- The Airfix Tribute Forum -

Richard M

XN923's build will be reported here.
_________________
Best
Rich
---------------------------

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

Visit my PORTFOLIO

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Thanks Richard

TSR2 - one of the prototypes later in life as a test aircraft at the A&AEE Boscombe Down for trials of the Skybolt Air Launched Ballistic Missile.

Livery similar to http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/Buccaneer/bucc.html

The Skybolt missiles will be from the Sharkit kit (great site for what-ifs http://renax.club.fr/index.htm)

Probably will paint one of the missiles in black-and-white quarters as some test munitions are marked.

Ratch · Posted: Tue 04 Nov 2008 21:48 pm Post subject:

can't wait

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Excitement in the XN923 household!

My Sharkit Douglas Skybolt kit has arrived. Here's the box:

...and the contents:

The Skybolt, for those who are unaware, was an air-launched ballistic missile that was intended for carriage by B52s. The RAF arranged the purchase of 100 for equipping the Vulcan fleet, and they were tested by both the RAF and USAF. However the missile was beset with problems and was cancelled in favour of submarine-launched missiles. There was a suggestion that the British might continue with Skybolt alone, as this seemed better than the alternatives. However, Harold Macmillan's government negotiated the purchase of Polaris and that, for the RAF's strategic role, was that.

At the time of TSR2's development, there was a feasability study done into carriage of Blue Steel and Skybolt. Unsurprisingly, Blue Steel found no favour as it was an extremely large weapon and the aircraft would have needed considerable modification to carry and launch it. Skybolt was rather more practical. However, the feasability study only seems to have considered carriage of one Skybolt on a pylon over the centre of the aircraft. This would have meant the TSR2 needing to roll onto its back and climb steeply to launch the missile. I am proposing a different layout, with a Skybolt beneath each wing. This may well have been a struggle for the aircraft, but it would have made for greater practicality when launching. Skybolt isn't all that much bigger than the Blue Water ballistic missile that was later proposed for carriage in this way, so here we are. Anyway, it's a test aircraft I'm proposing, so anything goes right?

thomasweir · Posted: Mon 15 Dec 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

I have been reading a book on the development of the Handley Page Victor and within the pages are two pictures of an aerodynamic wind tunnel test Victor B2 carrying 4 skybolt missiles under its wings !

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Right, some photos at last. Nothing too inspiring but at least there is progress - even if it is halting and stymied by poor organisation, rather like the real TSR2. I am only hoping that the government does not cancel my build before I have finished it.

Cockpit (sans bang seats so far, they will be installed later)

And main assembly underway, with the Skybolt and pylon partially assembled and loosely taped in place to aid planning.

thomasweir · Posted: Wed 14 Jan 2009 17:02 pm Post subject:

Looking good

Ratch · Posted: Wed 14 Jan 2009 20:38 pm Post subject:

Interesting Think

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

LOL!! Bear with me Ratch. This is a 'what-if' after all...

daniel7891 · Posted: Wed 14 Jan 2009 21:03 pm Post subject:

Looking very intreeging
_________________
Cheers

Daniel

Heinkel51 · Posted: Thu 15 Jan 2009 01:29 am Post subject:

Like the concept.

tanker221 · Posted: Thu 15 Jan 2009 14:12 pm Post subject:

What colour scheme are you planning ?
_________________
Charlie dont surf !

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Main assembly done, Skybolt pylon modified and attached, pre-shading attempted, and white paint on.

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Build is progressing, slowly. I often seem to have problems when it comes to the painting stage - particularly where white paint is concerned. This build is no exception. For some reason, the resin pylon has decided to form a crackle finish whenever I paint it. Very nice and rustic, but not exactly TSR-2. So, trying to sort that out at the moment. Latest scheme involves sealing it with Klear before trying again with the paint to get a smooth finish.

I can see what people mean about the fit issues with the kit and next time I build one will be more careful to get everything smooth and well put together. It seems a little over-engineered to me, in terms of the number of parts and how they fit together. Still, it builds up quickly into the big white elephant and is an impressive size for a 1/72 jet, while not being unmanageable.

Next step for the missile will be painting it in black quarters and attaching the numerous and delicate fins - as late as possible in the build as I can see them getting broken!

Ratch · Posted: Wed 28 Jan 2009 21:54 pm Post subject:

I think you're doing a grand job

It's quite inspiring me to get another of mine from the stash

_________________
and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Some of the colours going on now. Not too pretty at present but should be a bit different.

feanor · Posted: Thu 29 Jan 2009 08:53 am Post subject:

Ayup 923...

Raspberry Ripple ?
_________________
Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176