In the decades after the end of Space War I and during the reconstruction of Earth and the initial movement of colony missions, most ELINT, recon, C2, and AWACS support was provided by modified VF-1Ds (VEFR-1) or purpose-built ships derived from the VT-1 (VE-1). With the main fighter force transitioning to the VF-4 and VF-5000 variable fighters, a new platform with higher speed and more up to date technology was desired.
The solution Northrom-Grumman came up with was to fit an updated version of the VE-1's sensor and ECM suite in their successful and easily adaptable VA-3 Invader spaceframe. The new craft, called the VE-3 Howler, featured a second crewmember to handle the data load from the sensors and to control the powerful ECM and ECCM systems it was fitted with. The Howler remained completely combat-capable and retained all the pylons and carrying capacity of the base attack plane. Occasionally, in some squadrons and missions, the radar dome could be dismounted to improve speed and maneuver capablilities.
Eventually, the VE-3 was supported by new variable fighter-class craft with a similar mission, versions of the successful VF-11, the VF-17, and VF-171. Despite being slow and vunerable in comparison to the smaller ships, the VE-3 (Redesignated by NUNS as the RVA-3 and carrying an enhanced electronics suite) continues to serve in various planetary defense forces and outlying colonies.
XRaiderV1.7226I have absolutely no ideaPosts: 1,074Member
Here's something I've been working on too, especially since I just rewatched Stratos 4. It's the TSR-2MS, a customized TSR-2 modified for use by the Meteor Sweepers in high-altitude intercepts of falling cometary fragments. It has a new one-piece canopy, RCS thrusters in the nose, and a rocket booster that's used with a zero-length launch from a rail, along with disposable rocket boosters hung under the wings. I'm going to do color profiles of the various schemes it wears during the course of the show.
Yeah, I was looking at that too. I was concerned with washing out the actual image around there with too much shading and highlighting, but I'll go back and work on it again.
Yeah, about thirty years worth of TSR-2s in NASA. It's unreadable, but there's text on the stripe of the last one saying "Last Chase, TSR-2: 1969-1999". I'm going to work on the canopy, I still don't know how to really do glass yet. Some Canadian birds coming soon!
Here are the TSR-2s I finished while the site was hacked.
They are a black RAF TSR-2, based on a model someone did over at What If forums. XR229, the weapon carriage test bird for the flight test program of the TSR-2. The other two Canadian examples, one from the unified Canadian Forces and the other a Tiger Meet example from the early 1980s Canadian Air Force.
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F-27C Warhawk II
F-29C Lynx
Cant wait to see more!
Fanracer and Fanliner from Macross
sorry if I'm nagging, just curious, is all.
Eventually! XD I'm working on that some and the VF-19F.
if I supply a 5 view done by someone I know, would it help you out, and possibly convince you to render the other views as well?
I'm going to, but that's why I'm holding off until I improve my skills!
In the meantime, here's another retro 1970s squadron markings VF-4, SVF-151 Vigilantes.
In the decades after the end of Space War I and during the reconstruction of Earth and the initial movement of colony missions, most ELINT, recon, C2, and AWACS support was provided by modified VF-1Ds (VEFR-1) or purpose-built ships derived from the VT-1 (VE-1). With the main fighter force transitioning to the VF-4 and VF-5000 variable fighters, a new platform with higher speed and more up to date technology was desired.
The solution Northrom-Grumman came up with was to fit an updated version of the VE-1's sensor and ECM suite in their successful and easily adaptable VA-3 Invader spaceframe. The new craft, called the VE-3 Howler, featured a second crewmember to handle the data load from the sensors and to control the powerful ECM and ECCM systems it was fitted with. The Howler remained completely combat-capable and retained all the pylons and carrying capacity of the base attack plane. Occasionally, in some squadrons and missions, the radar dome could be dismounted to improve speed and maneuver capablilities.
Eventually, the VE-3 was supported by new variable fighter-class craft with a similar mission, versions of the successful VF-11, the VF-17, and VF-171. Despite being slow and vunerable in comparison to the smaller ships, the VE-3 (Redesignated by NUNS as the RVA-3 and carrying an enhanced electronics suite) continues to serve in various planetary defense forces and outlying colonies.
still, nice drawing as always.
Two more retro VF-4s.
They are a black RAF TSR-2, based on a model someone did over at What If forums. XR229, the weapon carriage test bird for the flight test program of the TSR-2. The other two Canadian examples, one from the unified Canadian Forces and the other a Tiger Meet example from the early 1980s Canadian Air Force.