UK space agency heavy-lift one

Devilfish · October 03, 2024, 10:53:44 AM

Back in 2017 I built my BAe Eagle PR5, using 2 sets of wings, some plastic card and LOTS of filler

104_2953_zps33a13bf2 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

Well, it was time for a revamp, so I decided to build the other big wing TSR I've been wanting to do for a while....

a lifting vehicle for the UK space agency

The UKSA originally wanted 2 modified PR5s, but budget constraints limited them to one. Apart from the supports for the spacecraft, the single tail was replaced with twin units and strakes underneath. Two chemical fuelled boosters were fitted under the wings to assist with getting the aircraft up to 100,000 feet, where it would launch the test vehicle. The UKSA test vehicle consists of a small single seat reusable lifting body, with a version of the space shuttles ceramic tiles underneath. Initial thrust is provided by a pair of solid fuel boosters, then a chemical rocket takes over.
Due to i's size and overall yellow colour, the "heavylift one" was named "Big Bird" by it's crews, and the groundcrew painted Sesame Street's character on the side.

The "spacecraft" is an old Revell version of the F-19 stealth with different tailfins and a 3D printed rocket motor nozzle. The boosters on both aircraft are from a 1/24 Harrier. The solid boosters are Mk82 bombs with 3D printed nozzles and the chemical ones are SNEB rocket pods with 3D printed nozzles again.

20240930_174951 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181609 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181600 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181329 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181341 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181402 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181525 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181502 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181448 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181429 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20240930_181437 by Paul Carter, on Flickr