Ed Strakers Desk ornament.

chrisonord · January 01, 2011, 03:32:27 PM

Taking pride of place, and as a harsh reminder of the politics and bean counters that nearly collapsed S.H.A.D.O. in its infancy, sits a dusty solid metal model of an aircraft, so what you might say?? The aircraft is a reminder of something that Ed Straker so dearly wanted to happen, and become a reality, and nearly cost him his job in doing so.
The aircraft was the XF-90 TA Sentinel. The aircraft was part space ship part aeroplane part manned missile, and took off very much like a missile too. Stationed aboard ships, and various secret land bases around the world, the Sentinel was designed as a point trans-atmospheric interceptor, capable of hypersonic speeds and engaging several targets at once. The only real downside to this project was safely and securely landing the craft back on earth, not many airstrips were capable of handling the aircraft or concealing it from the public. One idea was to build a purpose made hi speed transport aircraft designed as a "mother ship". This plane would have a large opening bay that the sentinel would fly up to and then be clamped and lifted inside the fuselage to be secretly taken back to its base. This was also deemed way too expensive and unpractical, but Straker continued to fight the aircrafts corner.
Here is the desk ornament of the XF-90 Sentinel.

Chris.

Jschmus · January 01, 2011, 10:06:55 PM

Wow.

Cobra · January 01, 2011, 10:44:18 PM

Super Cool & Well Done! Looks like Something Derek Meddings would Build! Don't mean to be Nosey, but is it based on an X-15? Dan

Weaver · January 02, 2011, 03:20:49 AM

Excellent - fits right into the UFO style!

chrisonord · January 02, 2011, 03:56:01 AM

Quote from: Cobra on January 01, 2011, 10:44:18 PM
Super Cool & Well Done! Looks like Something Derek Meddings would Build! Don't mean to be Nosey, but is it based on an X-15? Dan

Hya Dan
It is indeed an X-15, with a pair of F-22 wings and a scratch built turbo jet stuck on the top of the fin. The tanks have 1/48th scale Matra pod fronts blended into them too.
Cheers,
Chris.

thedarkmaster · January 02, 2011, 04:26:11 AM

Nice mate, love the idea

Mossie · January 02, 2011, 07:40:32 AM

Definately some lineage to Sky 1, looks good Chris!

Gondor · January 02, 2011, 03:23:33 PM

You realise I am going to have to watch several episodes of UFO just to see this for real !!

Gondor

sotoolslinger · January 02, 2011, 03:42:18 PM

NEATO