So, here we go. Let's start with the ingredients: a FROG Spitfire Mki. XIV (originally from 1969, with a V1 included, plus dual display) and a KP Yak-23 w/o box (AFAIK the mould was created in 1981).
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5834/30034772506_8b8f583b4a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ML54th)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/ML54th) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
And then directly into the action. First steps circle around the problem where to make the cuts on both kits. The good news is that the Yak-23's Derwent nose is almost as long as the Griffon on the Spitfire, so that length is not a major proportions issue:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5564/29774648320_484e6705ed_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Mn5RBw)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/Mn5RBw) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
From that basis, the Griffon was cut away in front of the Spitfire's cockpit, with the moulded dashboard and the wing roots still intact:
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5786/29441054254_ed49bfd24e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LRB6HG)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/LRB6HG) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The "mirror cut" on the Yak-23 was a bit more tricky, since I wanted to save the exhaust pipe, placing it under the fuselage just as onboard of the Yak-23:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5046/29955227112_34c02963d9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MD3noY)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MD3noY) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Anyway, dry-fitting the nose revealed that, once the wings would be mounted, almost nothing of the exhaust tunnel would be left - I'd either have to semi-bury it, or add a deep fairing with a distinctive and rather ugly belly. Since the central, low exhaust also bears the indirect challenge of protecting the tail wheel (the Jetfire will keep the Spitfire's tail sitter layout, it's just intended to be a quickly re-engined aircraft), I went for a bifurcated twin exhaust, running along the wing roots to the trailing edge. This solution also offers a neat option to blend the wide and round Yak-23 nose with the much more slender Spitfire fuselage.
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8267/29441049494_51e65ba63b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LRB5iC)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/LRB5iC) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
More to follow soon.
Nice start ! They do fit together really well eh !
:wub:
Thank you very much. Thought so, too when I held the parts together for the first time.
BTW, there's more progress - the wings. A convenient "flaw" of the FROG Spitfire is that the radiators are just glued to the plain wing undersurface, so that they are easy to omit and any sign of attachment can be easily hidden:
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5163/30050247066_227003d703_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MMrnw3)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MMrnw3) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
And here's a dry-fitted overall layout view:
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5216/29456660034_a98023089f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LSZ5LS)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/LSZ5LS) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8114/30050244416_65e4fdef9a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MMrmJm)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MMrmJm) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The Griffon's carburetor intake will disappear, but in this view you see how little of the Yak-23 exhaust pipe is left to keep, maybe 2mm, if at all! Anyway, the combo looks very natural, if not elegant, I did not expect these good looks for such a crude hybrid! :unsure:
Furthermore, I drilled the Yak-23's vertical intake splitter away since it does not make sense on this aircraft layout - even though I am still wondering what to put inside instead? Probably a round central bullet.
Real world British Derwent installations had some sort of splitters or baffles too.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7501/26804143216_2aa3d5f31d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GQAeWh)W4041/G Gloster E28/39 (https://flic.kr/p/GQAeWh) by eLaReF (https://www.flickr.com/photos/elaref/), on Flickr
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/5/4053/4439469274_6f49ff62f7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/7LirxG)Gloster Meteor Derwent 8 jet engine (https://flic.kr/p/7LirxG) by Allan McBain (https://www.flickr.com/photos/28716254@N07/), on Flickr
---
Yak with a DB 605 might look interesting, too...
I am aware of these - but the Gloster E.28/39 had to hise the front wheel somewhere (just like the Yak-23) and on the Meteor the front wing spar goes right through the air intake. Both are not applicable to the Jetfire's layout.
Anyway, I found a solution: the intake will feature a fine mesh FOD guard (vaguely inspired by the MetroVick F.2/40 Meteor) and a central bullet that will slightly protrude from the intake opening.
