MB-326EW - COMPLETED

[robw_uk]

OK, so I was originally going to do some dodgy World Cup related plane but have thought, hey, what if the MB-326 was converted for Electronic Surveliance/Warfare... . sort of like the Intruder/Prowler....

so I am thinking

extending the nose (afterall it would need a better radar platform) and adding a 3rd seat... problem with that is that it would be a bizarre 3rd position - behind the 2nd.... not sure how that would work/look to have 3 in a line rather than 2 + 1.....

so thoughts

1) extend nose from infront of the cockpit

2) insert spacer into cockpit areea (clear part is knackered anyway so that will be covered as for storage)

but that got me thinking

surely if I increase the length & weight, the engine (single on the 326)O wont cope - perhaps it needs 2 engines.... and the wings - would I get enough lift with the originalwing configuration..... well first things first - will start with the nose as I "think" that is the simplest.

in terms of markings.... then thought Argentinian... but up to date so maybe US Grey config or perhaps something "interesting" - will have to see what paint I have in and see (maybe dark gery on dark grey cammo

anyway.... will be hacking this at the same time as the Dragonfly but WIP will be up soon as I start.....

Edited October 11, 2010 by robw_uk

[ChancerUK]

You could load a large part of the electronics into an underside fairing, deepen the fuslage and heve the 3rd set with a circular side window forward or aft of the main cockpit. Love the core idea looking forward to seeing your progress.

[Basosz]

I agree with Chancer. Cool idea. Lots of work though and we're already two weeks into the build. Will you be ready in time? I really hope so as this sounds very nice

[robw_uk]

dont think there is enough clearance below the aircraft to add much underneath - was going to add some sort of "pod" underneath anyway... any "extra window" would have to go in the nose as the engine is directly behind the cockpit.... but guess I could do this....

as to being ready on time - good question - but you guys wont kick me out if I am late (I hope) so will build it anyway using the GB as a foundation

EDIT

ok... done some more research an dfound the RF-4B reconnaissance Phantom of circa the same era as the MB-326... this tells me a number of things

1) the nose was 4ft longer (2.5cm in 1/48 scale)

2) it did NOT have a 3rd crew member. The rear seat had flight controls removed

3) cameras in the nose (should be able to do something)

basically then I will add this lot to the MB-326

An AN/APQ-102 reconnaissance SLAR was fitted, with antenna faired into the lower fuselage sides, just ahead of the intakes. This SLAR was capable of tracking both fixed and moving targets. An AN/AAD-4 infrared reconnaissance system was fitted in the fuselage belly just behind the SLAR. AN APR-25/27 radar homing and warning system was used, an ASW-25B one-way datalink was installed. An ALQ-126 deceptive electronic countermeasures package was installed, which obviated the need to carry external jammer pods. An ARC-105 communication transceiver was fitted, which required that large fin-skin shunt antennae be faired into both sides of the vertical fin. A Litton ASN-48 inertial navigation system was carried.

data courtsey of http://www.mcara.us/RF-4B.html

Edited August 17, 2010 by robw_uk

[robw_uk]

aiming to start work on this tonight.... no cockpit as the canpoy is well and truley knackered so straight on with building the fuselage..... pics to come so you can see what I am battling with!!!!!!!

Edited August 19, 2010 by robw_uk

[robw_uk]

and for your delectation - a rough idea what I will do.... am 99% sure it will not look like this..... red bits are my main areas of work

aermacchi-mb326ew by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

[robw_uk]

and now.... 2 possible schemes..... anyone have a preference... it will be (probably) Argentine navy but need to check what decals for the kit I have available....

aermacchi-mb326ew-scheme by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

aermacchi-mb326ew-scheme1 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

Edited August 19, 2010 by robw_uk

[RussTnailZ]

Please stop posting pics of my painting skills everyone will get jealous seriously tho very intresting idea look forward to seeing the build

Russ

Edited August 19, 2010 by RussTnailZ

[robw_uk]

Please stop posting pics of my painting skills everyone will get jealous seriously tho very intresting idea look forward to seeing the build

Russ

I got a G in GCSE Art - I can see why... just me & my moust & Adobe Elements.... mind it will be as good when the airbrush hits the plastic....

[robw_uk]

having looked at the kt again I may have to slightly revise the way the nose looks but that will wait til i butcher it (position of the nose wheel)... anyway.. I like the green/brown ARMARDA colours supplied so thought I would "modernise" them slightly and go with lizard (is taht what you call it)

aermacchi-mb326ew-scheme2 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

thought of habving eyes on either side as a little "i'm watching you" type bravado signature.... but will see how I manage with the build (looks just as good without it IMO)

[robw_uk]

ok... here we go... first set of photos showing box, pieces (note the damage to one of the tail halves and the damage to the canopy (necessitating the canopy to be covered for storage)

IMG_9456 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9457 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9458 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9459 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

and now a bigger backstory

2014... Argentine 0 Brazil 8 in the World Cup Final

Argentinian President, Diego Maradonna, is vilified for the lack of performance from the team.... in a fit on anger he decides to take revenge. Argentinian units invade Brazil and make good progress. Their airfore brings out their MB326EW variants (secretly developed in the Buenos Aires suburbs to provide electronic surveilance and reconnasiance) and they prove that, even tho their airframes are old, they are invaluable platforms with improved radaar and surveilance capability....

