Rockwell/BAe Excalibur B.1

[ShaunBD]

History-

After the Falklands War and the retirement of the Vulcan the RAF realised that it still needed a long range heavy bomber.

The British government could not afford a completely new design of aircraft, so turned its attention to the US for a bomber replacement.

Entering USAF service at this time was the Rockwell B-1B. The MOD studied this type and conclude that it would fit the future requirement for a new RAF bomber.

A contract was drawn up between the United States and the UK for procurement of the aircraft.

To offset the cost, many subsystems and avionics were contracted out to British manufactures and these were controlled by BAe Systems.

The new aircraft, was named the Excalibur for RAF Service.

The first Squadron to operate the new aircraft was 617 “Dambusters†Squadron based at RAF Fairford.

The aircraft is operated in the low level penetration role.

The truth-

This model was built from the Panda model 1/144 B-1B Lancer kit, This kit would never win a completion but it does look like a B-1B.

The fit is quite poor, So I just plonked it together and painted it in the RAF wrap round scheme.

This is not my normal build standard, just a little fun. :blink:

The reason I built the kit like this, is too have a little fun and because the kit has terrible decals!.

For my build, the decals came from an old Hasegawa Tornado kit.

I like 617 Squadrons markings, so I made a “What Ifâ€model instead.

Hope you all like it. ;)

Shaun.

Edited October 30, 2007 by ShaunBD

[Nev]

Looks great - I hope you don't mind, I've posted a link to this thread over on the What If? forums, here

[GA.modelmaker]

man that looks great from were i am sitting. its to bad the britts really dont have any long range bombers like that i ther fleet.

[Aggressor Supporter]

Whoa! Great looking what if! Nice and clean too is a big

[pminer]

Wow...great build! Maybe a little more weathering? I love the concept and the paint job!!