TOPIC: New Models for 2020

No I am not trying to emulate Daniels's productivity! I have pulled these from storage with a view to getting at least one completed in the not to distant future.

So what do we have? Well at the top with a set of wings in front is a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak for Rapier L3 motors, inspired by Mike Stuart's Large Saab Tunnan. It is based on Mike's L2 sized version, which is available to download from his 'Flying Scale Models' web site. I have substituted the original sheet fin and tailplane but with built up surfaces, and modified the trough, with the motor placed on expected CG position. Still needs the spine and cockpit constructing, -- then onto covering.

Left centre is another F-84 this time an 'H' version that became known unofficially as the Thunderscreech. Again, this is based on Mike's F-84 plan with quite a few modifications as I soon realised that the fuselage was very different, as the full size used twin turbo props geared to a single shaft driving a very low aspect ratio "stubby" 3 bladed prop. Yes, you did read correctly - this model has a prop and when first constructed was intended to be electric powered with Rapier assist.

To get this flying I will probably drop the electrics and build a nose reflective of the full size, but leave off the prop blades. Where did the nickname come from? Well, when ground running the tips of the prop blades were supersonic, subjecting ground crew to rapid fire shock waves.

Right centre is a Keil Kraft Javelin, minus the wings (which I have yet to build!). Again, I have modified fin and tail surface to built up structures and made other changes as I intended to build as an FAW.9 variant and finish in the red and white schem,e as flown by Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down in 1970. Now, I will probably modify the jet exhausts by removing last bay of fuselage and rebuild as shown on plan which would be more reflective of a prototype aircraft, although an all over royal blue Gyron Junior engine test bed version is very tempting.

Front centre is yet another version of the Junkers EF-128, a design I do not seem to be able to get out of my system. While previously they have been profile models, this one has a built up fuselage, but retains the sheet wing.

Finally, the remaining model is the fuselage of yet another Luft 46 design: a Messerschmitt P.1112 S2. The wings are currently under construction so this will probably be the one that gets completed first.

What a wonderful job lot of goodies, decisions decisions, oh I have some like that myself!!!! Looking forward to seeing whatever you manage to complete. Thanks for showing these John, they all look mouth wateringly tempting, go for it.

Roger adds: just outstanding, John, and I can't wait to see them in the air (and then on video). I guess you might be needing some motors soon, including L-3's. Negotiations with Piotr Tendera about his new L-3 motors have stalled a bit ( ) but I believe Chris Richards has some Rapier L-3's stashed away. So there is no excuse to not finish any of these lovely models!

I've been quite busy these past weeks sending out part kits to jet jockeys stuck at home, and of course, there was the ISK-11 Iskra profile, but I can't help thinking I'm falling behind in the 'real model' category. Time, therefore, to fish out a 3-view of an old jet and get 'balsa bashing! Below are the results so far:




Above: progress so far, so far, so traditional.

The fuselage will be fully sheeted, an I'm hoping to try the method Peter Illife wrote about some years back. Peter is, of course, an 'uber-meister', and my efforts will probably end up looking like the proverbial 'dog's dinner'.

We shall see. This week's star prize will go to the first person who can correctly identify what it is.

Grumman F-11 'Tiger'

Roger comments: No, the correct answer is it's a typical RS bodge, i.e. it's a Dog's Dinner.

below, the proof. The basic structure awaiting all the sheeting and air intakes.





Steve is right, of course. I rather like my semi-profile F-11 Tiger, so a proper version seemed like a good idea and not too outside my skill set!

Looks good so far Roger. The fuselage is quite a tricky shape what with those side intakes and the 'area rule' waist. But this all will make it all the more interesting once finished.

I know photographs can be deceiving but it looks fine to me, quite a sexy shape. Would another string or two help locally over the more curved sections?
Roger comments: I'm planning quite extensive areas of sheeting around the nose, cockpit, air intakes, trough, wing roots and tail. There may not be many stringers on show after all that (similar to John Digby's 'Thunderscreech')!

My original idea - panelling each section a la Peter Illife didn't work for me. So it's back to what I do least badly - stringers with light sheet.

I have an old Lindberg plastic kit to help me with the final shaping. Still undecided about the tissue covering

The cut out for the 'slide in wing' and trough will only be done after the sheeting.

Back to kit production today.