Xf-15

[MMM]

One more coat of paint, and then decals this weekend. Design is based on the Estes "Interceptor" model rocket. Decals will be Estes decals, shrunk to 45%.

Discuss. B)  

[cthulhu77]

LOL ! Great minds think alike ! Looking forward to seeing more pics, looks to be a real stunner !
      Greg

[B777LR]

wingtip missiles are geenees?

[MMM]

wingtip missiles are geenees?

Genie-X- much larger, with ablative shielding and reaction-control motors for LEO operations.

Jane's Historical Defence Guide (1978 edition):

The XF-15 "HyperSabre" was the first hypersonic endo/exoatmospheric weapon system to be deployed by the Strategic Space Command. A militarized version of the experimental X-15 hypersonic vehicle, the XF-15 allowed the Strategic Air Command to make its first tentative steps into space. Eventually, Pentagon infighting over control of exoatmospheric operations led to the formation of the Strategic Space Command in 1964.

The XF-15 was only functional for a five-year span, from 1961-1966, when it was superceded by the XF-20 (later F-20) DynaHawk, which was designed to be launched from either a Titan III rocket or the back of a B-70. (True SSTO fighters had to wait until 1973, with the deployment of the F-302 Interceptor.)

The XF-15 was rushed into production at the very beginning of what would later be called the First Zork Incursion, as a last-ditch attempt to protect the Earth from what later turned out to be five rogue Zork scout saucers, whose intermittent re-supply raiding parties were launched from a crashed Zork mothership on the far side of the Moon.

Two HyperSabres were carried to altitude under the wings of a XB-52C, the "ThunderFortress". The ThunderFortress gained its nickname from the fearsome sound of its takeoffs; laden with one HyperSabre under each wing, the XB-52C lumbered into the air under the full power of ten jet engines (two additional single-engine pods replaced the outboard fuel tanks), a full set of JATO bottles, and a single, throttleable A-6XV variant rocket engine (which replaced the gunnery position in the tail.) At altitude, the rocket engine was re-ignited to put the XB-52C into a sixty-degree accelerating climb before simultaneous release of the two HyperSabres.

Each XF-15 was armed with two Genie-X nuclear-tipped missiles, sheathed in ablative material, carried on the wingtips of each craft. (This position was found to be optimal, as carrying the missile closer to the body of the craft resulted in launch instability and a potential for impact with the XF-15 itself.) Both missiles were designed to be launched simultaneously; if a mission did not launch the missiles, they were designed to be safely dropped by parachute immediately before landing. The Genie-X was equipped with both proximity and radio-controlled remote detonation triggers, and could be detonated on command by the XF-15 pilot.

During their lifespan of deployment, the XF-15 shot down or otherwise disabled three of the Zork saucers. Much was learned from the Zork debris, including important clues towards the advancement of gravity generation and fusion technology. Seven XF-15s were lost during this same period, including two that were brought down (along with their XB-52C mothership) by a suicidal Zork saucer.

During the 1972 Zork Incursion, there was some discussion about returning the XF-15 to service for the duration of the emergency. However, the TSTO F-302 proved more than up to the challenge of Earth defense.

Compton's Encyclopedia (2006)- "Zork":

In 1956, a Zork war scow, the Violent (and Unlamentably Extinct) Seabird, limped into Sol system with its FTL drive and its astrogation module damaged beyond repair. Fatally crippled, the mothership eventually crash-landed in the South Pole-Aitken basin on the Farside of Earth's Moon. Rather than open diplomatic communications with the people of Earth*, the warlike Zork then proceeded to raid Earth with their scout saucers for supplies, striking at distant locations and outposts without warning, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

(*There is no word for "diplomat" in Zorkisi; the closest word in their language also translates as "easy dinner".)

[Brian da Basher]

Woah that's one fantastic looking bird there 3M! I can't wait to see more!

Brian da Basher

[Rafael]

That's a fantastic bird MMM!!!
Tell us more about the build, is it a scratch?

Rafa

[MMM]

It's a 1/72 Revell X-15 from the recent release, with the wings chopped off and repositioned and the extended chines scratchbuilt from laminated styrene. The T-tail is made from the kit horizontal stabilizers, with 1/350 Soviet ship-defense missiles sanded down to make the "spikes". The engine is going to be a spare exhaust from an AMT/ERTL 1/48 X-Wing, cut down and detailed. The belly plow is scratched from styrene and Aves putty.

The Genies are from a Monogram 1/48 F-101 kit. Can't decide whether to make them Italian Red or Day-Glo orange.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Eddie M.]

VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! B) Nice work and great idea. I'll be waiting to see the end product.
  Eddie  

[anthonyp]

It... LIVES!!!!!  (thunder crashes, organ crescendos)

Nice, Matt!  I'd forgotten about this one.  T-tails ROCK, btw.

[John Howling Mouse]

mmm, that's for sure!  

Never met a T-Tail I didn't love at first sight.  

Good job.  

[rallymodeller]

BEauty work, Matt! Gonna have it at Wonderfest?

[dragon]

Without the missiles it reminded me of one of the ships in either the old ULTRAMAN or ULTRAMAN 7 series.  Very anime-ish.  I like it! B)    

[Archangel]

Good to see the progress on this Matt.  

[MMM]

BEauty work, Matt! Gonna have it at Wonderfest?

You betcha! (Along with a few others...)