FL-500 "Flunk"

[Brian da Basher]

In 1842 the small nation of Tierra del Fuego gained its independence. The tiny country existed peacefully for the next 140 years, being known mosty for its capitol city, Ushuaia which was a jumping-off point for antarctic expeditions. The Republic of Tierra del Fuego had a small but professional army, coast guard and air force which were continually modernized over the years. In 1968, the Tierra del Fuego Air Force was upgraded by the purchase of ten CF-100 "Clunk" aircraft from the firm of Avro Canada. These were later license produced locally with small modifications being made. The most obvious of these was a new, more aerodynamic nose which increased speed and housed the powerful Machismo targeting radar. The new aircraft was dubbed the TF-500 although the engineers from Avro Canada who were on-site to assist in production referred to the new plane as the "Flunk".

In 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, touching off a war with Great Britain. The long distances involved were a strategic and logistical nightmare for the British who sought allies from the region. A little diplomacy and a well-placed bribe brought the Republic of Tierra del Fuego out of its 140 years of neutrality. The British offered the small country a lifetime supply of Bacon Butties (with both red and black sauce) and Pork Pies in return for their support in the war with Argentina. The deal was sealed at the U.K. embassy in Ushuaia and in May, 1982, the small but highly professional forces of the Republic of Tierra del Fuego entered the fray, commencing with bombing runs on Port Stanley flown by the FL-500s of 56 Squadron, known as the Marauding Penguins. The aircraft shown here, #68 participated in these raids and was also responsible for the sinking of the Argentine supply ship Evita which forced the near starving Argentine troops occupying South Georgia Island to immediately surrender upon the landing of British S.A.S. troops. The Falklands conflict ended with a British victory, and to this day, the U.K. sends a fortnightly supply of Bacon Butties and Pork Pies to the tiny republic in gratitude for its assistance during the crisis.

1st of 7 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

I dithered for weeks over what to build for this group build. Originally, I'd planned to take a vac-form 1/72 scale F-84 Thunderjet and scale-o-rama it into a 1/144 scale bomber by using the leftover jets pods from a B-47, but it seemed like a lot of work and I wanted something simpler. Fortunately. that legendary Canadian drinker Captain Canada came to the rescue! He sent me a Hobbycraft 1/72 CF-100 "Clunk". All I needed to do next was figure out how to whiff it!

2nd of 7 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

I decided the Clunk needed a new nose, so I robbed one from an F-15 (along with the missiles used for the load-out). Grafting it on was pretty simple and I liked the hawk-nosed profile of the bird. Next I had to figure out what kind of weapons it should have. I started by scratching two cannon pods from spare Hurricane drop tanks and the kit's landing gear struts. Then I decided to add the missiles from the F-15. The larger ones looked better on the wingtips, so I decided to cut a notch in the wingtips and add launch rails. I thought some bombs would be necessary for Falklands missions, so I made some bomb racks from bread bag clips and decided to locate them on each side of the centerline. I thought about adding drop tanks but while searching my spare parts, I discovered I had two spare wingtip engine pylons from a 1/144 B-47. I really liked the way the Clunk's rocket pods looked on them so I mounted them next to the bomb racks. Here's an underside shot that shows off the load-out.

3rd of 7 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

It took me a lot of time to detail the weapons, painting the rings on the bombs and missiles. I really like the load-out on this bird. I think the Flunk looks like she's ready to go hurt some invading Agentines. Here's a head-on shot.

4th of 7 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

After getting the weapons together, I had to figure out markings and a camo scheme. The idea of an independent Republic of Tierra del Fuego sparked my imagination. I had a very nice Blue Rider sheet of White Russian markings and decided they would be perfect with the addition of red discs in the center. I fashioned a Tierra del Fuego flag by using the fin-flash from the decal sheet and adding a red disc. I decided darker colors would be best for the South Atlantic, so I chose Olive Drab/Gunship Gray as the colors. Here's an overhead shot that shows off the roundels and camo scheme.

5th of 7 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Archibald]

Very neat, and amazing!!    

[Brian da Basher]

I decided my Flunk would look better with a black nose, just like real jet fighters! After adding it, I decided the aircraft was a little bland, so I went looking through the decal stash for some squadron markings. I found the cowling "face" decal from a Fokker Triplane and decided with some tweaking, it would work for the nose. After applying it, I was suprised to see how much it looked a penguin! Thus 56 Squadron, the Marauding Penguins was born. Here's a shot that highlights the nose.

6th of 7 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Captain Canada]

Wow ! You sure did load her up. Imagine, a CDN loaded ! Unheard of....epsecially on the 2-4 weekend !



Anyways.....beauty job, BdB ! I agree wholheartedly that the new nose gives her that bird-of-prey look. Wicked ! I really like the underside shot, sure makes her look the part. The Clunker is a funny bird, hard to imagine tough looking, but you hit the nail right on the head ! If I'm ever out that way, I'll have to come over just to do a few bombing runs with her......

Long Live Tierra del Fuego !

     

[Brian da Basher]

I had a whale of a time with this build! While Hobbycraft kits often have some challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed this build and I want to thank Captain Canada for his generosity in sending me this cool little kit! Toad, you rock!

Last of 7 pics.

Brian da Basher  

[John Howling Mouse]

Sometimes, a modeller just nails one so perfectly....this is one of those times.

Fantastic-----all the way 'round.  You've got just the right blend of alterations from shape changes/ordnance to markings and paint scheme that make the concept so much more interesting than the original subject.

My hat's definitely off to you on this one.        

Now, about that camera....     (your efforts deserve better)

[GTX]

I was suprised to see how much it looked a penguin!

An angry penguin at that too!

Regards,

Greg

[lenny100]

Like it

Congrats

[Sisko]

Thats great Brian great work!!!

What no spats surely not  

[NARSES2]

rad is going to love the Penguin   - great stuff Brian

[ysi_maniac]

Really great concept and execution. I like it