What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

I have bought the 1/72 AC-119K Stinger/Shadow gunship and in a radical rethink came up with the AEW & C idea. For some this is a blast from the past, as I tried putting the wings and twin tail boom on a C-130, almost worked.
So to save time and with this years budget already spent , a new look was sourced.
The interior guns will go into the spare parts bin and a scratch built rotor dome based on the large radar dome off the EC-121 Warning Star uses with the stand from the Hawkeye kit.
Something the USMarines/ USAir Force would have used during the Vietnam War as an alternative to the Grumman E-1B or E-2C.

[McColm]

The Airfix Valiant was one of those kits, I've often thought about buying but the price has been a bit too high for me. Curious got one off eBay at a reasonable price.
First thought to go down the ASW route, but then again what about an AEW since I seem to be building one at the moment and would will use a Neptune for another one.
I had thought of swapping over the wings for a pair of BAe Nimrod ones. This worked on the Mach2 kit, although there were a lot of issues with it.
And yet I can't help thinking the Valiant wings would work on a C-130 or C-160.

Then there's the C-121, devoid of the two radars. I know through ready Google that some were used in the ASW role but getting hold of some reference material on the matter is a bit sparse. Could also go down the tanker route, hose & drogue pod under each wing and the auxiliary jet pods from the Neptune kit added as well. Could use the vacform AEW radar dome as well. Other parts from the Neptune kit will be used.
Got an idea for the engines,just need to find a tube the same dimension as the engine cowlings where the spinners fit. Scratch built turboprops using Hamilton four blade propellers.

[Dizzyfugu]

How about reducing the Connie's size (taking out plugs in front of and behind the wings, as well as the outer engines) and make a two-engine aircraft out of it? Certainly a challenge...

[McColm]

Thanks for the idea.

[McColm]

Part 1
Stick to the original plan.
Now that I've got a 1/72 Frog Avro Shackleton MR3 on its way to me, I can use its twin tail on the Neptune AEW project. The vertical tail and Neptune wings are going to make a twin engined Shackleton trainer or airliner.

If I the wings from the Airfix Valiant can be fitts to the Revell Atlantic kit then the Atlanta will be built.
Had another look at the Connie wings and although a twin engine is a great idea, I'd like to finish off a request made by another Whiffer who wanted someone to build a RR Griffon Constellation. Agreed this would have been underpowered bit with the viper engines and or a pair of jet pods added.

[McColm]

Background story

   Grumman was struggling with its new Hawkeye project both on the rotor dome electrics and the aircraft. As a back-up plan they went to Lockheed for help. Three P-2H aircraft were loaned to Grumman.
Grumman through a third party sourced the work out to SJMcColm Engineering who came up with the Proteus I prototype.
SJM cut off the vertical tail fin and replaced this with a twin fins from a Avro Shackleton MR3. The Neptune wings were also replaced with Shackleton wings as another customer had commissioned them to build a twin engine Shackleton with a vertical tail fin.
The Neptune radar dome was dismantled and the radar moved into the nose. The observation position was no longer required. This was used as a storage area with jump seats. Two entry doors positioned at the rear of the fuselage. The radial engines would be replaced with the same engines as used by the Hawkeye.
Engineers from Grumman came down to see the progress and discussions on a aircraft carrier version to be known as Proteus II.
     Proteus II
Using the second P-2H and going down the twin tail- twin boom route. With folding wings and an arrestor hook. The original Neptune engine layout with a pair of jet pods.
Fairchild came on board and offered the Boxcar for parts, there were many meetings and eventually the Boxcar wings were adopted, the Hawkeye Rotodome wasn't used but the APS-20 and AEW radome was installedon the underside of the fuselage.

Proteus III
This used the third P-2H as a high-altitude reconnaissance platform. An engine would be mounted in the nose and one at the rear. The twin-boom system installed and longer thinner wings.
This concept was plagued with problems, but finally took to the air in the early 1970's.

Proteus I and II would see action in the Vietnam War, used by the US Navy and US Marines. Trials by the US Army and Air Force were successful but other aircraft were chosen instead.

[McColm]

The build so far,
Using the Revell/Hasegawa 1/72 Neptune and ltaleri no.153 AC-119K " Gunship" Stinger Shadow kits.
I've glued up the twin tail twin boom on both halves and measured the length of the Neptune fuselage against the boom, chopping where necessary. Just before the rear glazing.( might get a rear engine fitted or rear doors fitted instead.)
As the Neptune fuselage is a lot slimmer than that of the AC-119K the wing stubs have been cut and glued to the Neptune which means the rear tail will be altered accordingly when dry.

The rest of the AC-119K parts will be built, but no longer a gunship. The Italeri MH-53E parts will be fitted with shorten wings off the Heller Grumman E-2C Hawkeye to form my version of the Mil-Hook. Traditional helicopter layout with wing stubs and twin engines from the Hawkeye kit. If the clear nose from the Atlantic fits, I'll change for the solid nose.
Thinking of naming this the Fairchild Scorpion, keeping a couple of guns for the sting.

[McColm]

Once again my cutting has let me down, so a combination of Tophe designs is now being applied.

[Captain Canada]

Throw all the parts in a pillow case and then reach in and grab 4 pieces and start from there 

[McColm]

Thanks,
Just means rearranging the Neptune parts, its now has hinged canards at the front end. I'll see if the double-mamba off the Frog Gannet fits at the rear of the fuselage. If it does I will have achieved a four engined Neptune!
Still have to fit the glazing, cockpit and nose-wheel well. Wings, engines-thinking of RR Griffons from the Shackleton kit when it arrives.

[Captain Canada]

Be pretty cool as everybody would think it's just a twin 

[McColm]

My master plan is to take this upto Telford, as I've never been.

[McColm]

Brought in some filler and 320 grit wet & dry paper. Glued up Stinger Shadow wings and when dry added them to the wing stubs. The underside fitted snug, but there was a gap top-side .When set filled in gaps.
The Frog Gannet has lost it's double mamba engines, as this fits the rear fuselage hole. Will have to do some research into rear mounted engines, intakes and exhaust pipework.
Worked on cutting out AEW vacform radar dome from the conversion set. Fitted to gap left by removing Neptune radome. Weapons bay getting shorter. No super glue at work, so used masking tape to hold both sides in place.
Concentrating on the interior fittings, need to get some paint.

[McColm]

There's a box full of Frog Avro Shackleton MkIII parts, been up in the loft . I will sort out the parts, but on the opening of the parcel three fuselage halves. One damaged and the broken part kept.

Whilst the Airfix Vickers Valiant is all present and correct. The D version second prototype seems a good start for the MPA-ASW to be built, using the BAe Nimrod layout. Looks too good to cut up, will need to buy another one for an AEW and C-130 jet .

[Captain Canada]

Ya that Valiant is a gorgeous kit.