Naval Mustang as Drone controller

[Gary F]

While working on my P-47 being done as a USN FR-3K drone controller in the gaudy gray-yellow-red scheme, I decided to add to the project and do up a P-51 in similar guise ... guessing it might be called an FJ-1K.  It will be based on the D model Mustang with a second seat stuffed in the cockpit with some drone control instrumentation, along with some of the Enforcer type mods ... new spinner and prop and side mounted exhaust shroud, and belly scoop removed and faired over.  Going for easy on this one so no fuselage extension or extended horizontal tail planes so more like the first version of the Cavalier Enforcer from the early 70's (vs the later Piper version from '82).
 And here's what she'll look like ...

[John Howling Mouse]

Ha, now YOU get to scratchbuild that turboprop exhaust:  

Hey, why not build this from the 1:48 Airfix kit and join in the Airfix group build?

 

[Gary F]

Hi Man-ho,

 I'm already underway with a Hasegawa kit ... got the cockpit just about ready to paint ... the P-47's are just waiting for the 51 to catch up and then a big airbrush session, hopefully later today.
 I've had an idea of how to do the exhaust for some time ... fine beach sand packed in some plastic tube, then heated to bend the tube, then cut on either side of the bend.  Should give me some depth inside the fuselage also.  (The sand in the tube trick is from a FSM from a couple years ago.)
 I'm more concerned about getting a good shaped spinner that I can cast a few of (for some Enforcer projects).

regards

and another version of the FJ-1K, reserve possibly from South Park  

[GTX]

Gary,

Interestingly there was actually a proposal for a Sea Mustang - went by the designation NA-133.  It was a development of the P-51H.  Here are some pics:



Regards,

Greg

[John Howling Mouse]

Pics of the in progress builds?

Please?

[B777LR]

i got an idea long time ago, while i was building the acedemy P51B. The tail section has to be attached as a separate peice, and it is quite possible to fold it like the tail of an helicopter.

[Tophe]

Interesting... Thanks.  

[Gary F]

Yes, thanks for the idea on the folding tail section, B777LR.
 Well, yard work finally caught up with me so no painting session over the weekend.  But I did find some fun in my down time ... another addition to the drone controller family profile ... this one seems very do-able.  The USN had a couple of Ar 234's after WW2 ... lets say they reworked them and used them for carrier trials for a while, then found their way into a composite squadron and used for drone control duty ... maybe even as a launcher, as was the JD-1 (B-26 Invader in USN).  I'm still trying to come up with the USN designation for this thing (ideas appreciated) but here is the 4 engine Ar 234C in it's colors ....

(and to keep these all grouped together, the FR-3K Seabolt, FJ-1K Seastallion, and the Ar will all wear markings for composite utilitly sqdn ...  VCU-12)

[K5054NZ]

Did someone say naval Mustang?

[Tophe]

Thanks for the link, Zac. I especially appreciate this detail: "fuselage-side airscoops (these were never officially considered, but ditching was a major risk in Mustangs" - handled by Gary in a different way...  

[Gary F]

I'm still waiting to get to do some airbrushing so I came up with one more drone controller to add to my project ... this time based on the Do 335 .. again the USN did have a couple of these so why not see what it might have looked like.  Tossed in a few 'updates' like removing the aft belly scoop and re-engining with turboshaft engines, ala the Cavalier Enforcer and minor reprofile of the nose to smooth it out a bit.
 Then for fun, redone in Naval reserve colors ... from NAS reserve, South Park.
 Next installment will hopefully be some pics of plastic ...

[Maverick]

How absolutely gorgeous... love the Ar & Do in target tug colours.!!!!!!    

[Gary F]

Thanks to all for your comments ... hopefully the realized plastic will be interesting.  I did these just to see what they might look like and was surprised at how the Do looks ... kind of thought I'd like the Ar 234 the best.

regards

[B777LR]

Until now you havent shown any In service examples with WW2 scheme. Could you do some of these planes in that scheme?  

[Gary F]

Which one and in service with who?   I've got a pile more of the 2334's and 335's and have some ideas that are whiffers but not near term projects.  The ones I've done above are ones I'm trying to actually work on presently.  There's an overall gsb 234 that I've not got resized yet but will post shortly in here.
 Again appreciate your interest ...

Gary