1/72 Atlas Grebe Mk.1

[Spey_Phantom]

the model is one i originally planned for the "Trainers With Teeth & COIN GB", but never got arround to building it.

i found the old development profile on my PC and i have an Airfix 1/72 Hawk T.1 (red arrows) in the stash waiting.
the idea was for an RAF light COIN/CAS aircraft, but i can modoofy it to SAAF use.
if you dont know what a kudu is, i got the name/idea here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudu

the idea was to replace the aging Atlas Impala in the 80's/90's by a similar light attack aircraft, for this the BAe Hawk was selected over the Alpha Jet.
Atlas/Denel build up to 48 Hawk Mk.59 trainers under licence as of 1981, but in 1988, 24 of them were modified into light attack aircraft to replace the Impala.

the Kudu differed from the original Hawk as it had the rear cockpit removed for more fuel and avionics, the engine was uprated and 4 pylons were mounted under the wings. the section arround the cockpit was Kevlar plated to protect the pilot from small arms fire coming from the ground. its arsenal included the hawk's standars 30mm Cannon pod, but also AIM-9 Sidewinder for self defence and against helicopters, for ground attack it could be equiped with 500lbs general purpose bombs, rocket pods, napalm containers, guided and unguided air-to-ground missiles/bombs,....

in 1999, the surviving Kudu's were upgraded to Mk.2 standard, this included a glass cockpit, smart bomb capability (GBU-12), an extra pylon under the fuselage for a laser designation pod and the integration of the Sea Skua and Brimstone in its arsenal. the Kudu is expected to stay in service until at least 2015.


the model i use (as noted earlier) is an Airfix 1/72 Hawk T.1, i will as extra's such as pylons and weapons from a Heller/airfix Alpla Jet, maybe some tip-mounted fueltanks  

more and pics soon, in the mean time, here's an old sketch i made, just to give you a genera idea  
and here's some music to get in the mood  

EDIT: after finding out the name Kudu was already used, i had to change it, thought i give it a bird name 

[Taiidantomcat]

Good thinking 

[rickshaw]

I assume this is in an alternate universe where South Africa did not have apartheid or the rest of the world didn't care that they did?

Its a nice looking drawing, btw.  You just need to overcome that minor stumbling block to get it built.

Of course you could just have the plans for the Hawk stolen by the South African intelligence services... 

[Mossie]

Hawk 150???  Nils, can I suggest trying a Matchbox Hawk 200 canopy to see how it fits at the forward position on the T.1.  I tried some time back but I can't remember how it turned out (that reminds me, I misplaced the 200 canopy, it might be in my 100 box!).  It should work as I'm pretty sure the windscreens are the same for both aircraft.  You'd need to cut down the spine or create an A-4 style hump but it'd give a different look.

I messed about with this pic to give you a rough idea:

[ChernayaAkula]

^ I like! 

[ysi_maniac]

^^Me too!

[Spey_Phantom]

ok, i got a small update.

i got arround to salvaging weapons parts from an Airfix Alpha Jet, i was missing 1 part of the rear of one of the bombs (part missing in sprue) but i found an old Heller part in the spares box, witch is practicly the same mold.
this afternoon im gonna start work on the cockpit assembly and the pilot.

i got some SAAF roundels in the spares (esci sheet), for serials im gonna use those of an Airfix Gnat decalsheet.
im gonna look if i can find some fitting nose art aswell. im also concidering replacing the aden cannon with something more simple that packs a pretty good punch, but i need to see if i can find it 

here's a pic of the underwing ordanance

[Spey_Phantom]

i just finished the wing assembly, and scrachbuild a centerline pylon.
i was planning on adding a centerline LAU-7 rocket pod, but i changed to a 12.7 gunpod, leftover from a revell A-109KM.
im verry pleased with the quality in Airfix's Hawk kit, compared to airfix's other models, this one really is superiour in quality and can measure itself against the Italeri hawk. its a verry wel detailed kit for its low price (€5.50 or £4.99) i would recommend this kit, the fit up to now is like a dream, no problems what so ever.

here's a pic of the wing assembly 

[Taiidantomcat]

Its always nice when a kit cooperates  ... an unusual change it so often seems!!

[JayBee]

Nils,

you realy need to re-name this beast as the Atlas Kudu already exists

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Atlas-C4M-Kudu/1088450/L/&sid=cb9a722b68c34a7a778f58aaf42f894f

[Spey_Phantom]

Nils,

you realy need to re-name this beast as the Atlas Kudu already exists

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Atlas-C4M-Kudu/1088450/L/&sid=cb9a722b68c34a7a778f58aaf42f894f

i'll get right on it  

EDIT: how about Grebe or Egrit 

[JayBee]

Might work, but doesn't sound SthAfrican enough, to me anyway.

Jim

PS I understand that the Kudu sounded in flight like "a Shakleton falling down stairs" 

[Mossie]

A few South African creatures in Afrikaans:
Meerkat
Gemsbok
Hartebeest
Grysbok
Springbok

[Spey_Phantom]

its been quiet, but i finally have an update 

ive completed the main assembly last night and today i started on the painting.
the landing gear still needs to be fitted but im almost there 





and about an hour later....

[Taiidantomcat]

oh yeah!!