Need Input

[sideshowbob9]

I just got an Airfix U-2B/D in the post off ebay for pretty dang cheap but for the life of me, I can't think what to do with it.

Various ideas have come and gone over the last several days. At first, it was going to be a Curtiss A3D competitor but I don't think I could pull it off (the shapes are all wrong). Then it was going to be a Beriev S-13 (U-2 copy) but I need the wings for a Yakovlev M-17 equivalent. Then it was going to become a naval fighter along the lines of a F11F or A4D.

Looking at it on the sprue though, with the gap for the U-2D's dorsal sensor, it struck me that it looks a little like a Yak-38U (only without the droop). So now I'm thinking naval VTOL, perhaps along the lines of Lockheed's own XV-4 Hummingbird (with either ejectors or lift jets)?

Does anyone have any ideas for a U-2 sans wings?

[Mossie]

Sans wings?  LSR comes straight to mind, just shorten the fuse a bit & add wheels.

My thought is a Lockheed Missileer proposal.  Add a larger radome, either truncate the wings or add a new slightly swept one.  Either keep the engine as is with undercarriage in enlarged pods on the wings, or if you want to get serious, add two in down the sides of the fuse, enlarge the intakes, pop two mainwheels in the fuse, shorten & narrow the end of the fuse where the tailpipe used to be.

[Cliffy B]

Seeing as how the fuselage is a long tube you could always go the submarine route!  Just scalorama it into 1/350 or 1/700 and call it a research sub 

[sandiego89]

I vote high altitude interceptor.  Put a radar and a few Falcons on it.  Early 1960's air defense over North America- USAF ADC gray or even better in Canadian Voodoo colors!  A Genie may weigh too much, but would be a neat fit also.     

Other ideas:

your lift jet V/STOL, with a lift jet in the Q-bay like the Yak.  Drastically shorten the wings and add outriggers harrier style.

High altitude bomber.  Would look great with a few large precision weapons and a targeting pod. 

[TsrJoe]

take one shortened F.104 fuselage and add a take off trolley to make the original 'U.2' proposal

either that or the Beriev S.13 which was basically a U.2 in Soviet markings 

[dragon]

Take a look at the Myasishchev M-55 Geophysica (MYSTIC).  Possibly a development on said aircraft, say MYSTIC-C?

[sideshowbob9]

Take a look at the Myasishchev M-55 Geophysica (MYSTIC).  Possibly a development on said aircraft, say MYSTIC-C?

Great minds! I have a Yak-55 'Mythic' (Yak-38 forward, MiG-19 aft with the tail booms of an OV-10 and this U-2's wings) in progress. The relevant parts are cut and ready to go but I'm not sure I have the guts to go any further!

either that or the Beriev S.13 which was basically a U.2 in Soviet markings

I was seriously considering this but I need the wings elsewhere. That said, I've been playing with the idea of doing up a F-104 in Soviet markings as an Beriev "I.13".

Just scalorama it into 1/350 or 1/700 and call it a research sub

I might have to get another U-2 

....Lockheed Missileer proposal....

I really like this idea but wouldn't timescales better suit a TR-1 or maybe an S-3 Viking derivative? Or do you envisage an earlier ('50s?) missileer? I have loads of leftover early Sparrows. I also have a TR-1A/B in the stash. I may play around with some radome shapes.

your lift jet V/STOL, with a lift jet in the Q-bay like the Yak.  Drastically shorten the wings and add outriggers harrier style.

This is still my favourite but.....

Would look great with a few large precision weapons and a targeting pod. 

You've got me thinking of one in SEA colours done up as a 'light' B-57G to do some hunting over the Ho Chi Minh trail.

I'm not sure early J-57 engined variants have the smash to get up enough Falcons to be worthwhile. Internal/conformal stowage is a non-starter because of the u/c and I wouldn't want to dirty up those high-aspect ratio wings too much. Besides, all my Falcons and Genies are spoken for! 

I'm now off to ebay to find some more U-2s. Thanks for the great ideas guys (I think). 

[Mossie]

....Lockheed Missileer proposal....

I really like this idea but wouldn't timescales better suit a TR-1 or maybe an S-3 Viking derivative? Or do you envisage an earlier ('50s?) missileer? I have loads of leftover early Sparrows. I also have a TR-1A/B in the stash. I may play around with some radome shapes.

Most of the Missileer proposals are dated 1960, the U-2 only entered service in 1957.  It might have been a low risk proposal based on an existing airframe, although in reality you'd need to make some substantial adjustments to meet the twin engine & two crew requirements.  The Viking would make a good basis, but it's a decade later.

[PR19_Kit]

Great minds! I have a Yak-55 'Mythic' (Yak-38 forward, MiG-19 aft with the tail booms of an OV-10 and this U-2's wings) in progress. The relevant parts are cut and ready to go but I'm not sure I have the guts to go any further!

Sounds a GREAT idea to me, go for it! 

It fulfills my basic premise of Whiff modelling 100%. (See my motto below....  )

[sideshowbob9]

You're right Mossie. Every time I hear Missileer I think AIM-54. I forget about the Bendix Eagle based stuff. As you say, it would require some mucho, mucho surgery. I think I'll leave that for a more skilled modeller.

Thanks PR19_Kit. I just hope it looks half as good in plastic as it does in my head! 

[chrisonord]

If you want some 1/72nd scale Falcons, I have some you can have.
Chris.

[Cobra]

Have you thought about going 'Gerry Anderson' with it & maybe adding Wings from Either a B-58,Canberra,Vulcan,or CF-105 and Making it into a High Altitude Interceptor/Strike Fighter? Just a Thought as the U-2 was Around when Thunderbirds was On TV! Hope this Helps.Dan

[sideshowbob9]

If you want some 1/72nd scale Falcons, I have some you can have.

Thank you for your offer but I meant it as more of a mwuhahahahaha... I have a cunning plan moment 

Mwuuhahahahahahaha!!!!!!!  *Takes Pills*

Cobra, the only Gerry Anderson based project I have in mind at the mo is to get one of those 1/350th (?) Fireflashes. It is simply THE most awesome aircraft ever!!!!