Reverse history?

The Rat · March 30, 2018, 12:04:36 PM

I'm sure most of us have heard of the genesis of the U-2, but for those unfamiliar, the story goes like this: Kelly Johnson was approached to design a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, and started with the idea of putting looooong wings on an F-104 Starfighter. But what if it was the other way around? I have a U-2 fuselage and CF-100 wings left over from the CR-100 build, perhaps there's enough bits left to make a bash out of them. Hmmm...

Weaver · March 30, 2018, 12:56:09 PM

Yeah, why not? If I ever nick the wings from my U-2 for something I'm definitely going to put some F-104 wings on it's fuselage...

The Rat · April 04, 2018, 09:11:39 AM

Need to shorten the CF-100 wings a bit, but yeah, this looks good.

PR19_Kit · April 04, 2018, 09:55:31 AM

That looks like a U-1.5.

Actually it's pretty good, lots of potential there.

[What am I saying?

He's not only fitting SHORTER wings, he's shortening THEM too!!!!]

The Rat · April 04, 2018, 10:06:57 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on April 04, 2018, 09:55:31 AM
That looks like a U-1.5.

Actually it's pretty good, lots of potential there.

[What am I saying? He's not only fitting SHORTER wings, he's shortening THEM too!!!!]

The Rat · April 06, 2018, 08:54:57 PM

Just need to sweep the dust off the floor, wait for white glue holding the weights to dry, and then I can join the two fuselage halves. Airfix seat has been replaced with a seat from the Hobbycraft U-2, ejection handles added with wire.

The Rat · April 07, 2018, 12:22:41 PM

Dang, canopy won't quite sit down perfectly over the seat. Okay, a wee brushing of Humbrol thinner to loosen the glue, off it came, and I'll grind down the bottom. Glad I test-fitted before gluing the two fuselage halves.

AeroplaneDriver · April 07, 2018, 04:11:58 PM

Love the shape of this! Cant wait to see it done!

The Rat · April 08, 2018, 12:56:05 PM

Doing something I've never done before - installing wheel wells. Helps that I already had a nosewheel bay that I originally made for the CR-100, before I decided to go with a similar arrangement as the U-2. The mains will be very similar to the F-104, so that shouldn't be too difficult, basically just a flat roof, divider, and doors.

The Rat · April 10, 2018, 08:57:06 AM

Wingspan has been established, not as short as the real world version, but I like the way it looks. Not glued yet. And yes, the keyboard really is that dusty and dirty!

The Rat · April 10, 2018, 01:41:29 PM

Wheel wells under construction, along with filling surrounding gaps with scrap plastic that will be buried in putty.

Leading Observer · April 10, 2018, 02:24:39 PM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on April 04, 2018, 09:55:31 AM
That looks like a U-1.5.

Actually it's pretty good, lots of potential there.

[What am I saying? He's not only fitting SHORTER wings, he's shortening THEM too!!!!]

Shorter wings! Heresy! Prepare the stake and light the torches!

Tophe · April 21, 2018, 07:21:41 AM

As far as I am concerned, I love the new shape

Thanks!

The Rat · April 21, 2018, 11:33:18 AM

Quote from: Tophe on April 21, 2018, 07:21:41 AM
As far as I am concerned, I love the new shape
Thanks!

Thanks! Good to see you posting, how are you feeling?

TheChronicOne · April 21, 2018, 12:31:09 PM

Clean... I love it. This will look like a million bucks once transfers are on and it's all wrapped up!