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CD48215 - 1/48 FB-111A Part 2


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The  FB-111A "Dark Vark" sheet (CD48111) was sold out today. CD48215 will be a new FB-111A sheet dedicated to SIOP aircraft as well as USAF F-111Gs they became after they were passed on to TAC.

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6 hours ago, KursadA said:

If anyone has good quality photos of "New Hampshire Special" nose art, we could also finally render this artwork in the quality it deserves. 

FB-111A 68-0269 & 0271 participated in SAC Bomb Comp representing 509th BW(M) during mon / year.  Both carried a yellow winged "2" on both sides of the tail and a yellow turning red fireball motif with "New Hampshire Special" in white script on both sides of the nose. See photos from FB-111.net.

68-0269-509.thumb.jpg.bab70f4b919d2757dc883efecffc36f4.jpg

FB-111A 68-0269 

 

68-0271-509.jpg.47c37bc88fa0e2c274776a3be36d369f.jpg

FB-111A 68-0271

Edited by Dutch
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Kursad, How about FB-111A 69-6509 393rd BS, 509th BW(M) flagship "Spirit of the Seacoast?"  That way it could be modelled along with KC-135A 62-3509, 509th ARS, 509th BW(M), also "Spirit of the Seacoast."

69-6509-5091.thumb.jpg.6cbdb2cc638c662c1702e77533717538.jpg

 

Here's the story from fb-111a.net (page 2):

"The Spirit of the Seacoast, 69-6509

Whiteman's FB-111A static display, "The Spirit of the Seacoast " came to the base through Cannon AFB, New Mexico. However, before its days at Cannon, the aircraft spent many years with the 509th during the wing's heyday with the FB-111A.On 25 March 1971, the aircraft exited the General Dynamics factory in Fort Worth, Texas, and went immediately to active duty with the Air Force's 340th Bombardment Group, Carswell AFB, Texas. At the time, the 340th trained pilots for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and used this aircraft in its training mission. However, 6509's our with the 340th did not last long. On 3 September 1971, the aircraft transferred to the 380th Bombardment Wing (M), Plattsburgh AFB, New York and SAC's second FB-111A unit. Over the next decade, 6509 flew for the 380th and no doubt took part in the friendly rivalry that evolved between the 380th and the 509th BMW, SAC's only FB-111A units. On 1 July 1982, however, the aircraft's tenure with the 380th ended as it was transferred to Pease AFB, New Hampshire, home of the 509th BMW.Immediately, wing officials recognized the unique tail number and the tie-in with the 509th's numeric designator. Taking advantage of the situation, the 509'ers did two things. On 17 September 1982, they dedicated the aircraft to Pease's extremely supportive local citizenry, often referred to as the Seacoast Community. Thus, the aircraft became known as "The Spirit of the Seacoast". At the same time, 6509 became the 509th BMW Commander's aircraft.Over the next decade, "The Spirit of the Seacoast" led the 509 through many different missions. The names Bullet Blitz, Red Flag and SAC annual Bombing Competition usually found 6509 deeply involved. In the mid 1980s, SAC began allowing nose art to reappear on its aircraft as a way to foster pride among its personnel. The 509th, seizing the initiative, began giving names of former 509th aircraft and other historic AF aircraft to its FB-111A fleet. Names such as "Up an' Atom", "Ruptured Duck" and "Next Objective", along with the appropriate nose art, began appearing on the 509th's Aardvark armada. "The Spirit of the Seacoast" posed a special problem, however. Not wanting to disturb the wing's tribute to the civilian community yet wanting to create a connection with the past, wing officials came up with a compromise. The FB-111A would remain "The Spirit of the Seacoast" and have the appropriate symbol painted on it. However, the wing also took the name of a World War II 509th Composite Group aircraft that had a name but no nose art. Thus, 6509 received the sub-title "Max Effort", after the 509th Composite Group's B-29 'Max Effort'.For the next few years, "The Spirit of the Seacoast/Max Effort" held its position as the First FB-111A of the 509th BMW. Yet many significant changes were in store. On 1 April 1988, SAC announced that the wing's FB-111As would transfer to the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, for conversion to F-111G. Later, SAC decided that the 509th would move to Whiteman AFB, Missouri, where it would become the first B-2 Advanced Technology Bomber unit in the AF. The aircraft transfers began in earnest in 1990. Fittingly, 6509 left Pease for Cannon on 5 September 1990, one of the last FB-111As to leave the base. Colonel William C. Brooks, then 509th BMW Commander, flew the aircraft to New Mexico.Still more changes occurred for 6509. While it was in the middle of its conversion process, a massive drawdown of military forces took place due to the end of the Cold War. The AF immediately halted several major projects with the FB-111A conversion program being one of those. For a time, 6509's future looked uncertain. However, in 1992, officials from Whiteman stepped in and acquired the aircraft for a static display honoring the past of the 509th. The FB-111A was then shipped to the base in pieces where technicians from Detachment 509 and several former 509th maintenance personnel from the FB-111A era who made the trip from their respective bases demilitarized, reconstructed and repainted the aircraft. Meanwhile, base officials completed a display area on a plot of land on the base. Then, on 28 September 1993, a crane lifted the newly refurbished FB-111A into place. There it became another silent reminder of the 509th Bomb Wing's historic past."

