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Maintrack's P1154 does not come with armament fitted. This is understandable as the manufacturer's models pictured in various sources were unarmed. Modellers who make the kit may welcome some guidance on possible armaments configurations. Maintrack RAF model has some errors - e.g. front undercarriage position, air intakes wrong. I have copies of original 1154RAF plans including cross sections etc. if required.

HS 1154 (RAF)

The history of the RAF version is well documented (notably in "Project Cancelled" and an article in "Air Britain"). At the beginning of the story, the aircraft was designed to be fitted for "Red Top" (up to 4 in the air-to air role), "Bullpup" or "AS 30" (up to 4 in the air-to-surface role), and the "Martel" (both TV and Anti-Radar versions). In addition the 1154 could carry ferry tanks (400 gal under each wing and 200 gal under fuselage - also 300 gal combat tanks underwing) or standard (preferred low drag NC bombs or retarded versions. Trainer would have had practice bomb carriers) bombs/SNEB rockets (or 2 inch rockets or napalm) on 4 pylons and a centre store (underfuselage was 3 pylons, either centreline OR two dual pylons could be used at any one time). It was also intended originally to wire the aircraft to carry a single nuclear weapon. If "Air Britain" is to be believed (I say it should be, but then I wrote it!) the aircraft that was cancelled in 1964 had been de-rated to carry only bombs (and rockets/napalm) or a single Anti-Radar Martel in the attack (no, two AR Martel - one on each inboard pylon) role or "Red Tops" in the fighter role. The nuclear requirement had also been rescinded (but provision for WE.177 or US B.58 bombs at a later date was still required). If interested I can forward the pylon/weapon plans for the aircraft, including the tandem twin bomb store pylon for the inboard station with the rear bomb stepped-up (NC bomb was longer and thinner than 1000lb GP)

It is not hard, therefore, to see why the RAF was easily persuaded to opt for the F4 Phantom in 1965. The RAF still hoped in 1964 to retain TSR2, and then later, the F111K, as its main theatre operational strike aircraft. It did not really want the simplified 1127 Harrier either and would have preferred more F4s.

There is, however, a continuity in RAF thinking in the form of the Jaguar. The F4 proved too expensive to operate in the ground attack role and was in any case needed as a fighter (its "Sidewinder" and "Sparrow" combination far superior to the "Red Top"). Early models of Jaguar were shown with a single "Martel" clutched on the centre pylon. In June 1970 the RAF converted its order for Jaguar trainers into an order for 165 ground attack/strike versions (In 1964 it was considering 150 1154s for six operational squadrons - 182 aircraft, including 25 trainers, for eight operational sqns.).

This background gives modellers some interesting options for their RAF 1154s:

"The full monty": the originally planned range of weapons (Red Tops, Bullpups, AS 30s, Martels) on an aircraft in the standard 1960s green/grey with white undersides and full colour roundels (this paint scheme was specified at cancellation)

"VSTOL Jaguar": The 1154 would probably not have entered service with RAF until the early 70s (1970-71 probably) (Hunters would have soldiered on to fill the gap). 6-8 squadrons would either have been in service worldwide (UK, Germany, Gulf, Far East) or just in Europe. As with the RAF Jaguars main weapons would have been bombs and recce pods (plus cannon twin ADEN pod for centreline was sketched, but not decided upon. As was recce pod - RAF wanted radar/IR/cameras in one pod, but this was too much). From 1991 1154s would have exchanged their wrapround green/grey for either Gulf pink or low viz grey and like the Jaguars obtained more modern weapons (Paveway, Canadian rocket pods, Mavericks) he aircraft (like the Jaguar) would still be in service. What their replacement would have been?

HS 1154 (RN)

Unlike the RAF version the Royal Navy's 1154s were only shown in drawings with either the "Red Top" or "Bullpup". Getting the RN 1154 into service is much harder than its RAF counterpart. Assuming the Royal Navy had ordered the CVA 01 and successor ships, it would have fitted them with the successful Phantom and Buccaneer combination. The various 1154 designs considered were good multi-role aircraft, but could not have competed with two "classics".

Had the Royal Navy embarked on an expensive 1154 programme in 1963 and had it received the first CVA 01 ship in 1973 as planned (more fantasy than alternative history, but….) plans called for the RN to operate 1154 and Buccaneer initially, but with the later possibility of a developed 1154 in both roles (again it is not hard to see why this never gained their support).

By 1975 the CVA 01 would have been in service with its 1154 and Buccaneer squadrons (a second ship was planned to replace HMS Eagle in 1979 (Ark Royal and Victorious were to be scrapped) if funds could be found (only one CV could be built at a time). Commando Carriers (HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and later HMS Hermes) would have been able to operate detachments of 1154s (both RN and RAF - only RAF as RN version needed catapults, which were removed for Commando role).

Apart from the ageing "Red Top" no clues are given to the likely weapons for the RN aircraft. Without the Phantoms it is not easy to see the RN buying "Sparrow", though "Sidewinder" was already in service on Scimitars. RN aircraft was planned to have both versions of Martel plus Bullpup and WE.177 nuke. It was also planned to use a radar version of Red Top known as Blue Dolphin. However, the RN version(s) was never defined in anything like the depth of the RAF version - the initial outline document from the RN wanted a version of the US Eagle missile, precursor of Phoenix!

Initially the aircraft would have inherited "Red Top" from the Sea Vixen force. At some point in the late 70s it would have been necessary to purchase replacement weapons. The "Sidewinder"/"Sparrow" combination would have been the most likely, though French equivalents might have also been considered. By the 90s "Amraam" would have replaced them (as on the Sea Harrier). A somewhat improbable option, but one which might have found favour at the height of the Soviet threat would have been a limited purchase of "Phoenix" for wide area defence (either one on the centre pylon or one each under the wing with long range tanks). Colours as for Phantoms and then Sea Harriers.

Export 1154s

This is a really wide curve but offers some fun options for "What-if modellers".

The RAF 1154 might have been a world-beater if its in service career had been as good as the Jaguar and 1127 Harrier. Customers could have been the US Marines, India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, South Africa (either new or old depending on your timeline), and Australia. Germany and Italy might have been persuaded to buy the planes instead of their Alpha Jet and AMX programmes. Belgium was planning on buying 75 if the UK went ahead in 1965 - went for Mirage V eventually. Also Netherlands were interested as an F-104 replacement (and had an aircraft carrier until sold to Argentina in late 60s). Both had been Hunter customers.

The RN 1154 opens up an even wider fantasy list: Australia and Canada could have used the planes to keep their carrier forces in business - RN version would have needed a bigger ship - cats too small on Majestic class ships. However, Canada was willing to pay for some 1154RAF funding as they could see it would fly off their carrier no problem - I have a copy of the hangar layout and deck park that HSA planned. India, Brazil and (sorry) Argentina might also have done so India could have flown the RAF variant only from a carrier for same reason as Can/Aus. The Argentine (ex-Dutch) and Brazilian carriers had lifts that were too small for the 1154RAF but could have been modified. If the plane had been a real success the USN might have used it to keep "Essex" class carriers in service into the 80s.