Progress on the exhaust installation, basically created from styrene tubes; the "sidepipes" are a good way to hide the diameter gap between the Derwent nose section and the much slimmer Spitfire fuselage:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5206/29485481504_ab84d615d9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LVwNoL)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/LVwNoL) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8272/29818862950_73d32d26d4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MqZt5J)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MqZt5J) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5789/29818860230_e825f56c0a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MqZsgQ)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MqZsgQ) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Does not look bad at all! :thumbsup:
Very ingenious. :thumbsup:
I like this!!!
May I suggest something for remaining pieces?
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1080.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj340%2Fysi_maniac%2FDrawing%2Fyak23_griffon.jpg&hash=b3096d187a729c60e644129a616dd838b7dbc078) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/ysi_maniac/media/Drawing/yak23_griffon.jpg.html)
Quote from: ysi_maniac on October 04, 2016, 03:07:59 PM
May I suggest something for remaining pieces?
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1080.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj340%2Fysi_maniac%2FDrawing%2Fyak23_griffon.jpg&hash=b3096d187a729c60e644129a616dd838b7dbc078) (http://s1080.photobucket.com/user/ysi_maniac/media/Drawing/yak23_griffon.jpg.html)
Yes, Carlos, you can. Great concept(?). And it confirms my impression what a nose replacement with a prop might look like... :unsure:
Would make a great racer, though, esp. with the Griffon? The engine the FROG kit lost is already earmarked for another project, but I have a P-51 Merlin from a Matchbox kit somewhere... :wacko:
PSR, baby... :wacko:
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5689/30019863822_a2c72dd8aa_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MJKDD1)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MJKDD1) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8132/29838932710_a15651bcb5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MsLk85)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MsLk85) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5763/30099289956_dc2aa7c3a0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MRLJg7)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MRLJg7) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
This is so pretty already :thumbsup: you any idea about its backstory yet? :lol:
:thumbsup:
Lovely work so far. :thumbsup:
Two different kinds of putty?
Quote from: RAFF-35 on October 05, 2016, 09:40:00 AM
This is so pretty already :thumbsup: you any idea about its backstory yet? :lol:
Sure! No work without concept. ;D
Quote from: ChernayaAkula on October 05, 2016, 12:13:20 PM
Lovely work so far. :thumbsup:
Two different kinds of putty?
Thank you. And, yes, different materials. The white stuff is a car body putty, similar to Revell's Plasto. It is more "stable" and I use it most of the time for bigger/deeper work areas, when I need to "add flesh". The greenish stuff is another NC putty for cars, but it's finer, more flexible and also a bit harder/less prone to abrasives, for the final coat and surface work. It's always funny to see the shaggy result of the different layers - but there's not much behind that. ;)
Just 2 pics for today - the air intake and its modified interior with a tight mesh (still w/o central bullet fairing, though), and a look at the belly right before painting starts, with a single, dry-fitted drop tank from the Yak-23 in place.
The landing gear (OOB, just the outer covers were added, as well as the tail wheel covers and a longer and bigger tail wheel from an Airfix Hurricane) has also been mounted:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5211/30040737152_2c4016faba_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MLACy1)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MLACy1) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8137/29859485230_49f019d918_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MuzEES)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire", early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MuzEES) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Painting up next!
That's so cool ! Love watching your work.
:wub: :thumbsup:
Things take more shape, with basic painting, some light panel shading and decals, puzzled together from various sources:
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5624/29876841060_a0e49f5be7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Mw7BXj)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/Mw7BXj) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8403/29543666774_a2ec8e176c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M1F1R5)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/M1F1R5) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5095/29543664344_004b6b8801_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M1F18b)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/M1F18b) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5277/29876833250_61f18d51be_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Mw7zCE)1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) - WiP (https://flic.kr/p/Mw7zCE) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Very conservative, I'll admit, but that's for the "underneath the radar" approach. ;)
Ooh! Looks good! :thumbsup:
Love the look of this, Thomas!
Thank you very much. And here she is, in full glory: a 1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945.
