Say hello to the little Kestrel

Julhelm · August 13, 2005, 07:00:00 PM

Getting a paintjob shortly.

Jschmus · August 13, 2005, 07:07:18 PM

Ooh, me like!

Looks like the fuzzy bunny child of a Harrier and an A-4 Skyhawk, two of my favorite airplanes.

John Howling Mouse · August 13, 2005, 07:35:45 PM

Fantastic!

Tophe · August 13, 2005, 09:44:59 PM

I join to the loving Hellos

As far as I am concerned, I love caricature airplanes, and I love this cute little baby... Could you tell us what were the design choices? A very big canopy, mainly? Decreased lengths or increased heights? Well the secrets may be the artist's property, while the result is simply lovely for us...

Julhelm · August 13, 2005, 10:01:10 PM

Design choices? Well, I worked out that I wanted a really small jet, so that it could operate from frigates as well as amphibious assault ships. At the same time I figured the wings should be large enough to carry stores, but drooped down because it looks cool. I also like camel humps ala Skyhawk, so that was a given. I opted against a JSF-like exhaust because the Harrier-nozzles can be made to look more interesting, and finally I oversized the canopy somewhat, again, for the sake of getting the lines right.

It might not show that well, but the cockpit and seat are actually scaled so that the airplane is something between 8 and 12 meters in length. I used to have a radome on it before, but I figured the Jaguarish chisel nose looked better for a strike fighter.

Then again don't take my word for the length. I haven't compared it but it wouldn't surprise me if it's smaller than the gunship I made, lol.

Supertom · August 14, 2005, 08:32:58 AM

Whoa, that is seriously cool stuff.

lancer · August 15, 2005, 01:13:07 AM

That is one sweet litte design.

Hobbes · August 15, 2005, 01:44:43 AM

Interesting design. Are you going to build it?

According to Wikipedia, the Harrier is 13.9 m long. IRL, creating a fighter that's much shorter than that would be a challenge...

NARSES2 · August 15, 2005, 02:21:17 AM

Beware the Hobbit's have got an Air Force !

Seriously though I do like her - she looks a bit like something from a Japanese comic strip - and no I'm not into any of this Magna stuff or what ever it's called.

Chris

lancer · August 15, 2005, 05:14:56 AM

QuoteBeware the Hobbit's have got an Air Force !

Well, Rad's Orka Sea Ork needs some opposition don't ya think??
Do you think that Rad will pick this up and run with it and create an entire LOTR air force??

Julhelm · August 15, 2005, 08:22:37 PM

Yay or Nay?

Jschmus · August 15, 2005, 08:46:06 PM

Yay!

NARSES2 · August 15, 2005, 10:55:27 PM

Yay - but you must call it Aardvark with thaat nose

Chris

lancer · August 16, 2005, 01:25:03 AM

Definate YAY!!!

Gary · August 16, 2005, 08:14:23 AM

Ok, the next question is how do I build this puppy?

If this is a CG model, is it possible to take the elements and break them down on flat plains for cutting out and cross sectionals for the fuselage? It's just too darn cool not to build.

Looks kinda Anime but to some degree almost buildable in the real world. I think the only real question would be getting enough thrust from the forward exhausts. The intake fans exposed as they would be here would be great for enemy targeting radars.

However I had something else in mind. How about a nice personal transport, one of these in your driveway to get to the office. Perhaps a second seat for a passenger. Mind you, you might consider loosing the gun, however, somedays traffic can be a real problem....