Handley Page Harpy.

[NARSES2]

Insanely impressive, Fred! Love it!

Very much so 

[PR19_Kit]

Wow, just WOW!

[Steel Penguin]

smashing!   

[Wardukw]

Yup ..agreed with all comments..totally outstanding mate 

[Scotaidh]

She's a beaut!     

[scooter]

She's a beaut!     

Unsurprisingly, I read that in Steve Irwin's voice.  Complete with the leading "Crikey". 

[DogfighterZen]

Looking very good, Fred! 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.
Finished her today but I have yet to take pics.  I also need to finish the words to go with her.

[Tophe]

Good teasing... I tell the clock : please hurry up!

[zenrat]

Handley Page HP.77 Harpy.  Radlett Aerodrome - Summer 1950.

Handley Page HP.77 Harpy - 5 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Design work on what was to be named the Harpy was begun in 1947 with the intention of producing a "Nuclear Mosquito" capable of operating from unimproved fields and carrying a single atomic bomb.
Based on the pioneering works of Dunne, Hill and Cheranovsky and utilising structural and aerodynamic studies carried out for the HP.80 project the HP.77 took the form of a crescent flying wing with power provided by four Armstrong Siddeley Beryl turbojets buried deep within the structure.  The aircraft presented a clean external aspect with only a spine running aft from the cockpit and widely spaced twin vertical tails interrupting its lines.

Handley Page HP.77 Harpy - 26 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Handley Page proposed two versions of the HP.77; a "Tactical Bomber" with no offensive weapons other than a single low yield nuclear weapon, and a "Heavy Fighter" with multiple rapid firing guns mounted to fire out of the nose.  Both variants would have a crew of two in a side-by-side cockpit.  The Bomber would have a glazed nose for a bomb aimer.

Handley Page HP.77 Harpy - 29 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The initial prototype was a single seat hybrid of both variants with a bomb bay recessed into the underside and provision for a pair of 20 to 30 mm guns to be installed one each side of the cockpit.  Nicknamed "Hawkwing" this prototype first flew from Handley Page's Radlett facility in May 1950.
The prototype was favourably assessed by the RAE but theories of air warfare had changed and technology moved forward and the Harpy didn't fit.  No further development was approved.

Handley Page HP.77 Harpy - 7 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Hawkwing was retained by Handley Page and played a part in the development of the HP.80 Victor, and later as a flying testbed for avionic and powerplant developments, before being broken up and scrapped.

Handley Page HP.77 Harpy - 13 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model
Lindberg 1/96 Victor wings joined with a scratchbuilt centresection.  Victor stabilisers modified as vertical tails.
Hasegawa 1/72 F-106 Delta Dart cockpit and nosegear bay parts and undercarriage leg.
Hasegawa 1/72 FW-190 canopy.

Handley Page HP.77 Harpy - 30 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[Old Wombat]

The Hawkwing is a sweet, sweet thing, Fred!

[NARSES2]

That's really come out well Fred 

[ericr]

 

[Rheged]

I'm very impressed with both the Hawkwing and its story.    Well up to your usual high standard.

[DogfighterZen]

That looks very good indeed, great work, mate!