General Dynamics FB-111A, 343rd
Bomb Squadron, 509th Bomb Wing
USAF Strategic Air Command,
Pease AFB, New Hampshire, 1979
The FB-111A, derived from the F-111A, was
modified to perform the USAF Strategic Air Command’s nuclear deterrent
mission. Major differences between the F and FB models included the addition of
the long span wing found on the F-111B and F-111C, Fuselage length increased by
2 ft, 1 in, additional mission avionics, ECM, AGM-69A SRAM capability, stronger
main landing gear and uprated TF-30 turbofan engines. The FB-111A entered
service as a long range medium bomber with SAC in 1969 with the 340th
Bomb Wing, then at Carswell AFB, Texas. Although retired from SAC service in
1991, the FB was redesigned F-111G and would remain in the USAF inventory a few
more years and later, a number were acquired by the RAAF.
Using the Academy 1/48 scale FB-111 as a basis, I
proceeded to modify and detail the kit. Starting with the cockpit, I totally
discarded the kit provided parts and used the Verlinden F-111F cockpit, which I
modified to FB standard. Modifications included the addition of FB specific
console and main panel details and added the Combat Mission Folder (CMF) storage
boxes located at the rear of both the Aircraft Commander’s and Radar-Navigator’s
consoles. I cut the canopy open using a razor saw and added the appropriate
latches and other small canopy details including the flash curtains. Lastly, the
canopy was tinted using Tamiya smoke. I next turned my attention to the fuselage
where I rebuilt and detailed the main and nose gear wells, detailed the gear
struts with brake/hydraulic/electrical lines and added MV lenses for
landing/taxi lights. I also boxed in the intakes and added fan blade fronts to
represent the intakes for the first stage engine compressors. To give my FB a
more candid appearance, I decided to open the weapons bay. Using photos and an
actual FB-111 Technical Order as a guide, I cut the bay area open, scratch built
the bay and fabricated new doors and door hinges from sheet styrene. Finally,
numerous small details were added such as antennas, dielectric panels, and the
window for the stellar navigation system was located on the raised area between
the canopy and radome.
In keeping with my desire to create a more candid
appearance, I decided to drop/extend the flaps and slats on my model. Since the
FB-111 uses the extended span wing (3 ½ ft longer) of the B/C model), I was
unable to use Paragon’s exquisite flap/slat set which is appropriate for the
A/D/E/F/EF models only. I cut the flap/slat surfaces from the kit wings and
scratch built new flaps, leading edge slats and fuselage glove vanes using sheet
styrene once again. Maybe someone could convince Paragon to produce a long wing
set too! One final note. The wings and fuselage were assembled in a manner that
would allow me to slide them in position after final painting and decaling was
completed.
My model depicts a late 70’s SIOP EWO
configured FB-111A from the 343BMS, 509BMW. The configuration consist of four
external tanks, two external AGM-69 SRAM’s, and two B-61 nuclear gravity bombs
in the weapons bay. The kit provided external tanks are inaccurate and I
replaced them with four tanks taken from Monogram’s A-10. The outboard tank
and pylon are positioned to represent the 10 degree nose in angle with the wing
at full forward sweep. In addition to the tanks, the kit pylons are incorrect
for the FB-111 and were replaced by two sets of Maintrack Models FB-111 pylons
which were also modified to represent the differences between weapons and tank
pylons. The AGM-69 SRAMs came form the Revell B-1B kit and were modified with
the aerodynamic fairing that cover the rear of the missile when carried
externally. The two B-61s in the weapons bay were taken from the Testor’s/Italeri
F-117 kit. My FB is finished in the standard 70’s SAC SIOP scheme consisting
of FS 34079 Green, FS 34159 Green, FS 34201 Tan, with the standard white
anti-flash bottom. All colors were from Testor’s Model Master line. (SAC used
different colors and pattern from the F-111s assigned to TAC and USAFE)
Additional pictures of the finished model are provided below.
Scott
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