That must be huge. Who makes it?
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A company called MPM I have seen one and its really rally goodComment
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Wonwings diary-The Northrop F-89 Scorpion jet fighter
The Small Air Force
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was designed as an all weather interceptor and first flew in 1948. It served as part of the North American Air Defense Command. The F-89 was radar equipped and able to locate and intercept enemy aircraft in all weather conditions. Unique wingtip tanks on the F-89D carried folding-fin aerial rockets in the front portion and fuel in the rear portion. The tanks on the F-89J carry only fuel.
The F-89 was the first fighter interceptor equipped to carry air to air nuclear missiles. These missiles, designated MB-1 Genies, were first test fired on July 19, 1957. A total of 1,050 F-89's were built, of which 350 were modified to this role and were designated F-89J's.
The aircraft on display at Castle Air Museum started life as an F-89D which served with the Alaskan Air Command. In 1957, it was modified to a "J" version and served with the Air Defense Command. In 1960, it was transferred to the Air National Guard, serving in Wisconsin and finally Iowa. On its wings, you will see two Genie air to air nuclear missiles that were carried by the "J" version Scorpion. The F-89 was retired from active Air Force service in 1959 and from Air National Guard service in 1969.
The sleek lines of the Scorpion are captured her in this re-enaction
Built from a 1960's kit I believe it was Lindbergh ?
Note the Air Force 'Buzz Number' common in the sixties on all U.S.A.F aircraft,Buzz referring to intercom.
One of the most heavily armed fighter aircraft, the F-89 was the backbone of the North American Air Defense Command for more than 17 years.
The F-89 was the first multi-seat, all-weather jet interceptor. It was the first aircraft designed to carry an all-rocket armament and the first to carry the Hughes Falcon air-to-air guided missile.
Northrop was awarded a contract May 3, 1946, to build two prototypes designated XP-89. The XP-89 rolled out of its California plant in the summer of 1948.
After a number of taxiing and brake tests were performed, the XP-89 was moved to the high desert north of Los Angeles known as Muroc Dry Lake (later Edwards Air Force Base). It was at this time it was re-designated as F-89, classifying it as a fighter.
The air and ground crews at Muroc remarked that it looked like a scorpion ready to strike. The name stuck and was later officially recognized by the Air Force.
The F-89 made its maiden flight Aug. 16, 1948, with the first production model being accepted Sept. 28, 1950. At the time of its production, the F-89 had an advanced radar system enabling the crew to track and engage hostile bombers in any weather.
The F-89 helped the Air Defense Command to protect our skies during the period when Soviet intercontinental bombers first became a threat. The Scorpion never fired a shot in anger, but it was a major deterrent against attack during the Cold War in the 1950s. The aircraft on display is a F-89H, but for the purist the wing tanks are incorrect and are from a F-89J.
This F-89H was delivered to the Air Force April 6, 1956, and flew its entire service life with the 3320th Technical Training Wing, Amarillo AFB, Texas, until its retirement in August 1959.
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Wonwings diary-The Curtiss Shrike U.S.Army attack aircraft
The Small Air Force
The Curtiss Shrike
The Curtiss Shrike was developed in 1930, due to the desire of the United States Army Air Force for a new attack aircraft. The A-8 version consisted of 13 aircraft in which three different engines were tested, none of which was adequate to ensure high performance. A later version, the A12, using a more powerful radial engine, performed better. The Shrike was something of a hybrid, incorporating new developments such as automatic leading edge slats, trailing edge flaps, metal skin for most surfaces, a three blade propeller and an internal bomb bay, while at the same time retaining flying wires, fixed landing gear, and an open cockpit and crew area . Of the 13 A-8 versions built, 11 saw active service in the mid 1930's, and then later were relegated to second echelon duty. Although never utilized in a combat role with the USAAF, 10 A-12 aircraft were shipped to China in 1936, and reassembled at Hangchow. The Chinese were so impressed with the possibilities of the aircraft that they ordered 10 more. All of these 20 aircraft were designated for the attack mission, and saw action when the Japanese attacked China in 1937. Few if any survived the opening year of the war.
Rareplanes early Vac-Form of the Curtiss Shrike airplane
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Wonwings diary-The Fieseler FI.156 Storch observation aircraft.
