The roots of this build go back several months where there was a fair amount of discussion regarding 'flat Lightnings', i.e. engines side-by-side rather than vertically stacked. It's going to be a mashup of a scrapped, previously-whiffed Lightning (https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=23088.msg333670#msg333670) and an ancient Italeri Tornado IDS that's been gathering dust for many years.
Work has begun. Superfluous Tornado parts removed to the spares box, radome plus one engine intake and its wing pivotty thingy removed. Pics to follow.
Sounds interesting! Carry on!
Mine is stalled due to many other projects getting in the way.
So here's what the 'Flatning' is going to be made up of - a dismembered Lightning, Italeri Tornado, NOVO Lightning wings and some other Lightningy bits and bobs:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52222752111_1ed2a48424_w.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52221749747_98a74e511b_w.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52222752086_bea8aebf87_w.jpg)
The scrapped Lightning gave up its ejection seat for the 'Lightning PR.8' (https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=49644.msg932807#msg932807) so the 'pit' needed a hole sorting out. As with the Vickers 588 the seat will be made from a kit seat, in this case from the FROG Lightning F.6 upon which the PR.8 was based:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52221749822_78253aa917_z.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52223023969_af95814096_z.jpg)
The Tornado radome has been removed and the cockpit cut away to make room for Lightning components; plastic sheet added to fill some of the void and to provide a base for the inevitable PSR. The Tornado's lateral engine intakes have been removed and again plastic sheet fitted prior to PSR:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52223023944_2a990d26ef_z.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52223023919_0b251449e7_z.jpg)
And finally an idea as to how the Flatning may begin to look when the parts start to be attached to one another:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52222752071_150e440704_o.jpg)
Airfix wings are shown but as mentioned I'll be using NOVO wings.
The 'bomber' Tonka is a rather stumpy creature - the 'fighter' version is rather better proportioned (IIRC the Tornado F.3 fuselage is approximately the length the RAF originally wanted for the GR.1/GR.4) but I had an otherwise unwanted Tornado IDS kit in the stash and wasn't going to uise the Hasegawa F.3 in the stash or shell out on a second F.3 (which would have been an Airfix kit anyway)!
Quote from: kitbasher on July 17, 2022, 12:51:23 PM
The 'bomber' Tonka is a rather stumpy creature - the 'fighter' version is rather better proportioned (IIRC the Tornado F.3 fuselage is approximately the length the RAF originally wanted for the GR.1/GR.4)
I couldn't agree more. One of the reasons I started building my Tornado F5, which was an F3 with an F3 conversion grafted onto it. ;)
One day I may finish it, when I can get the tailplanes to stay attached anyway. (that seems to be a recurring theme with me, tailplanes that won't stay on I mean...:()
The Flatning looks very promising, I'll follow progress with interest. :thumbsup:
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 17, 2022, 01:08:38 PM
Quote from: kitbasher on July 17, 2022, 12:51:23 PM
The 'bomber' Tonka is a rather stumpy creature - the 'fighter' version is rather better proportioned (IIRC the Tornado F.3 fuselage is approximately the length the RAF originally wanted for the GR.1/GR.4)
I couldn't agree more. One of the reasons I started building my Tornado F5, which was an F3 with an F3 conversion grafted onto it. ;)
There was a time when I had strong urges to put together a 'long' Tornado GR.1, basically a bombed-up F.3 with a GR.1 radome. Maybe one for the future, using a cheap F.3, the spare resin GR.1 radome I have in the stash and the necessary weaponry from an Airfix weapons set to build the 'proper GR.4'.
An interesting basis for a side-by-side-engines Lightning. :thumbsup:
Curious about the stabilizer placement, though - the Tonka tail looks a bit short?
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on July 18, 2022, 12:12:27 AM
Curious about the stabilizer placement, though - the Tonka tail looks a bit short?
It makes up for with area though. ;D
Not for nothing did the RAF call the Tonka 'The Mighty Fin'. :o
I really like the idea with the Lightning's round nose intake on the square Tonka fuselage - should look very interesting! :thumbsup:
Dave, I've a box full of Tornado wrecks and part starts that I *really* want to get rid of. Any use?
This has given me an idea for a future build :thumbsup:
Quote from: The Wooksta! on July 18, 2022, 03:09:31 AM
Dave, I've a box full of Tornado wrecks and part starts that I *really* want to get rid of. Any use?
