Mossie's Musings

[Mossie]

Right, thought I'd be in on this blogging lark.  I wasn't up for it at first, but it might be handy to record some of my ideas.  in doing so I'm not 'claiming' anything so if you feel like doing it but I've mentioned, go ahead as it might be years to when I get 'a round tuit', if it at all.  I have far, far more ideas than my skills or motivation ever allows me to do.  My motivation ebbs and flows (mostly ebbs) so in between those rare occasions when I actually do tackle a model ideas tend to come to me thick and fast.  Indeed if I'm on a project and I start getting lots of ideas I know my motivation is going to run out soon.

So basically, if I get an idea, I'll stick it down here so.  Who knows, maybe it'll help kick start me a bit, also others can chip in with encouragement, ideas of how to go ahead or ground me back in reality!

[Mossie]

Okay, first proper post.  I've currently got a few things that are languishing on the started list, some of which are getting close to the shelf of doom.  I'll give them a COGS (Chance of Getting on the display Shelf) rating, 5 being very likely, 1 having given up all hope.

Airfix Gnat, real world Raspberry Ripple using the Freightdog sheet.  Stalled a bit, it wasn't quite as easy to put together as I thought and real life got in the way but I should get back to it.  COGS-4.

British Interplanetary Society Space Suit.  Started these using the Airfix 1/32 multipose British Infantry set (and one kindly sent to me by Thorvic).  Didn't get far before they got pushed out of the way for the Gnat.  COGS-3

Blue Steel launchers, conversion of the BW models 1/76 Bedford RL and Stalwart kits.  The Stolly was actually finished for Telford although had to cancel at last minute.  I tried to 'improve' the paint job and messed it up so I got out the Fairy Power Spray but it's languished in it's stripped state that ever since.  The 3 tonner didn't get further than a bit of clean up and putting the cab together. COGS, Stolly-3, 3 tonner-2¹/₂.

Airfix Sea Harrier FRS.1 Iranian Navy.  The kit fought me but I thought I could get past it's problems, no.  COGS-2, dangerously close to the shelf of doom.

[Mossie]

Now onto recent ideas I've had.

Hawker Siddley APD.1034S.    Hypersonics, space and missile stuff seem to be high on my thoughts at the moment and the subject of my most recent build, the Avro Z.101.  This the very last project detailed in the main pages of BSP4, a mach 4 capapable strike aircraft with variable geometry powered by a turboramjet (there was also an earlier interceptor variant but I don't have any details on it). There's a wind tunnel model of it in the Museum of Science and Industry, and some details on Secret Projects.    The body could be scratched with plastic card and the wings from a Tornado are a reasonable match.  Looking at the wind tunnel model I thought the nose could be done using a Tornado ADV, although it's a bit too large and now I'm not sure how to progress.

COGS-2

[Mossie]

Skylon, part of my Brits in Space ideas.  I guess most will be familiar with this, it's UK project to build a single stage spaceplane and was the successor to HOTOL.  It's been on the cards for some time and you could be forgiven for thinking it'll never be built.  Saying that, Reaction Engines (the company that has proposed it) are still a going concern twenty years later, there intention is to build the components for the engines (all of which have various industry uses and can be sold sepeartely), the engines will follow then hopefully someone will put down the cash for Skylon.

The shape is fairly simple, it's entirely circular in section.  I'd go about it in a similar way to how Duncan tackled his Avro 730.  I'd convinced myself it had to be done in 1/72 although it's be a beast at well over a metre long.  1/144 would be more managable (still pretty big), but 1/144's for whimps???

COGS-2, maybe 2¹/₂ as it really appeals

[NARSES2]

So basically, if I get an idea, I'll stick it down here so.  Who knows, maybe it'll help kick start me a bit, also others can chip in with encouragement, ideas of how to go ahead or ground me back in reality!

Wellcome to the blogosphere Mossie, I for one have found it helps keep me focused on what I want to do and had has made me a little more disciplined in getting modelling done. But then I've not got twins to look after 

[Mossie]

Thanks Chris!  I used to have a little notebook for this purpose, but you have to know where it is for it to be any use.... 

Blue Streak Silo K11 in 1/144.  I originally thought about building Blue Streak in 1/72, but when I heard about the silos planned to house it I was very intrigued.  Detailed plans were drawn up, but the cost of the silos was part of the reason for Blue Streaks cancellation.  These are available at the National Archives at Kew, but my attempts to obtain them stalled.  Fortunately, the silos are detailed in C.N. Hills A Vertical Empire, an email to him resulted in a very quick reply with a full set of floor plans and sectional diagrams!  The below pic and one floorplan is available on his website,
Spaceuk.org.