The Small Air Force
The Fieseler FI.156 Storch
Officially, the Fi-156 Fieseler Storch began in 1935 as Gerhard Fieseler's answer to an air ministry specification for a general purpose airplane that could take off and land in an extremely short distance. Fieseler's chief designer, Reinhold Mewes, decided for ease of maintenance that the airplane should be completely conventional in its construction, and so utilized a steel tubing and fabric fuselage with wooden wings. The engine was the then-common Argus As 10C inverted V-8 aircooled 240-hp model. Aerodynamically Mewes decided to go to the other extreme and use the most advanced techniques available to produce the ultimate in slow speed performance. Accordingly, the big 46-foot wing a had full-length fixed slats (projected movable slats never materialized), Fowler-type flaps that increased wing area by 18 percent, and ailerons that drooped with the flaps when they were extended past 20 degrees.
To keep up with the tremendous demand for the Storch, production was boosted by retooling the Morane-Saulnier plant in occupied France for the Storch. The Morane-built airplanes were modified and the wings were redesigned to use aluminum. After the war, the airplane was so popular for towing gliders that Morane produced a post-war model with a radial engine and strengthened fuselage.
The Fieseler Fi156 Storch was a remarkable STOL plane first flown in 1936 and extensively used by German forces in World War II. It was used for reconnaissance, liaison, communication, ambulance and as VIP transport for high ranking officers.
The Storch was equiped with full length fixed wing slats and large flaps. In addition to the flaps the ailerons could be droped, too, to maximize lift. This made the Storch a true slow flyer. The full-flaps minimum speed was 51 km/h (32 mph) only while maximum speed was limited to 175 km/h (109 mph). The normal range at a cruising speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) was about 385 km (240 miles).
For hard landings there was a spindly but strong undercarriage. With a take-off distance of 65 m (213 ft) and a landing distance of only 20 m (61 ft) the Stoch could land and take-off nearly everywhere.
The Storch was widely used even after WWII but finally became obsolete with the development of helicopters.
A total of more than 2.500 aircrafts of all variants has been produced.
Because of the large number and production in different factories in Germany, France, Czechoclovakia and Romania there were some different versions of the Storch.
The STOL capabilities of the Storch know no equal,any road is a runway,and any clearing an airfield.
The long spindly undercarriage oleo struts absorb all of the shock.
Only three lengths of the aircraft are needed to land a Storch,in a wind component once the tail is high she is flying and away in a few feet.
Model is the Airfix Fieseler Storch,they take some looking after being very frail and easily get damaged,if you build one then make a special box to put her in safely.Comment
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I made that Scorpion model many years ago. It was a bit off the beaten track of my normal Airfix stuff as I think it was a Christmas present from some Aunt or Uncle.
It was a bit different to the camoflage stuff I was used to and I quite enjoyed it. I can't remember the manufacturer but I am certain it was American so you may be right with Lindberg.Comment
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Wonwings diary-No bright clouds,no photography.
Bad weather has grounded the Small Air Force,so here are a few ground shots,see how many that you can identify ?
Miniature air force.
Aerial view-left to right are top row,Mig 29,F-101 Voodoo,Supermarine Scimitar,Hawker Siddeley Harrier,Shackleton MR.3,Rear row-left to right,Flying Bedstead,Short SC.1 Prototype conventional take off version,Boulton Paul BP.III,Short SC.1 Vertical lift prototype,Comet C.2,with Rutan Voyager behind.Comment
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Wonwings diary-A selection of models.
'Spirit of Boreke' Tornado in special colourscheme.
This kit was a bargain buy in a local shop,the box art had faded and they put it into the winter sale,the contents were fine and the decal sheet the best that I have ever handled,it just draped around the shape of the model beautifully,what was at first a seemingly daunting task became eesy due to quality materials,the decals were sort of flexible but thin and once in place a dab with a lint free cloth soon secured them.
Alouette II in 1=32 nd scale.
This was a tediuos model to put together but presented a challenge to get the skeletal framework together,the cockpit bubble is crystal clear,note the scale droop of the rotor blades,this was attained by drawing them under a pencil and gently easing upwards,very pleased with the results.
