STEALTH PLANES GROUP BUILD

John,
Well, I think the Rafale is only "somewhat" stealthy. It's not designed from the ground up to be radar invisible, but it does have some characteristics you'd find on a true stealth jet: the profile, the jagged edge on the LG doors etc. If the f-117 is 100% stealth, then I'd say the Rafale is 40%.
Terry

QUOTE: Originally posted by johnforster Of course you can join! I think it's pretty likely that the end date will have to be extended anyway, because of Dan's accident! Cheers, John

yay! that i can join and
No! for dan's accident

Hmmm, I'm not really sure, Terry. Does it have any type of cloaking features? Even active stealth technology or a radar-reducing profile would be alright. If it's got any of them, then yeah I guess so..we'll ask Dan...when he gets back on!
Cheers,
John

I've already asked this question a couple of weeks ago, but not sure if it's ever answered: is the Rafale considered a stealth jet? If so I'll enter this GB with my Revell 1/48 Rafale M. End of year deadline should be do-able for me.

thanks.

Terry

Of course you can join! I think it's pretty likely that the end date will have to be extended anyway, because of Dan's accident!
Cheers,
John

so i can join?

I'm sure it could be extended. I've got a 1/72 B-2 that I'm building for this and I haven't even started! Dan?
Cheers,
John

since the recon GB is allowing cross builds, I'll join you guys and do the recon as a cross! if that is ok with you of course
oh, and IF I can join can you set the time limit for me a little past June? or is that asking too much?

can the model be already in another group build?
if so, I'll join with the SR-71 in 1/72
I'm in the Eye in the Sky Group build

Here's some pics of the sprues. I couldn't help myself, I just HAD to have a peek into the box!! Anyway, it's looking like being a great model! Given me heaps of inspiration to finish my Hornet now, just so I can get started on this one!





Cheers,
John

Glad you'll be doing a B2 John. I really wanted to do that as my build but could not find a stockist anywhere locally.

Can't wait for piccies!

Not good news, mate.
No good news from me either, chaps. I've shelved the SR-71 for the moment, as I STILL can't find the missing clear sprue!!
However, I'm not pulling out of the build. This gave me a perfect excuse to buy the Testors 1/72 B-2 Spirit, I've been eyeing off for awhile!!
Has anyone else built this kit before? Anything I should know about? I'll post when I've opened the box, which will be a while, because I want to finish my Hornet for the 1/72 Attack a/c GB first, then give myself some workbench space. This is looking like being a BIG model!!
Cheers,
John

Great build yardbird!

Due to injuries I am extending the deadline of this build to the end of the year. May seem like overkill so feel free to do mutliple builds. Sorry but I am unable to do any sort of modelling at the moment and probably won't for another 2 months.

Hope this is okay with everyone.

Dan

Yardbird, I must say that you have a great looking SR-71. That is a very impressive build. Congrats!!!

I have finished my SR-71C trainer/Hangar Queen for this GB. I have posted a more complete write up on the general aircraft forum. I will repost the pictures here.

Darwin, O.F.









More photos can be viewed at: www.bellevillercflyers.com/gallery/album109 .

QUOTE: Originally posted by johnforster [ I'm back from a week training with the AAC out in the scrub! How's everyone else's Doing? Any pics? Cheers, John

John,
The basic construction is complete on my SR-71C, clear coat applied, decals just finished this evening, (d _ _ _ there are a lot of those little suckers), and I am working on the finishing touches. It should be done in another day or two. I will post pictures then.

Darwin, O.FL

Hmmm, interesting that.
I'm back from a week training with the AAC out in the scrub! 6 days of running around in the bush, sleeping in the mud and hooning in the back of Land Rovers! Great fun! However, that means that my build has gone by the board. I'll get back to it asap.
How's everyone else's going? Any pics?
Cheers,
John

Some more notes on the F-19/F-117 history...
I thought I had head somewhere that F-117 was chosen because it was a number that wouldn't raise much suspicion by any spys out there since it didn't fit the normal naming convention. I thought (and I could be wrong) that they used to use designations of F-116 for some F-16s that had been modified to simulate MiGs for combat traning... but I begin to question that since the F-16 was still rather new when the F-117 was developed.

As for the "Aurora" code name, I recall reading that it was the original code name used by the B-2 program and since that was about the time the SR-71 was being retired, it was assumed to be replacement for the Blackbird... but by the time the B-2 became a "white world" program, the idea was intrenched. An interesting side note to the SR-71 replacement is the Lockheed Martin has been working on a stealthy UAV based on their Dark Star (presumably) and was actually flown during the intial phases of the Iraq war. There were reports of U-2 pilots complaining about other aircraft in their airspace! The Air Force has officially acknowledged its existance, but they haven't said much more... should be interesting to find out in a few years or decades.

As for my F-117 model, I'm about ready to start decaling soon. I'll put up some pics when I get there.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Gilmund You´re making good progress Darwin. Do you remember the kitbashing story in FSM not so long ago, I think Paul Boyer wrote it. Did he make a C also, or was it some other blackbird? What are you going to use for decals? Keep it up /Johan

Johan,
Yes, I remember Mr Boyer's article. He made the original Blackbird, the A-12 using the same SR front end and F-12 back end. I have been planning on using this technique to build an A-12, an M-21 and an SR-71C for several years. He got it done before I did.
The C model used the same high visibility markings as the early A models so that part will use either kit decals or basic AM marks. The only thing I have to do is cobble together the tail number 17981 and the nacelle "Buzz" number 981. I have enough white numbers to pull that off. I also have to scratch build all the various parts of her "Hangar Queen Dress". It will definately conjure up visions of Scarlet O'Hara.

blkhwkmatt,
Yes, it does seem unworldly or futuristic doesn't it? The design of the Titanium Wonderbird is nearly 50 years old and even today would be considered cutting edge technology. She will still outperform anything else currently in the sky or even planned.
A testament to the unbridled genius of Kelly Johnson, Ben Rich and the rest of the Skunk Works gang. I feel so priviledged to have stood in her shadow for those 12 years.

