tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post3076018285860157978..comments2024-03-08T16:42:41.614-08:00Comments on Tailhook Topics: Grumman F-111BTailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-20608393282364605832021-01-21T04:35:46.572-08:002021-01-21T04:35:46.572-08:00I am a bit confused by the paint scheme on 970 at ...I am a bit confused by the paint scheme on 970 at rollout. It looks like the white on the rear fuselage goes all the way up to the level of the wings. Is that right? Was she later repainted with the gray going lower?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15077898205205013697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-28440600316691209322020-05-31T01:09:51.228-07:002020-05-31T01:09:51.228-07:00Just wanted to express my appreciation for this F-...Just wanted to express my appreciation for this F-111B page and all the information that adds to your excellent F-111B monograph. Reading the comments, I found that on December 26, 2009, you answered that it was your belief that the two internal AIM-54As were ejected (probably, to my guess, from a LAU-93 or similar launcher) - rather than extended on a trapeze launcher like the F-102/F-106 with the AIM-4. This makes my upcoming build that much easier.ArgieFBFanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14634707965892325770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-10609791175117814362018-03-30T16:55:34.368-07:002018-03-30T16:55:34.368-07:00FB-11A 67-0160 had the same inlet with double blow...FB-11A 67-0160 had the same inlet with double blow in doors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-36569764943377280512014-09-11T19:21:08.431-07:002014-09-11T19:21:08.431-07:00Although it has been more than a year since anyone...Although it has been more than a year since anyone has commented here, I am compelled to commend you for your efforts on this subject. I have been involved in an ongoing project to kit bash the hideous and ancient Airfix F-111 into a B model (the kit does have its redeeming qualities, for instance it has the under-wing boundery layer air vents even though it was billed as an E model).<br /><br />Here's a link to my photobucket page showing my progress so far, your work has been an information bonanza for which you are to be gratefully thanked.<br /><br />http://s926.photobucket.com/user/uberdave1/library/F-111B?sort=3&page=1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-68165599969525485722013-06-09T10:54:14.088-07:002013-06-09T10:54:14.088-07:00The only one I know of was produced by Pete's ...The only one I know of was produced by Pete's Hangar, which is long out of production. However, you might email Victorian Hobby Centre in Australia and see if they have one or can get some more: sales@victorianhobbycentre.com.auTailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-72262751627372660902013-06-09T10:01:49.417-07:002013-06-09T10:01:49.417-07:00Does anyone know where you can get 1/48 f111b Deca...Does anyone know where you can get 1/48 f111b Decals Sheet. Thanks Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-18728901660606226432013-04-15T10:30:23.327-07:002013-04-15T10:30:23.327-07:00David,
My short answer to the F-111B production i...David,<br /><br />My short answer to the F-111B production inlet is I don't know. Since GD was responsible for inlet development, Grumman was usually at least one iteration behind in inlet configuration and playing catch-up. For example, 152714 was painted as if it originally had a splitter plate. However, both it and 715 got a version of the Triple Plow II inlet but with two suck-in doors (the cowls appear to be modified translating units so the door configuration might have been unique to these two aircraft.<br /><br />The three-view drawing in the F-111B flight manual has all the production features like the long nose (which 714 and 715 had) and higher canopy (which neither had since that required a redesign and possibly a requalification of the crew module). However, the inlet has a splitter plate and two suck-in doors, which doesn't match any of the inlets flown as far as I know.<br /><br />The F-111B might well have ended up with a somewhat unique inlet because of the need for low-speed thrust for carrier takeoffs and waveoffs. However, the way to bet is that the production airplanes would have had the production Triple Plow II inlets on the FB-111A.Tailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-36407689612960280812013-04-15T08:17:57.092-07:002013-04-15T08:17:57.092-07:00Great material here. Thanks for publishing it. ...Great material here. Thanks for publishing it. Was the proposed production inlet to have a Triple Plow 1- type splitter plate but with blow in doors instead of the translating cowl?