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The Workhorse: AF-02 (Hasegawa 1/72 Prototype boxing)


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Sorry for the late post, shouldn't be that long an interval in the future. 

 

AF-2.jpeg?m=1371911372

(from F-16.net)

 

 

AF-02 is likely the most heavily used F-35 ever built, and arguably the most important airframe in the entire program. She was instrumental in testing and opening up key parts of the F-35A's flight envelope, and remains operational today (though probably should be replaced by a new aircraft.)

 

Originally delivered in May 2010, to the integrated test force, it was assigned to the Flight Sciences program (the other being Mission systems) that was focused on expanding the envelope of the aircraft. AF-02 hit a lot of "firsts" milestones for the airframe - the first to hit 1000 hours, +9G, -3G, ect. Its work was critical for getting the F-35As into IOC in the next five years.

 

When Hasegawa released the boxing, I immediately snapped it up. 

 

 

IMG_2985.jpg

 

I used the AF-01 (known as Show horse) scheme on an Italeri F-35A - mostly just to get it out of my incomplete bin: I don't love the kit and I sorta rushed it at the end. I've built the F-35B boxing from the Hasegawa - I selected BF-85, which had a splash of colour on its tail. 

 

IMG_3003.jpg

 

 

I'm a bit out of practice for taking photos for a GB, and this is a pretty easy kit, so don't expect too many updates and posts: I'm hoping to have this one done in a few weeks. I had started the pilots a few years ago, but somehow I managed to put the arms on one of each, and I seemed to have misplaced the fret with a remaining set of arms. 

 

(edited)_IMG_2967_uEm6FTu5L7RkGCk7sqd4Jw

 

I just took one off and made a single complete pilot. 

 

I intend to build this one in flight so I milliputed the inside and drilled a hole for the stand. 

 

IMG_2970.jpg

 

This is what it will look like on a stand 

 

IMG_2971.jpg

 

I have half a mind to make it look a bit more dynamic, like at high alpha or maybe pulling a hard turn to give the feeling of a challenging mission profile for the test aircraft

 

Assembled the two sides - needed a few clips to make sure its snig. 

 

IMG_3001.jpg

 

 

and there wa a slight misassembly - I'll have to sand it out. A few other gaps as well, which will take some work. 

 

 IMG_2996.jpg

 

Still a few gaps and a bit of tamiya thin got over the mode,  but hopefully I'll be able to clear them up   next time.

 

IMG_2997.jpg 

 

Thanks for watching. 

Edited by -Neu-
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Great subject choice, with some nice little variations from production birds. I assume AF-1 wasn’t fitted with radar and DAS etc? 

3 hours ago, -Neu- said:

there wa a slight misassembly - I'll have to sand it out. A few other gaps as well, which will take some work. 

Surprising, given this is just about Hasegawa’s most recent aircraft kit.

 

Love that you’re mounting this on a stand, will enjoy seeing this come together. 

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3 hours ago, Wings unlevel said:

Great subject choice, with some nice little variations from production birds. I assume AF-1 wasn’t fitted with radar and DAS etc? 

Surprising, given this is just about Hasegawa’s most recent aircraft kit.

 

Love that you’re mounting this on a stand, will enjoy seeing this come together. 

 

No, both of them are unique in what they include. Actually I was going to talk about various aspects of AF-02, the Flight Sciences program, and other facts in detail for future  posts to give them a bit more colour. 

 

The misalignment stems from either the miliput, or me misinstalling the intakes... not sure. I don't recall having the same issue on the B version. I'm leaning towards the former - joining the two halves on the rear end was a bit of a PITA, as it didn't fit like when I did the test fit, so my guess is forcing it together with clamps pushed everything else slightly out of alignment.  no matter. I was going to do a post on chines as I get these ones sharp again. 

 

Stands are my preferred way to do aircraft. They give them motion and framing in a way that just having it gears down doesn't. AF-02 was the F-35 that was used in the infamous "dogfight" with an F-16 that lots of the press used to claim the fighter was no good. That makes me want to mount it as if the aircraft is undertaking a 9G turn. 

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