Here's a little something I've started inspired by some of Tophe's artwork. Tophe used a Bell 206 fuselage but I'm using a Matchbox Bk 117 because that's what I had on hand. It will be combined with a P-82 with the cockpits removed. All in 1/72nd scale.



The P-82 is a knockoff of the Monogram kit by Idea Hobby. Holy crap what a bad moulding! I'm not usually the type to complain about kits all the time but wow, what a dog. Its the Monogram mold but it must have been the worst one they had.



You can see here how much I had to widen the mid wing to allow for the Bk 117 fuselage. I used some kit sprue for reinforcement. It also helps to support the new wing sections.





The green is a section removed from the Hasegawa OV-1 Mohawk I'm converting to another helicopter. These wing sections fit almost perfectly. The Bk 117 blades will probably go on the Mohawk so there are many parts changing places here. The tape is holding the wing section down until the glue dries.
Putty has been applied to the wings and fuselage seams. Next I have to figure out how to cover the cockpits without using a ton of putty. I'm thinking of making it with nose gear so the less weight behind the main gear, the better. As is I will have to put lots of weight as far forward as possible. I could extend the nose of the engine nacelles and add some turbo prop engines. A couple of PT-6s should work. Paint will be some variation of Cal Fire or US Forest Service.

Coming long nicely.

What about a section of tube/drop tank to cover the 'pits?

Quote from: kerick on May 23, 2023, 10:21:04 PMNext I have to figure out how to cover the cockpits without using a ton of putty.

My go-to would be slips of 15thou' or 20thou' styrene, heat curved to more-or-less match the cross-section of the fuselage and welded in with TET/MEK/other solvent of choice. A minimal skim of putty should finish off the shape and blend in. Anything light would do, though, a piece cut out of a plastic bottle, cardboard, expanded polystyrene, even foam from a dish sponge, as long its firm enough to support a thin skim of putty.

HTH.

Cheers,
Mark

Starting ANY Whiff with an F-82 is always a good idea. 

And making the wings longer as a first step is even BETTER!   

Quote from: Rick Lowe on May 23, 2023, 10:40:39 PMComing long nicely.

What about a section of tube/drop tank to cover the 'pits?

That's probably what I'll do or plank the area with strips like 2996 Victor suggested. Some putty will be required no matter what.

I built a twin turbo-Mustang:

            

Quote from: kerick on May 23, 2023, 10:21:04 PMHere's a little something I've started inspired by some of Tophe's artwork. Tophe used a Bell 206 fuselage but I'm using a Matchbox Bk 117 because that's what I had on hand.

It is wonderful to see this delirium becoming an object, thanks a lot!

Quote from: Tophe on May 27, 2023, 10:07:43 PM

Quote from: kerick on May 23, 2023, 10:21:04 PMHere's a little something I've started inspired by some of Tophe's artwork. Tophe used a Bell 206 fuselage but I'm using a Matchbox Bk 117 because that's what I had on hand.

It is wonderful to see this delirium becoming an object, thanks a lot!

More than happy to build one of your wonderful ideas!
I've got a load of putty to sand so not much to take a pic of right now.

Cockpits are covered with plastic and putty now. Bigger PITA than I thought it would be. I also used the wing tanks from the Mohawk for tip tanks. A little on the big side but I'll see how it works out. Pics when there is something to see.

Waiting for pictures, a question about words;

Quote from: kerick on May 23, 2023, 10:21:04 PMa P-82 with the cockpits removed

would that be (still) twin-fuselage or (changed into) twin-boom?

Quote from: Tophe on June 02, 2023, 10:45:08 PMWaiting for pictures, a question about words;

Quote from: kerick on May 23, 2023, 10:21:04 PMa P-82 with the cockpits removed

would that be (still) twin-fuselage or (changed into) twin-boom?

It will still be twin fuselage just with no cockpits until I add the chopper cabin.

Here's an update. Things have been moving slowly. It's summer so lots of other things to do.
The cockpits have been planked over with strips of plastic. I tried to get it flush but some putty will be required. Also it shows what the tip tanks might look like.



Here is the Bk117 cabin with as much weight as I can cram into it. Not shown is the cockpit seats from an S-3 Viking with a bit of lead under them too.



Cockpits and wings puttied up with tip tanks attached. They are repurposed wing tanks from the Mohawk.



Here's another example of how this kit is such a dog. (My apologies to the real live dogs out there.) The part that is supposed to hold the prop in place so it can spin is completely off center. Both sides are like this. I had to shim a little bit to hold the part in place but geez. The props are a hot mess too but I'll clean them up. They will have to be glued straight to the nose. I've built the Monogram kit and although basic its far better than this thing. Something I'm sure I bought at a vendor table for cheap. You get what you pay for.



Here's the underside with the main gear in place and the tail wheel openings closed up. I may reposition the main gear farther back on the wing. Question is how to do it. It will have to retract forward like a Skyhawk or an A-10. Also inside the fuselages or outside?



I'll keep puttering around with this. I'll think I'll keep the main gear wheel bay and attach a Skyhawk style bulge. May the spares box faerie help me! Also I have to figure out how to attach the nose gear to a cabin that was never meant to have one. Wish me well!

Best wishes Ken 
Myself I'd move that landing to at least the center of the wing..move the air intakes further back or to be really different remove them completely and mount em on the wings like a Spitfire or in between the fuselages.
I'd cut out the landing gear bays and move them backwards and then cover up the holes..that way the gear stays inline with the gear bays and still would fold inwards as that layout actually wont change..then PSR the hell out of it 
By moving the gear backwards the centre of balance will change and as a result alot less weight will be needed to keep the nose down.
Simple stuff matey 

If you a going for a nose wheel, the main landing gear should really be further back. Enough to put the wheels behind the center of gravity.