The Ford that chased airplanes for a living.

Frankenpanzer

Member since
May 2017
From: Park City, Utah

The Ford that chased airplanes for a living.

Posted by Frankenpanzer on Saturday, June 22, 2019 5:47 PM

A true "Cold War" warrior. The USAF Ford Mustang LX 5,0 chase car for the U-2 spyplane.

Scratchbuilt the radio.

Wired the engine.

The real deal.

I finally received confirmation as to what the antenna looked like, so I made one from scrap.

Color is a old Floquil Railroad color, CSX Blue gloss enamel. Interior is three shades of Tamiya gray.

Light bar is from Dave Panek.

Reply

Pawel

Member since
May 2009
From: Poland

Posted by Pawel on Saturday, June 22, 2019 5:58 PM

Hello!

A very interesting piece of history and a very nice model representation of it! Congratulations!

How come the inscription on the door is different than on the photo? The scale is 1/24, right?

Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

Reply

GMorrison

Member since
September 2012

Posted by GMorrison on Saturday, June 22, 2019 6:04 PM

That’s great!

IIRC the SAC used a Corvette 427 in A-12 landings.

I know a guy who flies the latest version of the U-2 over a country that is run by a short fat kid.

He’d give a walnut to ride in an SR-71.

Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

Reply

Don Stauffer

Member since
November 2009
From: Twin Cities of Minnesota

Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, June 23, 2019 6:42 AM

Very nice!

I wonder what the ceiling is on that car :-)

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

Reply

midnightprowler

Member since
February 2003
From: East Bethel, MN

Posted by midnightprowler on Sunday, June 23, 2019 8:24 AM

Very nice.

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

Reply

Tanker - Builder

Member since
June 2014
From: New Braunfels , Texas

Posted by Tanker - Builder on Sunday, June 23, 2019 1:17 PM

Okay !

Now, a question;Where did you find a Notch-Back FOX Body car ???

Reply

Frankenpanzer

Member since
May 2017
From: Park City, Utah

Posted by Frankenpanzer on Monday, June 24, 2019 8:16 AM

Revell's Mustang LX kit.

They also have a Mustang LX "Drag Car" version. It too can be built stock.

Tanker - Builder

Okay !

Now, a question;Where did you find a Notch-Back FOX Body car ???

Reply

Frankenpanzer

Member since
May 2017
From: Park City, Utah

Posted by Frankenpanzer on Monday, June 24, 2019 8:18 AM

Topped out, 135. Acceleration was the key, it's the 0-100 time that was most needed.

Don Stauffer

Very nice!

I wonder what the ceiling is on that car :-)

Reply

Frankenpanzer

Member since
May 2017
From: Park City, Utah

Posted by Frankenpanzer on Monday, June 24, 2019 8:19 AM

Pawel

Hello!

A very interesting piece of history and a very nice model representation of it! Congratulations!

How come the inscription on the door is different than on the photo? The scale is 1/24, right?

Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

I couldn't find the decals to totally replicate the real car, which is a brilliant restoration I might add.

Reply

LonCray

Member since
March 2013

Posted by LonCray on Monday, June 24, 2019 2:22 PM

Heh, my Army unit went to Patrick AFB a few times in the late 1980's and we set up our trucks next to the U2 runway. Early every morning that sucker would come wheeling out of their hangar with patrol cars on either side (I don't remember what they were - Mustangs or something else) and drove up the runway really slow - then suddenly it was going almost straight up in the air. Landing in the evening was much more conventional - but the patrol cars wheeled in as soon as it was on the ground and escorted it right back to that hangar - which then closed up tight. Great fun to watch, plus the Air Force mess hall let us get their really great food (Steak & lobster! Sandwich bar! Custom omelets!) on our Army meal cards.