P-80 USAAC

sequoiaranger · February 19, 2010, 09:24:09 AM

The P-80 looks ready to take on the "Redoubt" that the Germans have inevitably retreated to by 1946.

frank2056 · February 19, 2010, 11:25:49 AM

That P-80 looks great, Ed! I have a couple of those Airfix kits waiting in the wings.
What was behind that black plastic section of the P/F-80's nose? I've never been able to figure that one out.

Ed S · February 19, 2010, 11:35:10 AM

Quote from: The Rat on February 19, 2010, 05:51:10 AM
By the way, I notice you made the one assembly error that has stung a lot of us, me included...

OK. Is this a secret or are you going to share it with the rest of us? I've got another one of these kits to do sometime and I might as well get that one correct.

Quote from: frank2056 on February 19, 2010, 11:25:49 AM
That P-80 looks great, Ed! I have a couple of those Airfix kits waiting in the wings.
What was behind that black plastic section of the P/F-80's nose? I've never been able to figure that one out.

The black nose was for an antenna. I think it was for the DF gear, but I'll have to check some references to be sure.

Thanks for all the comments, guys.

Ed

jcf · February 19, 2010, 11:56:43 AM

Nice Shooting Star, Ed.

I believe Brother Rat is referring to the nose-gear oleo scissors, they should point forward.

Green Dragon · February 19, 2010, 12:35:42 PM

Excellent P-80 Ed, looks well good with the Bazooka tubes! Got two late last year one of which is planned to be USAAF '46, 2nd may be Soviet lend lease if I ever get round to them!

Paul Harrison

PR19_Kit · February 19, 2010, 01:19:50 PM

Wasn't the black bit of the nose the radar range-finder? The F-86 has a similar system in the upper lip of the intake.

GTX · February 19, 2010, 02:06:07 PM

Damn nice work!!

Regards,

Greg

Ed S · February 19, 2010, 06:32:03 PM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 19, 2010, 01:19:50 PM
Wasn't the black bit of the nose the radar range-finder? The F-86 has a similar system in the upper lip of the intake.

No, I looked it up. The black dielectric panel is the cover for the AN/ARN-6 DF Loop antenna.

Ed

The Rat · February 19, 2010, 08:41:57 PM

Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on February 19, 2010, 11:56:43 AM
I believe Brother Rat is referring to the nose-gear oleo scissors, they should point forward.

Yep. No need for embarrassment though, there's more than a few that have been caught out with that one. Dangitall, it jes don't look right stickin' out in front like that, looks all backerds!

noxioux · February 19, 2010, 08:48:08 PM

Not one of my favorite birds, but that's a really great looking build. Super cool.

Mike Wren · February 21, 2010, 09:50:18 AM

that's a really nice model

PR19_Kit · February 21, 2010, 09:57:44 AM

Quote from: Ed S on February 19, 2010, 06:32:03 PM
No, I looked it up. The black dielectric panel is the cover for the AN/ARN-6 DF Loop antenna.

Ed, thanks for clarification on that. Does that mean it could only DF in the forward direction though?

Ed S · February 21, 2010, 11:33:44 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 21, 2010, 09:57:44 AM
Quote from: Ed S on February 19, 2010, 06:32:03 PM
No, I looked it up. The black dielectric panel is the cover for the AN/ARN-6 DF Loop antenna.

Ed, thanks for clarification on that. Does that mean it could only DF in the forward direction though?

Not sure. I suspect that it could probably see all around except possibly for directly aft.

Ed

Sisko · February 21, 2010, 01:34:40 PM

Very nicely done whif simple but very effective!

John Howling Mouse · February 21, 2010, 04:32:05 PM

Beautiful craftsmanship, Ed...as always.

This build reminds me of a question: why didn't more WWII piston-engined fighters utilize wingtip tanks? I always thought that would free up more pylons on the wings for ordnance and/or more fuel. Was it a power to weight ratio limitation back then or would tip tanks simply not be dependable to jettison once ready to engage the enemy in ACM? Or were the wings simply not strong enough to handle the fuel's weight on the wingtips?