Internal unseen (therefore unbuilt) changes will be swapping engine positions. The rocket will be replaced with a jet, and the anemic Westnghouse jet will be replaced with a rocket booster. Colours will be US Navy, in service. External changes will be beefed up main gear, pitot tube elsewhere, larger intakes, maybe folded wings, and if I get really ambitious, total redo on the canopy.

WIN_20230303_10_46_30_Pro by Dave Bailey, on Flickr

Cool! Which antique store did you get that from?
Looks like fun!

Oh my life, we had one of those kits in the monthly auction at Trent Plastic Modellers in the 70s.

Everyone who bought it put it back in the following month, with the price getting lower and lower. Eventually it went for 1p and was never seen again, I suspect it was used as a door stop.................. 

Quote from: PR19_Kit on March 03, 2023, 08:10:56 AMOh my life, we had one of those kits in the monthly auction at Trent Plastic Modellers in the 70s.

Everyone who bought it put it back in the following month, with the price getting lower and lower. Eventually it went for 1p and was never seen again, I suspect it was used as a door stop.................. 

      

Quote from: kerick on March 03, 2023, 08:03:55 AMCool! Which antique store did you get that from?
Looks like fun!

Bought it a few years ago with a mind to do exactly what I'm doing for this group build. Finally got the perfect opportunity. .

An interesting project!
I don't understand all that disparaging of ancient kits, when I check the so-called short-run kits,most of them look like crap to me,but, of course, it's forbidden to say so...

love mixed powerplant fighters- very 1950's! 

Nice idea Rat !

Quote from: Captain Canada on March 04, 2023, 04:48:22 AMNice idea Rat !

Thanks. Now haul out that old Starfire! 

Cut off the vertical stabiliser, probably going to move it forward a bit because I'll be shortening the exhaust area. Might also reshape it.

Tail cut by Dave Bailey, on Flickr

Cockpit bulge carved off

Cockpit by Dave Bailey, on Flickr

I remember building this kit as a small kid. Doubt if I painted it, but it was probably breaking the sound barrier a couple of hours after bringing it home from the shop, memories   

The Skyrocket's a very nicely shaped aircraft, much more aesthetic than the X-1 etc.

Quote from: The Rat on March 04, 2023, 09:11:56 PMCockpit bulge carved off

That is some thick plastic!

Building the seat, OUCH! 

seat by Dave Bailey, on Flickr

The model is allegedly 1/65th scale, which seems close enough to 1/72nd that the seat from the Airfix P-80 seems just about right for the pilot that comes with the Skyrocket, seen here in his 'climbing the ladder' pose.

Skyrocket pilot by Dave Bailey, on Flickr

And the cockpit from the P-80 also seems like it will work. and brings up the phrase "never throw anything away!" The clear underside nose portion from the Heller Saab Lansen, used if building the reconaissance version, also seems like it will double nicely as the nosewheel bay, and the Airfix pit will sit on top at just about the right level. I hope. Right now it's time to eat.

Skyrocket pit by Dave Bailey, on Flickr