The cockpit framework is made from masking tape laid onto a piece of glass,next the narrow strips are cut with a steel rule and razor blade,once in place a dunk in Johnsons locks them for good.
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Lovely model Barry ! So realisticComment
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Wonwings diary-The restoration and recreation of The Fox Flyer.
Flying Fox glider which I repaired for a museum,the early flying machine was made by Major R.F.Moore who as a member of the Royal engineeres in India made a study of fruit bats,the machine was made by J.Shaw and sons in Coventry and shown at Crystal Palace.Major Moore died in Vancouver during 1925.
The model of the Flying Fox was badly damaged having been flattened,it just took a bit of patience to sort out the bits and pieces and re-assemble them.
A picture restorer once told me that when you are handling someone elses precious work, just treat it as your very own,and above all lavish the very same care on it.Comment
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Wonwings diary-In memory of Nigel.
My diary today is dedicated to Nigel who had become a very important part of this forum,although I have never met him only spoken to him over the telephone at great length,about model building,his lovely family and his work at Argos.
It just goes to prove that in this world we do not have to actually meet someone to feel part of their life,although we all write at great distances to share our wonderful hobbies people are just as important to us in more ways than one,Nigel was to prove to be a dynamic part of this forum,sometimes his ideas were verging on bizarre but his intentions were very honourable and I really do know how important the forum was to him.
He will above all be remembered for his skills with the airbrush,something which he has shared with us here on many occasions,he also held a vast knowledge of building scale models in particular his love for Luftwaffe aircraft,and the Hawker Sea Fury which he finally managed to obtain in his beloved 1=32nd scale.
This really brings home to me how very precious and vulnerable life can be,we really have lost a person with love and passion for everything that he did.
Although he had never met me and my good wife he asked me to come and stay for a few days as an holiday,planning trips beforehand to Duxford and Northweald well in advance ! but that was just the way Nigel was,a dynamo of love for everything that he did.
To Char I will say this,stay strong in the knowledge that your dad will always be in our thoughts,and remembered here for a very long time,he was one of the very best,and I can honestly say that I am pleased that he became a part of our lives here on Scale-Models and we got to know him so well in such a short period of time.
'Rest in Peace' Nigel.Comment
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Barry Thank you very much for that diary entry. I know that with his heart he loved all of you as his friends and really appreciated all your work he had done. He will never be forgotton and will always be in our hearts. On behalf of all of us at the Doggett house we thank you for all your lovely comments about my dad Nigel.d.Comment
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Wonwings diary-A few more recent models.
VC-10 in 1=144th scale by Airfix is a really neat little model,mine was delayed by a big chunk of plastic that was torn from the wing trailing edge by a careless worker,I managed to get a replacement kit.
Piaseki Workhorse by Revell is a very detailed model of a real pioneering twin rotor helicopter,they even thougthfully provided some mesh for the engine ducting at the rear.
Another view of the Workhorse,showing the rotor blades with their downward droop achieved by pulling through a piece of dowl held against a few pieces of carpet underlay.
Ace Freighters Lockheed Constellation,de-icer boots & wheels still to be painted.This aircraft holds a lot of nostalgia for me having done a bit of work on the real aircraft for a company called Lanzair.
Even as a model she is such a beautiful aeroplane,replica of the short lived Ace Freighters company which were based at Baginton in the sixties.
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Wonwings diary-The Gloster Meteor F.1
If anyone asked me what the best fitting kit was that I have built ? then it would be this one,the Tamiya Gloster Meteor F.1,atruly outstanding kit.
Gloster Meteor F.I Protype.
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Wonwings diary-Luftwaffe secret projects-The Messerschmitt 1099
Me.1099 Projected Heavy armoured version of the Me.262.
Underside view of the Me.1099 project showing the rear mounted cannons.
Revell have produced some interesting Luftwaffe designs that make into most attractive model subjects,the many and varied projects have been illustrated in book form,and also known as the Luft46 series.
The designer of the Me.163 Rocket fighter Alexander Lippisch was ordered to produce drawings and mockups for a wide variety of designs aimed at carrying the maximum amount of weapons resulting in a massive weight increase,and sometimes unstable designs.Comment
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