Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 14)

This Corsair FG.2, number 207 of 892 Squadron, flown by Lt Sarah MacIntosh, claimed an SA-8 Gecko with an AGM-45 Shrike on the morning of 29/4/84. This same Corsair was shot down by a Mauritanian MiG-25 two days later, the pilot ejecting safely.

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 13)

Just before dawn on the morning of the 29th of April 1984, HMS Hermes Strike Wing launched for an attack on a Mauritanian  Air Force FOB (Forward Operating Base). Hermes three Corsair FGR.2 Squadrons 892, 890 and the newly redesignated 871 Squadron participated in the attacks.

The attacks resulted in the destruction of the airfield, fifteen aircraft parked about the airfield and six surface to air missile batteries. The Corsairs were armed with various combinations of Matra rocket pods, BL755 cluster bombs, 1000lb bombs, Skipper II LGRP bombs, Maverick missiles and Shrike missiles.

 

Lt George Williams, of 892 Squadron, flying Corsair 203 (illustrated above), managed to destroy two MiG-23's and a MiG-17 during his attack. The HMS Hermes Attack Wing concept proved to be so successful that the previously designated 771 Squadron (a shore based training Squadron), which had been dispatched at short notice, was re-designated 871 Squadron and brought up to front line combat status.

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 12)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 11)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 10)

Lt P Watson downed an Su-25 Frogfoot in this aircraft with an AIM-9L Sidewinder whilst in support of SAS troops attempting to rescue BP engineers being held hostage.

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 9)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 8)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 7)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 6)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 5)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 4)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 3)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 2)

Royal Navy A-7E Corsair (version 1)

RNZN A-7E Corsair.

The anchor seen in the bottom left corner goes on the upper starboard and underside port wings, in a similar location to the Kiwi on the upper port wing, so that when the wings are folded you can see the anchor in the same orientation as illustrated. (Hope that makes sense) :)

RAN A-7E Corsair.

“CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody!”

To the people of Boston and all Americans that visit this Blog, let me say that I'm sorry this happened to you, but I'm overjoyed that its over and that the terrorists have been dealt with. Your Law Enforcement community showed an outstanding amount of sheer professionalism. God bless!

Now, go celebrate everything that’s great about your country!

Regards

Richard Chafer.

German Navy A-4GD Skyhawk desert scheme.

German Navy Skyhawk.

Gekko Graphics now on Facebook!

Hi guys, finally gotten around to getting a Facebook presence operational!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gekko-Graphics/243955695733324

So stop by and say "Hi" and "Like" it if you want to. It may be a better/easier way for people to contact me and keep up with any news in addition to here of course. Cheers!

A-4G+ VFA-724, Nowra NAS.

Two greys. A-4G pre-upgrade.

Desert Skyhawk.

This one is based on the Australian Army desert camouflage uniform.

"What if?" Skyhawks of the Royal Australian Navy.

Hi guys, well what might have been if the Australian Government had kept its Fleet Air Arm and upgraded the Skyhawk in a similar way to how the RNZAF did? New radar, GPS equipped and laser designator capable. Also, what might of camouflage schemes looked like for the upgraded Skyhawks, called A-4G+ in this case?

I’ll consider both air superiority and ground hugging camouflage schemes in this study. The Air Superiority schemes speak for themselves. The low level schemes take into account the effects of the Su-27 Flanker family’s arrival in the Asia Pacific region.

In my version of this “What if?” reality there is no such thing as ‘budgets’ so many experiments are/were carried out. Plus the many exercises partaken in across the country and abroad and the camouflage schemes applied for them.

This should be interesting. Let me know what you think and don’t hesitate to offer possible camouflage/markings ideas!