Darwin, O.F.

You´re making good progress Darwin. Do you remember the kitbashing story in FSM not so long ago, I think Paul Boyer wrote it. Did he make a C also, or was it some other blackbird?
What are you going to use for decals?

Keep it up /Johan

yardbird, that is a good looking SR. I have only seen one once in flight and it left a huge impression on me. Even today that plane has an otherworldly shape to it!

Keep up the good work!!!

I have finally made some progress on my SR-71C. The photos show the basic assembly. The black forward fuselage is from the Testors/Italeri SR-71, which can be built as an A or B, and the silver aft fuselage, wings, engines part is from the Testor's/Italeri YF-12A. This was the same combination used in the making of the full scale bird.
I installed the raised 2nd cockpit and canopy, removed the RHAW antenna bulges from the nose, filled in the OBC camera window opening in the nose as well as the 4 OOC and TEOC camera windows in the chine bays. Then the ventral center stabilizer fin was removed and the mount faired over. The overall fit was pretty good, so not too much filler was needed. The next step will be to get a coat of black paint on it. She will be dressed as the "Hangar Queen" that she was from 1976 to 1990.

Darwin, O.F.

Interesting story, seems to make sense.

I just recently read an interview with a fromer F-117 pilot (in the squadron signal F-117 book) that said that the F-117 designation was actually a mistake and that the Nighthawk was probably meant to be called the F-19. The situation was similar to the SR-71 which was actually originaly designated the RS-71 until LBj or somebody called the SR- in public and the name just stuck. While the initial test flights were under way the Nighthawk used the call sign 117 (a generic call sign used by a number of covert flights in the Groom Lake/Tonopah area) and somebody started producing manuals for the F-117 by mistake. By then it would have cost millions to rewrite everything so they just adopted the -117 designation. That's the story I've heard on the F-19 issue anyway.

Darwin - Thanks again for your endless knowledge in these matters.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Gilmund Yea, they both got the engines on top, but not no sumular in general. That raises the question: what is that, if it´s not the testors/italeri F-19, and not the stealth from the movie. yarbird78, can you help us out.

The various model companies have always been in competition with each other to be the first on the market with a model of any new item of military equipment, especially exotic airplanes. As I said in my previous post, the rumors of what was happening at Groom Lake (The Ranch, Dreamland, etc) were going fast and furious during the 70s and 80s. They supposedly had new stealth airplanes, successors to the U-2 and SR-71, a whole squadron of Migs, our own space ships, possibly based on "captured" extra terrestrial space ships, (ala "Independence Day), and even aircraft that were capable of Mach 5 or 6 speeds and could make 180 degrees turns and stop/start instantaneously. Even if the technology existed for a machine that could do that, no human body could tolerate it.
The nomenclature F-19 Stealth was something coined by some over eager media type and the model companies jumped on it with all six feet.
Testors/Italeri came out with the little dart shaped thingie that they said was the F-19. Monogram came out with the big bat winged thingie soon after that and also called it the F19. One of the model companies, I think Monogram, came out with a Mig something or other that they claimed was the Russian stealth. Russia had barely even considered the stealth concept at that point in time.
This is the same time period when the term "Aurora" was so popular and many people were just absolutely convinced that "it" existed. Their only plausible logic to this idea was that after all, the USAF had done away with the SR-71, therefore they must have something even better to replace it. Testors came out with a mother/daughter kit supposedly of the Aurora (daughter) perched on the back of the SR-75 Penetrator(mother). Mother was supposedly capable of Mach 3-4 and Daughter could do Mach 6 or better. This combination was gargantuan with daughter being almost as big as an SR-71 and mother was something that would make a B-70 look like the size of a Cessna 150.
Let me post this text while I get a couple pictures of "daughter". "I'll Be Ba a a a a ck!"

Darwin, O.F.

I bought mother/daughter as a combo kit and built daughter. I didn't build mother because I would have to rent a hangar at the airport in order to store it.

The 1/72 "Aurora" next to a 1/72 F-4K Phantom



Another view of Aurora, Two large turbo jet engines on the bottom, two hydrogen fueled Ram Jets on the top.

Dan - i find that for me the less time that i have means that i have a greater amount of patience.

Thanks for the comments everyone, have found that i have fallen in love with the Badger 150 already, cant wait to try some "mottleing" on a German night fighter!!!

This is why I avoided the F22 kit due to the many fit problems. I would just end up losing it and then it would have a fatal 'crash'!! Sometimes my lack of patience amazes even me.........!

The Berkut really does look ace.

Sounds like you´re making good progress AH1Wsnake, keep it up.

Thanks for posting your photos, Gilmund.
As for my progress, my technique of adding some lengths of styrene sheet to the Raptor intakes worked about as well as I hoped. Have spent quite a bit of sanding to get everything smooth, but they look good. Also, on the sides of the fuselage, I used so much putty and did so much sanding to make the missile doors fit, that the sides are now completely smooth, so I may go back and lightly rescribe some of the door panel lines. I should be ready for paint and decals within a couple weeks!