Modelling wise, it would have to be a labour of love.  Building the silo itself wouldn't be too difficult, but how do I go about it?  A 3D version of the section in the pic below would be easiest, but ideally I'd like to show the whole floor plans, but this would make it much more complicated with pullout fllors or hinged sections, it's probably going to be KISS if I'm ever likely to tackle it.  One of the more difficult things would be fitting it out, although there should be enough objects in the spares box I can use, along with N Gauge railway accesories.  Still, this would be a long time project and with my staying power, I'd probably be retired before it's finished!

COGS-2, although 2¹/₂ with similar reasoning to Skylon

[Mossie]

Fairey Delta II deratives.   There are two main versions for which plans are available, the ER.103C single seater and the two seat simple alternative do the Delta II for F.155T.  Only a profile view exists (that I know of) for ER.103C, but the wing was the same as the F.155T submission so shouldn't be difficult to fill the gaps.  Otherwise I haven't given the FDII derivative much thought really

COGS-2

ER.103C


F.155T

[Mossie]

Shorts Crusader FG.1.  I'd been after a F-8 for a conversion to a British machine, finally got one an ESCI F-8H at the Huddersfield show.  The Academy kit is better, but the ESCI kit was a fiver and more than serviceable, compared to twenty quid.  The F-8 was offered to the Royal Navy as a Phantom alternative, Shorts were to build it under licence.  I thought it might be fairly simple, an engine change (Spey) and a re-paint.  As always, once I looked into it it was more involved than that.  The RN would only accept a two seater, so this would mean buying the Airmodel TF-8 conversion.  It's a vacform, so a bit more involved than I was hoping.

COGS-2¹/₂

[Mossie]

Gnat Mk.2 or Mk.4.  These were both projects to create a supersonic Gnat.  From what I've read, the Mk.2 would have had a 6% thick wing and a simple radar set, the Mk.4 a thinner 5% wing with AI.23 radar.  I originally thought the Mk.2 would be easier, but it seems the more capable Mk.4 would be, when I offered plans up to the new Airfix kit it's wing was the same as the trainer.  Part of the trouble is the drawings I have are quite different for the Mk.2, all showing different radar and control surfaces.  Also, conversion to a single seater might be difficult and all the resin kits of the Mk.1 I can find are very pricey.  I could do a trainer variant of the Mk.4 I suppose, but I have only heard of it mentioned for the Mk.2.

COGS-2

Gnat Mk.4 and naval variant from Secret Projects:

[Mossie]

Hawker P.1093.  This is a project that languishes in the appendices of BSP Fighters.  It's not a glamorous cancelled project, just a sideline that seemed to distract them for a few months.  There were three separate delta winged projects drawn up all numbered sequentially and seem to be part of an overall investigation.  The P.1091 was a Hunter with a shortened fuselage and Delta Wing, the P.1092 (see pic below) was an all weather two seat fighter with radar and intakes in the wing roots, the P.1093 was a single seater with a nose intake, radar in the shock cone.  Although the project it seems to be nothing more than an academic exercise, I like it's shape in planform, it's an arrow head.  I've got some of the bits for it, a KP Su-7 fuselage and canopy, I might be able to adapt the wing from an Avro Arrow.  I'd need a second Su-7 to provide the rear section (the area rule bulge is a bit too prominent in the Fitter), I've probably got suitable undercarriage in the bits box.

COGS-3

I haven't got a digital image of the P.1093, but this pic of the P.1092 from Secret Projects is quite similar except for a few details.  There would be a single seat in a more conventional canopy, take off the nose and replace it with a shock cone.  The wing leading edge would extend all the way to the end of the nose, have a lesser angle of sweep and would have a total of six Aden cannon.

[PR19_Kit]

LOVE the FAA Crusader! 

That one's just GOT to be built, vacform 2-seat conversion or not........... 

[Mossie]

It does look nice doesn't it, Coop's profiles do it some justice too.  The conversion comes with a nose for the RF-8 as well, your welcome to that Kit if I ever get around to doing it.

I'd have to work out some of the details, the artist's impression is just that, it shows a standard TF-8 with RN markings.  I haven't been able to find any specific references or drawings showing the mods required to convert it to Spey power, I assume it would be changes to tail pipe and a slightly widened intake.  If anybody has any drawings or details I'd love to see them if possible.