Lightnings ... um ... edited

[Scotaidh]

I've always liked the EE (later BAC) Lightning, ever since I found that the Mk1 (model) could balance on it's stabilizers and fin ... so I've decided to edit the basic shape a bit.

Two bits, actually - first by chopping






and then by stretching:



Kindly disregard the missiles' mis-positioning on the stretch image - they'll be in their proper place on the model.

[PR19_Kit]

I like them both, a LOT! 

[Tophe]

Congratulations!

EDIT: you made me dream of similar Mirages (https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=10054.135 ), thanks!

[Old Wombat]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

Mind you, it looks cool, & that's what counts!

Not sure how I feel about the stretched version but at least it'd have a better range.

[PR19_Kit]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

It'd be a 'point defence fighter' I reckon.....

A very SMALL point! 

[NARSES2]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

It'd be a 'point defence fighter' I reckon.....

A very SMALL point! 

Rutland Territorial Defence Force ? 

[PR19_Kit]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

It'd be a 'point defence fighter' I reckon.....

A very SMALL point! 

Rutland Territorial Defence Force ? 

Might be too big an area................ 

[Gondor]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

It'd be a 'point defence fighter' I reckon.....

A very SMALL point! 

Rutland Territorial Defence Force ? 

Might be too big an area................ 

Will it have enough fuel to get to the end or the runway?

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

It'd be a 'point defence fighter' I reckon.....

A very SMALL point! 

Rutland Territorial Defence Force ? 

Might be too big an area................ 

Will it have enough fuel to get to the end or the runway?

Gondor

It's a tail sitting VTO fighter, the 'runway' is 0 ft long. 

[JayBee]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

It'd be a 'point defence fighter' I reckon.....

A very SMALL point! 

Rutland Territorial Defence Force ? 

Might be too big an area................ 

Will it have enough fuel to get to the end or the runway?

Gondor

It's a tail sitting VTO fighter, the 'runway' is 0 ft long. 

Ah but for landing, succesfully, the runway will have to be VERY long!

[Scotaidh]

As the original Fright'ning was not exactly renowned for its long legs, I'd hate to think what the range is on the chopped version!

Mind you, it looks cool, & that's what counts!

Not sure how I feel about the stretched version but at least it'd have a better range.

Well ... much as Kit believes all aircraft need would look better with longer wings, I feel that most military aircraft are disproportionately short and would be improved, both aesthetically and in handling characteristics, by being stretched a bit. 

My justification is the long-tail P-40.  I'd never really thought about improving it - it just was, if you follow me.  Then I saw the two version side by each, as they say here, and it was one of those epiphany moments.

So, some factors for the ideal aircraft:
1: A British test pilot (BTP) saying that the only aircraft he'd ever flown that had "enough wing" was the Vulcan;
2: Another BTP saying that the only aircraft he'd ever flown that was properly powered was the Lightning;
3: Me saying that most aircraft are not long enough to be pleasing to the eye;

and we get a stretched thin (Vulcan-profile) winged Javelin powered by a pair of Pegasus 107s. 

[The Wooksta!]

Personally, I'd give the second - lengthened - Lightning a delta wing, because it would look cooler.  I'd also raise the nose, giving it a bigger radar and a chin intake.  I've been wanting to do that to a Lightning for some time.

[PR19_Kit]

and we get a stretched thin (Vulcan-profile) winged Javelin powered by a pair of Pegasus 107s. 

One above the other? 

[Scotaidh]

Right.  Since I'm doing both models more or less at the same time, I've combined the build files.  Latest Progress:



The wings are on the Chopped Lightning, and now I'm doing the RWR. This is an upgrade, obviously, to the basic airframe.
I'm also upgrading the missiles. I'm not sure if I should go for Sidewinders (or the Matra equivalent) or something a bit longer ranged, like AIM-120 AMRAAMs. Maybe figure out how to have both types of missile capability?
Someone mentioned range - I think that will be unchanged, as there's a lot more wing space.

Finally done with the Stretched Lightning fuselage PSR. Sheet plastic stiffeners under a layer of Aves under alternating layers of Squadron Green and White. New wing locations established. I left the mounting stubs on the wings, and cut holes for them so they're positively located. I'm sure the Jokster Modeling god, Locus, will mock my attempts at port/starboard equal locations, but I did measure - twice. The wings are, right now, just on with Testor's Liquid Model Cement which usually gives me good results in spite of the fact that the model is _not_ a liquid ... Once that dries, the joints will be reinforced with super glue.

[Weaver]

The short Lightning ("Shortening"?) reminds me of the Boulton-Paul P.111 and P.120...