So I've finally started my first physical whiffy-build that involves serious kitbashing - from AltCan RCAF, a CEF-108A!
Based on the CF-108A (Archer Mk. I), it will have the Arrow-style canopy:
But it will have the extra bumps and such that are on the EW conversion, the CEF-108:
The profile here shows a CEF-108, which in the "actual" AltWorld was rebuilt from a CF-108C - note the different canopy and different intakes from the CF-108A above.
Since the Arrow-style canopy is to my eye a bit niftier, I'm going to build the plastic version using that. I briefly contemplated doing it in the original PRU Blue over PRU Mauve scheme, but I've since decided to do it in pink, because the idea of military aircraft painted pink just tickles me somehow.
The only thing I need to decide yet is whether to do it with the hi-viz roundels/lettering as in the profile above, or the loviz markings. I'm leaning towards the hi-viz scheme, because that way I can use existing decals for the letters, numbers, fin flash and stencils, and need only the roundels, intake warning and the unit badge done up as custom decals (...just need to find a source!)
So anyways, on to the build...
I'm using the old Hasegawa/Minicraft Kfir C-2 kit as the basis, as it has the right nose and the right general fuselage shape to it; other parts will come from other sources as needed, e.g. the canopy from a Hobbycraft Arrow.
I started with the easiest part - the wings. The Kfir's wings were moulded such that the upper surface wraps over to the underside, so the seam is relatively hidden on the underside. This made the cutting easy, as I just cut the outboard sections of the wings off where the place for the underside parts would go. And I got stupidly lucky here, too... I got a 1/200 XB-70 Valkyrie kit without knowing the parts breakdown, in the hopes I'd be able to use the wings, and indeed I can - the grey in the photo is from the XB-70 kit, which provides three sets of wingtips for different configurations, and these parts happened to line up just about perfectly at the spot on the Kfir wing I'd eyed out as the cutting location such that a small 'tooth' is formed at the leading edge. The goal here is to get wings that are similar - but not identical - to those of the Avro Arrow. This'll need a good bit of filler work at the seam, but since the ridged section present at the dogtooth on the Arrow wing falls into the corresponding area on the Archer wing, this shouldn't be too difficult.
I hope you all don't mind my going into such extensive discussion about this, but I'll admit my ulterior motive: I'm hoping to draw suggestions out from you here and there as to ways to do things.
And now, I'm off to get back to work on this whilst watching some Star Trek! :)
