JASDF Kawasaki/Northrop Grumman AQ-47

[CammNut]

I was putting the finishing touches to my Hasegawa 1/72 Sinden II in JASDF Mitsubishi F-2 "blue-on-blue" colours, when the thought occurred to me: "I know what would look good in this scheme." So I broke out my Platz 1/72 Northrop Grumman X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator. Here is the result:



It's the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, not JMSDF, so the Kawasaki-assembled AQ-47 would be land based, but whether performing surveillance, strike or jamming support the stealthy unmanned combat aircraft would have a longer operating radius and endurance than the JASDF's Lockheed Martin F-35s.





The build is out-of-the box - with the exception of exchanging the JDAM bombs that come with the kit for a pair of Japanese ASM-2 anti-ship missiles from a Hasegawa F-2 kit, modified with folded fins to fit inside the weapon bays. I wanted the newer supersonic ASM-3s, but they are 20ft long and too big to fit in the bays. Markings come from a JASDF F-2 set by DMX Decals, mixed with stencils from the X-47B kit.





About the Platz kit: it is a great model, cleanly moulded, well engineered, no fit issues and pretty simple to put together as there is no cockpit to detail or canopy frames to paint. The outer wing sections are separate, and can be posed folded (separate parts providing fold detail), but fit nicely if installed down (inserts align the joints, with a little care).



The X-47B is a big aircraft - I've been close to the real thing on the ramp at NAS Patuxent River and, to me, the model captures the beast's bulk, simple shape but complex curves. Modelling the aircraft in flight with all the doors closed would require removal of the nicely moulded-in hinges - these are pretty hefty on the weapon-bay doors (which have never been opened in flight to my knowledge). There is no arrestor hook on the model - an odd omission otherwise.

[Captain Canada]

Awesome....they both look great in those colours !

[Cobra]

This is a Super Sweet Build I Almost could see this Launching from a Carrier in an Episode of Thunderbirds! Keep up the superb Work Dan

[Mossie]

Nice pair!  I didn't know that Platz had done a X-47, I might look out for one.

[sandiego89]

That looks really great- well done!

[NARSES2]

Oh my - how to make an aircraft look gorgeous  That scheme is the bee's knees 

[Dizzyfugu]

Beautiful combo! And great work on both kits - wonderful!   

[CammNut]

Thanks, folks. It does look good in those colours - but hopefully I have got that scheme out of my system now!

[Army of One]

Great work.....scheme is great.....

[ChernayaAkula]

Jolly nice work!  Using the helmet mask decals on the wings is just inspired!