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| Development of the EF-111A Raven began in January 1975 when the Air Force contracted Grumman Aerospace to convert two F-111As into electronic warfare platforms. The aircraft's high speed, long range, heavy payload and reasonable cost made it ideal to protect allied tactical forces from enemy radar defenses.with TAC in November 1981. |
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| Among the Raven's most distinguishing features are a fin-tip pod or "football" mounted on top of the reinforced vertical stabilizer and a narrow canoe-shaped radome mounted under the fuselage, |
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| During operation Desert Storm an EF-111 was responsible for one of the first kills of the conflict as a maneuvering Raven caused a pursuing Iraqi Mirage to crash into the ground. |
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| Many of the details in the interior of my Spark Vark were scratch built. The helmet was carved off of an ESCI NATO pilot soft plastic figure. Harnesses were made from masking tape. |
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| My HUD is a bit oversized, but it was the closest I could find. |
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| Here is a better look at the fin-tip fairing that houses the sensitive ALQ-99 emission receiver system. This system's inputs activate the 10 powerful jammers mounted in the weapons bay. |
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| 12 EF-111s served with the 42nd ECS at Upper Heyford while 24 were based at Mountain Home AFB. 42 EF-111As were built. |
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| The tailend of the two Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 turbofan engines. |
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| ESCI/ERTL kit is certainly less detailed than the Hasegawa EF-111, but at a fraction of the price it's a great value! |
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Kit: ESCI/ERTL #099-E9072 |
Scale: 1/72 |
| Decals: Super Scale 72-614 and 72-612 |
| After Market Parts: True Details H.U.D. |
| Customizations: Scratch-built cockpit detail including seat cushions and harnesses, canopy hydraulics, and other missing details. I thinned down the leading edge on the engine intakes and carved detail into the exhaust "turkey feathers". |
| Cost / Value: I purchased this kit at Toy Liquidators for $3.99 (US)! An unbelievable value! |
Comments: Fit is good overall with the exception of the canopy which I had to add shims underneath to make it fit.
Panel lines are resessed and crisp. This kit is molded in a relatively soft caref is needed when sanding seams. |