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5231/29913345940_c139e5fd7a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkHzN)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkHzN) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5536/29913349820_4e1809e705_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkJJG)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkJJG) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8132/29579963744_5f35393600_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T3EU)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T3EU) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Some background:
The Supermarine Jetfire was a stopgap solution in order to introduce a jet-powered interceptor agains German V-1 missiles that threatened the London region from June 1944 on. At that time, the only aircraft with the low-altitude speed to be effective against it was the Hawker Tempest, but fewer than 30 Tempests were available. They were assigned to No. 150 Wing RAF, and early attempts to intercept and destroy V-1s often failed.
One alternative was the jet-powered Gloster Meteor, which still was development - and in order to get the new engine into service (also as a response to Gloster's engagement for E.1/44 with the single-engine "Ace" fighter) Supermarine responded with the idea to replace the nose-mounted piston engine with a single Whittle W.2 engine: The "Jetfire" was born.
>(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5160/29579966234_63cb7d5fef_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T4pQ)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T4pQ) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5810/30124263351_a6866a0e41_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MTYHYT)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MTYHYT) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The conversion was rather simple: the Jetfire was actually a Griffon-powered Spitfire XIV with as few changes to the original airframe in order to accept the W.2. The aircraft's forward fuselage was widened to accommodate the bulbous engine with a simple nose intake. The deeper forward part of the fuselage with its round diameter gave the aircraft a pronounced "pod-and-boom" configuration.
Internally, the front wing spar had to be bent into an inverted U-shape to clear the engine and its jet pipe.
The W.2 was mounted slightly angled downwards, and the jet pipe was bifurcated so that it ran along the fuselage flanks above the wings, with an exhaust just behind the wings' trailing edges. To protect the fuselage, steel heatshield were added to the flanks. Furthermore, the former radiator fairings for the Griffon and the respective plumbing were removed and faired over, saving weight and internal space – and weight was reduced as much as possible to achieve a decent performance with the rather experimental centrifugal jet engine. The conventional Spitfire tailsitter landing gear remained unmodified, just additional covers for the main wheels were added for improved aerodynamics at high speed.
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5300/29579958954_fa850a104d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T2fj)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T2fj) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5142/29913334980_73b366e1ee_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkEjQ)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkEjQ) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The first prototype was already finished in October 1944, and taxiing trials started immediately. The heatshields proved to be too short and the heat from the engine exhaust melted the duralumin skin of the rear fuselage. Additionally, the tailwheel received a longer strut for a cleaner airflow under the stabilizer on the ground – the original, shorter strut created an air cushion under the stabilizer that lifted the whole tail upwards when the throttle was opened, resulting in poor handling at low taxiing speeds.
Modifications to rectify the problems took until late December, and by this time a second prototype had been completed. After a few taxiing tests, it was transferred to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) for full-scale wind tunnel testing that lasted until February 1945.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5213/30124257361_51e99de2af_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MTYGcB)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MTYGcB) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8277/29913327960_7181814ddd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkCeN)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkCeN) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
On the 26th of that month, the RAF issued requirements that the aircraft should have a maximum speed of 770 km/h (480 mph) at sea level and a speed of 850 km/h (530 mph) at an altitude of 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). It should be able to climb to that altitude in 4 1/2 minutes or less and it should have a range of 500 kilometers (310 mi) at 90% of maximum speed.
The Jetfire failed to meet these targets, but it was still fast enough to intercept the V-1 and was quickly available. The average speed of V-1s was 550 km/h (340 mph) and their average altitude was 1,000 m (3,300 ft) to 1,200 m (3,900 ft). Fighter aircraft required excellent low altitude performance to intercept them and enough firepower to ensure that they were destroyed in the air rather than crashing to earth and detonating. Most aircraft were too slow to catch a V-1 unless they had a height advantage, allowing them to gain speed by diving on their target.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5554/29579903443_a3fac67ee0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4SJKe)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/M4SJKe) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5758/30094744622_bf6d4e3c67_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MRnr6h)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MRnr6h) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Originally a total of 200 Jetfire Mk.Is were ordered, and on the drawing board an improved variant with a bubble canopy, a slightly larger tail fin, stabilizers with a 10° dihedral in order to get them better out of the jet efflux's path and an armament of four 20 mm cannon (the Mk.II) was already taking shape. But this initial and any follow-on orders were quickly cancelled or changed to the more advanced and promising twin-engined Gloster Meteor that finally became operational.
