Tom's Airfix Build Number 1!

[Supertom]

Well, here's number one.  I got tons of scraps/spares, some ideas, decals, references.....this'll be my most ambitious conversion yet...

[Supertom]

Note the new cutting mat.  New life, new mat.  

[The Rat]

I'm gittin' one of them thar squirmy feelin's!    

[Captain Canada]

New life, new mat.

Right on, Brother !

But you gotta give us more details.....a man can't simply say 'my most ambitious conversion yet' without a few details !

 

[Supertom]

Oh, alright, I'm going to convert it into a TSR.2

Nah just kidding.  It'll be a production F-17C.  Speaking of which, hey Evan, were the F-17s meant to carry Sparrows on the side blisters like the F-18s?

[K5054NZ]

TSR.2! HA! Who'd want one of those?


F-17C, eh? Hinteresting, vey hinteresting.....

[elmayerle]

Oh, alright, I'm going to convert it into a TSR.2

Nah just kidding.  It'll be a production F-17C.  Speaking of which, hey Evan, were the F-17s meant to carry Sparrows on the side blisters like the F-18s?

They likely would've evolved that way.  I'm going to model a F-17A without that, but it's an obvious bit of design growth.  If you have a spare F-16 model, you could try doing a single F100/F110-powered F-18.

[Brian da Basher]

Tom, great to see you getting back in the saddle! I'm looking forward to your build!

Brian da Basher

[Supertom]

If you have a spare F-16 model, you could try doing a single F100/F110-powered F-18.

Well, I'm not that ambitious!    

[Supertom]

Step 1: Collect underpants erm I mean, sand the panel lines off the buggers.

[Supertom]

Step 2: Cut/scrape/sand off the various lumps and bumps that make the airframe an F-18, like those wingfolds.  Now that those are off, the wings look decidely F-16ish....

[Supertom]

Then, resize/reshape various distinguishing features closer to the YF-17 concept.  In other words, backdate some stuff.  Speaking of which I'd say the most challenging part would be the main wheel well area/fuselage sides.  I'm wondering if I want to leave out the side blisters.

[Alvis 3.1]

Lookin good! Ah, F-18s, my fave victim..err..subject to chop up!


Alvis 3.1

[Aircav]

My Hero            

[The Rat]

Coming along nicely Supertom!

I can remember seeing the picture of the original Northrop P-530 Cobra in AW&ST, before the feds got their mitts on it and fattened her up. One of these days I would like to have a go at creating one of those.