Northrop N-102 Fang

[mat]

In late 1952, Northrop started a design study for a simple, lightweight, supersonic fighter aircraft, the N-102 Fang. The project was an attempt to tackle the growing weight, complexity and cost of fighter aircraft. USAF did in the end chose the Lockheed F-104 as a replacement for the F-100. But Northrop stuck to the idea of a lightweight fighter aircraft and in the following years it developed into the F-5 series.

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But what-if the Fang had been the choice of USAF. Then Fang would have been produced in the thousands and have seen service with myriads of air forces.

My build will be a re-engine from four engines to one engine, as the build will be based on the wing (and maybe some other pieces) of a 1/144 Academy B-58A Hustler. This will be supplemented with whatever I can find on my scrapyard.

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[zenrat]

<popcorn>

[PR19_Kit]

<popcorn>

Me too, that Fang's an interesting and elegant shape. 

[Wardukw]

This im gonna like right room then get go 😁🤙

[kerick]

Fantastic! A very sexy looking aircraft!
You could do one as a developed version with a larger nose for a radar and other bits like what happened to the F-16 and F-18.
I have a small scale Hustler too and this is a great project for it. Another for the to do list.

[comrade harps]

This is a lot more than a re-engining project. l look forward to seeing it cone together. 

[63cpe]

Oh, that's a sexy looking aircraft. I' m following to see how you're going to tackle the fuselage. Obvious choice to use a b-58 wing as it's a good start.

David aka 63CPE

[Rick Lowe]

<popcorn>

Me too, that Fang's an interesting and elegant shape. 

Ditto - cute li'l thing...

[kerick]

What engine did it have? J79?

[mat]

What engine did it have? J79?

You are spot on - A General Electric J79-GE-1 with 9.300 lbs thrust dry - 14.400 lbs thrust with afterburner.

[The Wooksta!]

Fuselage?  Ye olde KP Su-25 Frog foot.  Looks to have the same slab sided fuselage and the KP kit has separate engines. Plastic is quite thick IIRC, so that may help.

[mat]

First step in the build is the conversion of the wing. The trailing edge of the N-102 wing formed a straight line.

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[Zero-Sen]

Can I suggest something along those lines?

Some scale-o-rama with two J79 in a single engine pod, inspired by the B-58 used as a flying testbed for the GE J-93 ...

[NARSES2]

I wasn't aware of this project, it's a very elegant design 

[DogfighterZen]

<popcorn>

Me too, that Fang's an interesting and elegant shape. 

Ditto - cute li'l thing...

Same here!