Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on October 08, 2013, 03:14:58 AM

Title: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 08, 2013, 03:14:58 AM: The RAF B bomber force gained world-wide fame in the 1960s as the U.K.'s nuclear deterrent.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Vbombers1.jpg)

Crowds thrilled to displays of the Valiants, Victors and Vulcans at air shows and the RAF was pleased to finally modernize a bomber force still equipped with aircraft of W.W. II vintage.

Less known, however, is what started it all, the Blackburn "Blackie" bomber prototype which first took flight in 1950.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie001.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie002.jpg)

Featuring cutting-edge technology like a delta wing and four Sunbeam jet engines hung in pairs on pods under the wing, the Blackburn "Blackie" exceeded all expectations in testing. It set a new closed-course speed record of Mach 1.6 carrying a payload equal to the largest nuclear weapon in the RAF arsenal at the time. The new bomber looked wicked fast just parked due to its arrow-like shape. A service test squadron was ordered.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackietop.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackieunder.jpg)

RAF Bomber Command's 409 Sqn. was soon flying the new aircraft. Most of their missions remain classified to this day. However, the squadron is widely credited in some circles for setting an RAF record for speed and distance when three Blackies overflew Minsk in 1951. Soviet protests over the incident almost led to cancellation of the important Sandwich Summit between the U.S.S.R. and the U.K.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie003.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie004.jpg)

The Blackburn Aero Company prepared for mass-production and the RAF hoped to field the world's largest "B" bomber force. Unfortunately, the events of August, 1952 would end dreams of success. On the 22nd of that month, British Intelligence discovered plans of the top-secret Blackie bomber had been passed to the Soviets by the disgruntled Third Assistant Air Attache Acting Pilot Officer Acton. Included in the secret plans was a study that showed the Blackie's radar and radio could be disabled by beaming the pop hit "Under the Yum-Yum Tree" at a high frequency and Chipmunks-like speed at the bomber. This spelled the end for the Blackburn Blackie, but its deployment was in no small part (about 1/200 scale) the inspiration for the legendary RAF V bombers that would soon follow.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie007.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie008.jpg)

This started about a week ago, using some sub hulls Jeff Fontaine sent me as the fuselage. I found some 1/72 scale MiG 21 wings and one of the MiG's horiz. stabs. to be a good fit. Here's what it looked like after I attached a B-47 radar fairing for a canopy and stuck some box-scale J-47 jets from a box-scale B-36 under the wings.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/xBlackieprogside01.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/xBlackieprog3quarter.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/xBlackieproghead-on.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/xBlackieprogside02.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/xBlackieprogontake-off.jpg)

I wasn't sure where to go from here. I considered Pan Am livery, NASA markings (with an added rocket nozzle on the tail) and finally settled on an all-over black RAF scheme. Some 1/72 scale Chipmunk decals provided the markings. The entire model, including the canopy windows, was painted by hand in acrylics.

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie005.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackiehead-on.jpg)

(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/Blackburn%20Blackie/Blackie006.jpg)

I had a lot of fun building this model and I hope you enjoyed it along with some little-known history of the RAF V Bomber Force.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Cliffy B on October 08, 2013, 03:20:49 AM: Very effective use of some sub hulls man! Neato 8)
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on October 08, 2013, 03:21:11 AM: Hard to believe that fuselage started out as a couple of submarine hull sections :)

Most amazing conversion yet of a submarine to an aircraft.
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: GTX_Admin on October 08, 2013, 04:03:02 AM: Wow!!! :)
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: kitnut617 on October 08, 2013, 05:31:37 AM: And you said you'd lost your mojo Brian ----- :)
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: The Big Gimper on October 08, 2013, 06:49:41 AM: Brian: I am lost words except for the words I need to express that I am lost for words.

This should aircraft should be parked on the tarmac right beside the Valiant B2.
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: elmayerle on October 08, 2013, 11:37:52 AM: Wicked!! Absolutely beautiful work!!
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: FAAMAN on October 08, 2013, 11:58:15 AM: Thought I'd recognised those bits, nice job in making a plausible beastie! 8)
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: finsrin on October 08, 2013, 12:10:20 PM: Convincing British and 50s look.
Brilliant use of a submarine hull in scale-o-rama kitbash :) Color and windows too :)
Recun rest of us never woulda thought of it.
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Tophe on October 09, 2013, 11:52:37 AM: Quote from: Brian da Basher on October 08, 2013, 03:14:58 AM
This started about a week ago, using some sub hulls Jeff Fontaine sent me as the fuselage. I found some 1/72 scale MiG 21 wings and one of the MiG's horiz. stabs. to be a good fit. Here's what it looked like after I attached a B-47 radar fairing for a canopy and stuck some box-scale J-47 jets from a box-scale B-36 under the wings
Great mix once more! Congratulations! :-*
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: father ennis on October 09, 2013, 02:31:17 PM: Way Kool,Dude .... :-*
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: ed s on October 10, 2013, 07:15:48 AM: Another beauty. This looks like a real winner.

Ed
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Dr. YoKai on October 11, 2013, 04:03:25 AM: good stuff, Brian!
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Buzzbomb on October 11, 2013, 10:09:36 AM: Convinced me ;D

Great use of stuff and a really interesting project
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Jacques Deguerre on October 12, 2013, 10:37:29 AM: Wow, my first thought was "what did he do with that B58?" I would have never guess you built that from submarine hulls. Count me as very impressed! :icon_surprised:
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Cliffy B on October 12, 2013, 10:47:20 AM: First thing I thought too Jacques 8) So what's next Brian?
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: Empty Handed on October 15, 2013, 03:55:10 PM: I first thought it was a FD.2! That it was made from a sub hull makes it even more impressive! :)
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: ChrisF on November 17, 2013, 10:20:23 AM: Quote from: Empty Handed on October 15, 2013, 03:55:10 PM
I first thought it was a FD.2! That it was made from a sub hull makes it even more impressive! :)

What he said ! DAMN fine work sir !!
Title: Re: RAF V Bomber project
Post by: mrvr6 on November 17, 2013, 06:42:28 PM: oh i like that!! :-*