Aircraft design help.

[Zaskar24]

Hello all.  I was wondering if any of the master WHIFer design folk could help me out.  I have not even started my first WHIF prop jobbie and am already starting to plan a jet one.  Luckily for me I will have a space to build, not much but a start.

This is what I am looking at for the plane.

F/A-18E Hornet fuselage with upside down forward swept F-14 wings with hard points added.  I am thinking wingtip mounts as well as 3 other hard points per wing. 
I am trying to figure out if I can add any missile launch rails under the fuselage.  Hand one of two per side off the air intakes possibly?   
Use Rafale intakes for engines. 
A source for GE F110-GE-132 cans other than two F-16 Block 60 kits? 
What to use for canards and where to put them?  At the start of the LERX?

This is where I am hoping to get some help.  My cut and paste photo chopping skills are weak to nonexistent.  I was wondering if anyone would be willing to help an inspiring WHIFer out by trying to put something together for me?

Scott     

[Taiidantomcat]

An F-110 equipped Tomcat (F-14B or F-14D) would get you a pair of engines.

[Zaskar24]

I did pick up a Revell F-14D cheap so I do have one.  Once I get my F/A-18E kit I will be able to eyeball them and see how the fit will be.

I am thinking that since I will be getting a Rafale kit for the intakes I have a source for canards as well.  I am also pretty sure I will be going at the start of the LERX.

So would anyone be willing to take a crack at doing a 3 view plan of this?  Anyone?

Scott

[pyro-manic]

F110 nozzles do not fit onto an F-18 without work. I've tried it! You'll have to enlarge the whole rear fuselage to get them to fit.

Sounds like an interesting project, though - looking forward to seeing it!

[Zaskar24]

Thank you for that info pyro.  I don't suppose you have pics of the build?  Or a link to direct me to pics?

Scott

[pyro-manic]

Not at the moment, but I can dig out the relevant bits and get a few comparison shots if you like. I actually scrapped the project, as I wasn't happy with it, but I still have the parts around somewhere.

[Zaskar24]

I would appreciate it if you could pyro. 

Scott

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Don't rule out some scale-o-rama when building your project.  It might be possible to use 1/72nd scale F110 exhaust parts on your 1/48th scale F-18 and find it is a win-win situation. 

[Zaskar24]

Don't rule out some scale-o-rama when building your project.  It might be possible to use 1/72nd scale F110 exhaust parts on your 1/48th scale F-18 and find it is a win-win situation. 

That is a good idea Jeffry.  Like I said, I currently have a Revell -14D kit that is going to be a wing donor for this build.  So I will have the Exhaust from them as well.  I will feep my eyes out for an inexpensive 1/72 -14B or D kit. 

Keep the ideas coming in prople.

ALso if any of our master picture artists want to donate their time it would be great.

Scott

[Taiidantomcat]

Once again Jeffry is right 1/72 will work (being a big F-110 fan i have tried lots of stuff and 1/72 will fit on a 1/48 Hornet) Best of luck

[Zaskar24]

Once again Jeffry is right 1/72 will work (being a big F-110 fan i have tried lots of stuff and 1/72 will fit on a 1/48 Hornet) Best of luck

Most excellent indeed.  I will start looking for for a 1/72 -14B or D then.  I also had another wild idea.  I am wondering how the exhausts from a 1/72 SR-71A would work on a 1/48 Hornet.

I did receive my -18E kit today and started to look to see where I am going to have to make my cuts on the wings.  I see a lot of putty and sanding in my future when I get around to making this thing.

On a side note.  I also received the first of 3 Testor 1/48 F-19 Stealth fighters.  I'm not sure if I am going to build it OOB or go WHIF on the WHIF.

Scott

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Don't rule out the exhaust parts from the Italeri 1/72nd scale XF-32 and XF-35 JSF kits.  They are ideal for larger 1/48th scale scale-o-rama projects.