What if
Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Aircraft => Topic started by: zenrat on September 20, 2020, 03:32:22 am
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MiG 25 HAPPY (High Altitude Photography Platform/laboratorY). NASA Dryden Flight Research Centre September 2008.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50362687366_ec679c99d1_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJnWkY)MiG 25 HAPPY - 16 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJnWkY) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
In 2006 India retired their MiG 25s due to a lack of spare parts. NASA, whose connections with MiG were better than those of the Indian armed forces, saw an opportunity to acquire an aircraft that could fly higher and faster than anything currently in their inventory (barring experimental aircraft) and arranged to obtain five airframes.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50361990638_f1bfeb01b9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJjneq)MiG 25 HAPPY - 1 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJjneq) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Two airframes were converted for atmospheric sampling, two aircraft for photographic use and one for non-specific purposes possibly related to electronic emissions that we don't talk about
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50361989843_88488875f4_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJjmZH)MiG 25 HAPPY - 14 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJjmZH) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
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The main feature of the photographic HAPPYs is the replacement of the Saphir-25 radar and all the other equipment forward of the pilot with a sophisticated rotating lens camera setup. The camera bodies are mounted rigidly to the airframe with the lenses, fitted into a high precision rotating nose section, focussing images into them via a system of prisms and mirrors. Camera operation is controlled from a second aircraft (usually a highly modified Lockheed Viking or Gulfstream G IV) callsign GRUMPY, which accompanies the HAPPY and to which the images are streamed.
A number of different nose sections are available containing different lens configurations with the one being fitted depending on the mission requirements.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50362850017_1b59126e0e_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLGi)MiG 25 HAPPY - 6 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLGi) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
During conversion to HAPPYs MiG 25s had their outer wing hardpoints removed. The inner pair were retained as some mission profiles require additional stores. These missions are rare however, and generally the only things hung on them are F-15 Eagle belly tanks on adaptor flanges.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50362849547_2000a1179a_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLyc)MiG 25 HAPPY - 15 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLyc) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
NASA are very happy with their MiGs. But then wouldn’t you be if you could fly at mach 2.8 and reach 80,000 ft? Politicians with connections to the US aviation industry lobby will keep trying to scrap them for being “un-american” and NASA will keep refusing while pointing out there is nothing to replace them that is as easy to operate and doesn’t need treating with kid gloves, pampering, and running on special and expensive fuels.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50362687211_69f30891e8_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJnWii)MiG 25 HAPPY - 19 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJnWii) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
The Model
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50361989563_c18aa22762_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJjmUT)MiG 25 HAPPY - 21 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJjmUT) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Hasegawa MiG 25 (first release – 1978).
Nose cone replaced with part of what may be a 1/24 WW2 Luftwaffe drop tank.
Original flat exhaust outlets cut away and a pair of texter caps used to deepen them.
Two Hasegawa McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle belly tanks
Home made transfers.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50362849227_7ee5d75bda_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLsF)MiG 25 HAPPY - 22 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLsF) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
And finally a couple of size comparisons.
1) With an F-15.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50362849197_3539d59a13_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLsa)MiG 25 HAPPY - 23 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJoLsa) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
And 2) what you were all wondering. Yes, a MiG 25 is large enough to park a Spitfire on.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50362686936_64183ea8a9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jJnWdy)MiG 25 HAPPY - 25 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJnWdy) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
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:thumbsup:
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;D ;D :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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;D ;D :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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SUPER job Fred. :thumbsup:
The NASA scheme really suits the Foxbat, and that rotating camera nose is very clever.
I can't help wondering what you're going to build for SNEEZY, SLEEPY, BASHFUL, DOPEY and DOC. ;D
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As I was scrolling down, I was thinking I'm going to at least have to leave a thumbs up smiley here, until I got to the little maintenance guy in the jetpipe. Now that's just classic!
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Thanks folks. Hope it was worth the teasing and the wait.
