F4f-x

[noxioux]

I've begun work on my swept-wing Wildcat.  Here are some pics:

Casting engine parts:



Some of the components set out on the bench:



I may be deleting the horizontal tail surfaces as the thing progresses.  There are still many decisions to make.  But the big one--whether or not swept wings will work I think is a large affirmative.  Whether it would fly. . .  well who cares anyhow?

Cutting the cowl was my largest worry, but turned out to be painless.  Thanks to the good engraved detail, I was able to just pull a panel line tool around a few times, then switch to a #11 blade.  No muss, no fuss.  I believe the stretched cowl will be looking pretty good in the end.

Back story is simple, the F4f-x as an interim fighter appearing before the F6f.  With an extra bank of cylinders, and a swept wing it's performance is a quantum leap over the run-of-the-mill Wildcat.  But with the extra performance, came extra finnickyness, maintenance and cooling headaches with the engines, etc. . .

I'll flesh that out some more before it's all done.  I still need to add armament, and much detail on those wings.

[Joe C-P]

I am giving you some encouragement, because this is an intriguing idea. May I ask your inspiration?

JoeP

[Daryl J.]

Awesome!

[sequoiaranger]

This is SILLY!

I like it!

For a long time I've had in mind a triple-row engine for an Italian (don't they just LOVE tri-motors?) torpedo bomber.

[noxioux]

I am giving you some encouragement, because this is an intriguing idea. May I ask your inspiration?

Pure, unadulterated madness--straight from the source of all that is mad.

I think it was one of the builds here that indirectly led me to thinking about the swept wing on an F4f or F6f.  But I can't exactly remember what it was.

I'm hoping this one won't take me too long.  Besides the wings, it's really not that complicated of a build.  But the wings are giving me some trouble.  The way the kit works out, the popsicle stick method of attachment won't be possible.  I got a few ideas, including just some glue and a prayer.

[noxioux]

Well, poop.  I thought I had an original idea here.  I guess it goes to show you there's no such thing.

That ups the ante.

[John Howling Mouse]

Well, poop.  I thought I had an original idea here.  I guess it goes to show you there's no such thing.

That ups the ante.

It's still YOUR original idea, noxioux!   

[Martin H]

Well, poop.  I thought I had an original idea here.  I guess it goes to show you there's no such thing.

That ups the ante.

It's still YOUR original idea, noxioux!   

so very true. mine was based on the Grumman proposal for the sweptwing test bed that ended up being an Airacobra. So as Baz has said yours is still an original idea

[noxioux]

Here's a quick update.  Progress on a stretched cowling, and the engine.

[Modelling_Mushi]

Swept back wings? You mean they are not swept forward ?? Go on, you know you want to   

[Brian da Basher]

I really like your detail work on the engine, noxioux!

The way this one's going, looks like it'll be very memorable!

Brian da Basher

[Taiidantomcat]

Looking good so far, keep at it! 

[Allan]

I've got my eye on this built, too, Noxioux.
Allan

[noxioux]

I've finally begun attaching the wings.  I don't have a lot of confidence in the attachment, but I'll be trying to bolster it up.  The nature of the cockpit and landing gear bay just don't allow for a spar to strengthen the wings.

It looks very MiG-15-ish to me.  The stubbiness of the Wildcat is really accentuated with the swept wings.







While building, my cat Cairo accidentally stumbled into some anti-feline countermeasures I'd deployed around the workbench.  The mini clothespins were all recovered safely, and returned to the bench without incident.

[lancer]

Going on the look in your cat's eyes, I'd say he or she is plotting some sort of diabolical revenge for that pic....