F-104EZ Egg-Zwilling (finished page2)

[Tophe]

On zenrat's Tupolegg-177 topic (https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=50001.0 ), we discussed about the F-104 eggplane, and feeling inspired I bought it. Now building may start (this week).
The project is this, mainly: joining both fuselages side by side and "the extra half-wings and tanks" may create a 1/350 extra airplane.

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/ftf-104prjt.jpg

[Tophe]

Here is the kit's content.
I did not see the wings, but they are here, very small.

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5226_104ez.jpg

[Tophe]

Building is easy, I am rather surprised this goes that fast.

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5227_104ez.jpg
Now, I will have to deal with the air-intakes being "internal" on the zwilling, to discard for gluing the fuselages to one another.
I think I will not butcher in removing the 2 intakes. I will be more what-if, reducing even more the length truncating the fuselages between canopies and fins, removing all 4 intakes. With much putty to get smooth again. This will become a rocket plane, even more different from Real World.

[Tophe]

Here are the (rear parts of) air-intakes that make a problem for joining the 2 fuselages:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5235_104ez.jpg

[Tophe]

And here is the TFM (Twin-Fuselage Mystery, 1/350) already built:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5231_104ez.jpg

[Tophe]

Now, I will have to deal with the air-intakes being "internal" on the zwilling, to discard for gluing the fuselages to one another.
I think I will not butcher in removing the 2 intakes. I will be more what-if, reducing even more the length truncating the fuselages between canopies and fins, removing all 4 intakes.

I think I will truncate the single-seater more than the two-seater, cutting all from fin to canopy on both fuselages. This will increase the asymmetry, and I like this.

[Tophe]

Starting to cut:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5237_104ez.jpg

[Tophe]

Cutting has been completed.:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5241_104ez.jpg
Next step will be gluing back these parts to one another, then big PSR work (not fun alas).

[Tophe]

Yes, gluing back parts, into short rocket planes:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5243_104ez.jpg

[Tophe]

Adding putty, 1st of 3 probably: 

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5246_104ez.jpg

[Tophe]

The sanding of these 2 rocket planes is done, maybe finished:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5248_104ez.jpg

[Tophe]

The fuselages are now standing with their microwings, ready to be glued to one another:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/IMG_5254_104ez.jpg
For the tailplanes, I consider a biplane tailplane joining fins without external part, maybe. This would be even more what-if, different from F-104 in Real World...

[PR19_Kit]

........ with their microwings.......

I've seen wing FENCES larger than them! 

[Tophe]

Thanks for smiling not condemning...

As I have installed the wings as low wings under the fuselage, the span is reduced from normal (middle wing on a round fuselage + extension with air intakes), BUT as I have cut the fuselages still decreasing lengths, the ratio span/length is almost normal (mini not micro?) for an egg plane...

[kerick]

If you were to paint it red it would resemble those little two pod fighters from the cloud city in the Empire Strikes Back.