1:72 F-117N *** FINISHED, PICS PG 3***

[jalles]

For some reason I gravitate toward stealth aircraft, so I think I finally found a suitable entry for this GB. In the 90's, after the the Navy's A-12 Avenger II got canceled Lockheed proposed a naval version of the F-117. It looks something like this:



Main differences other than the new wing/horizontal stabilizer layout are the rounded/bubble canopy and new engine exhaust arrangement. I'm going to use the top from a 1:72 Hasegawa F-117 and 3D print the rest. Usually I just use the 3D print as a mold for vacuforming, but this time I'm actually going to use the parts so there will be much sanding and primer (as well as a fair bit of swearing).

Work has already started.

Here's a small sensor window for the FLIR, I'm hoping to use the FLIR from the Hasegawa kit.

F117N-01 by Jason Alles, on Flickr

F117N-01 by Jason Alles, on Flickr

Bottom, wings, and horizontal stabilizers after much priming and sanding. They're almost ready, but not quite there yet.

F117N-03 by Jason Alles, on Flickr

Finally some landing gear well detail. I've cannibalized the front from the Hasegawa kit.

F117N-04 by Jason Alles, on Flickr

[McColm]

Looks great 

[Dizzyfugu]

Very cool. 

[comrade harps]

The F-117N looks more attractive in a sporty kind of way than the F-117A. I'm looking forward to seeing this in a nice naval scheme. 

[AndrewF]

This looks excellent! Looking forward to see the finished version.

[PR19_Kit]

I like the way you just blandly write '......going to 3D print the rest......' 

[jalles]

I've been doing a horrible job taking in progress shots, but work continues.

Here's the original canopy, the mold for the vacuformed canopy, and the final product.

1:72 Lockheed F-117N by Jason Alles, on Flickr

Of course the plane needs a cockpit and an intrepid pilot.

1:72 Lockheed F-117N by Jason Alles, on Flickr

1:72 Lockheed F-117N by Jason Alles, on Flickr

Finally, here are the major components losely held in place.

1:72 Lockheed F-117N by Jason Alles, on Flickr

I've done more work, just no pictures. Everything is now glued together and currently I'm trying to get the vacuform canopy flush. It looked good until I hit it with some primer but now it's showing some obvious issues.

[kitnut617]

Incredible Jason 

[DogfighterZen]

Very nice work indeed... this is gonna look great!!

[kerick]

Same here! Love the way this is coming together.

[PR19_Kit]

AWESOME stuff there! 

[Dizzyfugu]

This looking great. 

[jalles]

Thanks for the kind words folks! The canopy is still giving me fits, hopefully I can beat it into submission.

[Mossie]

Beautiful work.  This'll be fantastic when finished.  I've always fancied having a go at this but wouldn't know where to start.

[Old Wombat]

Some people are really good at this "scratch-build" business, aren't they!