbed for the A400M turbine engine, the TP400. The C-130K is used by the RAF Falcons for parachute drops. Three C-130K (Hercules C Mk.1P) were upgraded and sold to the Austrian Air Force in 2002.

[V.Narayan]

^^^^^
skanchan95, By jove, five new models in a row. Gosh. You are raiding the shops :-) Congratulations on the new acqusitions and for the detailed take on each aircraft. I used to like the old Indian Airlines livery - simple, minimalistic and orange. The Mirage 2000 is always a darling and probably the most elegant looking supersonic fighter. I guess you now have enough F-18's to form a flight if not a squadron

Beautiful pictures.

I always wondered what things would have been like if we had gone for the license production of the Mirage 2000 in the mid-1980s and not gone for the short ranged MiG-29 and the Su-30MKI. More standardization in a maintenance over loaded IAF and a more reliable aircraft for sure.

Thank you for sharing.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Hogan Lockheed C-130H Hercules 85-1361 "Spirit of Texas" USAF

I recently purchased, at a second hand book store in the UK, a 1955 edition of Observers Book of Aircraft. Not surprisingly it was authored by the evergreen aviation writer William Green. The only aircraft in that book that is still in production is the C-130 Hercules. For longevity and constant steady improvement the C-130 takes the prize from amongst all military aircraft ever produced by any country - in production today 64 years after the prototype flew *. That is like the Red Baron's Fokker Triplane remaining in production till 1981 or the Spitfire coming off the factory lines till year 2000! I am waiting for the IAF version to appear in a scale model.

* The record for longest ever production run should I think go to the 5-seater Beechcraft Bonanza which has been built by Beechcraft since 1947 with steady improvements.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Hogan Mirage 2000C 103-KC 120 Armee De L' Air(French Air Force), Cambrai AFB

Very detailed model Love to get one in 1/72 Scale. I wish the IAF bought more of them.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 F/A-18C Hornet US Navy VFA-27 "Royal Maces" CAG/DCAG's bird

Is the Hornet squadron complete?

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Hogan Indian Airlines Airbus A320 VT-EVP "50 Years of Flying"

1:200 Hogan Indian Airlines Airbus A320 VT-EYH

Very rare additions to your all Indian Airliner fleet. Thanks for the trivia, makes the model even more interesting, I never noticed the twin main landing gears.

I just saw the price on DBjets, and it made my jaw drop I have bought a diecast 1:200 777-300 a while back for the same price (although in the US).
I won't be acquiring this anytime soon...

Originally Posted by skanchan95

My Hercules Fleet:

Narayan and I are waiting for the Antonov Fleet

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

I guess you now have enough F-18's to form a flight if not a squadron

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Is the Hornet squadron complete?

Not yet. But I can deploy a small expeditionary detachment with my Hornet fleet



VFA-147 Argonauts F/A-18E 1:72
VFA-27 Royal Maces F/A-18E 1:72
VFA-192 Golden Dragons F/A-18C 1:72
VFA-131 Wildcats F/A-18C 1:144
VFA-27 Royal Maces F/A-18C 1:200
VFA-195 Dambusters F/A-18E 1:200

The two VFA-27 Hornets - the bigger 1/72 is an F/A-18E while the smaller 1/200 one is an F/A-18C - mount of the Royal Maces before converting to the Super Hornet.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

I am waiting for the IAF version to appear in a scale model.

I am waiting for that one too. But it is highly unlikely considering how poorly popular Indian AF livery scale models are abroad.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I just saw the price on DBjets, and it made my jaw drop I have bought a diecast 1:200 777-300 a while back for the same price (although in the US).

That's because the Indian Airlines model has been manufactured in limited numbers and compared to the other Hogan A320s I have, I find these IC A320s to be far more detailed. The 50 years model is a customized one, so it makes it even more costly.

[revverend]

Originally Posted by revverend

Gentlemen

Going to placing an order for the following soon :

1. Cathay B747 1:400
2. Safair L100 1:500
3. Luftwaffe C160 1:200
4. Mirage 2000 1:200
5. Douglas DC8 Albert Plesman 1:400

As stated earlier, I have received 4 out of 5 models I have placed an order for, from DB jets. The C160 is pending and the DC8 I got is in the airborne express livery instead of the KLM Albert Plesman livery.

