IAI/Chengdu Lavi 2000

[anthonyp]

This is my last (sniff) Trumpeter J-10.  My boss goes back to China about three times a year.  He sent me three of these when he went in April (yielding four with the one I purchased in a local hobby store before getting his shipment).  I need more, well, at least one more so I can do that French version I initially intended to do.

This is the end result of a technology transfer between Israel and China that began soon after the original Lavi was cancelled in the 80's.  The Chinese finally unveiled this figther to the world, and annouced plans that Israel would be producing a version of it under license.

The appearance of the Lavi 2000 confused and angered the more knee-jerk reaction prone members of the US Congress (read:  Nearly every one of them), for fear that their pet figther projects (and subcontract work for said figthers) might be put in jeopardy if the Israelis began to produce an indigenous figther as or more capable than what the US could provide.  Israel calmed such fears by buying more F-16I's and F-15I's, while building the new Lavi 2000.

The Lavi 2000 differs from the J-10 in that it can use both Western and Eastern weapons, and is equipped with a wholly Israeli electronics suite.  Current plans are for 96 of the planes.

[anthonyp]

another view

[anthonyp]

rear view

[anthonyp]

Top view

[anthonyp]

underside

[Keith Diamond]

Sharp jet you got there anthony.  I personally anything looks good with Israeli markings on it.

[Tophe]

Very beautiful model, thanks.  

[John Howling Mouse]

How the heck do you pull off this many models so quick?  These are all new builds???  Wow!

[Tophe]

I dream of a shelf, side by side, in the same colours: F-16I, Lavi, Lavi 2000J-10...  Alas, the Lavi is not available as model kit, it seems.  

[Martin H]

hmmm wonder if we could talk anigrand into doing a Lavi at some point

[NARSES2]

hmmm wonder if we could talk anigrand into doing a Lavi at some point

Martin he's just really started on all that mid/late 40's stuff so leave him alone until he's finished my wish list  

Chris

[anthonyp]

How the heck do you pull off this many models so quick?  These are all new builds???  Wow!

Yeah, all new builds, but most have been under construction since June, with two even dating back to last year.  Most of the models currently on my bench have been there since early August (except that one POS that doesn't want to build itself). 

It's really just one of those things where I spend about 15 to 30 minutes a day unwinding, painting missiles, interiors, wheels, or assembling the planes.  Some days I get to spend more time at the bench, but it's usually a few minutes before going to bed, unwinding with some hobby that I enjoy and doesn't require brainpower until I get to the actual deciding what nation the plane belongs to (about half my builds get changed in the middle of assembly).

I agree, Tophe.  I want a 1/72 Lavi as well.  I say Anigrand can multitask and squeeze the Lavi in. 

I'd like to see it sitting next to an F-16I, an IDF version of the Japanese F-2, the Lavi, and the Lavi 2000(J-10) which would do it for the chin breathers.  Then let's throw in a Kfir, Rafale, Eurofighter, Gripen (like the one posted here... somewhere), Viggen, Draken, Mirage 4000, and a Mig 1.44 to complete the set of canard/delta planes (all would look damn sexy in IDF camo). 

Sigh...  I just gave myself ideas, and I don't have decals for them.  :dum:

     

[elmayerle]

hmmm wonder if we could talk anigrand into doing a Lavi at some point

*Chuckle* I presume the one actually built, not some of the interesting studies that led up to it?  Some interesting F404-powered bits there.