ZELL CF-104 on MM-1 Teracruzer- Completed, more pics

[Captain Canada]

Wow ! That is neat ! And big !

[sandiego89]

Did you think of doing missles on the wings rather than tanks?

No, not for the role I had in mind. This WHIF is not intended as an interceptor. The role i had envisioned was as nuclear stike with a single centerline store, so no missiles on the wings, as it needs the tip tanks for a meaningfull range. 

However, for a point defense fighter, a ZELL F 104 with missiles would be a good fit as well.

[TsrJoe]

Testors/Italeri 1/32 F.117 Nighthawk has 2x B.61 nukes with it as alternate stores to the usual lgb.'s, one would look neat as a centreline store, altho a suitable Mk.28 shape (as seen in pics of the West German ZELL. F.104) could be made from a suitable drop tank or bomb 

[sandiego89]

Testors/Italeri 1/32 F.117 Nighthawk has 2x B.61 nukes with it as alternate stores to the usual lgb.'s, one would look neat as a centreline store, altho a suitable Mk.28 shape (as seen in pics of the West German ZELL. F.104) could be made from a suitable drop tank or bomb 

Thanks for the tip.  The NATO member I am modeling had access to U.S. Mk.28's, Mk.43's and Mk.57's under a dual key arrangment, so I have a few options, but each poses modelling challenges.  I am thinking the Mk.28RE is what I will go for and am looking at suitable drop tanks for the purpose, but need to do some measuring...   

[sandiego89]

Shape for nuclear centerline store found.....1/700 scale LOS ANGELES class sub.  Ultimate scaleorama!



I had picked up the sub on the bargain table.  The sub hull was spot on in scale diameter, but needed to loose 1.4 inches for a scale Mk-43 bomb.  Cut out section around sail area. 

Will make the shape a little more pointy and add appropriate tail fins from styrene.  

 

[PR19_Kit]

Fantastic! 

Watch that nuke doesn't start homing onto any sonar echoes it recieves! 

[Mossie]

Nice bit of lateral thinking!

[Weaver]

Nice bit of lateral thinking!

Seconded! 

My inclination would be to leave the sub fins on so all the JMNs can scratch their heads over them......

[sandiego89]

One Mk-57 "instant sunshine" assembled. Needs a little more sanding and paint. Does not look like a submarine anymore.

Booster next.  

[sandiego89]

Booster assembled.  Weapon and booster painted. 

[PR19_Kit]

No-one would ever know that it served in the USN once.......... 

[sandiego89]

No-one would ever know that it served in the USN once.......... 

It scaled out well.  My little (not so) secret.....

[sandiego89]

Booster on.

I used the stock Mace booster, with 100,000 lbs of thrust.  Although the F-104 weighs more than the Mace (maybe @27,000 lbs in this configuration vs. 18,000 lbs for a Mace) the larger thrust of the F-104 makes the thrust to weight ratio about the same. (F-104 about 15,000 lbs of thrust in afterburner vs. 5,200 lbs for the Mace).

Either way, think you would want to stand well clear of the launch.  

 

[sandiego89]

Finished with the build. 

CF-104 "646" deployed on a MM-1 Teracruzer 1972, Near Baden, West Germany.  

Backstory.  As part of the NATO nuclear stiking force, CF-104's were deployed from several bases in West Germany with a variety of US nuclear weapons under the dual key system.   With the retirement of the Mace missile system in Eurpoe dozens of MM-1 Teracruzer transporters/launchers became available and several squadrons of German and Canadian F-104 were modified to allow Zero Length Launches from the MM-1.  In time of increased tensions, or in the early hours a a Warsaw Pact attack, the CF-104's could be dispersed to remote sites to increase their chance of survival.  

Kits:
1/32 Revell History Makers Mace Missile Launcher, MM-1 Teracruzer
1/32 Revell F-104G Starfigter
1/700 Hobby Boss Los Angeles Class nuclear submarine- for the nuclear store shape

Launch mode:





transport mode

[flappydaffy]

brilliant