What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Got a copy of AirForces Monthly February 2017, there's some interesting whiffery if you are into your modern aircraft fixed wing and rotorary.
The Boeing T-X training aircraft looks like a single engine F-18 Hornet at certain angles with Hawk style cockpit.

The seaplane version of the B-52 with  donor parts from Bungle is another project in the pipeline. I might swap the engines over from the DH Condor and vise versa.
Time to get the hooks and fishing line out to hang some of the almost finished builds up out of harms way.
I also received my Airfix Shackleton. Definitely a bomber variant, possible second turret at the rear of remote controlled. Tiger Force artwork would look good.
I think getting some Kristal Kleer would be ideal for the current builds, lots of pictures of the finished builds next month!

[McColm]

Dry tested the VEB 1/72 Be-6 flying boat with the Airfix Shackleton MR.2, the Shackleton fits in certain places. The cockpits could be changed and possibly the rear but keeping the wings and tail. Fins would be changed, likewise the engines and upper turret.

Another possibility is the Amodel An-12, I always thought that a Westernise version could be built, by changing the engines.
If they are compatible with the the Academy KB-29P and the resin update Lockheed Constellation set fits then either the Tu-70/75 or an AEW prototype platform using the interior parts from the Airfix Shackleton. As the windows are larger, a mixture of rectangle and circular. You should be able to see a lot of internal details.

As to the stash, I'll work from the top downwards, row by row. Instead of taking random kits.

[McColm]

Been reading the topic about the Shorts Stirling, especially the ideas of turning it into something similar to the Avro York.
The parts are scattered in various spare parts bins. Looks like another one will be bought. The wings from the Airfix Shackleton will be used and the glazing from the Mach2 Avro York.

[TheChronicOne]

You have all kinds of projects and ideas! I love it... that said I can see why the edict was passed forth about taking on kits as they are stacked... an attempt, possibly in vain, at achieving order! 

[McColm]

Couldn't get to sleep this morning so I decided to do a bit of tidying up and came across a kitbash project based around the 1/72 RVHP Grumman Greyhound resin conversion set. The Hawkeye wing has four turboprops instead of the usual two and a new T-tail. The loading ramp is glued in the closed position. Cockpit glazed but no interior detailing. Found the tailhook, just need to add the propellers and wheels after painting.

I also fiddled around with the Contrail Vickers Valiant vacform kit, as mentioned this lacks some parts, but by chance I found the remains of the vacform HP Victor. Sort of mix and match, first thought Val Doonican part of the British V bombers.
As the Mach2 Valiant has issues the next best fuselage to hand is the B-47. Both wings fit and with the vacform canopies, the B-47 could be transformed. Keep the tail and  landing gear.

[Captain Canada]

Interesting !

[McColm]

There's lots PSR work to be getting a long with.
In the 'Almost finished pile':
The Martin Marina AEW amphibious flying boat- got a white gloss rattle can and that I will be using.
AW Argos- engine exhaust pipes to be fitted, undercarriage and wheels. Propellers to be painted- one needs replacing, decals.
Fokker Rotodyne- general tidy up and paint, wheels to be fitted.
Grumman RR Griffon powered Albatross- exhaust pipes to be fitted, decals.
Heliplane- main rotors, nose wheels. Tiger stripes to break up the grey, decals.
Avro Shackateer, flaps, decals, rear wheels, canopy.
Wraith, canopy, decals.
Sky guardian- still has the flying boom fitted, been thinking of adding something to the roof. Could be finished.
Breguet Br1250 jet flying boat- needs cockpit detailing and filler.
Martin SeaMistriss- undercarriage from the B-58 to be fitted. Suitable paint scheme, additional windows.

[McColm]

The 1/72 Avro Lancastrian injection moulded conversion kit by M & E Models Ref: KC002 arrived today and like any Whiffer I just had to try them out on the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW2.
Originally this was to become the Avro Carlton but as the new parts fit so well and I had my razor saw to hand they have been glued on. The rear tail cone is as per instructions, just as the Lancastrian. The front tail cone is turned 90 °'s and fits where the forward gunner/observer would be. The nose is flat to accommodate the new part and the existing parts as per Revell kit used to finish off the new model.
This gives the opportunity for alternative uses;
MkI troop/ cargo plane
MkII medium to long-range bomber
MkIII refuelling tanker
MkIV AEW & C either the Grumman E-1 or E-2 radome
MkV water bomber
MkVI Search & Rescue
MkVII long-range maritime patrol/surveillance
MkVIII turboprop
MkX civilian airline/cargo freighter
MkXX export model

As I've always wanted to build a troop transporter/civilian airliner version of the Shackleton I'll stick to the plan and just change the engines as I intend to use them on the Heller DC-6B as the Canadair South Star (got the idea from the Canadair North Star/Argonaut Class DC-4 powered by 4 x 1,760hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 622s).

