Rutan AT-1B TERMINATOR

[dragon]

Lieutenant Velez woke up early and headed to the gymnasium.  It was an hour earlier than revellie and the equipment uncrowded.  He prefered it that way.  It had been his habit for the past few weeks.  He was surprised that this morning he was not alone in the gym.  Three rolled up tatami mats were placed at three different distances from sitting figure dressed in a gi, with what appeared to Velez's eyes, an apron, a katana on his belt.  The figure was breathing slowly and rhythmically, eyes closed, hands on his lap, looking relaxed.
"MATADOR?  Sorry Sir, I did not know.."  Said Velez.  MATADOR's eyes flew open.  He drew the katana and with one stroke each cut the tatami mats.  The fourth stroke ended uncomfortably within inches of Velez's neck.  MATADOR did the ritualistic flinging off and wiping off of the blood before re-sheathing the sword.  Total time had been less than 6 seconds.  "...the gym was in use?"
"I too like to have a moment to focus before the day begins"  said MATADOR.  He straightened out his Gi and made sure his hakama was in the right place.  Velez tried to turn around as if to leave.  "You have not been given permission to leave."
"You are not my commanding officer"
"No but I am the teacher your commanding officer saw fit to teach you how to fly your mission profile.  Sit down, grab some floor.  That is an order."
To his own surprise Velez did as instructed. 
"Velez.  I sense much potential in your abilities as a pilot and yet you are barely passing....Like you aren't even trying."
"Not that it matters, Sir.  But I signed up to be a fighter pilot and not a mud mover."
MATADOR smiled inwardly.  "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."
"What?"
"United States' President Kennedy said that years ago.  What is the greatest threat to your country?  Is it air to air threat from any of your neighbors?"
"Occasionally, I suppose."
"Really?  What about the FARC?"
"They have been killing Colombians for nearly half a century."
"Last time I checked, they did not own any fighters...How does your being a fighter pilot help Colombia?"  Velez tried to stammer a coherent response.  MATADOR waved it away.  "Now, an Attack pilot or mud mover as you put it, helps the soldiers on the ground take down the enemy.  It is just as important, if not more important than merely being a fighter pilot."
"I suppose if seen that way, I am being selfish.."
"Tell me Lietenant Velez, have you ever heard of the 201st fighter squadron?"
"No."
"It's the beggining of World War II.  The Nazis sink several Mexican tankers.  The Mexicans ask for the very least an apology.  They don't get one from Berlin.  They declare war on the Axis powers.  Now mind you, the Mexican armed forces weren't in good enough shape to even help out the Allies, so the Mexicans sent in the best of their best to train in the US as Attack pilots.  By the time the Mexicans had been trained up to Allied standards, there was no one to shoot down over the Philippine Islands."
"No glory."
"That's where you would be wrong."  Said MATADOR.  "They went on several missions where all they did was ground support.  They never lost any allied personnel to Friendly fire.  That was their legacy.  Meditate on this."
"I will give it my all, Sir." 

[Tophe]

Just a little question: the huge span of the U-2 was for lift in high-altitude thin-air. On the AT-1 which seems to be designed for low altitude operation, what is the explanation of this big span? Is it for having a huge display of weapons? I would understand, but I would prefer another reason, as far as I am concerned (I am childishly pacifist).

[GTX]

Just a little question: the huge span of the U-2 was for lift in high-altitude thin-air. On the AT-1 which seems to be designed for low altitude operation, what is the explanation of this big span? Is it for having a huge display of weapons? I would understand, but I would prefer another reason, as far as I am concerned (I am childishly pacifist).

Maybe they got a good deal on wing panels?

Ok, hat, coat - I'm going...

Regards,

Greg

[dragon]

Just a little question: the huge span of the U-2 was for lift in high-altitude thin-air. On the AT-1 which seems to be designed for low altitude operation, what is the explanation of this big span? Is it for having a huge display of weapons? I would understand, but I would prefer another reason, as far as I am concerned (I am childishly pacifist).

Maybe they got a good deal on wing panels?

Ok, hat, coat - I'm going...

Regards,

Greg

Guys, remember the operator is going to be Colombia, a country well known for high altitudes and thin air.

[Tophe]

I would prefer another reason, as far as I am concerned (I am childishly pacifist).

Guys, remember the operator is going to be Colombia, a country well known for high altitudes and thin air.

Thanks dear...

[philp]

So,
Since you never posted the finished product last year, if you post it now, you can be up for a Whiffie this year.

[Tophe]

Why do you say "not finished"?  This model was good enough for me, I mean it (far better than my "finished" ones).

[dragon]

I could have sworn I had posted some....Nevermind, I will put some up in a day or two.

[BrittMac]

Dragon, they ought to grandfather you into the COIN GB.  I remember looking at this build at the beginning and not knowing how it was gonna turn out, but man oh man, when you put paint on her she transformed into a stunner.  I still love this build of yours.
Got any more on the way?

[dragon]

Dragon, they ought to grandfather you into the COIN GB.  I remember looking at this build at the beginning and not knowing how it was gonna turn out, but man oh man, when you put paint on her she transformed into a stunner.  I still love this build of yours.
Got any more on the way?

My current insanity is SPACE CRUISER WISCONSIN.  I will be posting updates to that one as soon as the paint dries on her.

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,23439.0.html

[Vulcan7]

a truly ACE design Dragon & great digital camo   

[Mossie]

Brilliant!  Plenty of ordanance hanging off the wings, love the digi-camo too!

[JayBee]

Absolutely FABULOUS 

One question, Dragon, what are the intakes on the side of the fuselage for?

[sotoolslinger]

Outstanding

[Jschmus]

Absolutely FABULOUS 

One question, Dragon, what are the intakes on the side of the fuselage for?

I didn't build it, but they look Starfighter-ish to me.  The whole front end looks very Starfighter-ish, but the F-104 and U-2 are loosely related anyway.