How to confuse.............

[JayBee]

There is an old joke.

How to confuse an Irish Navvy?

Answer :

Hold up two shovels and tell him to take his pick!

So the modern version would be :

How to confuse a JMN?

Show him two models of similar types from the same time period, that are not what they seem, and wait for his head to explode!


The story so far.

In the late 1940's research was going on, on both sides of the Atlantic into the best configuration for swept wing jets.
In particular there was much debate about whether swept wing jets would require a tailplane or not.
In America the Northrop Corperation produced an experimental type in the form of the X-4 Bantam. (The X stood for Experimental).
While in Great Britain the DeHavilland Aircraft Company produced the DH-108 Swallow.
Both designs did produce one definite result. At higher speeds the aircraft all showed reduced longitudinal stability (commonly known as "Porpoising").


Ladies, Gentlemen, and Whiffers, I present for your delight and delectation :

The DeHavilland DH108 Swallow, :
















...and the Northrop X-4 Bantam, :















Lastly, the two of them together






The models :

Planet Models DH 108 Swallow.
&
MPM Northrop X-4 Bantam.

They just underwent a bit of a transformation.

The Swallow got a new canopy (to lose the framing detail) modified from an F-16 (no idea what kit it came from), a long nose probe, and a pitot tube mounted high on the leading edge of the fin.

The Bantam got a shortened, and reshaped, fin, and two wingtip mounted pitot tubes.

Then the colour schemes and markings were swapped over.

[Dizzyfugu]

Very nice! A true "underneath the radar" pair. 

[Rheged]

Very tricksy, my precious!  This definitely counts as a "cunning plan"....especially as it is so well executed.

[Tophe]

You may count your transformations as true (unbuilt) "improvements" and only engineers from these companies can deny.

[PR19_Kit]

Both show the mastery of your craft Jaybee!

Superb job(s) there. 

[DogfighterZen]

I like both, very nice!
I bet you can tell JMNs when they look at the models and reach for their cell phones to google about them and go: "But... ?"

[Captain Canada]

Had me totally confused ! Glad you have explained it all 

They both look lovely. A very rare and interesting pair to be sure !

[NARSES2]

I almost said you'd swapped the wings  Didn't realise it was just a case of identities until I read it, so count me suckered  Really nice pair

That Planet kit was the first full resin kit I built an done of the first I built when I got back into modelling. Fond memories 

[JayBee]

Not to worry Chris, there were a few people suckered at to-days Glasgow show. 

[The Rat]

Why is the word BRILLIANT leaping to the front of my mind? 

[Scooterman]

Totally bril, Jim.  Love 'em!!!

[zenrat]

Well you succeeded in confusing me.
Good work.