Convair Sea Dart w/ refueling sub- COMPLETED plus a few more pics.

sandiego89 · April 06, 2012, 06:34:56 PM

Sea Dart and refueling sub USS GUAVINA (AGSS-362)

As part of the "Submarine Striking Force" ((SSF) concept in the 1950's, the US Navy planned to use seaplanes and support ships to conduct operations from remote areas. This was also referred to as the Mobile base concept. The aviation portion of the concept included the Convair Sea Dart as an interceptor, the Martin Sea Master for attack/mining and the Convair Tradewind for logistics and refueling. Support vessels included seaplane tenders, LPD's and refueling submarines.

My next project will be to do part of the concept, the Sea Dart and the refueling submarine, in 1/350 scale. I have previously scratch built most of the Mobile Base concept in 1/700, but when I saw the sub in 1/350 I had to do it.

Using the ARV Guppy IB for the sub, the USS GUAVINA, which in the real world was actually converted and did some refueling trials with seaplanes. As with most subs the kit is simple, but I am very impressed with the quality of the ARV kit. My first build from this manufacturer. think they are new. Great detail and has a few etched parts. It can be built waterline or full hull. I will scratch build the refueling platform on the stern.

The Sea Dart will be a bash of a 1/350 Trumpeter A-7 and the F-18 from the 1/350 Tamiya set. The A-7 fuselage scales quite close to the Sea Dart as does the F-18 rear fuselage which will be turned upside down to supply the closely paired engines. Wings and tail from styrene.

sandiego89 · April 06, 2012, 06:42:43 PM

F-18 fuselage cut and wings clipped.

Styrene wings and tail.

Weaver · April 06, 2012, 06:58:35 PM

Wow - excellent project!

coolpop6307 · April 06, 2012, 07:06:28 PM

This is going to be awesome.

PR19_Kit · April 07, 2012, 07:03:25 AM

Jeepers, kitbashing in 1/350 scale?

More power to your elbow Sandiego89!

Gondor · April 07, 2012, 08:00:42 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on April 07, 2012, 07:03:25 AM
Jeepers, kitbashing in 1/350 scale?

More power to your elbow Sandiego89!

Don't you mean more power to his magnifying glass?

Gondor

Captain Canada · April 07, 2012, 08:16:53 AM

Awesome stuff ! Can't wait to watch this one come together. I love naval whifs.....especially in 350th scale !

PR19_Kit · April 07, 2012, 09:28:23 AM

Quote from: Gondor on April 07, 2012, 08:00:42 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on April 07, 2012, 07:03:25 AM
Jeepers, kitbashing in 1/350 scale?

More power to your elbow Sandiego89!

Don't you mean more power to his magnifying glass?

....and his microscope too!

sandiego89 · April 07, 2012, 10:47:36 AM

Thanks guys, yes it is tiny.

Fuselage on the Sea Dart done. This is my prototype using a Tamiya A-7 and F-18. The F-18 engines have been turned upside down. I will use the the trumpeter A-7 for the final build so I can have a clear canopy. I used the F-18 nose to make it pointy and some putty. Used the front 1/3 of a Curtis SC-1 float to make the rear of the hull.

sandiego89 · April 08, 2012, 02:12:41 PM

Sea Dart production line up and running.

ysi_maniac · April 08, 2012, 07:05:45 PM

Amazing kitbashing!

kerick · April 08, 2012, 08:15:48 PM

Nice work, the sub will look great with these aircraft.

Cobra · April 08, 2012, 11:25:15 PM

Super Cool

looks like something You'd See in an Episode of Thunderbirds! Keep up the Great Work

Dan

PR19_Kit · April 09, 2012, 01:09:56 AM

Blimey, a FLEET of Sea Darts! Way to go!

Just how small are those things? Can't be more than a couple of inches long!

Hobbes · April 09, 2012, 01:20:31 AM

You may want to sand down the edges of the wings and tailplane. Take a block of wood, apply some double-sided tape to the top of the block along an edge, and stick your wings to that. Then you can sand down very small pieces.