As I was scrolling down, I was thinking I'm going to at least have to leave a thumbs up smiley here, until I got to the little maintenance guy in the jetpipe. Now that's just classic!
I've long had this picture stored on my laptop as inspiration for a dio using the Condor MiG-25. Note that not only are there blokes sitting at the end of the jet pipes but there is also someone further inside...
(https://i.redd.it/zurletqoy1o41.jpg)
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That is so slick.
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.....but there is also someone further inside...
Yeah, he always said he felt the cold.......... ;)
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Thanks BB.
The Hasegawa kit is, BTW, very simplified with raised detail. You will sand off most of this detail while performing all the PSR needed to deal with the fit of the top and bottom panels of the rear fuselage. I paid $5 for this one though which more than makes up for that. Plus it's an impressively big model when finished. I am still surprised Hasegawa put it in the same size box they used for a Crusader - Trumpeter use a huge box for their modern MiG-31. But it does have a LOT more parts.
Here's my modifications to the jetpipes. The original parts finished flush with the "Grouch glasses" back panel. The texter lids have been in my "useful plastic things" box for ages.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50228866117_296e4a7fc8_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jwy4X4)MiG-25 WIP 15-08-2020 03 (https://flic.kr/p/2jwy4X4) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
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Brilliant work :thumbsup:
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I've got one of those early Hase Foxbats in The Loft, complete with a Pavla resin conversion kit for the PR version. I'll keep your ideas for the exhausts in mind when I start it, probably around 2138...........
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That is absolutely fantastic mate :bow:, although I can't help thinking the guy in the jet pipes would look better with a bottle of beer in hand than a spanner ;) :cheers:
As an aside, looking at the photo of the guys in the jet pipes, there's enough room in there for a BBQ !
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The new nose is brilliant and I've gotta admire the Foxbat/Spitfire Mistel combo! :wub:
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Is this the secret F-116 just before the famous F-117? ;)
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Great idea! She looks superb.
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That's just Spiffy! :wub: :thumbsup:
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this is a Superb Build :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Really interesting to see a Mig-25 in NASA colors. FYI,there have been some Cheeky Translations for NASA,including,"Never A Straight Answer" :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: Keep up the Superb Work! Dan
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Very nice, and great idea! Would also make an excellent escort/photo ship for the Tu-144 used by NASA in the late Nineties? :thumbsup:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Russian_Tu-144LL_SST_Flying_Laboratory_Takeoff_at_Zhukovsky_Air_Development_Center.jpg/2560px-Russian_Tu-144LL_SST_Flying_Laboratory_Takeoff_at_Zhukovsky_Air_Development_Center.jpg)
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Thanks folks.
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Oh yeah!!!!!!!!! I love it!! Story, everything! Pics with an Eagle, pics with something else sitting on it... lmao.... hell yeah!!!!
It's so glorious, too!! NASA..... MiG 25... it makes perfect sense!!!!!!!! :wub: :wub: :wub: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:
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Thanks Brad C. Glad you like it.
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Great idea and a real beauty! :thumbsup:
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Very nice :thumbsup: and the photo nose conversion is inspired.
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Thanks folks.
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Oh that is nice1 I love the clean paintwork on this - it really enhances the sleek lines of this aircraft. Great idea!
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Thanks mate.
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Looks strangely plausible, great work on it! :thumbsup: Like the Hatter, say's, nice clean paintwork that adds to the strangeness.
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Thanks Mossie.
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Man I love this....so I'm back. OK, check this out.. I was thinking.... maybe another couple of "non specific" tasks. So.. HAPPY ~also~ could be used for higher and better intercepts to follow a Shuttle on re-entry before handing that duty off to T-38's and what-not at lower altitudes and speed. If anything could hang with a super-sonic shuttle, it's a 25! :mellow: It's not like it could follow it the whole way but perhaps be around for critical times and at least provide more close-up data collection.