However with a bit of tinkering I have managed to move the wings of the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW2 to the shoulder position. This blocks out a few of the fuselage windows, so some more will be added. I'm going to keep the Griffon engines on this build.
Ground clearance shouldn't be an issue as the fuselage height is just shorter than the York.

[McColm]

I think that I may have built the LTV XC-142 as a kitbash by pure accident.
It started out with the resin 1/72 RVHP Grumman C-2 Greyhound fuselage,Grumman E-2 wings with 4 X turboprop engines, T-tail from the spares box and A-10 landing gear.
It doesn't have the rear propellers fitted, could be STOL and be used for COD.

[McColm]

The 1/72 Avro Lancastrian injection moulded conversion kit by M & E Models Ref: KC002 arrived today and like any Whiffer I just had to try them out on the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW2.
Originally this was to become the Avro Carlton but as the new parts fit so well and I had my razor saw to hand they have been glued on. The rear tail cone is as per instructions, just as the Lancastrian. The front tail cone is turned 90 °'s and fits where the forward gunner/observer would be. The nose is flat to accommodate the new part and the existing parts as per Revell kit used to finish off the new model.
This gives the opportunity for alternative uses;
MkI troop/ cargo plane
MkII medium to long-range bomber
MkIII refuelling tanker
MkIV AEW & C either the Grumman E-1 or E-2 radome
MkV water bomber
MkVI Search & Rescue
MkVII long-range maritime patrol/surveillance
MkVIII turboprop
MkX civilian airline/cargo freighter
MkXX export model

As I've always wanted to build a troop transporter/civilian airliner version of the Shackleton I'll stick to the plan and just change the engines as I intend to use them on the Heller DC-6B as the Canadair South Star (got the idea from the Canadair North Star/Argonaut Class DC-4 powered by 4 x 1,760hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 622s).

However with a bit of tinkering I have managed to move the wings of the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW2 to the shoulder position. This blocks out a few of the fuselage windows, so some more will be added. I'm going to keep the Griffon engines on this build.
Ground clearance shouldn't be an issue as the fuselage height is just shorter than the York.

Not all the Revell parts fit. The inner engines especially around the landing gear well had to be trimmed back to fit. It's the  side pieces that were removed in order for a good fit.
Follow the instructions for the windows around the cockpit as they are a bit fiddly when both halves of the fuselage are glued together. They are a few gaps around the bomb bay doors and wings but generally a good fit overall.
I've glued the radome above the fuselage just behind the cockpit. The next stage is PSR , flaps and landing gear.

[McColm]

The 'Soviet Group Build' has given me a few ideas on what to do with my small collection of kits. The largest being a Tu-22 Blinder, Tu-128, An-12, Be-6, Su-27, Su-22, Su-47, T-50 , Yak-38A and B, and Mig -33.
I was thinking did the design team before the Tu-22M was built put swing wings on the Tu-22? This would make a great build, sort of Su-22 wing layout.

[TheChronicOne]

I like the sound of that. Su-22...... Su-128...     Been looking for a Su-128 kit myself and if I can get it cheap enough I'll snag it for the GB. 

[McColm]

The Tu-128 was the official name but NATO renamed it the Tu-28 Fiddler, known as the largest interceptor.
Try looking on eBay.

[McColm]

It looks like I will get around to building some of my proposed ideas, when I first discovered this site.
Whilst some are too ambitious, the others appear to be feasible.
I won't be able to start any of them as I don't have the room at the moment.
Got to work out some sort of filing system as I keep finding parts that I thought I had lost and loosing parts that I need to complete the current builds.
I'm convinced that when I'm not there that the builds fly around the room as they are never in the same place where I left them and I lock my door when I leave for work.

Had another idea; to fit the engines from the Airfix Fairey Rotodyne to one of the Lancasters  and keep the landing gear. Might even use them on the Avro York.
Military trains have always fascinated me, got a 00 gauge Airfix/Dapol Biggin Hill plastic locomotive on order. I thought of experimenting with a static kit first.

[McColm]

I've caught a bad chest cough and been watching a few aviation films on YouTube especially from the former USSR.
This could lead to a mega-kitbash, although the Mighty Thor does resemble one of the cancelled projects.
Another article that caught my attention was the Boeing 307/C-75 that used the B-17G parts with a new fuselage. Built along the same lines as the Avro York.
There's a resin kit and a vacform kit but I haven't managed to track one down to buy.
The 1/144 C-97 is a bit too small to fit the 1/72 B-17G parts. The nearest kit is the Curtis C-46 Commando. I could change the wings and tail.