Radleigh Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Looks like this will get the go-ahead by the amount in.. Just trying to think of unusual ideas............Will see what I can pick up at Telford to modify 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedman Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I'd be up for this one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbasher2009 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Me too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 List updated and thanks for your interest Sure we have plenty time to dream up or research ideas so let's hear some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 OK you asked so: Idea 1 Panther Schmalturm on modified Panzer IV hull as Krupp proposal 1943-44. Doing this in 48th using Tamiya Panzer IV and Kengi Resin turret from Panther conversion. Idea 2 Gloster Meteor TF.5 304 Squadron Polish Air force Gdansk Strike Wing 1947 Flightpath or MDC torpedo under Tamiya Meteor F3 with wing tanks. Idea 3 Arado E555 in US 20th Air Force service with different engine arrangement and rear gunner. As Revell forgot to make it in 48th I'll have to settle for a 72nd scale model for this. Probably go for green over grey using a B-29 identity..... Be interesting to see what others are thinking!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Suppose I really should lead by example since I'm pestering everyone else. A Hawker Super-Hunter of some form based on the various Kingstone P.11** projects. Radar, thin wings, missile capability, reheat equiped etc. A Harrier project. Either the 'tuning-fork' trainer concept using a couple of Frog/Novo kits and a spare tailfin from the Sword kit or something around the 'Big-wing'/AV-16 proposals. Final idea is a navalised Bf109G based on the old Airfix kit. Folding wings, hook, perhaps post-war markings from an Eastern Bloc nation. OK you asked so: Idea 3 Arado E555 in US 20th Air Force service with different engine arrangement and rear gunner. As Revell forgot to make it in 48th I'll have to settle for a 72nd scale model for this. Probably go for green over grey using a B-29 identity..... This one is my favourite of the three so far Nick. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I'm toying with two ideas featuring a Bearcat. Some form of 'Piper PA-48 Enforcer' Bearcat or a long wing version , like a Focke-Wulf Ta 152. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I fancy attempting a JU390 marine version, I have the contrail kit and by raiding parts bins should be able to mock up radar etc would need to find under wing rockets / missiles which may be a challenge, not the mention the vacform element, 6 engines & props ! On second thoughts maybe something a little less ambitious 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Ideas I've been kicking around: Martynside Buzzard F.4 flown by Major Edward "Mick" Mannock, 85 Squadron, during the 1919 Offensive Supermarine F1S-3 Seafire (Seafire III), USN, c. 1943-4 Martin-Baker Maelstrom I (MB5) or Supermarine Spiteful F.14 with 74 Squadron, 2nd TAF, 1946 Supermarine Seafang F.32, British Pacific Fleet, 1946 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1, 892 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, Falkland Islands, 1982 Canadair CF-116 Phantom (Phantom FGR.2), 439 Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1st Canadian Air Wing, 1984 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 A Harrier project. Either the 'tuning-fork' trainer concept using a couple of Frog/Novo kits and a spare tailfin from the Sword kit I was thinking along those lines as well. I have a Hasegawa AV-8A and I'm not afraid to use it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 I was thinking along those lines as well. I have a Hasegawa AV-8A and I'm not afraid to use it! It looks so utterlly mental as to be almost irresistable. You got a scheme in mind for it? Was tempted to go either company demonstrator or early glossy OCU bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 It looks so utterlly mental as to be almost irresistable. You got a scheme in mind for it? Was tempted to go either company demonstrator or early glossy OCU bird. Possibly a jet from the late 70s with a pointy nose and a laser nose. It would be operated by the Gütersloh Training Flight with a IV(AC) Sqn badge on one nose and a 3(F) Sqn badge on the other. Or maybe the badge will be a winged G with each arm of the badge in different squadron colours. