RAAF CA-24 Cyclone Mk1 (Hawker P.1081)

[dwomby]

In 1949, Hawker designed the P1081 in response to an Australian requirement for a fighter  to be licence built in Australia.  The P1081 is thus often referred to as the 'Australian Fighter' and first flew in 1950.  Due to engine delays and other concerns, Australia selected the NA F-86 instead but what if the RAAF had picked the P1081?

Hawker reverted to its WW2 storm naming tradition and named the P1081 the Hawker Cyclone.  The RAAF contracted Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation to licence build 72 as the CA-24 Cyclone.  30 as the Mk1 and a further 42 as the Mk2 aircraft with additional hardpoints.   This one, A86-132, is the last from the first production batch built at the CAC factory in Fishermans Bend.  She is shown in service with 3 Squadron based at RAAF Williamtown in August 1956. 

















She's a lot smaller than the Hunter:



There is a Maintrack/Whirlybird vacform of the P1081 and I have it in the stash but something made me want to build one from injection parts.  I was not trying to exactly replicate a P1081 although this is very close to it.  The main difference is that I changed the cockpit to that used on the production Sea Hawk as I think that is a change that would have happened if it had gone into production.  This is an Airfix Sea Hawk nose section and a PM Models Sabre rear fuselage.  The wing roots are from the Sea Hawk but relocated forward, intakes enlarged and faired in to the large fillet at the rear of the wing.   The wings are cut down from an Airfix Hunter.  The fin and tailplanes are cut down from a Frog Hunter F1.  In hindsight, I suspect a production version might have got a larger fin!

Here's how she looked before painting - not a pretty sight!



Comments and criticisms are welcomed.

David

[The Wooksta!]

Superb! 

Australian modeller Peter Hobbins did one by combining the Frog Sea hawk and Hunter F1, photos of it can by found in John Baxter's "The Alternate RAAF and RAN". 

Personally, I wouldn't have used Airfix Hunter wings as there's something not quite right about them but I could never quite work out what it was.  Judging by the colour,I'd say yours was a vintage Black Arrows boxing!

[dwomby]

The Hunter wings worked fine for me but needed a lot of cutting down and reshaping. 





David

[NARSES2]

That's fantastic.

Really interesting shot posed with the Hunter as well 

[AeroplaneDriver]

Beautifully done!  So graceful.   

[PR19_Kit]

Wonderful looking aeroplane, the P.1081, and your model more than does it justice. A super job. 

I have a resin P.1081 from 'friendly sources' and I'm tempted to dig it out and do something with it after seeing yours. 

[chrisonord]

Very nice, I am liking this
Chris

[kitnut617]

Personally, I wouldn't have used Airfix Hunter wings as there's something not quite right about them but I could never quite work out what it was.

Considering there's not much left of the Hunter wing, I wouldn't have thought it mattered

[Gondor]

Nice result 

Gondor

[Weaver]

Excellent - love the 1081 

[Tophe]

Good!

[major]

Thats super.
All came together really well, wouldn't have known it was such an amalgamation of parts.
Fine work!

[philp]

Love it.

[zenrat]

Bonza!

[dwomby]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.


Season's Greetings to all.


David