Very generous offer, Lee - will PM you.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52253379281_b7a4ddeb35_z.jpg)
Lightning cockpit, spine fairing and intake/radome fitted, wing/tailplane panel line scribing under way. Some more prep work needed on the donor fin.
Lashings of plastic sheet and PSR to follow prior to adding the wings/tailplanes/fin, and I've just realised I've not added any nose weight - d'Oh!! I think I can flood some Liquid Gravity and superglue into the nose via the still-open cockpit void. If I make a blanking plate for the intake I can also hide some in the hole behind the intake
Someone should cast white metal pilots, that'd help sort out the noseweight issue.
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2022, 06:43:42 AM
Someone should cast white metal pilots, that'd help sort out the noseweight issue.
Good idea, Kit. They'd help enhance those kit seats that are devoid of detail.
A LONG while back someone did do them, they came two in a plastic zip lock bag with a green-ish card stapled to the back, but I only ever saw one batch, bought two packets and I've never seen them since. No idea who did the castings or the originals. :(
Someone, possibly John Addams, did white metal FOD guards for Lightnings. I had two somewhere, but haven't seen them for a long time,
I'm going to be honest and say that it just doesn't look right. Think it's the base kit as it flares out in the wrong place.
Quote from: kitbasher on July 31, 2022, 06:47:50 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2022, 06:43:42 AM
Someone should cast white metal pilots, that'd help sort out the noseweight issue.
Good idea, Kit. They'd help enhance those kit seats that are devoid of detail.
Masking tape painted the colour you want then cut into thin strips can work quite well as seat belts, cheap too :thumbsup:
Gondor
Quote from: Gondor on July 31, 2022, 07:17:54 AM
Quote from: kitbasher on July 31, 2022, 06:47:50 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2022, 06:43:42 AM
Someone should cast white metal pilots, that'd help sort out the noseweight issue.
Good idea, Kit. They'd help enhance those kit seats that are devoid of detail.
Masking tape painted the colour you want then cut into thin strips can work quite well as seat belts, cheap too :thumbsup:
Gondor
Indeed - there's a fair bit of that happening at the mo!
This is looking VERY promising. :wub:
Quote from: kitbasher on July 31, 2022, 06:47:50 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2022, 06:43:42 AM
Someone should cast white metal pilots, that'd help sort out the noseweight issue.
Good idea, Kit. They'd help enhance those kit seats that are devoid of detail.
Elhiem figures do 1/72 white metal "early helicopter pilots can be used as modern civilian pilots" (https://www.elhiem.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3065578-FP08-Early-helicopter-pilots-can-be-used-as-modern-civilian-pilots.html)
(https://sites.create-cdn.net/siteimages/34/1/1/341115/82/4/5/8245576/640x210.jpg?1394813784)
The pilot for my GB Canberra is going to be the last of these from my stash.
Armoury, CMK and PJ do pilots etc in 1/72. Various types and periods.
But they're resin, aren't they?
KB, do you have a scrap metal dealer near you, you could probably pick up some lead sheeting that comes off the house roofs. I've got a big piece of it some years ago and use it all the time when needed. You can cut it with a big pair of scissors too if the bit you get is thin enough. I swap out cockpit floors and such when I have a real problem tail sitter.
Quote from: kitnut617 on August 01, 2022, 10:12:44 AM
KB, do you have a scrap metal dealer near you, you could probably pick up some lead sheeting that comes off the house roofs. I've got a big piece of it some years ago and use it all the time when needed. You can cut it with a big pair of scissors too if the bit you get is thin enough. I swap out cockpit floors and such when I have a real problem tail sitter.
Thanks Kitnut, yes I've some of the same. My challenge is, having been rather dense and acting in haste I forgot to add the ballast, hence I'm left with squeezing ballast in through random orifices!
Not familiar with the Elhiem range, Ratty, thanks for bringing them to my attention.
And finally Lee, I know what you mean. The curve is hidden on the Tonka, will have a think about how to lessen it.
That's why I went with the Su-15 fuselage. Haven't done much more with it though.
I do like the concept so watching on with interest.
I ran into a nose weight issue on a Bronco build. I got around it by cutting down the nosewheel and adding a teeny tiny rare earth magnet and building up with filler to "flatten" the tyre.
Another magnet on the base (correct polarity of course :o) and the nose went nowhere but down.
Some chopping on one side of the fuselage to lessen the bulge The Wooksta! commented on.