<br /><br />David W.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-89928595078328062282013-03-12T17:03:14.560-07:002013-03-12T17:03:14.560-07:00Any conversion should be of the late prototype, &#...Any conversion should be of the late prototype, 'production' airframe as the amount of work that went into getting these aircraft's high lift systems ready to pass the carrier qualification testing and be deemed operationally suitable was an enormous achievement for a group that knew, going in, (Congress cancelled funding the day the tests began as I recall) that they were the red headed step child of an actively sabotaging NavAir.<br /><br />The aircraft did indeed pass the carrier suitability tests and was a much better performer around the boat than the F-14 was before DFCS (i.e. for 90% of it's service life). The longer nose and slightly upturned ogival radome are also very eye pleasing to me.<br /><br />I would add that a complete weapons bay with options for AIM-9 or AIM-54 (if it will fit) would also be welcome as the F-111B was also always a superior 'Missileer' to the Turkey with six Phoenix and 2hrs on station as a norm. Something the F-14A could simply never do with the TF30 engines and the F-14B/D only with considerable risk as the tunnel stations put the aircraft on the edge of some unpleasant CG issues.<br /><br />If you ever manage to get all this together (final prototype noses and weapons bays), please post a note on ARC and Hyperscale and I'll buy a pair of 48th sets from you.<br /><br />Thanks for a good read. KPl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-11494015919166468202012-05-23T15:46:56.713-07:002012-05-23T15:46:56.713-07:00Tommy
Thanks for bringing this info to light. I r...Tommy<br /><br />Thanks for bringing this info to light. I really appreciated the drawings your sent me. Like Scott Batttistoni my dad also worked for Grumman on the F-111B program At Calverton before being transferred to the Lunar Module project (Apollo 11,12 and 13). <br /><br />Again Thanks so much!Dr. Plastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12975835609506660866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-66565397953904780732012-01-26T10:36:29.349-08:002012-01-26T10:36:29.349-08:00Hello Tommy,
Great reading and wonderful informati...Hello Tommy,<br />Great reading and wonderful information.<br />My father was on the 111 program off and on from start to finish at GD Fort Worth.<br /><br />Thanks for this wonderful information.<br /><br />Scotty BattistoniAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-19571143043390979832011-10-07T08:25:15.630-07:002011-10-07T08:25:15.630-07:00Hello, Tommy,
My dad left the Navy after 28 years ...Hello, Tommy,<br />My dad left the Navy after 28 years of flying and went to work for Grumman in flight safety dept. His first job was the F-111B. I was 14 at the time and can remember getting to go down to GD in Ft. Worth and watching take offs and landings, and also seeing them fly out at Peconic. It was a grand time to be a model builder. There may still be some of his notes in storage so I wil look next time I visit. If I find anything that I think might be of use to you I will let you know. Thanks fo this little jaunt down memory lane.<br />Cheers from NYC,<br />Michael ScarboroughMichael Scarboroughhttp://michaelscarboroughdesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-29257653759575039752011-01-08T17:07:33.942-08:002011-01-08T17:07:33.942-08:00Hiya TT,
just wanted to say thank you for t...Hiya TT,<br /> just wanted to say thank you for the invaluable info you have posted, as I've been converting an Airfix 1/72 F-111E recently. It was my most ambitious project for a long while, and ended up a part scratch build due to inability to source the conversion set, but it got moderately close in the end (yes, I did up-angle the main gear, but no, I didn't put the rear door on a trapeze - too lazy for that! I also used standard AIM-54's from the Hasegawa Weapons kit - I suspect that they are C's, but otherwise I'm hoping it meets your approval.) <br /><br />I've sent a pm on another site with the actual links.<br /><br />Really - thanks again - your website was invaluable.