FD AU 5

[rbz88]

[The_Sprinklez]

Denmark, F-15 Eagle


United Kingdom, F-15 Eagle

AU-ified RAF F-15s

USA, F-51J Dark Horse (P-51H Night Fighter)


USA, EC-27J Compass Pacer

A fictional Americanized variant of the EC-27J JEDI, known here under the program name COMPASS PACER.

USA, AC-27J Stinger II

A fictionalized gunship variant of the C-27J Spartan, using promotional photos from the late 2000's as reference for systems and name.

USA, F-16 Fighting Falcon (Tonopah)

Fictional Tonopah Test Range/Det 3 AFFTC F-16C liveries, using the TR tailcode seen on recent F-117 spottings.

Australia, Agama Mk. II

A fictional in-service version of the North American B-28, seen here in service with the Royal Australian Air Force as the Agama Mk. II.

Norway, Hawk 75A-6

A fictional camouflaged Royal Norwegian Air Force Hawk on skis, seen during Operation Fritham in May 1942.

USA, Curtiss XF15C

In an attempt to make up for the delays and low performance estimates of their XF14C project, Curtiss decided to modify one of their P-78As into a prototype for a carrier-capable fighter. Intended as an alternative in the event the XF14C was cancelled, the new aircraft (company designation Model 95L and Navy designation XF15C) first flew in July 1944, only days before the XF14C prototype. While the Navy considered the XF15C to be more capable than the XF14C and quicker to produce owing to the existing production of P-78s, they eventually decided to can the program anyway owing to the imminent introduction of higher-performing aircraft such as Grumman's F8F Bearcat.

The top scheme shows the prototype on its first flight, painted in all-over white with full roundel, while the bottom shows a notional in-service scheme for VF-12.

Tath, Zubovic Defiant FGS.3

[LIVEWIRE]

A side AU project showing AU USAF, US Army, and USN operators of the Lockheed Martin C-27J Spartan and associated variants.

The USAF operates the aircraft in the tactical airlift role with regular, reserve, and state air guard/air militia units both in the US and around the world (replacing older aircraft like the original C-27A, C-123 and Ahrens AR 404/C-23A); in addition AFSOC operates a dedicated SF/CSAR variant known as the MC-27J Praetorian and TAC operate a dedicated electronic warfare and attack variant designated as the EC-27J Compass Pacer (massive heads up to The_Sprinklez/etccommand for the inspiration and some drawing elements for this particular variant, much appreciated). A training version with defensive aids suite/countermeasures removed is used for the training of C-130J pilots and aircrew.

The US Army operates the aircraft for organic tactical airlift and utility roles in support of forward deployed forces such as in Europe and the Middle East. US Army C-27Js are also used by various state guards/militias for domestic support roles (such as in Alaska or in support of the USACE), by USASOC for special forces support roles, and by the US Army Airborne School at Fort Benning for paratrooper training.

Finally, the US Navy operates a number of specially modified HC-27J Ocean Sentry aircraft for maritime SAR roles such as rescue co-ordination, airdrop, and patrol as well as in a secondary MPA role. Basic C-27J models are used by both regular and US Navy Auxiliary Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons for regional airlift and utility roles transporting personnel and equipment, as well as by Fleet Marine Logistics Support Squadrons for USMC troopship roles.

[edit: minor corrections, recolouring on MC-27J wings, fuel tanks on MC-27J and HC-27Js, and maritime search radar on HC-27Js.

[Hood]

Nice work, I never tire of seeing C-27Js!

[Dansha]

[Hood]

An interesting design, any backstory to this?

[Dansha]

An interesting design, any backstory to this?

Didn't really think of any backstory for the car itself, though the world it's from is from one very different one form our own, with the Atlantic Directorate for example being what would be the US and Canadian east coast as an example. Oh, and the world has a supernatural problem too.

[rbz88]

T2T-1


MIG-19SK


A2C-1

[The_Sprinklez]

One-off AU stuff first:
UK, Douglas Digby Mk. III (B-18B, RAF Coastal Command)


USA, North American PB2J Seasnake (USMC)

Basically a PBJ-ified XB-28

USA, Pilatus C-47 (PC-24)

Notional replacements for the C-21 (in USAF service) and UC-35 (USN/USMC/US Army service)

USA, Boeing 777-200ER (Allegheny Airlines Heritage Scheme - American)

Aircraft and registration is an AAL airframe, scheme is AU.

USA, McDonnell Douglas C-9A Nightingale (Model 2086)

USA, McDonnell Douglas C-9B Skytrain II (Model 2086)

Still debating calling these Never-Were since they're just real schemes on the early DC-9 concept, but figured I'd play it safe and call them AU. If the consensus is that they're NW I'll reupload without the AU watermark in FD NW.

Recently, I've done a series of AU B-31 schemes:
USA, Douglas B-31/F-13/P4D-2W

[Kiwi Imperialist]

New Holland, Smith Aviation S.1 (N2)


The Smith Aviation S.1 was a general purpose reconnaissance aircraft and bomber built for the Royal New Holland Air Force. Known in military service as the N2, it was flown by No. 4 Squadron from the aircraft carrier Shearwater between 1928 and 1936. High loss rates led to its replacement with the Blackburn Baffin. The aircraft was designed by Herbert Smith following his departure from Mitsubishi and drew heavily from the B1M. It is notable for being New Holland’s first carrier-capable aircraft and the only type built by Smith Aviation before the firm’s closure.

In 1925 the RNHAF issued a requirement for a general purpose reconnaissance and bomber aircraft capable of carrier operations. This followed the government’s surprising and unexpected decision to acquire a small aircraft carrier. The aircraft was to have a crew of three (pilot, observer, wireless operator/gunner), a range of at least 500 miles (805 kilometres), a maximum bomb load in excess of 500 lbs (227 kg), and maximum dimensions no larger than 30ft (9 m) by 40ft (12 m).

A number of tenders were received. Towler Brothers and the Aeroplane Refurbishing Company (AeReCo) both built prototypes. From overseas came the Fairey IIID and the Blackburn R.2 Airedale. Having departed Mitsubishi the previous year, British aircraft designer Herbert Smith was in New Holland when the requirement was issued and postponed his retirement from the aviation industry to found Smith Aviation.

Working from his knowledge of the Mitsubishi B1M, Smith developed an improved model with the Hargrave Double Nine, an eighteen cylinder radial engine with an output of 500hp (373 kw). Armament included a fixed forward-firing Vickers gun, a Lewis gun on a Scarff ring, and bombs which could be carried beneath the wings.

The Smith S.1 prototype first flew in late 1926 and was handed over to the RNHAF for evaluation. Its performance was deemed satisfactory, something which could not be said for competing domestic designs and the Airedale. The IIID met the specified requirements, but was an older design with an uncertain future. Some consideration was given to purchasing the revamped IIIF. Ultimately, however, an order for sixteen examples of the Smith design was placed in 1927.

Entering service with the newly formed No. 4 Squadron in 1928, the Smith S.1 had a short and unassuming career. The type proved pivotal in developing New Holland’s understanding of carrier operations, but participated in no conflicts or notable events. Unfortunately, the S.1 had a high loss rate and, while flying was curtailed during the Great Depression, numbers dwindled. An urgent replacement was sought in 1935 and eighteen surplus Blackburn Sharks were acquired the following year. Remaining examples of the S.1 were written off shortly thereafter.

While producing the Smith S.1 for the RNHAF, Herbert Smith began working on a civil derivative tentatively named the S.2. However, the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 had a profound impact on the market and Smith Aviation closed before the design was finalised. Smith retired from the industry and left New Holland.