Or..... get real crazy and have a chase plane that trails the shuttle after launch?? ;D ;D It could keep up for a pretty decent period of time, perhaps, snapping photos for later analysis. ;D ;D
Just some late non-too-serious musings. :mellow:
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Thanks Brad C.
I have thought that maybe NASA, loving the 25s so much, procured some MiG 31s at a later date.
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:wub: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :mellow: :wub:
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Thanks mate.
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I'm not a fan of the Mig-25/31 design but that does look sleek in that scheme. Very good idea on those exhausts! :thumbsup:
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I wasn't that keen on them myself DFZ until I saw pics with people sitting in the jet pipes and realised just how large they are. It's like someone scaled a "normal" sized jet fighter up by 25%.
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The Russians do tend to do everything on the LARGE size............. ;)
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Nice build ! Looks great in those colours. Would be so fun to watch one of those beasts do her thing. Great pic of the guys in the exhaust nozzles.....looks like they could sell them off as 'man caves' like the MoD did with the old Sea Kings !
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Thanks Cap'n.
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I wasn't that keen on them myself DFZ until I saw pics with people sitting in the jet pipes and realised just how large they are. It's like someone scaled a "normal" sized jet fighter up by 25%.
Well, it is an impressive machine, no doubt. In some ways i see it as a "fat" F-15 and your comparison pic can easily show why... ;D
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Nice work on that - cool backstory and as others have said, a nice, clean paintjob. :thumbsup:
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Nice idea and brilliant execution! :thumbsup:
Well, it is an impressive machine, no doubt. In some ways i see it as a "fat" F-15 and your comparison pic can easily show why... ;D
Sacrilege! The Foxbat isn't fat. Just a different approach to bodybuilding. The MiG is a strongman/powerlifter, the F-15 does Crossfit. :wacko:
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Nice idea and brilliant execution! :thumbsup:
Well, it is an impressive machine, no doubt. In some ways i see it as a "fat" F-15 and your comparison pic can easily show why... ;D
Sacrilege! The Foxbat isn't fat. Just a different approach to bodybuilding. The MiG is a strongman/powerlifter, the F-15 does Crossfit. :wacko:
"She's just Big-Boned..."
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Nice idea and brilliant execution! :thumbsup:
Well, it is an impressive machine, no doubt. In some ways i see it as a "fat" F-15 and your comparison pic can easily show why... ;D
Sacrilege! The Foxbat isn't fat. Just a different approach to bodybuilding. The MiG is a strongman/powerlifter, the F-15 does Crossfit. :wacko:
"She's just Big-Boned..."
Ok, ok... let's just call her "round around the edges"... :angel:
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Nice idea and brilliant execution! :thumbsup:
Well, it is an impressive machine, no doubt. In some ways i see it as a "fat" F-15 and your comparison pic can easily show why... ;D
Sacrilege! The Foxbat isn't fat. Just a different approach to bodybuilding. The MiG is a strongman/powerlifter, the F-15 does Crossfit. :wacko:
"She's just Big-Boned..."
Ok, ok... let's just call her "round around the edges"... :angel:
;D :thumbsup:
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In terms of professional female athletes, if the F-15 is a swimmer then the MiG 25 is a netballer - She looks "normal" until you get some scale reference and then, wow.
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;D ;D :thumbsup:
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Nice idea and brilliant execution! :thumbsup:
Well, it is an impressive machine, no doubt. In some ways i see it as a "fat" F-15 and your comparison pic can easily show why... ;D
Sacrilege! The Foxbat isn't fat. Just a different approach to bodybuilding. The MiG is a strongman/powerlifter, the F-15 does Crossfit. :wacko:
"She's just Big-Boned..."
Ok, ok... let's just call her "round around the edges"... :angel:
;D :thumbsup:
Paint it in longitudinal stripes - they're slimming. ;)
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50454242856_17c2962f5c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jStbAU)
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Very nice build Fred . I love the Soviet era aircraft as they are built for purpose and not beauty pageants. :thumbsup:
Chris
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Thanks Chris.