Taking a cue from Narayan's recommendation on making the planes walk the ramp in pictures, I have outsourced the photography part to my SO, whose creativity and photography skills are leaps and bounds ahead of mine. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure :

B747 1:400 Cathay "Asia's world city" livery











Airborne Express DC8 1:400









Safair 1:500 L100







Armee De L' Air Mirage 1:200

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by revverend

As stated earlier, I have received 4 out of 5 models I have placed an order for, from DB jets. The C160 is pending

B747 1:400 Cathay "Asia's world city" livery

Airborne Express DC8 1:400

Safair 1:500 L100


Armee De L' Air Mirage 1:200

OMG!! great models. And nice photos. Who is SO? Each of these is a classic. So now you have earned your full stripes into our club I look forward to that C160. I have been aiming for the C160 and Mirage 2000 for awhile but keep getting waylaid by other models, along the way, who flash a leg.

[V.Narayan]

Tupolev Tu-128 (Fiddler) Heavy Long Range Interceptor; 1:200
Wing span about 4" and length about 6"

The Tupolev Tu-128 (NATO reporting name Fiddler) was a long-range interceptor aircraft introduced by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It was the largest and heaviest fighter ever in service and it was armed with the heaviest ever production AAM the R4.


In the 1950s the Soviet’s were concerned about American bomber attacks, in large swarms, especially over the northern border coming in via Canada. The existing fighters and SAMs of the era were inadequate to protect the northern & eastern borders over 8000 kms in length. Enter the Tu-128 which was supersonic for interception dashes; carried enormous volumes of fuel to provide a meaningful patrol endurance and carried 4 large Bisnovat R4 missiles (AA-5 'Ash') – two IR homing and two Radar homing.


The Bisnovat R4 was the first look up – shoot up missiles capable. It was capable of engaging targets 8000 metres (~26,000’) above the Tu-128. Much needed for an aircraft meant to shoot down high flying bombers while it (Tu-128) was still climbing. The R4 had a range of 25 kms. The Soviet practise was to fire one IR and one Radar homing missile at each bomber target to increase the chances of a kill. At a weight of half a tonne they remain the heaviest AAMs ever - they weighed as much as an Exocet anti-ship missile!!.

Photo shows to good effect the long wide central fuselage which housed half of the 13,700 kgs of fuel. It carried more fuel than the MTOW of a MiG-21 or Hawker Hunter of that time.


The Tu-128 was not a maneuverable dog fighter but a single role machine designed to intercept American bombers at long ranges and engage them. Only 198 were built and it served in the PVO (Russian Air Defence Aviation) from mid-1960s to 1990. Photo shows the tandem layout of the two man cockpit with the rear seated navigator-weapons officer with barely any visibility.


AL-21F turbojets that belted out 10,000 kgf each giving it a top speed of Mach 1.5 at altitude with its 4 AAMs and carrying a full load of fuel of 13,700 kgs. Patrol endurance was 3 hours. Photo shows the trademark Tupolev aft nacelles mounting the under carriage. This was a neat low drag way to carry the landing gear without eating up space in the wings [needed for fuel] or in the fuselage [also needed for fuel, avionics & intake trunking]. It also ensured the main gear was well aft of the centre of gravity giving the gear a good stable spread

My thanks to BHPian Foxbat for pointing this model out on e-Bay. A rare piece. It is made in Russia and all the notes on the box are in Russian. I cannot figure out the name of the scale model maker. The Western makers are highly unlikely to ever make a Tu-128 as their markets may not support a long production run. Thank you Foxbat – this one is a prize catch.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by revverend

As stated earlier, I have received 4 out of 5 models I have placed an order for, from DB jets. The C160 is pending and the DC8 I got is in the airborne express livery instead of the KLM Albert Plesman livery.

Taking a cue from Narayan's recommendation on making the planes walk the ramp in pictures, I have outsourced the photography part to my SO, whose creativity and photography skills are leaps and bounds ahead of mine. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure :

Thanks for posting, really liked the DC-8 and Mirage 2000. Please post pictures of new models as and when you receive them.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Tupolev Tu-128 (Fiddler) Heavy Long Range Interceptor; 1:200
Wing span about 4" and length about 6"

The Tupolev Tu-128 (NATO reporting name Fiddler) was a long-range interceptor aircraft introduced by the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It was the largest and heaviest fighter ever in service and it was armed with the heaviest ever production AAM the R4.



My thanks to BHPian Foxbat for pointing this model out on e-Bay. A rare piece. It is made in Russia and all the notes on the box are in Russian. I cannot figure out the name of the scale model maker. The Western makers are highly unlikely to ever make a Tu-128 as their markets may not support a long production run. Thank you Foxbat – this one is a prize catch.

