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R-3 Vikingeye (Lockheed Martin Viking AEW)


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Here is the idea:

After buying the Foch from France, the Brazil Navy needs a few more birds than the trusty scooter. Using Argentinian Turbo Trackers and helos for ASW and patrol duties is obviously no long term solution. And going to sea without AEW support, not recommend. Having not that much money to spend on ASW and AEW birds, they started to look for affordable birds on the market. Hawkeyes from Israel like the mexicans? No senior. Having the Erieye already in service with the Air Force, the radar was easy to choose. Next step was to look for a bird to carry it. The USNs withdrawal of the S-3 Viking made them available at reasonable costs. To save even more money, it's usable as ASW, COD, AEW, tanker and ground attack. The first R-3 Vikingeye will enter service in 2009, together with the S-3BR Viking ASW/ version. To round up the shopping spree, the Air Wing will be completed by the arrival of the first Rafale M BR (if time permits, the ASW and the Rafale M will be build as well).

Here is the model to start from:

Hasegawa S-3A Viking in 1/72

So far the idea is to fill up the panel lines around the weapons bay, adding the Erieye antenna pod above the fuselage, adding stabilisator fins and a few antennas. No idea where to get the decals, may be from the Airfix Navy Lynx. Paint scheme will be close to the AF-1 Skyhawk.

Any ideas on how to do the Radar pod will be highly appreciated.

Edited by 2.0_Alpha
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Not a crazy idea at all and some of us think that was a better follow on solution than the E-2D (using new build Hoov's of course).

Instead of filling in the bomb bay, I would start with an ES-3A kit that has the bulged doors; the ES-3 filled the bomb bay with racks of electronics that were accessed by opening the doors.

Spongebob

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Instead of filling in the bomb bay, I would start with an ES-3A kit that has the bulged doors; the ES-3 filled the bomb bay with racks of electronics that were accessed by opening the doors.

Good point on the bay doors. BUT, it's a 1/72 project, the ES-3 is only available in 48. Nonetheless, I'll consider your point and think about scribing a few access hatches into the fuselage and add a few air scoops for cooling the electronics.

Moritz ol' buddy, hope we can discuss the project next week, looking forward to get your Italeri Rafale M kit:-). BTW nice work on the antenna, did you measure it before adding it to the drawing? Was thinking about two problems about the antenna, the height of the bird (hangar height) and wing fold. May I have to find another solution for mounting the antenna more Phalcon/EITAM style.

See for yourself:

SD530481.jpg

Edited by 2.0_Alpha
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This is my starting point, Revell S-3B kit:

Boxart-1.jpg

I'll try to do this whif as plausible as possible, ie the less changes to the airframe the better (costs). Don't know about the hangar space on the Sao Paulo, keeping the aircraft as compact as possible is a priority.

@sv51macross: Haven't thought about that.

Found this ugly thing on the net

20k29za.jpg

A proposal for a Viking AEW with AESA. Might work on a NIMITZ class carrier, but on a small one?

What about a "podded solution":

S-3BRAEW_POD.gif

For the pods, I found a pair of KKR-1 recce pods. They can be modified for the radar antenna, whether on top or under the wings.

KKR-1_2.jpg

KKR-1.jpg

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Good point on the bay doors. BUT, it's a 1/72 project, the ES-3 is only available in 48.
Actually, the ES-3 was also available in 1/72. Hasegawa did a release of their S-3 as an ES-3 with the radomes and antenna in white metal. Hasn't been available for a few years but does pop up on eBay now and again.
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Whoa! Lotsa cool ideas there! :thumbsup:

Flankerfan brings up an interesting point with the double-folding wings. Another possibility would be to have the wings fold backwards as on the Tracer and Hawkeye.

Or use the KKR pods "Eitam-style" with a bulbous nose and tail and the pods on the wing pylons as the Eitam uses the flat panels on the fuselage.

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Or use the KKR pods "Eitam-style" with a bulbous nose and tail

As if the nose of a Viking isn't bulbous enough :wave:

Except for the tail, it's the easiest conversion. No change to the wing fold mechanisms, minor changes to the airframe, only making the bird a big butt. And a hump of course. The price tag on this one might be the lowest. May be a voting to decide on the version to be build?

If I could get another Viking ( got 3 so far, but the other 2 are going to be "normal" S-3s) for little money and time to build it...the result could be a demonstrator for Lookheed Martin and Saab. Landbased aircraft need no wing fold.

Let me know, what's your favorite?

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Hi,

started with the kit. Filled the sono buoy launcher and the bombdoor panel lines, glued the coclpit together. And did some more thinking about the antenna array. Problem is, Erieye can't cover 360°. In my humble opinion, it's a no go for a carrier based aew bird. Discussed the matter with ChernayaAkula when I've been over at his place today. So, still no decision about the antenna, but I've build a prototype antenna. Pictures will be posted, as soon as I can find the card reader! :bandhead2:

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Good! :wub:

Maybe there could be explosive charges in the struts to kick off the radar pod before the rear seats fire? :cheers:

Neat idea! :cheers:

Personally, I prefer conformal aeriel... like the new Israeli and Singaporean Gulfstream CAEW.

Giles

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Sorry, the original proposal is too ugly, it gives me eye pain! Still working on the antenna prototype, may be I'll do a second with a different antenna arrangement. Could be the second competitor for the Brazil Navy Future AEW Aircraft Program (BraNaFutAAP). So, have to get another Viking for a reasonable price.

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  • 2 months later...

Hi folks,

long time no see, I know, but hadn't much time lately. The little one and University are taking their toll. Doing the stay home daddy and University when wife is home to take over equals no time for whif-ing.

Managed to do some gluing recently and will post pics soon.

Tobias

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