Project MIDNIGHT SKY Part 1

KiwiZac · March 16, 2014, 10:48:57 PM

Hi all,
After being inspired by a dramatised retelling of the "James Incident" of 1994, I've decided to model the chief two aircraft involved.

In early 1992 a chase plane was needed for MIDNIGHT SKY, in order to keep tabs on the prototype, and the only aircraft which came close to matching its performance was the F-15F prototype.

I managed to obtain a document regarding the XF-15F's transfer to HAWC:

3-14-92_zps117dda4a_35533449622_o by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Unfortunately my camera has no battery so I can't offer any photos of the build so far, but I'm using a 1/72 Academy F-15E to represent "Cheetah" and work is well underway - cockpit painted and in, and airframe together. This weekend I hope to fill and sand the wings to (sort of) show the aeroelastic, mission-adaptable wing. The biggest headache will be the 2D nozzles - others have done them in the past, luckily I have plenty of reference photos saved and lots of Evergreen sheets!

Mossie · March 17, 2014, 04:34:12 AM

Ah, Cheetah! Day of the Cheetah kept me occupied on the beaches of Crete on a holiday about twenty years ago now.

Aires do a set of F-22 nozzles if that's any help?
http://www.model-making.eu/products/F-22A-Raptor-exhaust-nozzles-Fujimi.html

Looking forward to seeing how you approach Dreamstar, I've had my own ideas on the XF-34A but I 'm never likely to build it.

pyro-manic · March 19, 2014, 10:45:53 AM

Not a clue what this is about, but I'm intrigued.

Knightflyer · March 19, 2014, 10:51:25 AM

I'm presuming it's based on the aircraft from Dale Brown's "Day of the Cheetah" which I read what seems a lifetime ago...Flight of the Old Dog was my favourite

pyro-manic · March 19, 2014, 01:57:59 PM

Ahh, ok. I read a couple of Dale Brown books years ago, and hated them. I do like the sound of an advanced Eagle though.

sandiego89 · March 19, 2014, 02:57:42 PM

Quote from: pyro-manic on March 19, 2014, 01:57:59 PM
Ahh, ok. I read a couple of Dale Brown books years ago, and hated them. I do like the sound of an advanced Eagle though.

I liked the planes in his earlier books, but some of the action and hero's were way over the top. I gave up on his books after a few too many unbelievable plot twists. IIRC he had the highly damaged chettah do a flyover with a missing horizontal stab for a flyover for a departing hero. Stupid.

Of course nothing of that should detract from your build! Bring it on!

Mossie · March 20, 2014, 06:00:12 AM

Quote from: sandiego89 on March 19, 2014, 02:57:42 PM
Quote from: pyro-manic on March 19, 2014, 01:57:59 PM
Ahh, ok. I read a couple of Dale Brown books years ago, and hated them. I do like the sound of an advanced Eagle though.

I liked the planes in his earlier books, but some of the action and hero's were way over the top. I gave up on his books after a few too many unbelievable plot twists. IIRC he had the highly damaged chettah do a flyover with a missing horizontal stab for a flyover for a departing hero. Stupid.

Of course nothing of that should detract from your build! Bring it on!

The XF-15F Cheetah is basically a production F-15 S/MTD, canards and 2D thrust vectoring. The main star is the XF-34A Dreamstar, an advanced hypermanevourable FSW aircraft. Plot wise, if you've read Crag Thomas' Firefox, it's pretty much that in reverse (even down to the thought control). Details are different enough to stop the lawyers battering down Dale Brown's door.

Must admit Day of the Cheetah was the first one I read and the only one that kept me hooked, the others I've read have ranged from passable to rubbish.

Captain Canada · March 20, 2014, 09:21:33 AM

Sounds like a plan ! Being a huge F-15 fan, the MTD was a favourite to fly in Ace Combat. What a mover !

KiwiZac · March 20, 2014, 11:54:01 PM

I may start DreamStar from an old F-16 I have....I emailed Mr Brown asking for ideas of what she looked like, including scans of my own sketches, but no reply yet.

Tomorrow's Saturday here, and Cheetah and DreamStar will be on the bench along with my F-111K.

Mossie · March 21, 2014, 03:37:26 PM

Strangely enough I was in a supermarket today with a charity table selling old books. On it was a copy of day of the Cheetah, so I snapped it up and put a coin in the box as I let my copy go years ago, ironically, to a charity shop. Might prove useful if I ever have a go at Dreamstar.

McColm · March 31, 2014, 01:40:13 PM

I think I had the whole series during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Lots of interesting builds.

KiwiZac · December 23, 2014, 05:41:37 PM

Just wanted to pop in and say I hope to work on Cheetah over the holiday break, as I'm not back at work until January 19!

Keep your eyes peeled for an update and, if there's not one in a week....give me a firm telling-off!