Uninhabited and Unafraid, (UCAV, UAV, and Drone Aircraft)

[GTX_Admin]

Hmmm...random idea:  Vought V-173 "Flying Pancake" retasked/scale-o-ramered as a Tactical UAV:

[Volkodav]

Maybe after losing the ATF contest Northrop decide to develop the YF-23 into a UCAV:



Regards,

Greg

I dont know why but that just looks right, as if thats how it was designed from the start.

[LemonJello]

Maybe after losing the ATF contest Northrop decide to develop the YF-23 into a UCAV:



Regards,

Greg

I dont know why but that just looks right, as if thats how it was designed from the start.

Is there a 1/144 kit of the YF-23? That would be just about perfect for a 1/48 scalorama-ed UCAV.  Heck a 1/72 kit would be pretty sweet, too.

[ChernayaAkula]

^ Trumpeter does one. And I think Revell did one as well, aeons ago.

[elmayerle]

if you want a challenge, there's always taking a Bell 407 (or mod'ing a 2006 to a 407) and making a MQ-8C.  There are a number of noticable external changes and a few that aren't as easy to notice.  Ihappen to be intimately familiar with cowling, firewall, and engine installation changes.

[Frank3k]

The Trumpeter F-23 would be ideal for this for two reasons:

1 - it's dirt cheap
2 - the worst part of the kit is the canopy...which just doesn't quite fit

Oh and a bonus reason: The kit otherwise builds up nicely, unlike the Trumpeter J-7/Mig-21

[elmayerle]

The Trumpeter F-23 would be ideal for this for two reasons:

1 - it's dirt cheap
2 - the worst part of the kit is the canopy...which just doesn't quite fit

Oh and a bonus reason: The kit otherwise builds up nicely, unlike the Trumpeter J-7/Mig-21

In 1/72, the Dragon YF-23 would be the prefrred chocie because it's rather less accurate than the Testors/Italieri/Revell/Tamiya kit of the same subject.

[Frank3k]

Squadron has the 1/144 YF-23 for $2.69: http://www.squadron.com/product-p/tr01332.htm

[Daryl J.]

Since Cyber Hobby futzed the shape of the Sea Vixen as badly as they did, it's well set up shape wise for some kind of UAV.   

[The Big Gimper]

Squadron has the 1/144 YF-23 for $2.69: http://www.squadron.com/product-p/tr01332.htm

SpendEasy, I mean HobbyEasy has them for $1.27 CDN..

My plastic ball says I need to buy two. 

[GTX_Admin]

Mmmmmm....

[Caveman]

what is the source of that picture? Does it have mid chord control surfaces?

[Daryl J.]

Perhaps they already exist but how about UAV ECM pods?   With all the automation currently available, why not?   High altitude or low, supersonic or slow.   :)

[GTX_Admin]

IIRC  EW attack is one of the roles planned for UCAVs.  Usually it will be done with dedicated internal packages rather then pods.

[Daryl J.]

What I had more in mind was an all-new pod that could be inserted into various airframes designated just for that pod...some high altitude loitering, some supersonic, etc.    And then the pod shape itself would be somewhat standardized so it also could have different internals.

But then again, my ECM knowledge is pretty lame.       

[Rickshaw]

Interesting report on possible future civilian use of drones downunder and the predictable response from those being watched.  This could lead to a lucrative potential market for anti-drone systems...

[kitnut617]

Interesting report on possible future civilian use of drones downunder and the predictable response from those being watched.  This could lead to a lucrative potential market for anti-drone systems...

I've read somewhere that drones are being used along the US-Canadian border now ----

While down in Yuma I was very interested in seeing a couple of tethered balloons/blimps/whatever in the proving grounds there.  I imagine they could observe quite far into the south ---

[GTX_Admin]

Interesting report on possible future civilian use of drones downunder and the predictable response from those being watched.  This could lead to a lucrative potential market for anti-drone systems...

Same type of reaction to the recent news that the Queensland police to use surveillance drones to combat crime ahead of G20 conference.  Anything new and the fools come out!  Personally, I think the greater use of UAVs is a great idea.  In fact, one of the 1/35 Shadows I have is being done up as a Police bird...to simply monitor traffic.

[Daryl J.]

Might have to go to the local craft store after work to check on plastic Easter eggs on sale.   Someone gave me a started 1:35 UH-1 in very bad condition but the rotor is still entirely on the sprues.   It may have to become a 1:35 drone chopper.   As in Sidewinders and Brimstones and a quiet blade.

[Rickshaw]

How about doing one of these?



Bombardier (Canadair) CL-227 sentinel, "FLYING PEANUTS" in 1988

[Daryl J.]

Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, is just down the road a bit.   But, somehow, walking through the front door and asking for discussion points for the thread  here  would likely result in  rather than interesting discourse.
 

[GTX_Admin]

Oh, I don't know.  I have had many a discussion with the guys from Insitu.

[GTX_Admin]

How about doing one of these?



Bombardier (Canadair) CL-227 sentinel, "FLYING PEANUTS" in 1988

Does anyone do a kit of that...preferaby in 1/35?

[Rickshaw]

Not that I am aware of but it wouldn't be too hard to scratchbuild, Greg.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Biodegradable, disposable drones take flight. By Nic Halverson, Published July 17, 2013, Discovery News


(Image source: FoxNews.com)