 

And this beauty of a Squadron photo, also from fb-111a.net:

393BS82.thumb.jpg.44d462f410b0b53bc55177ccd015cf19.jpg

Edited by Dutch
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And I found the close-up of 69-6509 "Spirit of the Seacoast/Max Effort" artwork from I don't know where. I believe that this is the DarkVark version with a short inscription of the 509th Comp Grp B-29A Max Effort name.

Ken6509.jpg.e011467983f7a3e312c442c15a3ca278.jpg

Edited by Dutch
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Thanks for the photos - I have already drawn most of the art; and really only what I need is *high* quality close-up images of the "New Hampshire Special" artwork - I have already seen the photos available online and I already have all previously done decal versions. What I need is a close-up which is probably lurking on a magazine or book page somewhere..

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On 5/27/2021 at 3:10 PM, KursadA said:

If anyone has good quality photos of "New Hampshire Special" nose art, we could also finally render this artwork in the quality it deserves. 


What time frame was this?  Knowing that will help me narrow my search…

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On 5/27/2021 at 8:06 PM, Dutch said:

 

Note the Canadian maple leaf zap inside the white star of the US insignia.

 

1324535_FB-111A_68-0247_509BW_EBBL_23Jun78.thumb.jpg.b5ae6f444f0459a8fc15505447650e60.jpg

Oh man...this one.

 

I remember that 393rd BS logo from Pease AFB airshows as a kid.

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6 hours ago, KursadA said:

I believe it was a scheme temporarily (?) applied for one of the SAC bombing / nav competitions between 1971-1975.


Giant Voice ‘74  68-0269

 

FAOW #62 p.10 has a decent color pic but I wouldn’t call it hi-res…

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On 5/27/2021 at 8:44 PM, Dutch said:

@KursadA, Any chance of reducing it down to 1/72 a month or two after the 1/48 release please?  K/r, Dutch

 

I second this too. Just last weekend I was lucky enough to find an original release of the Hasegawa FB-111A. And I don't really fancy my chances using the 30 odd year old decals that came with it. 

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On 5/28/2021 at 1:54 AM, Alternative 4 said:

What about an RAAF F-111 sheet?

Kursad,

As you have announced that this sheet will include the older SAC SIOP scheme and TAC overall Gunship Gray schemes, I will second Alternative 4's request for a future RAAF F-111 sheet.  You already have all the standard stenciling done.  I know Hasegawa popped & re-popped the F-111C/G in 1/72 releases (I am not counting the old Revell F-111A/C kit.) and Academy one in 1/48 with early & late schemes plus HobbyBoss in 1/48, but they could use your masterful touch, for sure.  Choices would be: F/RF-111C in SEA/over black & F/RF-111C/G in overall gunship grey. The Aussies did some tremendous anniversary tail artwork, but standard yellow & blue lightning bolts would suffice for both schemes, I should think.

Kind regards,

Dutch  

Edited by Dutch
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13 hours ago, Grayhawk said:

I'm with you.  I have a 1/72 B-52G in SIOP that I built using the DB Conversions sets and a Monogram "52".  It's a lot of green but it looks way cool.  Now over 47 years old and I still baby it.  Maybe one day I'll donate it to the Museum at Castle as it's an aircraft from the 93rd BW.  Cheers!

 I'd love to see a pix.

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