billn53 Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 In 1954, the design bureau headed by Pavel Tsybin started development of a ramjet-powered supersonic strategic bomber, the RS. This design proved impracticable, and a smaller derivative, the 2RS was proposed, which would achieve intercontinental range by being air-launched from a modified Tupolev Tu-95 bomber. This too was unsuccessful, with the aircraft unable to return to base if used on an intercontinental mission. The design was therefore revised again to a reconnaissance aircraft capable of operating from conventional runways, the RSR. As ramjets could not be used for take-off, they were replaced by turbofans. The RSR was planned to cruise at greater than Mach 2 at a height of 20,000 m (65,600 ft) giving a range of 3,760 km (2,340 mi). A simplified, full-sized aerodynamic prototype for the novel layout, the NM-1 was built in 1957. Intended for low-speed handling tests, the NM-1 had a steel-tube fuselage with duraluminium and plywood skinning. This aircraft, powered by two Mikulin AM-5 turbojets first flew on 7 April 1959. Based on the results of these trials, the RSR was redesigned to make it more manoeuvrable at high altitude. Additionally, more conventional Tumansky R-11 turbojets (the engine used in the MiG-21) replaced the unavailable Soloviev turbofans. Five airframes were virtually complete, only awaiting engines, when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev cancelled the program in April 1961. [Wikipedia] While working on my massive M-50 "Bounder" project, I ran across A-Model's NM-1 kit and noticed it's strong resemblance to the Bounder: But the NM-1, with it's trolley and landing skid arrangement, looked rather clunky to me. So, I decided to convert the prototype NM-1 into the proposed RSR supersonic spy plane. Here's a summary of what was involved: Details are posted in the WIP here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235126160-the-bounders-mini-me-converting-a-models-172-nm-1-to-the-rsr-supersonic-reconnaissance-aircraft/ Six weeks later, this is the result of my efforts. First, some beauty pics: Let me take you on a walkaround showing some details . . . Beginning with the nose probe, which I sourced from a Mini-world MiG-21 brass item: The kit canopy has a large vertical step at the front, which is correct for the NM-1 but not appropriate for the RSR. I molded a transition from Apoxie Sculpt to make it look more supersonic: The biggest part of this conversion was lengthening the fuselage. I made a plug from a wood dowel and plastic tubing to insert ahead of the wing: It's barely visible in the photo below, and if you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't notice it: I modded the kit engines by replacing the intakes and exhausts with larger, more muscular items: The intake and compressor fan are from a Miniworld turned-metal kit made for the B-58 Hustler, to which I've added a resin intake cone meant for an early MiG-21: The exhausts were sourced from the spares box. The nozzles are for a B-58 and the afterburner cans from a F-4 Phantom kit: The RSR's flap and aileron arrangement was different from the NM-1, so I filled in the panel lines on the kit's wings with UV resin and re-scribed: I repositioned the vertical stabilator and replaced the NM-1's sharp tail cone with a blunter shape, which I presume housed a drogue 'chute. The RSR had all-moving tail surfaces, so I left a gap where the horizontal and vertical stabilators meet the empennage. I added a pair of ventral strakes on the bottom of the empennage, made from styrene strip: The nose landing gear is from a F-4K Phantom. Even so, it's not quite as tall as it should be! The main landing gear was scratchbuilt from brass rod, styrene, and spare parts, based on a photo graciously provided by @Flankerman The kit's outrigger skids were too short and their molding wasn't sharp, so I built my own using brass rod and bits & pieces stolen from the kit: The RSR must have had the world's longest drop tanks!. I made mine using four tanks from a 1/48 Mirage III. And, that about wraps it up. This was a fun side project to my Bounder -- I used some techniques new to me and learned a few things in the process! For my parting shot, here is a photo of the RSR alongside it's bigger cousin (also from A-Model): (More photos here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235127584-the-biggest-model-ive-ever-made-a-models-172-miasischev-m-50-bounder/ ) Thanks for viewing! Let's hear your comments! 62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Magnificent completion Bill. Are those Russians doing a "fist bump"? