Northop RF-62 "Megasnark", March 1959

[nönöbär]

Northrop RF-62 Megasnark, March 1959

The Plane:

The Northrop RF-62 Megasnark is one of the forgotten projects of the early days of the Cold War.


After developing the SM-62 Snark in the mid 1950s, a team lead by Lt.Col S.Cratch developed the idea of building a manned version of the SM-62. Their idea was to create a complete family of aircraft based on the Snark design: The F-62 Fighersnark, the A-62 Gigasnark Attack aircraft and the RF-62 Megasnark Recon aircraft.  The idea was to have cheap, expendable aircraft that could be produced in huge numbers and which should be launched together in massive strikes. This kind of operation was then called a "Snarknado".

It was projected to build mobile launch pads that the Snarks could be relocated quickly.

As the different versions of the manned Snark were based on the the original cruise missile – which was usually on a one way mission – no landing gear was fitted to the aircrafts. Therefore pilots either had to parachute when returned to their bases or use special prepared landing strips where the aircraft could do a belly landing. Critical voices said, in the concept of Lt.Col S.Cratch, a return of the pilots – the so-called "Snark-Riders" - was never a primary required during the project.

In March 1959, the first of the manned Snarks, the RF-62 "Megasnark" was completed and did its first flights. Flight characteristics were ok, however the high-nose flight profile of the Megasnark did not provide a good view for the Snark-Rider.

Three RF-62 were build which made a total of 26 flights. Most of the flights ended with successful belly landings, but in three of flights the Snark-Riders had to parachute and the aircraft were destroyed.
After this no more of those vehicles were build and Lt.Col S.Cratch left the Airforce, being upset that his great idea of the "Snarknado"  was not carried out.

The model shows the first RF-62 Magasnark before its first flight in March 1959.









                                                                                         
The Model:
This is a 1982 re-release of the old Revell model of the Sm-62 Snark, produced in the 1950s. Scale of the model is 1/81, so it fits to other 1/72 kits. The cockpit was taken by a Heller P51 kit, besides this the model was build without any additional parts.
Painted with Revell Aqua-Color, it uses the original decals plus a few additional ones from the spare part box.

[kerick]

That's great work. A real silk purse from a sow's ear.
I really mean it, no "snarky" comments!   

[Tophe]

  Wonderful result! With a pretty good use of a P-51D canopy!

[FAR148]

 

That's so awesome! 

[MiB]

Lt.Col S.Cratch (...) The F-62 Fighersnark, the A-62 Gigasnark Attack aircraft and the RF-62 Megasnark Recon aircraft.  (...) This kind of operation was then called a "Snarknado".

A genius!!!!

[PR19_Kit]

I like that a lot. 

That's three SnarkWhiffs we've had here recently, almost enough for a GB. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Nice one.

With yellow instead of white trim this could also be the "Holy Guacamole" Batwing, sort of?

[The Rat]

Manned versions of winged missiles are 1) Obvious, 2) Underdone, 3) Usually good lookers. Yours is beautiful! 

[Dork the kit slayer]

 

Ive got the big Lindberg "Snark" and havent a clue what to do with it.

[zenrat]

Love it.

[Cobra]

This is Super Cool It Almost has a "Gerry Anderson " Feel to it. Any plans to Try Something Similar in a Gerry Anderson Vein? Keep Up the Superb Work Dan

[nönöbär]

Thanks a lot !!!! 

Of course the real brain behind this project is my engineer who worked very hard on it. I just had to build what he had planned.

So here is him with the final result:





Btw, as his name is "Scratch Bear" I wonder if he is somehow related to Lt.Col. S. Cratch..... 

[NARSES2]

That has really come out well  Very good looking aeroplane

[Steel Penguin]

    looks great, and a wonderful idea as well

[Captain Canada]

Wow. That looks great ! Love the scheme you've come up with. Very realistic and unique. That's defo an idea for the pair I have in the stash.