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedman Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 March 1974, the Vietnam Conflict was still raging and while the USAF, USN & USMC had air superiority over the Vietnamese, the ground war is a different story. Between them they had an impressive line up of strike and bomber aircraft, but since the USAF retired their A-1 Skyraiders two years previously, only the USMC had fixed wing aircraft capable of COIN missions. The USAF needed to fill this gap in their inventory and fill it fast. Rather than go through the lengthy process of commissioning an aircraft from scratch they decided to look a suitable airframes from their inventory that could be adapted or converted for use in this role. The obvious choice was the OV-10 Bronco, all three services were using them to good effect and the airframe had plenty of potential. The main downfalls of the Bronco were it's lack of speed and weapon load, these were the main factors that would have to be addressed if a successful aircraft was to be produced. In 1970 the USMC had trialled the YOV-10D in Vietnam and although the design was eventually changed for the production OV-10D it was of great interest to the USAF as a way forward for their project. Addressing the speed issue, it was decided to dispense with the twin turboprops and install a small turbofan engine on the centreline in place of the cargo hold, this would enable additional wing points to be installed and used for forward firing munitions now there were no props to worry about. The intake for the engine was dorsal mounted to reduce the risk of FOD ingestion and damage from ground fire, this configuration also enabled hot turnarounds without the risk of ground crew being ingested. The YOV-10D had a FLIR turret mounted in a lengthened nose, no side sponsons and a ventral turret mounting a three barrelled 20mm rotary cannon. The USAF decided not to use the turret instead they kept the sponsons but replaced the four 7.62mm guns with two 20mm cannons. It was decided that the aircraft would be single seat only due to the fact that this was successful with the A-1, the additional space achieved through this would be utilised for fuel storage as would the space once occupied by the turboprop engines. All existing OV-10 avionics were moved to the lengthened nose and given protective armour, this would allow the entire avionics pack to be detached and replaced within minutes. The system could then be worked on independent of the airframe, this would greatly reduce the maintenance downtime of each aircraft. The FLIR system would be retained but as a revolutionary "split-system" installation on the front of the two booms., this allowed for greater coverage during maneuvering including inverted flight. The hard point count was increased to 11, while it was not able to carry the same weapon loads as the Skyraider, it was never the less a very capable aircraft. Trials started September 1974, in January 1975 three evaluation aircraft were sent to Vietnam, within weeks it was obvious that this aircraft was what they were looking for. In March 1975 full production was approved and by June operational units began to receive their aircraft. Because the designation A-10 was already in use with Thunderbolt II (in development) the obvious change from OV-10 to A-10 could not be made. Because it had undergone such radical changes it was decide to rename the aircraft completely, and so the A-11A Courser (they wanted to keep the horse reference) was born. Well that's the "little" bit of background info I've come up with The kit will be Academy's 1/72 OV-10D. I originally bought it just for the props as I need them for my Grumman Goose, I've also just robbed it of some rocket pod bits for my AH-1G so this will save it just sitting in my stash forever and should be fun to build. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 At the pace you crack on Speedman I'm just wondering what else you have planned. Excellent idea for your first build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 I'm thinking of a Spitfire TT. 24 with a turbo prop up front. Could look quite nice in yellow and black stripes. Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 What if there were doubts about the Spitfire's elliptical wing? I was thinking that RJM might have tried doing a wing back to front instead. It'll be the easiest job on the planet using the " British Battle Fighter" that I purchased from the Works :-) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vppelt68 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Is it what if- enough to decorate my Italaerei Ju-188 in Finnish AF markings? If it's eligible I'm in too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vppelt68 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 ...but taking a closer look at previous posts let's drop that as not radical enough. I do have a partially done Frog Arado-something that could lend its jets to a Matchbox Ju-188... But in which nations' colours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 In the light of the current full disclosure my optional list comprises: Bristol Beaulieu MkII/1 ASW - Tri-motor float plane carrying 4 MkXVII depth charges and smoke markers, has extended duration due to additional bomb-bay fuel tanks - a conversion of the Bristol Bolingbroke for extended use in remote areas and for Maritime patrol. The MkII/2 ASR and MkII/3 AEW versions also saw service but in smaller numbers. Some 276 aircraft were planned 200 MkII/1, 52 MkII/2 and 24 MkII/3 although with the rapid development of newer, more efficient, types only 23 aircraft of all types were built in the Port Alberni Assembly Plant on Vancouver Island. There were approximately 5 aircraft still in service until late into the 1960's Bristol Bountiful MkI - Power Glider: To make use of the obsolete Blenheim Bombers it was decided to covert them into a glider capable of taking off, lightly loaded, from the landing zone. The design utilised work done for the Bristol Beaulieu although all were converted in the UK. After their successful use in the Invasions of Sicily & Italy, resupply missions to the French Resistance and supplying forward positions they saw further use in the British protectorate of South Vietnam during Operation Chainsaw May 1951 and Operation Backlash August 1951. Junkers JU-52 3/M - Deutsche Antarktis-Umfrage - Spezialeinheit Neumeyer III - mounting wheels/ski's and 3-bladed propellers used to supply a secret research base deep inside Queen Maud Land - initially flying from Argentina (friendly to Germany) to the Neumeyer Base it relayed supplies to the uncharted bases. The aircraft was 'last seen' in 1947 and only discovered in 1973 during a deep penetration mission from the Russian Novolazarevskaya Base, the details of which were released in 1993. Who also found the deserted base it was thought to have been supplying, no further information has been forthcoming as to what else was found !!! Ilyushin Il-2M - Middle East Command Strike Wing 1942 - supplied under lend-lease from Russia exchanging 2 Il-2's for each Dakota via the Iran corridor. Successfully used throughout the desert campaign and latterly being transferred to Far East Command for use in the liberation of Burma. These are the 4 I'm thinking about and am eagerly awaiting the start of the build, I might do one as they are a bit alien to me since 1972 - strange how the Airfix kits date from then 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Is it what if- enough to decorate my Italaerei Ju-188 in Finnish AF markings? If it's eligible I'm in too. Nothing wrong with that idea. Of course if you want to do something more radical that's fine but I like subtle models that easily pass as replicas of a real subject to the uninitiated. Number 3 caught my imagination Shermaniac but all of those sound interesting. A target-towing stripy Spitfire sounds grand Trevor - nice idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tornado Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Ideas I've been kicking around: Martynside Buzzard F.4 flown by Major Edward "Mick" Mannock, 85 Squadron, during the 1919 Offensive Supermarine F1S-3 Seafire (Seafire III), USN, c. 1943-4 Martin-Baker Maelstrom I (MB5) or Supermarine Spiteful F.14 with 74 Squadron, 2nd TAF, 1946 Supermarine Seafang F.32, British Pacific Fleet, 1946 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1, 892 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, Falkland Islands, 1982 Canadair CF-116 Phantom (Phantom FGR.2), 439 Tactical Fighter Squadron, 1st Canadian Air Wing, 1984 Bloody hell im struggling with 1 lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Well, I wouldn't like do all of them...I'm very lazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 (edited) Well, I wouldn't like do all of them...I'm very lazy. Got to save something for What-if IV The MB.5 Maelstrom sounds great with the USN Seafire and BPF Seafang vying for second place to me. Edited October 16, 2013 by Col. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 been busy drawing up my beasty for this (or Luft46 GB), should have first pics of a Heinkel He177 Zwelling up later. Have still to decide if it will be trubo prop (like the Bear) or normal the engines (3) with Aux BMW or Jumo jets in pods on the wings (like B-36). The second cockpit will be replaced with a solid nose containing a Pak-43 and a pair of Pak-37's, just the sort of thing for anti-shipping duties, or fit a big attack radar and a couple of nuc's, or even just a monster dish on the top are first AWAC's aircraft, or or or......too many choices! Only just dawning on me how big this beasty is going to be, might have to build a bigger shelf!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Ahhh! Decisions! Decisions! Well, I've narrowed down my choices to; Hawker Hurricane V - Griffon engine Hurricane produced following cancellation of the Typhoon. Using nose/upper fuselage/cockpit/tail of a Griffon Spitfire with lower fuselage/wings of the Hurricane II. Canard configured MiG 31 Single engine Lightning ( the TRUE Lightning!) ) - not that Lockheed play toy!!. Using the fuselage/tail of the KP 1/48 SU-7 with the wings/cockpit/tailplane/undercarriage/belly tank of the Airfix Lightning F6 Airbus/ Antonov A-450 Strategic transport. Lengthened Antonov AN-124 with R R Trent engines,new tail (either V-tail or, T tail - undecided) Avro Edinburgh - Post war transport/airliner. Based on Junkers JU-290. using either R R Griffon or, Merlin 85 engines Of course, I could change my mind on ANY of these!! Allan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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