Consequently, the total production run of the Jetfire Mk.I just reached 26 aircraft: 18 were delivered to RAF 616 Squadron, the rest were used by the Tactical Flight at Farnborough that had been established in 1944 in order to prepare active squadrons for the radically new jet fighters. In late March 1945, the Jetfires became operational, upon which both tactical applications and limitations were extensively explored.
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8657/29913330380_0aaa65e130_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkCXw)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MzkCXw) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5303/29579946934_1c2536b697_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4SXF5)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/M4SXF5) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
Despite many shortcomings (sluggish acceleration, poor climb and agility except for a very good roll rate), the still rather experimental and primitive Jetfire was able to fulfill its intended V-1 interception role, and two V-1 interceptions were achieved during the following weeks. In the front line units they were quickly replaced by more effective types like the Gloster Meteor, the Hawker Tempest or the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Anyway, the Jetfire was still helpful to path the RAF's way for operational jet fighters and helped discover new high speed problems, including compressibility buffeting at higher speeds, causing increased drag, and it showed clearly the limits of traditional fighter aircraft designs.
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8415/29579970844_2c0317a2a2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T5Mj)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T5Mj) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 31 ft 8 in (9.66 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Wing area: 242.1 sq ft (22.49 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 2213 (root), NACA 2209.4 (tip)
Empty weight: 8,434 lb (3,826 kg)
Gross weight: 12,211 lb (5,539 kg)
Powerplant:
1× Rolls-Royce B.37 Derwent turbojet, 2,000 lbf (8.9 kN) static thrust
Performance:
Maximum speed: 748 km/h (468 mph)
Range: 395 km (247 miles) with internal fuel only
Service ceiling: 12,750 m (41,820 ft)
Rate of climb: 12 m/s (2362 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: 0.45
Time to altitude: 5.0 min to 30,000 ft (9,145 m)
Armament:
2× 20 mm British Hispano MkV cannons (120 RPG) and
2× 12,7 mm (0.5") machine guns (250 RPG) in the outer wings
Provision for up to six "60lb" 3" rockets under the outer wings,
or two 500 lb (227 kg) bombs, or a pair of drop tanks
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8128/30174775976_eeac1131fd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MYrBCd)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/MYrBCd) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8414/30209170725_9e5ff40fe8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/N2tTZ8)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/N2tTZ8) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8549/30209173135_a5e5736f43_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/N2tUGF)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/N2tUGF) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5290/29579979874_72932fffc9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T8t1)
1:72 Supermarine "Jetfire" Mk.I, aircraft 'YQ-G'/'PX204/G' of the Royal Air Force 616 Squadron; Culmhead (Somerset), early 1945 (Whif/Kitbashing) (https://flic.kr/p/M4T8t1) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
The resulting aircraft of this kitbash looks better than expected, even though the change of the exhaust arrangement came unexpected – even though I think the Jetfire became more appealing through the side pipes, despite the overall tadpole proportions.
As a side note, the story is not over yet, because there's an engine-less Yak-23 left over, and I wonder what it might look like with a piston engine grafted to the empty nose?
And, as an addendum, some impressions from the V-1 that comes with the FROG Spitfire Mk. XIV kit and found some use as prop for two pics:
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5243/30209160635_e829e35991_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/N2tQZa)
1:72 Fieseler V-1 cruise missile (WiP (https://flic.kr/p/N2tQZa) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5185/29579943544_2b90a0e789_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/M4SWEC)
1:72 Fieseler V-1 cruise missile (WiP (https://flic.kr/p/M4SWEC) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8408/30174751056_627a0fa39d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MYrudy)
1:72 Fieseler V-1 cruise missile (WiP (https://flic.kr/p/MYrudy) by dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice built Dizzy :thumbsup:
Great job, like the pose with the V-1 especially!
