avatar_The Rat

Airfix Skyray

Started by The Rat, March 28, 2018, 03:26:37 PM

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The Rat

Picked this up at a local shop for $9.95, and it seems like a nice kit. 1970s era, raised panel lines, but rather detailed. I think I've figured out how to print decals, so that's one problem (possibly) out of the way. This will be joining the old old old Lincoln EE Canberra as a stablemate in the air force of... Well, I won't give it away yet. Still need to test the decal printing.

"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr

AS.12

My first introduction to the Skyray was through finding that model in the back of a grocery store about 30 years ago.  It fascinated me ever since!  Fastest-climbing interceptor of its era but difficult to handle at low speeds:

The F4D-1 Skyray: Operating Procedured
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioC-6neun8Q

I remember the kit being very difficult to build, something to do with mating the wings and fuselage.  But part of that might have been my inexperience.  Back in the days when Airfix tackled other oddballs like the Bv-141, Super Mystere, Vigilante...


The Rat

On the bench, and painting and gluing has commenced. Armament will be sidewinders and possibly SNEBS, but I can't find info on when they were first produced. Can anyone help me out on that? Could be critical to the back story timeline.
"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr

NARSES2

Quote from: The Rat on March 30, 2018, 09:32:13 PM
and possibly SNEBS, but I can't find info on when they were first produced. Can anyone help me out on that?

Neither can I  :banghead: Development was "early" 50's but as for production ?
Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.

AS.12

#4
Sidewinder deployed from July 1956 onwards initially with VA-46 ( F9F-8 Cougar, USS Randolph ) and VF-211 ( FJ-3 Fury, USS Bon Homme Richard ) 

Per Flight archive ( 6 August 1964 ) the SNEB was also available from 1956.  There was grumbling about the RAF taking so long to adopt them for the CAS role ( Hunter FGA.9 in 1964, in place of the old and rather-useless-by-then 3in RPs ).


Also of interest is that the Skyray failed its initial carrier qualification trials in 1955.  I'm trying to find out what changes were made to permit it to pass in 1956.

.

The Rat

Quote from: AS.12 on March 31, 2018, 02:48:35 AM
Sidewinder deployed from July 1956 onwards initially with VA-46 ( F9F-8 Cougar, USS Randolph ) and VF-211 ( FJ-3 Fury, USS Bon Homme Richard ) 

Per Flight archive ( 6 August 1964 ) the SNEB was also available from 1956.  There was grumbling about the RAF taking so long to adopt them for the CAS role ( Hunter FGA.9 in 1964, in place of the old and rather-useless-by-then 3in RPs ).


Also of interest is that the Skyray failed its initial carrier qualification trials in 1955.  I'm trying to find out what changes were made to permit it to pass in 1956.

.

Thanks! And since mine will be land-based the carrier qualification will be inconsequential.
"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr

The Rat

Cockpit is coming along. Seat wouldn't fit with the lap belts on either side, I'll have to add those once the glue dries on the seat. Ejection seat handle added, just bent copper wire stuck on with gel super glue. Instruments are just drill holes in the black paint, quick and simple method that should look okay with a closed canopy.


"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr

The Rat

I'm calling this part finished. That's a 25 cent coin for size reference.

"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr

Weaver

That looks good - nice work on the cockpit! :thumbsup:

(How big is a 25 cent coin?  ;) )
"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot."
 - Sandman: A Midsummer Night's Dream, by Neil Gaiman

"I dunno, I'm making this up as I go."
 - Indiana Jones

The Rat

Quote from: Weaver on April 01, 2018, 11:49:47 AM
That looks good - nice work on the cockpit! :thumbsup:

(How big is a 25 cent coin?  ;) )

23mm, 15/16ths"  ;D
"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr

The Rat

Beginning to look like a Ford! 

"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr

AeroplaneDriver

Such a pretty airplane!  Cant wait to see it done! 
So I got that going for me...which is nice....

Captain Canada

Nice details Ratty. Looks good.

:thumbsup:
CANADA KICKS arse !!!!

Long Live the Commonwealth !!!
Vive les Canadiens !
Where's my beer ?

AS.12

Historical note: the plastic of the model kit may be thicker than the Skyray's aluminium skin.  I can't find a gauge reference online but it was very fragile and had to be handled carefully on deck, it was easy to puncture the skin.  Pilots were also alarmed to see skin panels 'ballooning' in flight.

The Rat

The more I work on this, the more I realise that it's a little gem. 1977 pressing, and it must have been a pleasant surprise to Airfix aficionados when it came out. Sure, the panel lines are raised, but they're quite fine, the fit is great, and the detail is very good for the time, with detailed landing gear wells, no see-through effect, and the potential to take it to another level if you wish. Really wish I had picked up one of these earlier. Highly recommended.  :thumbsup:
"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought, cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles

Life is too short to worry about perfection

Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/46dpfdpr