FighterControl

Some of you older folk may remember my 1/72 scale days long ago and the whif-tastic, (or should that be crazy...?), ideas, I had back in those days making all sorts of stuff.

One build really grabbed my attention.....,





So much so, that I felt you need to revisit this idea for a What If GB on another forum.

But this time....., it`s gonna be bigger and better.......





Hopefully, in the years since the 1/72 days, I`ve improved my skills and I can produce a better rendition of it.

So first things first......, how big is this thing gonna get?

Well...., I used a 1/48 EE Lightning for scale and the main question I now have is..................,



.......... where the hell am I going to store it when finished....???

Oh yes TC!

Wow - 617 Sqn Hustler B.1s. Never seen or heard one flying but I guess that would have woken the locals. Streaming take offs from Marham in the 1980s -oops dreaming again!!

Is the 1/48th going to be 74 Sqn? Or do we have to wait and see?

Will definitely be following this one!

The main answer to most of your question Nighthawke is that I`m building this pretty much to the same specification and scheme as the 1/72 model I did before. Hopefully, just a little bit better.

I might look at adding a few items though, just to give it that `RAF` look and also I might be looking at a different weapons layout, more of which is discussed below.

You pretty much get everything with the kit, the four B43 or B61 nuclear weapons, the MB-1C pod which is the smaller one and the TCP (Two Component Pod), which placed the nuclear weapon in an upper section while the lower fuel component could be independently jettisoned.



I`m kinda playing with the idea of what the mission profile might of been with this aircraft.

By the early 70`s any nuclear strike would have been a low level dash followed by the steep climb to `lob` the weapon at the target before either returning to base or moving onto the next target again at low level.

With that in mind, I`m thinking the RAF may have gone for a standard central fuel tank to extend the range with the four nuclear free fall/lob weapons.

Saying that, why not bung on a couple of cruise missile pylons between the engines and increase your weapons delivery by two and improve your stand off capability while your at it?

Any and all ideas/comments welcome.

TC,

Mission is fly low, fly fast, pop up and drop a bucket of sunshine! Once the bucket has gone its survival, so I'd go for HARM missiles for those SAM sites that have just lit you up as you climb, plus some A2A stuff for the inbound bogies. Cruise missiles would be launched before the nuclear strike, so not my choice - plus these are intelligent and need no guidance.

Harm, a2a, maybe some Mavericks AGM-65s, as these are Tv guided from onboard then multiple types of targets can be engaged - tanks, flak, Sam, ships etc.

If you are that deep into enemy territory, what about runway cluster bombs? Low level run?

Fuel tanks - yes a centreline tank seems sensible given the distances.

That's my 2p worth

Cheers

Steve

Cockpit and clam shell ejection seat have been completed.

All very `grey` I`m afraid. The lovely bright red on the escape capsule only showed when activated.

And now for a few issues that highlight the kits age.

First up is the join/gap where the upper wing and upper fuselage meet.

The port side looks good....



..... starboard.., not so much...!



Next up are the engine nacelles....,





... gaps a plenty and lots of join ridges.

Don`t get me wrong, these are all fixable. But I proves that the kit itself is getting on a bit and needs an update or new tool. This is far to an iconic aircraft design to be ignored.

More soon.

Hi TC

Looks like I got back off holiday just in time to follow this

I can see you will be having B-I-G fun with this one

Best regards

Patrick

The front u/c is starting to look very good and I haven`t even finished building it all yet. Just a shame that the doors when attached will hide a lot of it.



I did not scrimp on the ballast forward of the C of G. There`s nowhere else to add extra if you judge it wrong.



... and with a couple of paint pots to act as the main u/c, it looks like I`ve got it sorted out ok.




The following picture however proves that there is a lot of work to be had to make it all look `tidy`.



The milestone in this update being that the main components of the build are together.

Nice work TC, and you are right, always better safe than sorry with nose weights!

Hi TC

Hells bells

That is one heck of a lot of ballast

Hope the 'carriage can take it

Cheers

Patrick

Managed to get some time today to do a few more bits to the Hustler. Started the new job in the city on Monday so it`s been a bit `full on` getting to know as much as I can in a short space of time.

Due to the age of the kit, some bits were quite brittle which led to a section on the leading edge shattering when it caught the side of the work top. All rather annoying, but easily fixed within 24 hours.



I`ve always heard that the SR-71 was a bit `gappy` when on the ground and it seems this Hustler kit, (from what I`ve heard and seen myself...), is just the same. Plenty of gaps that need attention with either glue or green putty depending on size and width.





So where does this all leave me?

Well...., by all accounts and as seen from a distance, the fit is rather good.



To my eye anyway.

Hi TC

Coming along nicely

Best regards

Patrick

Coming along nicely TC - don't worry about the belly seams. But those joins on the engines need work.

Looking forward to this

Steve

As mentioned..., somewhere?...., new job, spending time with the kids seem to be getting in the way of making models, but today I final started the spraying....

Hi TC

Now that's a fresh take

Like it

Best regards

Paddyboy

Nice job there TC :-D

A few more pictures showing some extra painted parts that`s starting to add to the overall look. These pictures also highlight how big this kit is.

Hi TC

Yup; she surely is a big burger

Cheers

Patrick

Big baby that gives a Big Bang! Looks great TC - now just imagine her low level in the Loop!!