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Perfect finish on a significantly modified model. Both look very beautiful Bill! Serkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiampieroSilvestri Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Beautiful Tsybin RSR! Saluti Giampiero 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Excellent result, well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted July 4, 2023 Author Share Posted July 4, 2023 43 minutes ago, LorenSharp said: Magnificent completion Bill. Are those Russians doing a "fist bump"? The pilot and tow driver are arguing about where to park the 'monster' 😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Yet another beauty, Bill!!! You are on a roll! How about an IL-20 next 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 12 minutes ago, billn53 said: The pilot and tow driver are arguing about where to park the 'monster' 😆 Nah, They're just haggling over who took whose parking spot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 A fantastic duo! Your models look supersonic! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 (edited) Stunning conversion - you really pulled it off. A bit late for you now, but I've found some more pics of the RSR - taken by me during a visit to the Moscow Aviation Institute in 2006. The fuselage section and wing panels are just gathering dust in a corner... Ken Edited July 4, 2023 by Flankerman 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 PS - some more (Non-RSR) pics taken at MAI are here (scroll down past the Khodynka pics) ...... http://www.flankers-site.co.uk/mos2006_day02.html Enjoy.... Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted July 4, 2023 Author Share Posted July 4, 2023 5 minutes ago, Flankerman said: Stunning conversion - you really pulled it off. A bit late for you now, but I've found some more pics of the RSR - taken by me during a visit to the Moscow Aviation Institute in 2006. Excellent stuff, Ken! Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Wow Bill, that turned out to be an incredible build! It really is beautiful! The conversion was expertly done; even knowing what you did, I have a hard time believing the kit didn't come that way! Thanks for the education too... I didn't know this plane even existed until you started this kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watto Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Absolutely amazing job, what a beautiful looking plane, never seen one of these before. You've done a fantastic job it's a credit to your skills and looks amazing. 👍 Watto 🍻 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopesdaddy Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Excellent conversion and beautiful presentation. Another unique (and somewhat large as well) Soviet subject, looks like at your rate the need for more shelf space could be in your future. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clio182 Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 You don't see one of those every day! Wow! It looks like it's doing mach 2 stood still. What a beautiful machine! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat101 Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Another great build to accompany your M-50. That cockpit looks mighty cozy, definitely not for the claustrophobic. The kit looks great. I am beginning to envy the selection at your hobby shop. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted July 4, 2023 Author Share Posted July 4, 2023 1 hour ago, Tomcat101 said: Another great build to accompany your M-50. That cockpit looks mighty cozy, definitely not for the claustrophobic. The kit looks great. I am beginning to envy the selection at your hobby shop. The cockpit does look like a tight fit, I wouldn’t want to do an intercontinental flight in it, even at Mach 2. I make most of my purchases at Hannants and on eBay, but if I recall correctly I got the Bounder kit directly from A-Model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Hothersall Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 An interesting build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantherhawk27263 Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 Wow, an amazing build and a stunning finish. Spectacular!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neffan Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 On 04/07/2023 at 17:35, Flankerman said: PS - some more (Non-RSR) pics taken at MAI are here (scroll down past the Khodynka pics) ...... http://www.flankers-site.co.uk/mos2006_day02.html Enjoy.... Ken Hello Flankerman, how are you ? please , do you have other pictures of this anonymous model (MIG 1.44? Khodynka museum ) . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InFlames Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 Amazing model! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 Excellent! Not one I’ve seen before. I bet the one engine handling would be interesting…! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuraiwarrior Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 Sleek looking and with a lovely finish. Thanks for for all the excellent photos and informative words. Thanks for sharing Kevin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Waow Bill !! Really impressive Tsybin !! And the Bounder is top notch too !! Congratulations my friend !! Sincerely. CC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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