The Brazillian rainforest is a new terrain for warfare and the colour schemes are adapted to blend the aircraft better.........

[Basosz]

That kit looks nothing like the pictures you made...

[robw_uk]

That kit looks nothing like the pictures you made...

the pictures are just for me to toy with colour schemes.... the nose will be modified vs the kit too......

[robw_uk]

ok... som e progress.... fuselage and wings assembled... nose butchered (need to work on the join some more I know).... added underside "recce pod" - a little far back due to air brake and some access panels and then side mounted extra fuel tanks (sort of like the A4 had on the top but moved to eitehr side)...... so photos (no laughing)

IMG_9460 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9461 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9462 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9463 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

still working on the nose.... need to ensure the gap is very smooth.... going to add another recce pod (camera unit) unde rthe nos (like the Phantom recce bird)... tail repair is also under way then will add a few more recce part then move to the paint shop

[TaiidanTomcat]

Nice look to it

[robw_uk]

managed to get the nose about 50% decent.... not toally sure on the position of the "nose camera" especially where it joins the nose wheel bay... may lower it by about 1 mm to make it flush with the original molding.... as you can see I have added about 15mm to the front - it dont half make for an odd looking piece of junk.........

anyway, should be hitting it with some paint soon - not sure whether to preshade as it will be mostly darker shades of green..... think I will do as I am still learning and tend to usually overpaint the main colours and want to try to apply thinner coats (also going to consider achryllics for the camo scheme this time)

_MG_9469 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

_MG_9470 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

[Daniel]

The schemes all look good to me, and the more you can hang off it the better!

Dan

[robw_uk]

The schemes all look good to me, and the more you can hang off it the better!

Dan

thanks Dan..... still not sure on the scheme... may just do SEAC as that seems to be in line with Argentinian aircraft.... but may risk something more modern.... am not 100% sure yet (the back story is crap I know but like the idea of modern camouflage on the aircraft)...

as to hanging stuff.. now run out of 1:48 spares (considering this was my only 1:48) so it will be unarmed but will add more fins for arials etc to just break things up a bit......

[Nobby]

Hey up mate ....just a small suggestion....If i had been doing this i would have used Milliput for re-profiling the nose...you could have played around for about an hour before with the stuff before it go's of. The tube putty is ok for filling small gaps but is not good for restructuring stuff. You could still do it if you grind most of the other stuff off. Just a thought mate. It is starting to look like it's full of electronics though with the stuff you've added......Time to battle with mine now!

[robw_uk]

have started to slap paint on... as my 8yo said - its an ugly plane with green camouflage - such a lovely son! but anyway.... first of 3 colours on... next green tomorrow then brown later in the week.... freecamo is the way to go so photos at the end of the week (the grey underside looks a bit pale, may look for advice on that)

[robw_uk]

ok... so as I said in my last post the paint has started to go on... the underside grey looks a bit light (no photos as it is masked up for the upper surfaces) so may get redone (or once the white plastic is covered it may look ok).... first green went on last night - it highlights a huge lip on the nose that I will need to address (tempted to cover if the canopy cover can be pushed that far).... so just some bad quality images for an update:

IMG_9481 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9478 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9477 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9480 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

[RussTnailZ]

Coming along nicely mate

Russ

[robw_uk]

2nd colour, and attempted sort of digital.......

IMG_9486 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9484 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9483 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9482 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9485 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

I am plesently suprised at the finsih... probably about 50% good... will look better (well to me anyway) when I have the final colour and all the edges are angular... the masking took the time to do rather than the painting... but hey, for a first effort its passable

EDIT

for the first time both SWMBO and my son thought my paint was "cool".... hope for my hobby yet ;-)

Edited September 2, 2010 by robw_uk

[robw_uk]

ok.. so first stab at pixelated paint is not a total disaster. For the next time (if there is a next time) I think it would be better to apint the lighest colour all er the airfram rather than only where I expect it to be. It seems that the masking means that yuo cover a fair amount, if you dont have much to start with it leaves the light colour over-powered by the other too. Also maybe the "square" size is too big. It was 1/8th of an inch but, any smaller would be a nightmare to cut out (need harper blade in modelling knife rather than scissors). Anyway..... the photos of where I am

IMG_9498 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9504 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9499 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9500 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9501 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9502 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

IMG_9503 by rob_william_worth, on Flickr

[Deon]

great scheme! If you do an Armada aircraft, there's only one 'r' in it