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What Might have Been GB *** GB Forum is Open ***

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 4:48 pm
by Spaceowl
Just a suggestion - as a variation on the usual 'what if' format, instead having a 'what might have been' one

To clarify, where a what if build normally has no restrictions, this one has to be rooted in possibility - an machine that was offered for service but lost to other opposition (for instance the Northop A-9 which lost to the A-10) or never entered service after being ordered (The F-111 in RAF colours or the TSR.2). This allows the fun of a usual What If GB with added scope for research, the bit of the hobby I personally enjoy most.

Thoughts?

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 5:08 pm
by The Great Auk
How about expanding this a bit to include export customers that never were? Perhaps an EE Lightning in Portuguese markings for example.

I like this idea and would participate!

The Great Auk

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 5:12 pm
by iggie
Sounds good!

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 5:30 pm
by Old_Tonto
The Great Auk wrote:How about expanding this a bit to include export customers that never were? Perhaps an EE Lightning in Portuguese markings for example.

I like this idea and would participate!

The Great Auk
Oh yes, like a Polish Spitfire or West German Marineflieger Buccaneer.

Or even a Japanese Viggen, they were an option...... 8-)

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 6:15 pm
by JohnRatzenberger
I agree the research aspect is great fun, and there certainly are a number of "also rans" out there.

Just to be clear, this would eliminate "paper" projects ?

And the usual question -- aviation only or armor, ships, autos, etc ?

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 6:52 pm
by MarkyM607
Sounds interesting. Like the Buccaneer idea but will see what else takes my fancy. :grin:

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 8:00 pm
by Spaceowl
jRatz wrote:I agree the research aspect is great fun, and there certainly are a number of "also rans" out there.

Just to be clear, this would eliminate "paper" projects ?

And the usual question -- aviation only or armor, ships, autos, etc ?
Yes, no paper projects(probably kills 80%+ of Luftwaffe 46 subjects, but allows things like Do335s in Papagei Staffeln markings - substitute German squadron of choice :) ), but allows for aircraft that were inspected but not taken onto strength like the Marineflieger Buccaneer, the JASDF Viggen and the Argentinian Air Force Mirage F1.

I think it should be open to all subjects. I'd quite like to see an IDF Chieftain, for instance...

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 8:05 pm
by Spaceowl
The Great Auk wrote:How about expanding this a bit to include export customers that never were? Perhaps an EE Lightning in Portuguese markings for example.

I like this idea and would participate!

The Great Auk
Preferably ones that were offered or inquired into, like the examples mentioned above, or the 1960s Egyptian Air Force Lightnings, but I wouldn't want to be a fascist about this. In fact, justify it with a little creative writing and sure, go for it! Maybe Francoist Spain gets into a border dispute with Portugal and the PAF decide they need something better than old Sabres to defend their airspace, for instance.

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 10:05 pm
by IronMan129
I could do a Harrier in an export customer's scheme that never was, Ill do some research into what was an option.

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 20th, 2017, 10:46 pm
by JohnRatzenberger
I like the "Preferably ones that were offered or inquired into" -- otherwise it'll just degenerate into a Whiff variation.

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 21st, 2017, 1:29 am
by Spaceowl
Maverick231 wrote:I could do a Harrier in an export customer's scheme that never was, Ill do some research into what was an option.
Peoples Republic of China. They were looking into a big licence-production deal in the late 70s as a replacement for their MiG-17 derivatives. Probably wouldn't have worked, but a Chinese Harrier GR.1 in Chinese three-colour camo...hold on, where's the sketch pad?... :grin:

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 21st, 2017, 1:31 am
by Spaceowl
jRatz wrote:I like the "Preferably ones that were offered or inquired into" -- otherwise it'll just degenerate into a Whiff variation.
My view entirely. There has to be some kind of paper trail showing that it was a real world possibility, so South Korean A-10 Yes, RAF A-10 no. Unless you know something I don't. Which is entirely likely, now I think about it... :-D

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 21st, 2017, 1:39 am
by Gregers
I like this idea. True 'what if's' like the Israeli F86. One was even painted in IAF colours in Canada if I remember correctly. I have been planning a build like this aanyway but I'll keep it to myself for a little while as there are options. . Count me in.

all the best.

Greg.

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 21st, 2017, 2:41 am
by JohnRatzenberger
Strikes me that I have, by my "no paper projects" endorsement, just disqualified my primary candidate -- the Vickers Type C Bomber :frown:
Oh, well, there are other fish in the sea stash ...

Re: What Might have Been GB

Posted: December 21st, 2017, 6:04 am
by IronMan129
Now there's some food for thought, a Harrier from Taiwan......