Christmas Present Model Mod Ideas

[Caveman]

Hello there all. This is my first thread, I hope it is in the right place.
This Christmas in a very James May style fashion (though using Revell sorry James) I have bought 4 of Revells 1:72 models, namely their SpitV, Hurri2B, 109G-10 and P51B (see attached box art). I have chosen them because they are similar in configuration, detail and size. I am giving one to each of my brother, father, uncle and myself (at random) on Christmas day. Inspired by this thread, I am taking away the instructions provided with the models and giving them new instructions to:
"build the mystery model in an "imaginative" way. Canards, pushers, biplanes, hi wings, asymmetric, inverted are all encouraged. I will bring plenty of putty"

My question to you guys, knowledgeable in the ways of the wif, is, what can you suggest in the way of wif mods?

Regards

Caveman

[PR19_Kit]

Caveman,

The first thing you should do is take the wings and tailplane mouldings from each kit and swap them with one of the others! 

And don't put the tails in the same swap as the wings, that should start them off in the right way of thinking.......... 

[Weaver]

Hi Caveman - welcome to the site and nice idea! 

Well first off, it depends on their modelling skills and spares box (no point saying "biplane" if they havn't got a spare pair of wings) but only you know the answer to that one. So having got that out of the way, random thoughts:

1. They've all got in-line engines: how about radial versions of each of them?

2. De-evolve them to their (non-existent IRL) late-'30s ancestors: fixed spatted wheels, open cockpits, braced tails, clunky radiators, two-bladed wooden props etc....

3. Paint them as sponsored warbirds in the garish and unlikely colour schemes of non-existent companies: Spitfire-Brand Chilli Powder, Mustang Horse Linament, that sort of thing...

[pyro-manic]

"Pimp my fighter" is an obvious one, that can be done with little more than a flashy paintjob and some small modifications. Reno Racer/aerobatics team is a similar theme.

"Not an aeroplane" is a bit more interesting. Build something that isn't an aeroplane out of the kit - a space fighter, a scale-bashed submarine, etc.

Nice idea though - you have to post the results!

[puddingwrestler]

DO NOT look upon the parts as components to build a fighter. Look upon them as a collection of interesting shaped which can be assembled in any manner to make anything. I once saw an excellent retro style four legged mech built from ME-109 parts (Four ME-109 fuselages for the legs of course!) It can help to simply turn things upside down or back-to-front, remove everything from the sprues, hold the parts next to each other adn see what looks right.

[Weaver]

Central American countries were still fighting each other with WWII prop-jobs into the 1970s. Why not invent a "dirty little war" with real or imagined countries, (maybe in the 1960s to account for the Hurricane and P-51B) and do these four up as hand-me-downs, still fighting 20 years after WWII?

Main mods would be paint and markings. Other mods could be as subtle as post-war bombs/rocket pods or as major as turbopropping them.

[Caveman]

Cheers guys, some great ideas
Ill pass them on when I next speak to them. Ive been going through the spitfire and 109 threads else where on the site.

I will definitely post pictures after the event.

[PDWC]

And a big thanks from one of the giftees. I like the idea of adding a radial and de-evolving. In the 'not an aeroplane' class I was thinking of making a 'Spitflower'. Not sure if the results should be posted though. And I do have Caveman's 'Flying Monk' somewhere if he thinks he might embarrass me! (Its a Boomerang/Chipmunk kinda thang)

[Caveman]

So, models have been given and made... mostly. Just waiting for painting and final finishing. I shall post photos when they are done.