<br /><br />James (Paveshadow)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-37892483463915127062010-11-17T06:39:35.456-08:002010-11-17T06:39:35.456-08:00For a pre-production nose in 1/72 I used a Revell ...For a pre-production nose in 1/72 I used a Revell Su-27 nose and looking at the measurements in your notes it's not too far out, about 1/20th of an inch short. In 1/48 I have a Quickboost Su-27 replacement resin nose to use. The Pete's Hangar set is disappointing in that the prototype nose seems too short (I used the Esoteric nose and the result is still short by about 1/6 of an inch). The wheels also seem to be exactly the same as the kit ones.That leaves the nose gear which is welcome and the decals. Pylons are easily sourced from a scrap F-18 kit with their rear edges cut back.Chris Walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-53999981180105151812010-08-25T02:44:34.106-07:002010-08-25T02:44:34.106-07:00I haven't personally checked this but I would ...I haven't personally checked this but I would be surprised if it didn't. The Hobbyboss canopy and main wheel wells have been criticized but the kit is reportedly cheaper and/or more available than the Academy/Minicraft one.Tailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-68052056544998747422010-08-24T23:22:34.356-07:002010-08-24T23:22:34.356-07:00Do you think the Pete's Hangers 1/48 nose will...Do you think the Pete's Hangers 1/48 nose will fit the HobbyBoss F-111C?<br />ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-19911277962475819592009-12-26T05:26:10.705-08:002009-12-26T05:26:10.705-08:00I've looked at modifying the F-111A nose that ...I've looked at modifying the F-111A nose that comes with the kit and while it could form the basis for the production F-111B nose if sectioned and cut down, it wouldn't be a straightforward modification. I suspect that the other noses you mention would start off being too narrow, which would again require considerable surgery. I've tried to interest a few of the conversion part manufacturers in making this nose and chosen to wait until one does so.<br /><br />With respect to mounting the Phoenix in the bomb bay, I've only seen a simple inboard profile that shows the missile in place. Due to the size of the missile, my guess is that it was dropped rather than extended on a rail, so the mounting would be a simple pylon. However, I doubt that any of the aircraft that flew had the pylons installed, since the bomb bay was probably needed for flight test instrumentation, particularly the F-111Bs that had the Phoenix Missile System installed.Tailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-2515907150264342552009-12-25T18:06:58.245-08:002009-12-25T18:06:58.245-08:00Mr. Thomason,
I'd be interested in hearing yo...Mr. Thomason,<br /><br />I'd be interested in hearing your opinion of the best place to start for the final two F-111B noses. The shape of the base reminds me of the F-14 but the nose is distinctly closer to being an F/A-18 or even F-15 in styling. Also, are there any drawings, perhaps in the pilots manual, which detail the mounting hardware for the internal missiles?<br /><br />Thanks for this writeup, I have your book as well and it's comforting to know I won't have to cut and splice the forward fuselage height increase at least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-41261733480092215982009-10-28T06:25:29.163-07:002009-10-28T06:25:29.163-07:00Hello Tommy,
Great info for my F-111B project.
I...Hello Tommy,<br /><br />Great info for my F-111B project.<br /><br />It would be nice to see that kind of detailed info about the reworked version of the F-8 Crusader (F-8K,P,..) : type of ejection seat, wheels, layout of cockpit,...<br /><br />MarcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-36642868665524195832009-10-13T19:12:09.574-07:002009-10-13T19:12:09.574-07:00Hey Tommy. I always enjoy reading your comments an...Hey Tommy. I always enjoy reading your comments and posts regarding USN aircraft. You've revealed alot of information not only on well known aircratft but also of the not so well known ones as well as the really not so well known ones. I have found your insights very informative.<br /><br />I have your monograph on the F-111B. It is the most comprehensive history of this particular variant of the F-111 series I know of. There have been many books and publications on the USAF's many F-111 versions. The USN's version meanwhile has slipped into relative obscurity. Thanks for shedding a new light on this very interesting aircraft. Not just the design but the politics also.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com