Grumman/BAe Scorpion FG.1

[AeroplaneDriver]

I did not originally intend for this build to end up as an RAF plane.  I planned for it to be Dutch, Norwegian, or Canadian.  Unfortunately the decal gods did not agree, so an RAF machine it became.

It's a bit late for an elaborate backstory, but the short version goes something like this:

Following the brief but bloody conventional war with Soviet forces in 1984, NATO saw a need for more aircraft.  The 8-day war had shown that any conventional war with the USSR would become a war of attrition.  No matter how well the Tomcats, Eagles and Tornadoes performed, it was going to be hard for NATO to overcome the sheer numbers of Soviet aircraft.

The call went out for a lightweight, highly maneuverable fighter.  Grumman answered the call with their highly successful X-29.  Working with BAe and MBB, Grumman redesigned the X-29, turning it from a research aricraft into a fighter.

Given the differences from the original X-29, the new aircraft was named the F-30 Scorpion II.  F-30s were ordered in vast numbers by most NATO air forces, including 184 ordered by the UK for the RAF.  This model depicts a 92 Sqn Scorpion FG.1 based at Gutersloh in late 1995.  Though the Scorpion is a highly capable ground attack aircraft, most were normally operated as short-range interceptors.  This RAF machine carries a normal warload of 4 AIM-120 AMRAAM and 4 AIM-9M Sidewinder, along with the internal 27mm cannon in the lower left side of nose.  Though primarilly an air defence machine the RAF Scorpions normally wore a low-level camouflage scheme.

[GTX]

Simply stunning!!!

I love the satin like finish to the paint work - what technique did you use?

Regards,

Greg

[Tophe]

Wonderful  (especially the twin-fins that change the shape much)

[nev]

oh    yes    

[Leigh]

   
That one says "I'm gonna kick your donkey and it's really gonna hurt"

[NARSES2]

Hubba Hubba    

[gooberliberation]

HOLY CRAP THATS COOL!!!!!!!!


...sorry about that  

[lancer]

What a beauty, she looks very sexy and deadly sitting there like that.  

[RotorheadTX]

Wholly smokes!! That was finished quickly!!

She looks awesome!! Absolutely marvellous!!
     

[kitnut617]

I'm speachless        B)  

[AeroplaneDriver]

Simply stunning!!!

I love the satin like finish to the paint work - what technique did you use?

Regards,

Greg

The finish was a pretty simple affair.  For this build I really didnt feel like dragging the airbrush out, so it was painted with rattlecans.  I recently discovered the Tamiya lacquer spray cans and absolutely love them.  They're a bit pricey, but the paint goes on beautifully and dries fairly quickly.  

The great faux pas and learning experience on this build was that the Silly Putty masking technique that works great with airbrushed acrylics turns into a gooey mess when you use lacquer!  I sprayed a base coat of Olive Green 2 then masked with silly putty for the second coat of USAAF Olive Drab.  The Silly Putty pretty much melted!  Still, messy as it was, it came off OK and the paint finish was fine.

One thing I really like about these cans is that the paint goes on very smoothly, so I didnt do a Future coat for the decals.  They would look a little better if I had, but for the extra time it would have taken I didnt feel like doing it this week.

After decaling and weathering I sealed it with Testor's Flat and it turned out with a really nice satin finish.

Thanks for the comments guys.  It's been a pretty rough week (more on that later!), and finishing this build last night was agreat stress breaker!

[Captain Canada]

Great stuff, Aeroman ! But, it would have been sooo easy to make it CDN. Especially since we used the CF-5 for so many years.......would have looked nice with the leafy roundels. But perhaps I'm a bit biased !

Agreed with the lovely job on the paint. The markings look tres cool on that camo as well. And the tails and the conformal tanks really spice it up. I'm also in love with the load out. Sometimes aeroplanes just look so cool when they're all loaded up like that. Great job on the missile painting and markings as well.

 

[Damian2]

   

I'm in agreement with everyone else this is yet another stunner you've brought forth!

When I'm big one day I want to model just like you!

[John Howling Mouse]

As much as I always appreciate the talent on this board, I am seldom truly envious of anyone's kits.  I usually just imagine how happy the modeler must be to have his latest artwork on his shelf.

But this baby, I admit, I openly covet.          B)

mmmmmmm....        

[Ollie]

     

Awesome Nick!