Only seven F-111Bs flew. There were
three different configurations, not counting paint schemes and detail
differences: the first three, the middle two, and the final two. The first five
had the short nose and translating cowl inlet; the final two the long nose and a
blow-in door inlet. In 1/72 scale, the Hasegawa F-111C has the requisite long
wing, translating cowl inlet, and boat tail for the fifth F-111B, which was used
for the carrier landing trials. In 1/48, the Academy-Minicraft F-111C is the
equivalent. All that's needed is the nose, other unique parts, and decals.
(Forget about the 1/72 Revell kit, the F-111B nose is the least accurate part in
it.) At least one aftermarket nose has been available in each scale in the past
but these are out of production and hard to find, with the exception of a 1/48 nose
by Custom Aeronautical Minatures that is available from John's Models.
Click on
images below to see larger images
In any event, these have been
superseded by 1/72 and 1/48 conversion kits from Pete's Hangar, distributed by Sprue
Brothers in the US and Victorian
Hobby Centre in Australia. This conversion includes the F-111B short nose,
the complete launch bar nose gear in brass (1/72) or plastic (1/48) with resin
wheels, F-111B main wheels, the IR detection pod, a tail hook installation,
paint/markings instructions, and last but definitely not least, decals. The
parts are excellent quality, the nose profile looks right, and the decals
provide for any of the first five airplanes, including the big blue Phoenix
Missile System logo that was on the tail of 151971 and 972. If the tail hook
installation doesn't look correct for the specific airplane you're modeling,
it's easily replaced by a scratch-built substitute.
Sprue Brothers also sells a
set of modelers notes on the F-111B that includes an update to my monograph on
the F-111B. For a preview and more background on the F-111B, go to http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2009/10/grumman-f-111b.html
Tommy H. Thomason
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