Rarest of the Rare Narayan! I am happy you procured it. I didn't know its made in Russia, that makes it even better! I though the R-40 (NATO reporting name AA-6 'Acrid') on the Foxbat was the heaviest AAM but after I bit of searching I found you are right by about 19 kg

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Thanks. Yes I noticed you have the other registration available with this model, mine is VT-ESO "Khajuraho".

Spotted this exact Air India 747-400 VT-ESO "Khajuraho" at Hyderabad Airport recently. More than 25 years old but seems to be in good nick. No passenger airliner compares with the 747 in terms beauty and presence in my opinion.

[Foxbat]

1/72 Diescast French Air Force Dassault Super Mystere B2













The Dassault Super Mystère is a French fighter-bomber and was the first Western European supersonic aircraft to enter mass production.

The Super Mystère represents the final step in evolution which began with the Dassault Ouragan and progressed through the Mystère II/III and Mystère IV. While earlier Mystère variants could attain supersonic speeds only in a dive, the Super Mystère could exceed the speed of sound in level flight. This was achieved thanks to the new thin wing with 45° of sweep (compared with 41° of sweep in the Mystère IV and only 33° in Mystère II) and the use of an afterburner-equipped turbojet engine.

The first prototype Super Mystère B.1, powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon RA.7R, took to the air on 2 March 1955. The aircraft broke the sound barrier in level flight the following day.

As the Super Mystère B.2, sometimes known as the SMB.2, the aircraft entered production in 1957. The production version differed from the prototype by having a more powerful SNECMA Atar 101G engine. A total of 180 Super Mystère B.2s were built.

In 1958, two Super Mystère B.4 prototypes were built. Equipped with a new 48° swept wing and a more powerful SNECMA Atar 9B engine, the aircraft were capable of Mach 1.4. Production never materialized because the faster Dassault Mirage III was entering service.

In 1973, the Israeli Air Force and Honduras Air Force upgraded their Super Mystère B.2s with a non-afterburning version of the Pratt & Whitney J52-P8A and new avionics. In Israeli service these upgraded SMB.2s were also known as the IAI Sa'ar (after a Hebrew word meaning "storm").

The real plane.


Next to a Mig-15.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Indian Airlines/Air India had the unique distinction of operating a few double bogey main landing gear A320s which were recently retired. I wish Hogan had modelled that in registration of that particular model.

One of these retired double bogey Air India A320s was involved in a freak accident in 2016 in Hyderabad. Double bogey can be clearly seen at 0:26.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6VN8b2QytA

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/51762657.cms

[V.Narayan]

^^^^
Foxbat, congratulations on the Super Mystere. This scale model has a special place in my life. It was the very first scale model in my life at age 9. My father brought it as a gift from one of those ultra rare foreign trips. In those days - 1969 - the daily allowance permitted by RBI was - hold your breath - $15 per day. He scrounged to get me this one gift. It was an airfix model which I assembled with glue. Congratulations. The plane had handsome lines. Didn't know the Israelis re-engined them.

[Jeroen]

Gorgeous plane that Super Mystere. Probably, even prettier than the American Super Sabre

[Foxbat]

Phoenix Diecast 1/200 Luftwaffe Tupolev Tu-134A Registration: 11+12







The Tupolev Tu-134 (NATO reporting name: Crusty) is a twin-engined, narrow-body, jet airliner built in the Soviet Union from 1966 to 1989. The original version featured a glazed-nose design and, like certain other Russian airliners (including its sister model the Tu-154), it can operate from unpaved airfields.

One of the most widely used aircraft in former Comecon countries, the number in active service is decreasing because of political intention and noise restrictions. The model has seen long-term service with some 42 countries, with some European airlines having scheduled as many as 12 daily takeoffs and landings per plane. In addition to regular passenger service, it has also been used in various air force, army and navy support roles; for pilot and navigator training; and for aviation research and test projects. In recent years, a number of Tu-134s have been converted for use as VIP transports and business jets. A total of 854 Tu-134s were built of all versions (including test bed examples) with Aeroflot as the largest user; by 1995, the Tu-134 had carried 360 million passengers for that airline.


The Real Plane.


The Russian 1:200 collection: Mig-25, Tu-154 and Tu-134. The Tu-154 is a much larger aircraft in comparison.