Falconxlvi Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 The only non-nuclear FB-111 loadout pics I can find on the intrawebs show MERs filled with Mk 82AIR. Did the FB ever carry high drag Mk 84s or slick Mk 82s? Anything else besides GP bombs in the non-nuclear mission? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SebastianP Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 There's a couple of pictures in this tweet of the FB-111 with it's weapons options laid out in front of it: IIRC, the FB-111 did not have a non-nuclear mission - they were doomsday planes, and so trained only for nuclear delivery. The weapons in the picture (an M117R, at least two, possibly three configurations of the Mk82, and a heavy CBU), all seem like they were chosen for having similar aerodynamics as the B-61 or B-83 and would be useful for training in how to deliver those weapons accurately. After the FB-111 fleet was stood down from nuclear alert for good and the planes converted to F-111G standard, they did apparently carry 2000 lb bombs so the capacity was probably there all along (I don't know of any *other* US jet that could carry an MER full of Mk82s but not an Mk84 in the same spot), it was just not a requirement of the SAC mission that they do so. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share Posted March 25, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, SebastianP said: There's a couple of pictures in this tweet of the FB-111 with it's weapons options laid out in front of it: IIRC, the FB-111 did not have a non-nuclear mission - they were doomsday planes, and so trained only for nuclear delivery. The weapons in the picture (an M117R, at least two, possibly three configurations of the Mk82, and a heavy CBU), all seem like they were chosen for having similar aerodynamics as the B-61 or B-83 and would be useful for training in how to deliver those weapons accurately. After the FB-111 fleet was stood down from nuclear alert for good and the planes converted to F-111G standard, they did apparently carry 2000 lb bombs so the capacity was probably there all along (I don't know of any *other* US jet that could carry an MER full of Mk82s but not an Mk84 in the same spot), it was just not a requirement of the SAC mission that they do so. Excellent thanks. Yea, I’ve seen pics of a Pease jet letting loose with 24 Mk 82AIRs- those are just hard to come by in resin (I’m not counting the Oz Mods version which look very very crude). I know CMK makes them, but you only get 2 per set. Interestingly- in the pic above, it looks like Mk82 snakeyes were carried and those are available in the Eduard Brassin lineup, 6x set, which is pretty economical. I might go that route. Thanks again. Steve Edited March 25, 2018 by Falconxlvi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SebastianP Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 (edited) Mk82 Snake Eyes does look like the cheapest option for arming it, yes (you can get even cheaper if you get Hasegawa's first weapons set in 1/72, it has six Mk82 Snake Eyes in plastic). The only other options I can find from the display above are AGM-69 SRAM (either from a Testors/Italeri B-2, which doesn't need them in the first place; or another Ozmods resin set); and the B61 bombs (Italeri's F-117 has a pair, as does the Italeri/Testors "US/NATO Aircraft Weapons" accessory set). The plastic items are all *old* - the Snake eye bombs are from 1980, and the F-117 and B-2 kits are from 1990 and 1991 respectively...) I find it pretty amazing that there's still apparently no one who makes modern US nuclear weapons in resin in 1/72... Edited March 25, 2018 by SebastianP Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hooker169 Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 (edited) Falcon, I’m assuming you’re prepping for the upcoming Caracal sheet and weighing the most cost effective options for loadouts? I did the same thing and finally settled on the Belcher Bits US Nukes set. You get 2 B61’s and 2 B83’s. Put out a wanted add on the Spares page for 2 SRAMS from the B-1 kit and you’re set. I’ll use B83’s on the pylons and SRAMS in the bay and save the B61’s for a SIOP schemed jet later on. I saw the same pic you did of the Pease jet wearing MER’s and Mk-82’s high drag but that would be super expensive. Also, there is nothing saying you cant put B61’s on the pylons and B83’s internal! http://www.belcherbits.com/lines/148conv/bb31.htm Edited March 25, 2018 by Hooker169 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share Posted March 25, 2018 (edited) 41 minutes ago, Hooker169 said: Falcon, I’m assuming you’re prepping for the upcoming Caracal sheet and weighing the most cost effective options for loadouts? I did the same thing and finally settled on the Belcher Bits US Nukes set. You get 2 B61’s and 2 B83’s. Put out a wanted add on the Spares page for 2 SRAMS from the B-1 kit and you’re set. I’ll use B83’s on the pylons and SRAMS in the bay and save the B61’s for a SIOP schemed jet later on. I saw the same pic you did of the Pease jet wearing MER’s and Mk-82’s high drag but that would be super expensive. Also, there is nothing saying you cant put B61’s on the pylons and B83’s internal! http://www.belcherbits.com/lines/148conv/bb31.htm Yep, I’m getting ready to start my FB now that the Caracal decals are just about to be released. Thanks for the tip on the Belcher bits items. I have two 1/48 Academy FB-111 kits. I plan on doing one in the SIOP scheme and one in the “Dark Vark” scheme- one conventional and one nuclear loadout- and potentially one with the OzMods long span wing and flap set! We’ll see! But for starters it’s a Dark Vark for sure! Edited March 25, 2018 by Falconxlvi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 4 hours ago, SebastianP said: I find it pretty amazing that there's still apparently no one who makes modern US nuclear weapons in resin in 1/72... There is. Spectre Resins is Wolfpak's resin line, and they covered the B28, two variants of the B43, the B57, and two variants of the B83 in resin. LINK Additionally, Shapeways has 3D printed B61s LINK while Scaledown Conversions does a resin B61 and a resin AGM-69 LINK. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joerg Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 The Daco F-104 set has really nice B43/57/61. In the set there`s only one each, but you can purchase that sprue separately. http://www.dacoproducts.com/KDCC4802e.html HTH Joerg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted March 26, 2018 Author Share Posted March 26, 2018 2 hours ago, Joerg said: The Daco F-104 set has really nice B43/57/61. In the set there`s only one each, but you can purchase that sprue separately. http://www.dacoproducts.com/KDCC4802e.html HTH Joerg Thanks for the link Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mawz Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Belcher Bits also does a weapons set for the CF-104 that includes nuclear shapes (same ones as Daco IIRC) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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