A Canadian What-if that isn't an Arrow... Wait, what?!

[scautomoton]

The latest project I've been working on is another reasonably unusual design, this time from Avro's Canadian division. In 1956 Avro submitted this unique design for the US Navy's specification for a high altitude VTOL day fighter. It lost out to the Bell D.188 (better known - incorrectly- as the XF-109). I don't think I need to discuss the design too much, the image below says all that needs to be said!

 

 

Yet another of those stereotypical 1950s designs that screams peak jet-ness. Long slender fuselage, very shiny, and VTOL with multiple engines to boot. Right up my street then.

 

I was lucky to find a copy of the submission document at Retromechanix for a reasonable fee. From that I obtained various drawings enabling me to make a fair stab at this. The images below show progress thus far. Still quite a way to go before I start trial prints.

 

 

 

When its ready it'll be offered in 1/72, poseable on the ground or in-flight, with open or closed weapons pod. I intend to also make the tender vehicle (used to move the aircraft on the ground) available.

[kerick]

I looks to be right out of a 50s sci fi B movie. Very interesting design!

[PR19_Kit]

So the engines don't pivot, as the D.188 did, but they have diverter valves aft of the turbines?

That was forward thinking for the time, eh?

[Thorvic]

The original X-wing, considering Avro Canada came up with this, the Arrow and thre Avrocar, they were pretty pushing boundaries during the 50s.

Going to be an interesting build once done. 

[The Rat]

Yet another of those stereotypical 1950s designs that screams peak jet-ness.

And "Where the hell do we keep the fuel-ness" Bingo fuel at V¹ 

[perttime]

Looks like tuning the engines to stay in sync would be beneficial.

[Weaver]

I've no doubt they thought the aft engine intakes were clear of the forward ones' exhaust in forward flight. but I do have to wonder how long it would take with a bit of AoA and sideslip to get the former eating the latter...

You'd have thought there was enough material by now for a Canadian Secret Projects book, wouldn't you?

[Captain Canada]

Neat looking design....and Canadian. #winning

[Rick Lowe]

Very Gerry Anderson... I like. 

[scautomoton]

In between some of the personal builds I have going on, I've managed to do a first test print. Overall, its good. Some of the fiddly bits were too thin, and the fit of the wings wasn't great, nor was the print orientation. Nevertheless, it goes together fairly well. I trialled it with all the open bits fitted, but the closed doors and weapon pack also fit well.

 

 

Some changes have been duly made as a result, and I've finished the cockpit detail, and added some panel lines based on information contained within the brochure.

 

 

If you're wondering why half of the model is missing, it's because thats the way I design it to save time. Then you simply mirror the relevant parts in the slicer SW for printing.

 

As I type this the second test print is in progress. Once I'm happy I'll just need to add some keyways to a few pieces to ensure assembly is poke-yoke. Then it'll be time to start the first proper build.

[kerick]

Very interesting! I'm imagining this on a SIG table or as IPMS USA calls it, the Tiger Meet display.

[The Wooksta!]

One of those has got to be finished in RAF 5 Squadron markings.

If you know, you know.

[steelpillow]

Awesome stuff. Top marks all round.
Nobody will ever believe it was a real proposal, even better!

[Gondor]

Nothing is truly poke-yoke. Someone is bound to come along and prove otherwise.

[scautomoton]

Nothing is truly poke-yoke. Someone is bound to come along and prove otherwise.

Tell me about it. I'm constantly amazed and dismayed by what some Technicians I deal with manage to make a mess of. 

As one of my colleagues says; no matter how idiot proof you make something, a better idiot always comes along....