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50454242856_17c2962f5c_z.jpg)
(https://flic.kr/p/2jStbAU)
:thumbsup:
Off-topic - I'm finally close to realizing a childhood dream - that of owning the complete series. :)
Sorry for the diversion - Um, I built a MiG-25 back in the 70s when the model first became available after Mr. Belenko defected to the US with his aircraft, landing in Japan. I well remember the furore over that incident. I bought the book, too - "MIG PILOT" - in which he tells his story, and a little bit about the aircraft, too. Apparently the flight instruments floated in a bath of pure grain alcohol; the radar was so powerful it killed birds a mile away, and the pilots were cautioned to never turn it on whilst on the ground.
He also said that the Syrian bird clocked at M3.25 was experiencing out-of-control engine run-away - he'd have landed with the engine bearings completely shot, very lucky the engines didn't explode. Belenko said pilots were strongly warned to be extremely careful not to exceed M2.5, as that was tempting the engines to misbehave.
One hopes that condition was corrected in development ... :)
Very nice model - I'm jealous of your paint job. I can never get gloss paints to look right - one reason I seldom build vehicles. It does make me wonder if the Sovs have an F-15 somewhere in use by their space agency ...
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We had Asterix and Tintin books as kids. I presume one of my sisters has them now. Nowhere near complete sets but I used to borrow them from the library as well.
I usually have problems keeping white paint jobs clean. I was carefull this time.
I used gloss white enamel with gloss acrylic clear over the top. I gave up using enamel clear as it yellows like a lady dog.
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<snip>
I usually have problems keeping white paint jobs clean. I was carefull this time.
I used gloss white enamel with gloss acrylic clear over the top. I gave up using enamel clear as it yellows like a lady dog.
Good to know, as well as the appliance paint tip. :) Thanks! :)
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My generation didn't discover Asterix until we were adults really, but I'm still a fan :thumbsup:
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My generation didn't discover Asterix until we were adults really, but I'm still a fan :thumbsup:
I like make time to read the latest Asterix from the library - and some of the older titles, too.
Tintin's not such a favourite, but Lucky Luke is usually good for a smile or two.
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Lucky Luke. :o haven't heard that name for decades... Sure brings back some memories... How about Sport Billy? Remember him? ;)
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Lucky Luke. :o haven't heard that name for decades... Sure brings back some memories... How about Sport Billy? Remember him? ;)
Doesn't ring any bells - we probably didn't get it here.
Or it was buried in the early afternoon, before we got home from school.
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I used to eagerly await the next issue of Look and Learn, for their latest episode of The Trigan Empire.
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I used to eagerly await the next issue of Look and Learn, for their latest episode of The Trigan Empire.
+1
And the serial towards the end was usually good, too - I especially liked the WW1 air story - but then I was a big Biggles fan in those days.
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Lucky Luke. :o haven't heard that name for decades... Sure brings back some memories... How about Sport Billy? Remember him? ;)
Doesn't ring any bells - we probably didn't get it here.
Or it was buried in the early afternoon, before we got home from school.
Ok, imagine a guy with a magic bag in which he has almost anything you can imagine from a football to spaceships, all in miniature size, and when he pulls something out of the bag, that item will grow to its normal size so the guy can use it... :rolleyes: ;D ;D
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Lucky Luke. :o haven't heard that name for decades... Sure brings back some memories... How about Sport Billy? Remember him? ;)
Doesn't ring any bells - we probably didn't get it here.
Or it was buried in the early afternoon, before we got home from school.
Ok, imagine a guy with a magic bag in which he has almost anything you can imagine from a football to spaceships, all in miniature size, and when he pulls something out of the bag, that item will grow to its normal size so the guy can use it... :rolleyes: ;D ;D
Sounds like something I could use in the real world...
IIRC there was a device like that in one of the Stainless Steel Rat books - "... for President", I think.
Removed 75% of the molecules and you carried the stuff around in miniature.
You also needed to carry around the machine to turn them back full size, of course.