Lame ducks as 'Hot Rods'. A refined version.

McColm · July 24, 2012, 04:15:42 PM

The 'Lame ducks' I'm refering to are the aircraft used as decoys or have had spare parts removed and cannot fly.
Most of them would have ended up on the fire dump or target range, but with their wings, engines and propellors removed they'd make your head turn if you saw one on a main road.
I've bought an Airfix 1/24 Spitfire from Heritage Avaition Models for a crisp £20 note. My build will include chrome exhaust pipes, chrome radiator taken from a 1/24 'Truck Improvement kit' plus anything else that will fit, turning the Spitfire into a 'Hot Rod'. The chasis, wheels, front and rear lights, wing mirrors, steering wheel, fuel tanks will be donated by a 1/24 Peterbilt 379, plus anything else to make look road legal.
I'm eager to try out a Chrome kit that I also bought from Heritage Aviation Models. I'll use the decals and paint scheme from the Peterbilt kit.

kerick · July 24, 2012, 08:10:14 PM

I really want to see this!

McColm · July 24, 2012, 08:48:15 PM

So do I.

Weaver · July 25, 2012, 04:11:50 AM

Sounds like a great project!

My Hardcorps Tornado was along similar lines:

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,29634.0.html

I also have a 1/72nd AD-5 Skyraider in the stash as a canopy donor for another project, so the tentative plan is to "pimp" the rest of it with a soft top and luxury interior from a German Staff car...

McColm · July 25, 2012, 08:22:40 AM

Wow!!
I did have another idea to use a 'Tonka' minus the wings for a Landspeed vehicle on similar lines as the NF-104. Real World trials were carried out on a Jaguar fitted with chuncky tyres for landing on grass.

perttime · July 25, 2012, 10:00:56 AM

I recall seeing, somewhere, some three-wheel assault vehicle whifs built out of fighter fuselages. Something like a Bf 109 fuselage and engine, with two wheels in front and one in the back.

kerick · July 25, 2012, 11:13:10 AM

I remember seeing this vehicle. It was a great job. I wish I could remember where I saw it or who built it.
McColm, this just proves your idea is a good one. I'm sure your take on it will be different and interesting. The one I'm trying to remember was military looking and it sounds like you are going for a custom car look. Should be awesome!

McColm · July 25, 2012, 08:10:16 PM

Thanks for the vote of confidence. The French came up with loads of designs during the 1930s, cars looking like aircraft. Some even had wings and propellers attached.

McColm · August 06, 2012, 11:16:41 AM

Still waiting delivery, at least this gives me a chance on finishing off some of my other projects.

Old Wombat · August 07, 2012, 12:00:47 AM

I can't find any pictures of them but there were a couple of builds of Bf-109's & Spitfires converted into post-apocalyptic racers by removing the wings & fitting wheels (2 wide apart at the front for steering, 2 close together at the back powered by the nose-mounted engine). They tended to retain some level of armament in these builds but it wasn't really necessary.

They looked awesome.

Maybe someone with better Google-fu can find pictures of them? $:-\$

Guy

CANSO · August 07, 2012, 09:58:30 PM

Quote from: Old Wombat on August 07, 2012, 12:00:47 AMI can't find any pictures of them but there were a couple of builds of Bf-109's & Spitfires converted into post-apocalyptic racers

This is the one I know and it's amazing!
I don't remember seeing any Spitfire-based racer from the same modeller though

- the guy builds mostly MaK's.

perttime · August 08, 2012, 08:49:30 AM

Quote from: CANSO on August 07, 2012, 09:58:30 PMThis is the one I know and it's amazing!

That is very much like the one I remembered. I'm sure I've seen others. Maybe a remote gun turret behind the driver?

kerick · August 08, 2012, 05:12:24 PM

Quote from: perttime on August 08, 2012, 08:49:30 AM
Quote from: CANSO on August 07, 2012, 09:58:30 PMThis is the one I know and it's amazing!
That is very much like the one I remembered. I'm sure I've seen others. Maybe a remote gun turret behind the driver?

Its the same one I was thinking of. Good find!

Old Wombat · August 08, 2012, 06:40:42 PM

Bryan's build is one of the ones I was thinking of.

Plus there was one other & I'm reasonable sure someone did a Spit in reply to the 2 Me.109's. $:-\$

Army of One · August 09, 2012, 02:21:18 AM

When I went to one of the theme parks in Florida in the early 90's I saw in an outside lot some of the prop vehicles for an American series.....these included a P40 land vehicle..there was a large chain around the prop shaft at the front going to some sort of drive underneath.....I've tried to find the series but no joy...I remember asking at the time and it seemed a popular series.....just can't remember the name of it....