Avro Z.101 Manned Blue Steel - The Real Missile with a Man in It

[Mossie]

The Avro Z.101 was a manned version of the Blue Steel, drawn up as a research aircraft to explore speeds in excess of Mach 3.  A real project, removing the massive warhead and inertial navigation system gave plenty of room for a pilot and control gear and an associated performance boost from the reduction in weight and Avro did a large amount of work in it's study.  It would basically have been Britain's X-15, paving the way for hypersonic aircraft and space flight.

I used the Blue Steel from the Airfix Vulcan with an X-15 canopy generously supplied by Weaver, SR-71 pilot from Overkiller (phillip and deathjester have sent me some others too that will be modded for a side exhibit), Harrier GR.5/7 drop tank for the spine, HS Dominie front gear and SE5a struts for the skid undercarriage!  She was a bit rushed for the Cosford show, but I'm basically happy with her as my first finished substantial conversion.













Simon

[Alvis 3.14159]

Awesome model of a truly frigtening idea!

Alvis 3.1

[Hobbes]

Well done Simon, excellent job on the conversion.

[JayBee]

Having seen it, and held it, these photos do not do full justice to this model.
It is superb, and the paintwork is truly out of this world.

[PR19_Kit]

Having seen it, and held it, these photos do not do full justice to this model.
It is superb, and the paintwork is truly out of this world.

I was just going to write pretty much exactly what Jim said, it's one SERIOUSLY impressive piece of work. 

[coolpop6307]

Having seen it, and held it, these photos do not do full justice to this model.
It is superb, and the paintwork is truly out of this world.

I was just going to write pretty much exactly what Jim said, it's one SERIOUSLY impressive piece of work. 

Ditto

[The Rat]

Mossie, you have officially entered my pantheon of heroes! 

[Cobra]

Superb Job i Could almost see this in Thunderbirds! Keep up the Superb Work Dan

[PACOPEPE]

Good idea . The canard remember me to first project of spanish Ha 300.

Regards
Fran

[kitbasher]

This was fantastic.  Looked like solid stainless steel, not painted plastic.
Build it again but with 4 faired wheels, paint it blue and say that Donald Campbell drove it!

[PR19_Kit]

Build it again but with 4 faired wheels, paint it blue and say that Donald Campbell drove it!

You mean he didn't? 

[Vulcan7]

Really cool build! 

[rickshaw]

Thats good!  Looks like its spent sometime soaked at Mach 3 speeds.   

Now, who's going to propose it should be sold to the Japanese for operational use? 

[Modelling_Mushi]

That is gorgeous, and much kudos for scratch build  (one day I'll give it a go). Have to say the real thing is a truly frightening concept.

Andrew

[Weaver]

This is a great piece of work Mossie, and the paint is excellent - well done!