DONE +++ English Electric P.6/1 "Levin", RAF 65 Sq., Coningsby 1983 (pics@p. 4)

Dizzyfugu · January 31, 2016, 02:40:14 AM

Another project from my loooong list of ideas, and the GB is a good motivation to tackle it - even though another non-GB project is on the bench at the moment.

The EE P.6/1 was a real project for a single engine derivative of the famous EE/BAC Lightning interceptor, powered by a single, massive RB.106 engine and capable of Mach 2, based on the Lightning F.1 but I am certain that it would have seen a similar evolution with the introduction of Red Top.

This has actually been built before in 1:72 and posted here some timje ago - but, again, I was not able to dig the post up.
IIRC it was built from a VEB Plasticart Su-7 with Lightning appendages, and in a NMF.

My plan is to use a Su-20 fuselage (Mastercraft), not certain about the Lightning donations yet. Either a NOVO or a Hasegawa F.6.
I am also inclined to produce a very late service version in a low viz livery, just before the Cold War's end and the type's retirement.

Might take some time to materialize, but at my pace/output rate, this one should get finished in time...

Thorvic · January 31, 2016, 03:44:10 AM

Nice choice, i did one for the wooksta using a pair of Su-9 Fishpot kits to get round the area rule bulge on the Sukhois. The Modelsvit S-32 might be a good basis if it was as bit more readily available at a reasonable price.

Weaver · January 31, 2016, 05:12:57 AM

You might be thinking of my P.7D model: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,34972.15.html

I did that in a hurry, so I made up a fictional backstory to conveniently ignored issues like the Su-7's area-rule bulge and the P.6D's high wing. Looking forward to seeing your version!

PR19_Kit · January 31, 2016, 05:55:07 AM

Quote from: Weaver on January 31, 2016, 05:12:57 AM
You might be thinking of my P.7D model: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,34972.15.html

I did that in a hurry, so I made up a fictional backstory to conveniently ignored issues like the Su-7's area-rule bulge and the P.6D's high wing. Looking forward to seeing your version!

Did you ever do the 'production' version?

Dizzyfugu · January 31, 2016, 07:00:36 AM

Quote from: Weaver on January 31, 2016, 05:12:57 AM
You might be thinking of my P.7D model: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,34972.15.html

I did that in a hurry, so I made up a fictional backstory to conveniently ignored issues like the Su-7's area-rule bulge and the P.6D's high wing. Looking forward to seeing your version!

Yes, that's the one I had in the back of my mind! Thanks a lot for digging it up again, Weaver!

Mine will certainly get shoulder-mounted wings and the bigger F.6 fin, not certain about a belly tank. But as a late version...? Overburgers might look cool, too?
I also read that the missiles were supposed to be carried on the wing tips, might need some more detail research.

kitbasher · January 31, 2016, 07:08:38 AM

My Su-13 'Fishcake' is being built from the leftovers of a Lightning and an Su-9 that'll be my go at a P.6, but not fir this GB.

Captain Canada · February 05, 2016, 08:05:19 AM

Great idea. This is going to be good.

Dizzyfugu · February 05, 2016, 09:26:38 AM

Project start still pending, the Su-17 from Poland is still in the pipeline...

Have been finishing two other little projects in the meantime, though, but not for the GB.

Dizzyfugu · February 08, 2016, 05:34:33 AM

Still no news/progress, started a third interim project in the meantime...

Dizzyfugu · February 09, 2016, 09:53:09 AM

Good news: the parcel from Poland! And right in time, since #3 has just been finished and waits for photo shooting.

So, the Mayhem will start soon. One "problem" I have is: is this going to be a Lightning variant, or something with a separate/individual name?
There's only the project name/number around, and even though VG or naval variants of the Lightning have been proposed under that name, I'm inclined to apply a separate name to this aircraft.

Dizzyfugu · February 09, 2016, 11:57:44 PM

First cuts have been made now, and things are already getting ugly. The Su-17 kit comes with a separate spine, under which the VG slide mechanism is hidden. So I thought that I could transplant the Lightning's spine - and and this idea ended with the upper cockpit (for the Lightning's canopy) as well as the British nose section for the bigger air intake. Since both fuselages have rather different diameter shapes, fusing them is not as easy as expected or hoped for... Besides, the mid position adapters for the Su-17 wings have been faired over, and sinkholes under the fuselage have been filled.

Plan is to work out the fuselage halves first, then add Su-17 cockpit & nozzle, the Lightning fin, and modify the air intake (opening it up and add a bulkhead deeper inside). Then we'll see where the wings will go. The stabilizers will be placed low, and I'll probably use fuselage parts from the Lightning as bases, too. Overburgers are earmarked for use, Red Tops will be carried on the wing tips, a pair of 30mm cannons will be added to the fuselage flanks (as originally planned). The Lightning's belly tank will probably be left away, since all pictures show the P.6/1 in clean condition - and until now the thing looks very sleek.

WiP pics might follow soon.

Dizzyfugu · February 10, 2016, 09:40:32 AM

Here they are, from the first measures to the initial strategic fuselage cut:

1:72 English Electric P.6.1 "Levin", a.k.a. the Mono-Lightning (WiP) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 English Electric P.6.1 "Levin", a.k.a. the Mono-Lightning (WiP) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some more parts lurk in the background, e. g. the wings and Red Tops from the Novo kit...

Dizzyfugu · February 11, 2016, 10:11:20 AM

PSR nightmare started...

1:72 English Electric P.6/1 "Levin", a.k.a. the Mono-Lightning (WiP) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

DogfighterZen · February 11, 2016, 10:41:48 AM

You know what they say: "A PSR session a day keeps the JMNs away..."

Dizzyfugu · February 12, 2016, 01:20:28 AM

I am already ahead with PSR work, and it gets worse and worse... I am actually sculpting the whole upper fuselage new from scratch, it's more like carving the thing from wood than building a plastic kit!

BUT: it looks sexy!

The fuselage (already glued together, with the fin in place) reminds of a potential Vietnam era intercourse offspring between a MiG-21 PF and an F-8 Crusader. Looks FAST!

This turns out to be more epic than expected, but I think that this ugly duckling will turn into a slender swallow.

Hail the putty gods

!