David Womby Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 In 1949, Hawker designed the P1081 in response to an Australian requirement for a fighter to be licence built in Australia. The P1081 is thus often referred to as the 'Australian Fighter' and first flew in 1950. Due to engine delays and other concerns, Australia selected the NA F-86 instead but what if the RAAF had picked the P1081? Hawker reverted to its WW2 storm naming tradition and named the P1081 the Hawker Cyclone. The RAAF contracted Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation to licence build 72 as the CA-24 Cyclone. 30 as the Mk1 and a further 42 as the Mk2 aircraft with additional hardpoints. This one, A86-132, is the last from the first production batch built at the CAC factory in Fishermans Bend. She is shown in service with 3 Squadron based at RAAF Williamtown in August 1956. There is a Maintrack/Whirlybird vacform of the P1081 and I have it in the stash but something made me want to build one from injection parts. I was not trying to exactly replicate a P1081 although this is very close to it. The main difference is that I changed the cockpit to that used on the production Sea Hawk as I think that is a change that would have happened if it had gone into production. This is an Airfix Sea Hawk nose section and a PM Models Sabre rear fuselage. The wing roots are from the Sea Hawk but relocated forward, intakes enlarged and faired in to the large fillet at the rear of the wing. The wings are cut down from an Airfix Hunter. The fin and tailplanes are cut down from a Frog Hunter F1. In hindsight, I suspect a production version might have got a larger fin! Here's how she looked before painting - not a pretty sight! Comments and criticisms are welcomed and thanks for looking. David 29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kampartiger Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 I have seen a picture of the P.1081 in one of the Australian aviation magazines and to me it was an attractive looking machine,and your superb kit clearly shows the fine lines of the Cyclone.Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Very nice, mate. A very unusual! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazey Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Interesting model and background – thanks for sharing. Regards, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted December 23, 2018 Author Share Posted December 23, 2018 Thanks for the kind words. Season's Greetings to all. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John R Posted December 24, 2018 Share Posted December 24, 2018 There are some nutters in this hobby! Nice work and Merry Christmas John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigglesworth Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 Well now, you learn something every day. I was not familiar with the P1081, but I must say it is a handsome aircraft. Very clearly a Hawker design (love those wing root inlets). The F-86 is a pretty bird in itself, and quintessentially American, but it seems a pity that the Aussie's did not go with this one. Might have come up with a more evocative name than "Cyclone" but we will never know. Nicely executed model of a very interesting subject, Mr. Womby. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devo Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 Nice, looks like Dad was a Hunter....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted December 26, 2018 Author Share Posted December 26, 2018 On 12/25/2018 at 12:24 AM, Bigglesworth said: Might have come up with a more evocative name than "Cyclone" but we will never know. Nicely executed model of a very interesting subject, Mr. Womby. I picked Cyclone because it followed one of Hawker's naming traditions but it is geographically a Pacific term. Also, I couldn't come up with an Australian animal or weapon name that worked for me or hadn't been used. My friend suggested Wombat given my surname but I didn't fancy it. 😀 David On 12/25/2018 at 1:07 AM, Devo said: Nice, looks like Dad was a Hunter....! Actually the other way round, the P1081 was first but you can see the common ideas. It's surprisingly smaller than a Hunter! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted December 28, 2018 Share Posted December 28, 2018 Nice model and back story. I think the Sabre was a better choice! You may be interested to know one made it into our CAC display this year. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/72nd_aircraft/spasm-display-australian-model-expo-2018-t9913.html#p100226 Scroll about halfway down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted December 28, 2018 Author Share Posted December 28, 2018 8 minutes ago, Ed Russell said: Nice model and back story. I think the Sabre was a better choice! You may be interested to know one made it into our CAC display this year. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/72nd_aircraft/spasm-display-australian-model-expo-2018-t9913.html#p100226 Scroll about halfway down. Thanks, Ed. I tend to agree that the Sabre was a better choice. Although a P.1081 purchase may have lead to a later Hunter purchase which would make another great whatif model! Great display and terrific to see the CA-23 and CA-31 models built. I always thought the CA-23 was a fantastic looking design. I assume they are the Uncle Les resins? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted December 28, 2018 Share Posted December 28, 2018 10 hours ago, David Womby said: may have lead to a later Hunter purchase which would make another great whatif model! I assume they are the Uncle Les resins? That may well be true - the alternative RAAF = P.1081, Hunter, Lightning (or maybe something else), Eurofighter! Yes, they are the Uncle Les kits - basic but very nice resin kits - still available I imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now