Not much taken off, tbh, but it'll allow me to produce a fuselage that's more akin to the plan view of the SARO P149 at p99 of British Secret Projects: Jet Fighters (2005 edition).
Also provides an opportunity to slightly round off some of the rather square Tornado fuselage edges.
Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 01, 2022, 09:55:47 AM
But they're resin, aren't they?
Some resin, some white metal
Minimal progress - wanting to focus on the Vickers 588 as that's much closer to completion and there's only five weeks left to the end of the GB. Still, nose ballast applied courtesy of some cunning slipping in of narrow strips of synthetic lead into every slot I could find. What won't be hidden in due course by filler will be behind an intake cover.
Strips of plastic sheet are being attached to the forward fuselage to lessen the bulge (see 2 August post). One at a time, firmly clamped to the fuselage while the glue dries. Basically the only use I can think of for a bottle of gloop marketed as Revell Contacta Liquid Special! Shims of plastic are needed here and there on the upper fuselage prior to more filler, turning out to be a bit of a putty monster (I'm not surprised)!
Mustn't forget to spruce up the seat.
Pics to follow.
Quote from: kitbasher on August 21, 2022, 06:03:38 AM......and there's only five weeks left to the end of the GB.
Might be................... ;D
Minimal progress other than more putty slapping onto the fuselage. Concerted effort with sanding into shape to follow ahead of the wings, fin and tailplanes being added. Nothing that a three-week GB extension couldn't sort out! :angel:
The rear fuselage is together on mine, although the exhausts are a bit off. Part of me wants to rework it, but the resin bit is very secure in place so I may just leave it. The front end needs more work.
Brainf@rt/Senior Moment time. I know I put the part build somewhere safe earlier this year but can I remember where? Can I hell!
Looked in all the logical places, so it must be somewhere illogical.
Will keep looking - even at the risk of turning into Captain Ahab.
I don't know where the front end of mine has gone...
Go off and do something completely contrary and it will almost immediately come to mind, probably at a totally inappropriate moment ;)
Welcome to the Old Farts Society of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland :thumbsup:
Quote from: The Wooksta! on May 18, 2024, 05:49:00 AMI don't know where the front end of mine has gone...
Callow yoofs like what you are have no excuse!!
Found it. Not too far away from where it had been previously sitting. In a draw in a clear plastic tub - not a box as I'd previously convinced myself it was in.
In fact I'd looked in the draw at least twice before - I'd even looked at the 8100dy container it's in bt hadn't seen it. Aaaargh!
But it's found and will go somewhere safe - and the location recorded.
Quote from: kitbasher on May 20, 2024, 05:52:38 AM- and the location recorded.
Better make a note somewhere, where that is :angel:
I had the same issue with the Magna MB3 - I knew it was in a black Heller box, presumably Spitfire 16 as I have many and consequently overlooked the Mistral box it was actually lurking in.
Quote from: NARSES2 on May 20, 2024, 06:08:50 AMQuote from: kitbasher on May 20, 2024, 05:52:38 AM- and the location recorded.
Better make a note somewhere, where that is :angel:
Have knotted my hanky
But then you'll lose the hanky. Or forget to transfer the knot to the next day's hanky.
Don't ask me how I know this....................
Make a note about the note, noting where the note is..... :wacko:
Quote from: PR19_Kit on May 21, 2024, 01:48:00 AMBut then you'll lose the hanky. Or forget to transfer the knot to the next day's hanky.
Don't ask me how I know this....................
You have a fresh hank everyday :o ? Plutocrat ;)
Quote from: NARSES2 on May 21, 2024, 06:24:43 AMYou have a fresh hank everyday :o ? Plutocrat ;)
I certainly do, some even have the day of the week embroidered on them. ;D
Have pinned hanky to kitchen notice board. Just need to remember where the notice board is. 🤪
Just don't forget to untie the knot later or you'll be searching around for "something "........
Quote from: kitbasher on May 21, 2024, 09:16:41 AMHave pinned hanky to kitchen notice board. Just need to remember where the notice board is. 🤪
Probably in the kitchen ;)
Quote from: PR19_Kit on May 21, 2024, 08:30:22 AMQuote from: NARSES2 on May 21, 2024, 06:24:43 AMYou have a fresh hank everyday :o ? Plutocrat ;)
I certainly do, some even have the day of the week embroidered on them. ;D
En Francais ? :angel:
;D ;D
Wha'ever............ ;D