North American P-86B (or a F2J-1 -- depending who gets it)

[kitnut617]

I've been pondering a new project, mainly because I'm on an F-82 kick but also I've got an idea for a tri-gear P-51.  It seemed to me the wing from a FJ-1 could be used on the tri-gear but then I started to see another possibility.

So here's something I've cobbled together quickly so I can get an actual visual of it in my head, already had it there but needed a physical object in front of me.





This will actually be a nightfighter, no guns in the center section and with the huge radar pod from the F-82, but can you imaging it like this --- eighteen forward firing .5's.

The spare set of wings left over though, will be used to build an XP-86 (straight wing) which was RW.

[PR19_Kit]

Tophe will LOVE it! 

[Captain Canada]

That looks awesome ! Now get on it and get it finished ! I might order a few things from West Coast hobby next week and that will be one of them. One, that is 

PS-Tophe will like it, but it's got too many guns for him to love it !

[Dizzyfugu]

   Reminds me that I have a (Bulgarian) MiG-15 twin build on my project list, too...

Very nice. The straight-wing F-86 is also a nice idea!

[JayBee]

That's quick work Robert.

One of the first models that I posted on this forum was a tri-gear P-51D, aka the Kelpie FR-7.











The back story _

In 1944 carrier acceptance trials were carried out with a 'hooked' P-51D Mustang aboard the USS Shangri La.
These test were totally successful.
However the US Navy was more interested in air-cooled engines and so it went no further.

The Fleet Air Arm recognised a winner when they saw one and ordered an initial batch of six hooked P-51D's for training, these were given the name Sea Mustang I.
This was followed by a large order for fully navalised machines approximately 50/50 fighter, and fighter reconnaissance.
These were to be called Sea Mustangs II & III.
However their Lordships at the Admiralty did not like the name. I mean, a SEA HORSE, does not give the right impression.
Then Rear Vice Admiral Tarquin Mandelbrot McPhail, The Lord Auchenshugle, suggested a name from Celtic folklore that was accepted by all  -  KELPIE.
The next version had a RR Griffon engine driving a five bladed prop, and to assist in counteracting the extra torque the rudder was increased in height.
These were the Kelpie IV and V respectively.
( Note: North American later used the same shape to increase the rear vertical area, but they extended the fin, not the rudder as in the Kelpie).
The final versions were the Kelpie F-6 and FR-7.
These had contra rotating props and tricycle undercarriage.

At the time of the Suez crisis (Operation Musketeer) there were three Kelpie FR-7's still in the operational inventory, and they were embarked on HMS Eagle.
One was used as a spares source, so only two flew in the campaign.
One of these was so badly damaged that the pilot was unable to land on and had to 'take to the silk' being recovered safely.
The final survivor carried out several more operational sorties, but was retired soon afterwards.
She is now undergoing restoration for static display at the FAA Museum at RNAS Yeovilton.

Base Kit:  Italeri P-51D
Other bits :
Engine - Academy Spifire XIV.
Propellor - Aeroclub.
Nose U/C - spares box (P-39, I think)
Drop tanks -spares box.
Camera window - Clear plastic drinks swizzle stick, courtesy British Airways!


KELPIE :
The kelpie is a mythical water horse from Celtic folklore that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland.
It is said to lure mortals, especially children, into the water to drown, and eat , them.
In other words a beastie with attitude!

[kitnut617]

Thanks guys, love the tri-gear Mustang Jim -- I'd not seen that before but my thinking for one was pretty much the same. What did you use for your propeller ?

Here's something I put together a few months ago --



For a wing I've used a Tucano wing because it's quite close to a P-51 wing but made for tri-gear.  But I've since abandoned the Beechnut F-51H I was using (it's a bit of ka-ka) and I'll be using a High Planes F-51H fuselage instead

[JayBee]

What did you use for your propeller ?

It was an Aeroclub white metal unit for the Spitfire, rather difficult to get now (Sigh!) 
It also has the advantage of giving you a nice big lump of white metal as a nose weight.

Jim

[kitnut617]

I think I've got one in the stash, I'll have to have a rummage through the box again (got dozens of Aeroclub props and such).  Good idea for the nose weight though, it needs quite a bit.  I think I'll stick with the five blade one though, seeing as I went to the trouble of making it up from a bunch of spare Special Hobby Spitfire blades (it's not Griffon 5-blade prop   )

[Captain Canada]

Nice looking Kelpie ! Don't recall seeing it before. Looks right in some pics, but wrong in others...but that's just my eyes thinking I'm looking at a Mustang !

[Tophe]

Tophe will LOVE it! 

I DO love it! (though I come here rarely, going directly to the Aircraft section, sorry )

[Tophe]

I was hoping the Sabre Zwilling would not be scraped before completion... Then I got a true photograph of this aircraft, finished and flown! (in top-secrecy, without markings as this is only for secret missions):

[kitnut617]

Looks good all tidied up like that Tophe 

It's still on the go, but really slowly at the moment as my new job is seriously cutting into model building time ---

[kerick]

Would the twin Fury, with its more rounded fuselage, blend in with a radial cowling easily? Radial engine P-82......Just a thought.

[kitnut617]

Would the twin Fury, with its more rounded fuselage, blend in with a radial cowling easily? Radial engine P-82......Just a thought.

That's a good idea, use a couple of R-2800 -- say from a P-61

[Tophe]

Yes, good idea but... before ordering 200 radial P-82R, it would be better to check with 5 copies of half-radial YP-82R: