Not one, but two 1/72 Freightdog Saunders-Roe P.177s in RAF and RN guises

[scautomoton]

Ever since I first read about the doomed Saunders-Roe P.177 project I've had the idea of doing a double build, with both RAF and RN schemes. For those not in the know, the P.177 was a proposed rocket & jet powered interceptor to be operated in parallel with the EE Lightning. Unfortunately, our beloved D. Sandys is to blame for it never making the transition from the drawing board to the sky. Although a mockup was completed and the jigs to build it were fairly advanced.

So what do we have then? I'm glad you asked, but first, let me nip and get a glass of wine for refreshment while I attend to the arduous task of typing.... Hmm, no wine, cider it is. Anyway, back to the task at hand....

So I've imagined an RAF F.1 pure interceptor version, based out of Germany with 3 Squadron in NMF with some bright colour to rival the Lightning schemes of the time. Seems reasonable to me that Biggles wouldn't settle for something as fast as a Lightning without it being as showy. It's done "in-flight", armed with Firestreaks on the wingtips, and with a dorsal fuel tank fitted.

For the RN I've imagined an updated FAW.2 fleet defence version introduced mid-60s in EDSG/White scheme. Its posed on its wheels with airbrakes open and flaps drooped (a lot of work to do both), underwing tanks instead of a belly tank (landing clearance perhaps), the arrestor hook down, and 4x Sidewinder AIM-9Bs. I also changed the canopy to a bubble version for all-round vision since it would be fleet defence rather than a pure interceptor.

To summarise, I found the kit asymmetric, it was too long in the body and short in the rear fairing compared to the drawings. I shortened the body, and designed and printed a new rear fairing and exhaust nozzle for both. Otherwise the F.1 is basically OOB with 3d printed Firestreaks (clear seeker heads donated from an Airfix Lightning kit), the FAW.2 was significantly more work!. Various edges were thinned, lots of resin bubbles filled etc on both.
 
Those familiar with some of my 3d printed builds will be overjoyed to hear that Fusion behaved itself (since the parts were quite basic), so the air was a decidedly paler shade of blue due to much less language content (yes I still plan to shift to Solidworks, but I'd started these a while ago...).

Kit - Freightdog Saunders Roe P.177R and P.177N
Extras - 2x Master TSR.2 pitot; Airwaves Lightning F1 & F2  Interior Etch, Eduard ejection seat handle etch, random etch for aerials, Airfix missile rail for underwing pylons, Reskit Sidewinder AIM-9Bs, Airfix Firestreak clear seeker heads, Airfix ejector seat, CMK MB4 ejector seat, Airfix stand for F.1
3d Print - individual RAF and RN rear fairings (arrestor hook recess for RN), 2x Exhaust nozzles, burner cans and rings, arrestor hook. Firstreaks
Vac Forming - not this time
Scratchbuilding - FAW.2 received airbrake recesses and TSR.2 airbrakes, improved front landing gear bay
Primer - Mr Surfacer 500 and 1200 grey, Mr Base White 1000
Paint - F.1: Alclad II Aluminium, Dull Aluminium, White Aluminium, Magnesium, Chrome for Plastic, Stainless Steel; Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black, X-2 White, X-9 Brown, X-10 Gunmetal, X-28 Park Green; Mr Gunze Aqeous 52 Olive Drab, 27 Tan. FAW.2: Alclad II Chrome for Plastic, Stainless Steel; Tamiya X-10 Gunmetal, X-31 Titanium Gold, XF-83 Medium Sea Grey 2 (RAF); Mr Gunze Aqeous 8 Silver, 52 Olive Drab, 77 Tyre Black, 27 Tan, 21 Off-White, 333 Extra Dark Sea Grey
Weathering - Tamiya Weathering Master Burnt Red, Burnt Blue, Silver, Gunmetal, Soot, Oil
Varnish/Finish - Tamiya X-35 Semi-Gloss Clear; Intermediate Gauzy Agent, Gloss Coat Gauzy Agent; Lashings of Micro Set!
Decals - F.1: Firestreaks from the Airfix kit, Barracuda 3 Squadron sheet, various stencils from spares. FAW.2: Some OOB, some from Aifix Buccaneer S.2C, Sidewinders from Reskit.

Right! On to the good stuff, PICTURES!!!!

[PR19_Kit]

Excellent stuff there. 

Is the belly tank on the RAF one supplied in the kit?

[scautomoton]

Its in the later releases apparently. I'd contacted Colin to see if he had any kits left and he cobbled one together for me.

[Gondor]

Fantastic work, especially the FAW.2 

[kitbasher]

Quality builds 👍

I especially like the FAW2's canopy.

[PR19_Kit]

I especially like the FAW2's canopy.

So true, the original design looks so crude.

[scautomoton]

Agreed, I don't understand how the designers arrived there after the SR.53 had a blown canopy (the opening part at least). It looks very WWII....

[kerick]

That original canopy does look terrible. Even as an interceptor any pilot is going to want better visibility than that. I'm sure something to do with air friction causing heat but seriously?

[NARSES2]

Tremendous builds   

[Old Wombat]

Very nice builds! 

There seems to have been a bit of a thing in the 1950's to go back to small-paned framed canopies. A bit weird considering that blown canopies had been a thing from during WW2. 

[chrisonord]

WOW  
I am liking those.

[su27rules]

    

[Mossie]

Excellent work on both.   

How'd you go about the blown canopy for the FAW.2?

[Doug K]

Gorgeous builds 

[PR19_Kit]

There seems to have been a bit of a thing in the 1950's to go back to small-paned framed canopies. A bit weird considering that blown canopies had been a thing from during WW2. 

The Fairey FDIII had a similarly framed canopy, very odd.