What To Do With A 1/32 Yf-22

[noxioux]

A general question here:  Would anyone be interested in seeing a 1/32 Testors YF-22 become something much more interesting?  Like a Sukhoi PAK FA?  I've found a few obviously f-22 derivative artist concepts, and I don't think the conversion would be that difficult overall.

Just throwing it out there.  My only other alternative is to build it OOB, and 'donate' it to my Air Nat. Guard buddy.

I've been building an oob viper and superbug, so you can all imagine how badly my whiffing cells are screaming for release right now. . .

[cthulhu77]

I love that Testor's kit...it does need some putty, but the returns are wonderful.

Perhaps a naval variant?

[noxioux]

here's a link to what I'd be most inclined to do:

Pak-fa version

[dragon]

Have you considered USAF THUNDERBIRDS markings?  Maybe raspberry ripple and RAF markings?  It would look pretty cool in Israeli Air Force markings.   B)  

[GTX]

I'm all for the PAK-FA idea.

Regards,

Greg

[nev]

Build it for the JASDF GB!

[Jeffry Fontaine]

When I acquired mine, I sent most of it to Eddie to add to his spare parts supply.  I did keep the wings to use on a 1/48th scale F-22 in hopes of creating a strke aircraft/regional bomber or what ever the latest buzz word is around  the beltway.  

[Sentinel Chicken]

How about the white/red colors of the Edwards chase birds/test fleet? Or white with blue cheatlines as a NASA bird?

[overscan]

In terms of a Soviet version, perhaps you could use a reversal of the "Firefox" plot? Intrepid KGB agent steals prototype YF-22, takes it back to the USSR?

[Mossie]

Overscan, Dale Brown did exactly that in 'Day of the Cheetah'.  The XF-34 'Dreamstar' (maybe it was built using Firefox technology???) is a stealth FSW aircraft with vectored thrust, stolen by a KGB sleeper agent who becomes a test pilot at Groom Lake.  He faces off against the XF-15F 'Cheetah', an improved F-15E largely based around the F-15S/MTD.  Worth a read, the first Dale Brown book I read, unfortunately, IMHO none of his others have touched it.  I've sometimes wondered about modelling both of these, especially the Dreamstar.

I'd go for the PAK-FA too!  Or maybe an FB-22....

Just in case you're interested (& in case it influences your choice), Zactomodels are releasing a resin 1/32 F-23 in the not too distant future.  I'm sure it won't be cheap, but it looks gorgeous.
http://www.zactomodels.com/
http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....showtopic=89934

[noxioux]

Oh my everlovin' Lord!  Another uber-expensive short-run kit to drool over.  While the F-22 does nothing for me, the YF-23 was a real beauty!  It may or may not have been the best choice for the ATF, but it certainly has more character than the F-22.

If it's reasonably priced (i.e., less than $200), I may have to cowboy up and get it.

PAK FA it is for the YF-23.  I'm deciding now on how to modify the control surface shapes, and trying to decide if it's worth an aftermarket Flagon cockpit and exhausts. . .

[Rafael]

Maybe scale-o-rama the 1/32 bird into an FB-23 in 1/72, scratchbuiding the cockpit and canopy, and maybe modifying the mains with double bogies and double front wheels. And adding a couple more small bays for self/defense missiles or small payloads.

Rafa