Gloster Assegai F.1

[Glenn Gilbertson]

No sooner had Glosters started work on the Meteor F.8 than they realised that it would be hopelessly outclassed by the forthcoming swept-wing fighters. The Gloster E.!/44 "Ace" had lacklustre performance (nicknamed the "Gloster Gormless".
Radical action had to be taken. Test pilots had liked the cockpit and 4 x 20mm cannon armament of the Ace, and its Rolls Royce Nene was an excellent engine. The third Ace prototype was built with a new, swept wing, rear fuselage and tail, and this time the fighter was a great success - different enough to be renamed the "Assegai". RAF squadrons in Germany were the first to re-equip, and were relieved to be able to face MiG 15's on equal terms. The fighter was robust and dependable, and was passed to the Royal Auxillary Air Force after the front-line squadrons received the Hunter.

The build:
The ancient Airfix MiG 15 was combined with a Matchbox Hunter nose, air intakes cut from a scrapped Revell Fw 190 and loads and loads of Miliput.




More to follow ...

[NARSES2]

Now that does look interesting 

[DogfighterZen]

Now that does look interesting 

Sure does!

[PR19_Kit]

I like the look of that, cross kitting at its best. 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Computer crashed twice trying to do the build thread in one!
The cockpit and nose contours were built up with plastic card & Miliput; too narrow, so cut back, the seat detailed and radio details (like the Sabre) with scrap plusstick added, photocopied Hunter panel & Airfix bone-domed heroic pilot added.

Canopy crash-moulded Meteor F.8 copy. Pitot tube from plastic rod.

Lots more Miliput.


Gloster Assegai F.1, 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF, Wildenrath, West Germany.
Colour scheme as for RAF Sabre in Germany, decals from Modeldecal Sheet 97:

[kitbasher]

excellent - very well done 

[Librarian]

That's a thing of beauty That scheme works so very well too.

[kitnut617]

Now that does look good   

[PR19_Kit]

Excellent indeed, even better as the finished article. 

[DogfighterZen]

Very nice work indeed!

[The Rat]

Now THAT is fantastic! I've always had a thing for the 1/44, such nice simple lines. Your idea is good, and the execution superb! 

[Captain Canada]

Oh that looks so right ! Love it. I want to play with it right now. Defo stealing this idea.

[NARSES2]

Fantastic mate 

[kitnut617]

I've never really connected it before -- but the Hunter nose does look like the Ace nose. But I'm not surprised though, Gloster is/was part of the Hawker Siddeley Group.

[Dizzyfugu]

Nice one!