TC`s build thread.

[tc2324]

Cheers tomcat.

Right, decals on and I have to say that after an hour of trying to get these on with out tearing was very painful. 

However, got it done in the end and just need to give it another coat of varnish, stick the canopy and weapons on and this should be about done.

[Taiidantomcat]

Its always tough when decaling becomes a white knuckle exercise! 

[tc2324]

Its always tough when decaling becomes a white knuckle exercise! 

Ain`t that the truth...

Just a couple of `finished` shots. Now for the backstory and some good weather for the exterior shots.

[pyro-manic]

Looks ready to lay the hurt on someone! Four cluster bombs are going to mess up any tank formation's day!

[GTX]

Nice.

Regards,

Greg

[NARSES2]

Nice.

Yup 

[tc2324]

Thanks guys. Time to finish this one off.....,

Strikemaster `2000`

With the retirement of the JP in RAF service by 1994, the BAe Company Directors started to become concerned with the future direction in which the company was heading. With costs climbing with the future Eurofighter project and most of the mid life upgrades to the RAF`s fighter and ground attack fleet in the balance, BAe started to look at sideline projects to help `balance` the books until more positive news with regards to the companies future materialised.

After the success enjoyed with the development and sales of the Strikemaster up until 1984 it seemed a logical choice that this aircraft could be updated and marketed to third world countries looking for a fast agile ground attack aircraft with an air defence capability.

The two key factors for the upgrades were to give the aircraft an after burning engine and also an air defence capability. While the air defence capability speaks for itself, the purpose for the power plant upgrade was for the aircraft to improve it`s acceleration capability rather than push the aircraft into the realms of supersonic flight.

In May 1997 the General Electric YJ101/A was chosen as the power plant for the now named `Strikemaster 2000` project. The GE YJ101/A was a development on the General Electric YJ101 which had powered the Northrop YF-17 in the United States. It then became the basis of the GE F404 which powered the F-18 and the failed F-20 Tigershark. With GE getting it`s cut with any future orders it seemed the perfect choice for the new Strikemaster.

Three aircraft were originally planned with `01` being a mock up for ground instruction and testing. `02` would be a taxi-able version but not chosen for flight testing. That honor would fall to `03` and on the 30th September 1998 `03` was wheeled out at Warton and readied for flight.`03` completed a number of test flights, including live weapons drops of which the pictures below show.

However by the August 1999 not one country had showed a genuine interest in the revival of the Strikemaster. With American warplanes becoming cheaper and even rumours that some US companies were selling their hardware at a loss to keep the competition out, the Strikemaster failed before it had really began and `03` was consigned to the fire dump at Cranwell by 2003. 

[tc2324]

This is my next `whif` project and here are a few `concept `shots of what I `m going to try for. Given it the designation Focke Wulf 354.

so....., in my best Rolf Harris voice....,

`Can you guess what it is yet...?` 

[Weaver]

The Lanc, the Hunter and the Strikemaster are all excellent - well done!  

Re the Strikemaster back story, the simplest way to add an afterburner to the aircraft is just stick one on the back of the existing Viper: Yugoslavia and Romania developed an afterburning Viper for the J-22 Orao 2, so doubtless Rolls Royce could do so (much quicker and easier) if asked. However, these still only develop 5000lb of thrust, which is less than a late-model non-afterburning Adour, so one of those might be a better option.

[Stargazer]

Is this a Pucara fuselage?

[Taiidantomcat]

Is this a Pucara fuselage?

I believe it is.

Also very cool

[tc2324]

A Pucarra fuselage it is.

Latest update. Sorted out the fuselage area and cut and then filed the area to fit the new wing. Pic 1 shows the cut and pic 2 shows how it will slot into place. Working on the u/c at the mo. All very much about the fun as the instructions are about as useful as a fa rt in a spacesuit.

[tc2324]

Todays update. Got most of the main items ready. Engines and u/c done, all the wings and tail plane done and even managed it`s first BMF coat on. Plenty of work to go and after some thought I am going to make this a tail sitter.

[tc2324]

Another update from today....,

Nothing `fixed` in place as I need to revisit this model with Mr Filler. I thought the Dornier 217 kit I made a while back was bad, but these two kits, (Pucarra and Ta 145), have proved yet again that the `hole` can get deeper...... I hope Airfix have these on their` moulds that need updating` list.

[tc2324]

A couple of pics of the nearly finished article. Got a few touch ups to do before the back story and exterior pics are done. All will be explained then.