MP Airforce

[rcaf_777]

Here's an idea that I am working on, a group of five aircraft operating in a COIN role I was think of P-51D Mustangs, I mean small aircraft, easy to fly and carry a guns and bombs, and they fly from improvised runways, still trying to work out some details, well post once done, any thoughs

[helbent4]

Here's an idea that I am working on, a group of five aircraft operating in a COIN role I was think of P-51D Mustangs, I mean small aircraft, easy to fly and carry a guns and bombs, and they fly from improvised runways, still trying to work out some details, well post once done, any thoughs

RCAF,

Have you thought something more and proven and/or designed for COIN like the OV-10 Bronco Or if you want something more WWII-ish, the good old Skyraider With these multirole planes you carry a lot more munitions, plus they can carry passengers too.

While the Mustang certainly can carry out ground-attack roles (and tangle with any 4th Reich FW-190s to boot) they would seem a little on the exotic side.

Tony

[dragoon500ly]

I have to agree with Tony, the ole Bronco or Spad would be better choices. The Bronco has turboshaft engines and the Spad, has a great big, old-fashioned radial, one that you can shoot a couple of cylinder heads off and it'll still work.

The Bronco also has the advantage of having a cargo bay, useful for light loads and it can even drop 3-4 paratroopers!

The Spad has four 20mm cannons for strafing and carry quite an extensive ordnance load for a long time.

The Mustang uses a liquid-cooled RR Merlin, the radiator and coolant lines all run down the belly of the fuselage, NOT a good location when working close to the ground (as an aside, most of the Mustangs lost were due to ground fire). Ordnance loadout is limited as well, there are only two hardpoints.

[rcaf_777]

I choses the Mustang due to is size, beacuse your going to have take it apart to have fit underground for storage, the mustang will just fit a 40 Ft Seacan, I also though the MP would'nt want to attractive attention by building a some what modern frontline combat aircraft, I ,mean mustangs are used for racing and by aircraft collectors, so a small compnay building mustangs would be not be out of place. But I do like the Skyraider but can is operate from small grass fields, I mean was it a carrier based aircraft You will need a aircraft and fly off any small airfeild since I woudl assume that COIN unit would move around based on the local security concerns. I also though that the MP could try and start a plant building and training pliots for this aircraft, (an idea I though about after reading the In the Ashes Series)

[dragoon500ly]

The Spad started life as the replacement for the TBF Avengers in carrier air wings, it was used in Korea from the modified Essex-class carriers as well as with the Marine attack squadrons, so it is capable of short take off as well as rough strip usage. Of the three proposed, the Bronco is the best at short take off and was purpose built for rough fields.

Just a couple of suggestions, but you may want to consider a couple of other aircraft. From the Vietnam-era how about the CV-2B Caribou, a purpose-built short-take off from rough stips cargo carrier. Its a twin-radial engine, high wing design that has a crew of 3, has a cruising speed of 150mph and a useful endurance of 6hrs, 30mins and a max load of 9,924lbs it could carry up to 32 troops or 20 litters w/2 medics. I know its not a COIN bird, but...it could be modified into a poor man's gunship! And you get the ability to transport a useful load of cargo.

Just a thought!

[rcaf_777]

Here the problem that I have here are the lenghts of the above metioned aircraft

P-51D Mustang - Length 37 ft
A-1 Skyraider - Length 38 ft 10 in
CV-2 Caribou - Length 72 ft

In the United States domestic standard containers are generally 48 ft and 53-ft. This is what I had though would make a good bolt hole it would shape in 12 spoke wheel here what I have for contents

Underground Layout

Center Ring Elevator/Access

Containers 1-5 One 51-D Mustang COIN Aircraft
Container 6 Portable Machine Shop
Container 7 Spare Parts
Container 8 Airfield Equipment oe see below
Container 9 Airfield Equipment oe see below
Container 10 Ammunition
Container 11 Aircraft Tug and APU
Container 12 Bolthole with Bugout Vehicle

still working on the team layout too

[dragoon500ly]

Hmmmm, may not be as much as a problem as you think.

In WWII, when that Army Air Forces were shipping planes to everywhere, a fighter would be broken down into its major components, they'd remove the wings and stow them along the fuselage, ditto with the tail planes, pull the rudder assembly, remove the prop (sometimes the engine) so that the entire package would fit into a standard cargo container. As long as the crew reassembling the thing had the correct instructions, a good lifting jig and tool set, there was little problem with the reassembly.

The Caribou, is a different problem. Twin engined aircraft had the wings outboard of the engines pulled, stored on a platform under the fuselage, ditto for the props, and they would often have the entire tail assembly dismantled and stored with the wings/props.

Might not fit into a standard cargo container, but I've always considered the Caribou to be just too useful an aircraft not to be included. Yes its dated tech, yes the Air Farce got rid of theirs just as quickly as possible, but while the Army had them they were excellent, easy-maintained machines able to get their cargo wherever it was needed.

[nuke11]

I'm currently in the process of writting down some ideas for a mini module that revolves around an MP Airbase for my website. I'm considering the Bronco or Skyraider, but I'm also kicking around the idea of a more modern aircraft like the EMB-314 as well.

[rcaf_777]

dose the MP have a fussion powerplant for aircraft

[nuke11]

Yes. The Prime Base module has a C-130 Herc and a helicopter listed. I believe they where to be fusioned powered. The big problem I see with this is the aircraft can fly around the world non stop, which will make it very difficult on the PD to control the players.

Some sort of impossed limitations need to be imposed.

[Matt W]

Rcaf,

I don't see why you couldn't use the P-51 Mustang. My only criticsm would be that (unlike the Hercules and the helicopters) the Mustang is not really a multi-role aircraft - and the Project might want something with a little more versatility

My suggestions for the (fixed-wing) MP Air Force would include

1. Sadler Piranha: an armed ultralight, with folding wings (make that a HEAVILY armed ultralight)
2. Cessna 337: twin engine utility (also known as O-2 Skymaster or FTB337G Milirole)
3. Britten-Norman Defender: armed STOL light transport

Incidentally, are you considering any variants of the Mustang, such as the Piper PA-48 Enforcer

[dragoon500ly]

I'm currently in the process of writting down some ideas for a mini module that revolves around an MP Airbase for my website. I'm considering the Bronco or Skyraider, but I'm also kicking around the idea of a more modern aircraft like the EMB-314 as well.

Why You don't need the latest and best in equipment, for example, the old C-47 transport is still in use in several air forces, as well as for several air transport companies...is it outdated, difficult to load Yup...but the reason why it is still in service, when the US was building the transport, they also produced tons of spare parts, it is still possible as of 2009, to get "brand new" parts, they have been setting in government warehouses for 60+ years, but still in original wrapping.

The Spad is in similar shape as far as spares go, there was even a brand new production run during the 1960s to insure that an adequate supply of parts were on hand.

And for OT entertainment, the US government sold as surplus five M-4A3E8 Sherman tanks....that have been setting in a warehouse since they were built in 1951. Sold to collectors/museums in 2010.

Remember that scene at the end of the first Indiana Jones Hmmmm

[Gamer]

Nuke11, if you are considering light modern coin aircraft might I suggest the Air Tractors AT802U longsword.

[nuke11]

Nuke11, if you are considering light modern coin aircraft might I suggest the Air Tractors AT802U longsword.

Yes I have looked at it. Just not sure of it yet. Still need to read the specs of it and see what it can handle.

[Gamer]

For those interested.
AT802U brochure

and some eye candy