-Dave
Thank you all very much. I must agree: I was scaptical, too, because I originally expected a Yak-15-ish, hideous thing to emerge. But through the bifurcated exhaust arrangement the whole thing turned out much more elegant - and the Jetfire looks pretty realistic, too! :lol:
I was wondering how this would turn out and now I know. It really works :thumbsup:
Fantastic model and has given me ideas for a Centaurus engined Spitfire ? Would need clipped wing tips and would be used in the Far East ? Something to muse on. I do have a "spare" Centaurus so might get around to putting up against an Airfix Mk 22 ? Note the word "might" :angel:
Nice build , looks very convincing.
Andrew
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Very nice indeed :thumbsup:
Gondor
Great stuff ! Love the pics...you make it seem so real. Excellent work !
:wub:
:thumbsup: :wub: :thumbsup: :bow:
As you've already said, the build turned out a lot sleeker than expected
Brilliant! that really solves the jet 'tail-dragger' problems
Excellent, may have play with an FAA version, couldn't be much worse than an Attacker :)
Still has the graceful lines of a Spit, and does not even look "tadpolish" or pod-and-boom type at all. Subtle and clever! :thumbsup:
My God! It's beautiful.
Masterful work!!
Thank you very much, everyone! :cheers:
BTW.
Quote from: NARSES2 on October 09, 2016, 07:25:07 AM
I was wondering how this would turn out and now I know. It really works :thumbsup:
Fantastic model and has given me ideas for a Centaurus engined Spitfire ? Would need clipped wing tips and would be used in the Far East ? Something to muse on. I do have a "spare" Centaurus so might get around to putting up against an Airfix Mk 22 ? Note the word "might" :angel:
Why not? I have successfully grafted a Centaurus onto a Mustang (did not expect that this would work and even look good), a late Spitfire should be possible, too - even though the intersection between the round engine and the oval fuselage is challenging. In the case of the Jetfire, the exhaust pipes were a good explanation for the fuselage shape, with the originally planned ventral jetpipe things would have gotten more challenging in front of the cockpit section!
Very good.
:thumbsup:
Yes, sir! Very good indeed! I was thinking this would look weird, but came out very sleek. :thumbsup:
Excellent, and schemes of this ilk were studied in real life of course. :thumbsup:
Looks very good. Love the paint job!
Clever execution with the exhausts.
TomZ
Bit of a mystery...I posted a glowing :thumbsup: yesterday, along the lines of how I had reservations but the model turned out beautifully, preserving the sleek lines of the Spit. Seems to have disappeared off the thread. Anyway... :wub: :wub: :thumbsup:.
I am another sceptic who has been converted - the finished model looks surprisingly attractive! Well done. :thumbsup:
Thank you very much - again! :bow:
I like the Jetfire very much indeed. It looks so logical, and the bifuricated jet pipes really suit it. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on October 09, 2016, 04:10:38 AM
As a side note, the story is not over yet, because there's an engine-less Yak-23 left over, and I wonder what it might look like with a piston engine grafted to the empty nose?
A Yak-9? ;D
Damn that's pretty. Amazing work! :thumbsup:
Quote from: Leading Observer on October 11, 2016, 03:22:27 PM
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on October 09, 2016, 04:10:38 AM
As a side note, the story is not over yet, because there's an engine-less Yak-23 left over, and I wonder what it might look like with a piston engine grafted to the empty nose?
A Yak-9? ;D
No, that's a totally different airframe. The Yak-23 is pretty small, and the landing gear will have to be modified (tailsitter), too - I think that this will turn into a Reno Racer, because any serious piston engine looks oversized on the small aircraft! But it's IMHO worth a try. :mellow:
Anything's worth a try in Whifworld! :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :mellow: