Gnat

[Hman]

Hi
Can I join in the fun!

This is my first whiff, a slightly re-worked Airfix Gnat.  I will write up a back story, once it is finished – hopefully next week – along with some pictures!

[GTX]

Darren,

Of course you can join the fun - the more the merrier!!!  Welcome aboard.

Tell us a bit more about the "reworkings" or better yet show more pics.

Regards,

Greg

[BlackOps]

Darren, always good to see new members join in, look forward to seeing more progress pics

[AeroplaneDriver]

Welcome Darren!

The Airfix Gnat is a good little platform for a quick whif.  Looks like a LRMTS nose to me...

[lancer]

Looking good Darren, welcome aboard. Following this one with interest.

[Hman]

Aeroplanedriver your right!

The plan is simple - LRMTS, an avionics 'hump' and a weapons load.

I am working on a back story...which will then (I hope) provide a background for a mini series of Whifs.

[Mossie]

Ello Darren, nice to have you here!

Hmm, Strike Gnat, like the idea.  I like the idea of a mini build around a theme, looking forward to seeing the rest!

Simon

[Hman]

Had a paint disaster ...salvaged it ? Anyway it is starting to come together...

[John Howling Mouse]

Darren,

Of course you can join the fun - the more the merrier!!!  Welcome aboard.

Tell us a bit more about the "reworkings" or better yet show more pics.

Regards,

Greg

Exactly what he said.

[AeroplaneDriver]

The Harrier nose makes it look a bit like a Womble!   

Lovin it so far!   

[sotoolslinger]

Welcome to the nuthouse. Slick lookin little plane  Looking forward to the weapons loadout.

[Brian da Basher]

Welcome aboard Darren! Gnats are cool and yours is no exception! I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Brian da Basher

[Mossie]

Gnat spats Bry???

[Hman]

Backstory - Smythe Aviation

Smythe Aviation was established in the 1930's, as a small privately owned aviation maintenance company.  During World War 2 many of it staff were called up for service, and the company was involved in essential war work.  Following the war it was business as usual, and the company continued as it was for many years.  In the 1990's the company was bought up and the new owners started bidding for military contracts, mainly outside of the UK, the large number of ex service personal in the company ensured that it was quite successful, and for a while no one seemed bothered...

Then it landed a major contact with Zangara, to maintain a small fleet of transport aircraft and helicopters.  Zangara was not everyone's flavour of the month, but the contract was too important to turn down, so the business was transferred abroad, leaving just the company offices in the UK!

As time went buy a number of less than popular states offered contacts to Smythe Aviation.  Then things really took off... Zangara, started to look on Smythe Aviation, as its own, as well as a source of much needed financial income (the Government bought a significant financial stake in the company) and after time, the business moved from purely maintenance to R&D projects with Zangara, providing facilities on one of her airbases. 

With many of  Smythe Aviation's clients being either persona non grata, or now finding themselves with the 'wrong' allies, following the end of the cold war, meant that Smythe Aviation, was not able to acquire new aircraft as test beds, and it was not easy for them to tap into the second hand market.

So, a number of Warbird collectors and enthusiasts started getting very generous offers for their aircraft and spares. 

Smythe Aviation, was quick to release that many of her potential clients, did not require sophisticated, fighters, for the most part they required COIN, transport and special duties aircraft, assist them in dealing with internal conflicts, border control etc.  So Smythe Aviation, set out to exploit what it believed was its own niche market.

This Gnat test bed is being used as a test bed for cheap off the shelf COIN aircraft for an unnamed client.

• Avionics upgrade (Humped Spine);


• Laser Rangefinder, Marked Target Seeker (based on that of the Harrier GR3, but developed in house by Smythe Aviation);


• Single Rocket Pod / Fuel Tank

; and

• Pair of locally produced Napalm 'air burst' weapons.

(It is rumoured that this Gant may have had a staring role in the film Hot Shots...)

Well it all went wrong, the paint, the build...

Anyway enjoy, so my theme will be third world upgrades, and warbird test beds!


It is an Airfix Gnat, with the Avionics Hump and LRMTS nose 'created from bomb casings...

[/list]

[Brian da Basher]

That's one sweet little model there Darren and I thoroughly enjoyed the backstory too!

Brian da Basher