Prototypes G.B. General Discussion

[McColm]

There seems to be a fair amount of BMW Mini prototypes that never made it into the production stage. I've got a couple of Revell 1/24 kits in the stash,  one will be based on the Mini pickup and the other a T-bar rag top.

[PR19_Kit]

But remember that an RW prototype won't be able to enter this GB as it wouldn't be a Whiff.

You'd have to make it different to any prototype that BMW built.

[McColm]

Will do 

[McColm]

Is there any objection to building a air-to-air refuelling tanker version of the Boeing 737-800 series?

[Snowtrooper]

Revell's original F-16 (YF-16)

Wasn't there an early F-16 kit (Revell? Monogram?) That had the short nose and small tail fins? Seem to remember it came in a prototype scheme and had a removable engine on a trolley.

Yes, that's the kit I was talking about, built a reboxing of it as a kid - see link below:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-h-222-general-dynamics-f-16a--122545

[PR19_Kit]

Is there any objection to building a air-to-air refuelling tanker version of the Boeing 737-800 series?

So long as it was finished as a prototype, that sounds OK to me.

Jon?

[Weaver]

Revell's original F-16 (YF-16)

Wasn't there an early F-16 kit (Revell? Monogram?) That had the short nose and small tail fins? Seem to remember it came in a prototype scheme and had a removable engine on a trolley.

Yes, that's the kit I was talking about, built a reboxing of it as a kid - see link below:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-h-222-general-dynamics-f-16a--122545

Yes! That's the one I was thinking of. I built it as a kid too.

[jcf]

Is there any objection to building a air-to-air refuelling tanker version of the Boeing 737-800 series?

So long as it was finished as a prototype, that sounds OK to me.

Jon?

[Dizzyfugu]

Just dug out a 4th idea - very simple (pre-WWII biplane), but can be tailored to fit into the GB's framework. 

[Scotaidh]

But remember that an RW prototype won't be able to enter this GB as it wouldn't be a Whiff.

You'd have to make it different to any prototype that BMW built.

Oooh!  Tracks!   

[jcf]

During the 50s and 60s quite a few British manufacturers had their prototypes registered under a special scheme which used an odd format, like this Gloster Reaper prototype below, registered as G-7-1.

I can't find any info on how that scheme worked, or even what is was called, so does anyone know anything about it please?

It marks an aircraft out as DEFINITELY being a prototype so could be quite useful for this GB.

Derek James Gloster Aircraft since 1917 states that the 'Ground Attack Fighter' aka Reaper was
originally painted carmine with ivory stripes and lettering, it was registered G-AMCJ when displayed
at the SBAC showin 1950. In 1951 it was repainted to silver with the G-7-1 in red.

Shacklady's Gloster Meteor states that G-AMCJ and the Reaper were two different aircraft and gives
a scheme of 'scarlet and cream' for G-AMCJ.

When the aircraft was modified with the two-seater fwd. fuselage it was painted 'larkspur blue and
ivory' with registration G-ANSO.

The earlier Mk.4 sales demonstrator G-AIDC was 'carmine/white' or 'scarlet/cream', again depending
on the source.

After G-AIDC was wrecked it was later rebuilt with a two-seat fwd. fuselage and became the prototype
for the Meteor T.7 trainer, registered as G-AKPK it had the same paint scheme as G-AIDC.

In 1934 the Gauntlet-based Gladiator prototype SS.37 bore the registration G.37, which followed the
pre-war scheme.

[kitbasher]

Oooh, what to do??!!

Must finish my 'In the Navy GB' Hawker P.1154ish build and not forget the other ex-GB part-builds that have been languishing for.....well in some cases years!  However am probably going to dive into the deep end with a prototype Spitfire.  And before anyone asks.....wait and see

Also considering as a second build a mock-up of a Hawker-that-never-was fighter (note NOT a Hawker-that-may-have-been - so settle down at the back, the numbers 1, 1, 2, 1 and similar do not feature, although the build does include some Hawker cast-offs), thus combining this GB with the scrapyard challenge GB idea that wasn't taken up this year.  I've a few scrapyard ideas - probably too many tbh!

[Weaver]

The thing that's most enthusing me at the moment is a Basler BT-67 (turbo-Dakota) with a ventral radome. The idea is that Britten-Norman prove that the AEW Defender, with Searchwater radar, is a viable cheap AEW platform (it's basically a fixed-wing AEW Sea King), but it also demonstrates that for longer missions you need more consoles and relief crew on board. Looking around for a bigger, but still cheap, platform, they approach Basler. The BT-67 is ideal because the fuselage stretch is a new component that can be suitably modified and the tail-dragger u/c puts it way off the ground.

Got the Airfix Dakota
Got the Alleycat BT-67 conversion
Got the radome (old AEW Shackleton conversion)

The thing that might trip me up is the markings.

Option 1 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 'raspberry ripple' scheme. A&AEE actually had a Dak which they retired at about the same time this project would exist and there's an aftermarket decal sheet for it because in real life, it then went to the BBMF as a warbird. The reason for using this scheme would be that only the A&AEE had the test ranges & equipment to flight-test the mod.

Option 2 - some sort of civilian company scheme.

The problem with either of these is that I can't help thinking they'd have the company names on them somewhere. There are no decals that I know of, my printer isn't working and I don't want to spend any money at the moment...

[Rheged]

Option 1 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 'raspberry ripple' scheme. A&AEE actually had a Dak which they retired at about the same time this project would exist and there's an aftermarket decal sheet for it because in real life, it then went to the BBMF as a warbird. The reason for using this scheme would be that only the A&AEE had the test ranges & equipment to flight-test the mod.

R A E had one that spent a lot of time at West Freugh.  It was, if my memory is still working, Portpatrick Princess

Yup, found it!! https://www.airhistory.net/aircraft-name/3955/Portpatrick-Princess


Two possible liveries !

[The Wooksta!]

The thing that's most enthusing me at the moment is a Basler BT-67 (turbo-Dakota) with a ventral radome. The idea is that Britten-Norman prove that the AEW Defender, with Searchwater radar, is a viable cheap AEW platform (it's basically a fixed-wing AEW Sea King), but it also demonstrates that for longer missions you need more consoles and relief crew on board. Looking around for a bigger, but still cheap, platform, they approach Basler. The BT-67 is ideal because the fuselage stretch is a new component that can be suitably modified and the tail-dragger u/c puts it way off the ground.

Got the Airfix Dakota
Got the Alleycat BT-67 conversion
Got the radome (old AEW Shackleton conversion)

The thing that might trip me up is the markings.

Option 1 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 'raspberry ripple' scheme. A&AEE actually had a Dak which they retired at about the same time this project would exist and there's an aftermarket decal sheet for it because in real life, it then went to the BBMF as a warbird. The reason for using this scheme would be that only the A&AEE had the test ranges & equipment to flight-test the mod.

Option 2 - some sort of civilian company scheme.

The problem with either of these is that I can't help thinking they'd have the company names on them somewhere. There are no decals that I know of, my printer isn't working and I don't want to spend any money at the moment...

May be able to help you with the Raspberry Ripple decals - was given an Xtradecal set a while back and not likely to use them.  I'll need to find them first though...