tc2324 Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 On the 18th May 1988 Rich Lepman, a US exchange pilot assigned to the Tigers, was lined up on the runway at the annual APC at RAF Akrotiri with his back seater Steve Smyth. They were part of a pairs take off for the sortie flying F-4J(uk) ZE362/V with a standard gun pod fitted. The start of the take off sequence went smoothly and as normal, but just as the Phantom went into V1, the front canopy detached much to the surprise of the crew. They then had to flying around for 20 minutes Phantom Cabriolet style until the runway was cleared of debris and a normal landing was made. Thanks for looking. 53 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 A great story and a great re-enactment in plastic! You really get the sense of speed – clever, inventive modelling! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Superb, really captures the moment. Great modelling. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Hello,TC - A great piece of modelling work both in terms of quality and imagination.Phine work indeed! All The Best, Paul.😉👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Why did the canopy detach? I assume the crew were ok and the aircraft repaired? Surprised it took 20 minutes to clear the runway, that's a long time to have to stooge around with 300mph winds rushing in! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyK Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Wow, a great and inspired (as well as inspiring!) build! Any background on the model and how you went about making the dio? An interesting story as well! I'm surprised that the rear canopy didn't shatter or blow out, with the sudden build-up of all that dynamic pressure in the back. J 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMSCHLOM Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Awesome, really catches the moment, especially with the gear tucking up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_Ukraine Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) Great job! They should had used proper glue to fix the canopy in place! The Tamiya one, I think! Edited January 21, 2018 by Val_Ukraine 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Excellent job 👍 ... great build as well 👍. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcap Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 VERY creative and imaginative ! Gary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan-o Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Great work. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 A great way to tell the story! Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Vader Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Very original idea , love it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc2324 Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 5 hours ago, Lord Riot said: Why did the canopy detach? I assume the crew were ok and the aircraft repaired? Surprised it took 20 minutes to clear the runway, that's a long time to have to stooge around with 300mph winds rushing in! Can`t recall why it happened but everyone survived and was ok. I was told Rich Lepman climbed down and exclaimed `that was awesome....` before retiring to the bar. 5 hours ago, JeffreyK said: Wow, a great and inspired (as well as inspiring!) build! Any background on the model and how you went about making the dio? An interesting story as well! I'm surprised that the rear canopy didn't shatter or blow out, with the sudden build-up of all that dynamic pressure in the back. J WIP link below and the base comes from Coastal Kits. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phone Phixer Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Great build and a very nice depiction. Given your in depth knowledge of the J, you seem to have the grey shade perfect. I bet the riggers loved that job of getting a new canopy to fit. In 1989 the nav, banged out of FGR2 XV430 A on 19(F) Sqn, after a veeery close airmiss with an ECM Canberra. During the rear cockpit rebuild, the riggers finally got the 3rd canopy to fit with a "bit" of adjustment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich G Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 I always love these little tit bit stories that get made into modelling form! Great job with an interesting story behind it, well done. Rich 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc2324 Posted January 22, 2018 Author Share Posted January 22, 2018 Thank you all for the kind comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon382 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 The title really intigued me on this one, looks sooooooo cool! Is the base home made? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc2324 Posted January 22, 2018 Author Share Posted January 22, 2018 30 minutes ago, Simon382 said: The title really intigued me on this one, looks sooooooo cool! Is the base home made? I wish I could take credit for the base but it was bought from Coastal Kits which have a great selection of bases. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Another stunner TC! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Cracking build and finished piece 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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