Author Topic: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale  (Read 6325 times)

Offline Brian da Basher

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While the Lockheed U-2 is world-famous



utterly forgotten is its high-powered brother, the U-3.



The U-2 had indeed been ground-breaking, but the quest to improve the design was ongoing.



Large increases in speed and range could only be achieved by adding more power.



This took shape in the form of two Pratt & Whitney JT3D/TF33 jet engines.



Of course those thirsty beasts would need more fuel, so wing-tip tanks with a capacity of 1,780 U.S. gal. each were also added. The outrigger wheels were replaced with more robust retractable gear in fairings at mid-wing and the lower rear fuselage.



Excited about the possibilities of the new three-engined U-3, the powers-that-were ordered clandestine reconnaissance flights over the vast Soviet hinter-land of Siberia.



It was thought every bit of power the new U-3 could muster might be needed on these highly classified high-altitude missions.



The first flight took off at 0-dark-30 on March 8, 1962 from Kadena air base headed for points officially unknown.



Somewhere between Inner and Outer Mongolia, the U-3 got into trouble. #2 engine threw fan blades like a carnival knife act and despite trying every trick in the book, the pilot was forced to eject.



He landed in a tiny over-looked country between Inner and Outer Mongolia known (roughly translated) as Innie-Outie Mongolia.



Despite having a social hierarchy built on belly-buttons, the people of Innie-Outie Mongolia are very dignified and decorum rules. Hence through quiet, respectful diplomacy, the U.S. was able to gain the pilot's release and transit back to the west on the sly and this incident has remained secret ever since.



It took some work to dig out the details and my Freedom From Information requests went unanswered. Even though the personnel roster of the disbanded Kadena recon unit was still secret, I was able to figure out what training class the pilot may have been from and I discovered this class photo in files discarded from a decommissioned auxiliary air base.



Still not much to go on, but an acquaintance long-retired from the Lockheed Skunk Works who was involved in the U-3 program helped me narrow down my search.



And here it all would've ended, a faceless, nameless pilot briefly lost over Mongolia but some situations call for pulling out all the stops. After a blind message-drop requesting a crash meeting, my contact from the deep-deep-deep-go-really-deep State was able to finally ID the brave hero of this story.



Unfortunately, Lt. Barry Francis "Frank" Bowers passed away in a bizarre gardening accident in 1984, but despite the government's best efforts, his story lives on.



As for the U-3, it died that day over Mongolia, never to be re-born and would be unknown today if Uncle Sam had his way.



Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: March 08, 2017, 09:22:16 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2017, 06:41:57 AM »
This all started with a 1/144 Dragon Lockheed TR-1A (U-2) I got for five bucks at a fire sale a while back. Granted, the box art isn't exactly Airfix level...



but this is one of the best, most precisely engineered kits I've ever built! In 1/144 yet! Amazing. Some parts fit so well they probably didn't need glue. This could be the best saw-buck I've ever spent. Of course, there was no way I was going to leave well enough alone and build it straight. Since the kit is made to take different wing tank options, it's ideal for adding engines instead.



Those JT3Ds/TF33s were swiped from a 1/144 Minicraft 707. This of course necessitated greater fuel capacity, so wing tip tanks from a 1/72 Hasegawa T-37 were tacked on.



Last but not least, new "in-rigger" landing gear fairings were added mid wing. These were made from bombs from a 1/72 MPC F-5. The belly fairings were bits of sprue.



I was surprised how quickly this all fell together once I figured out those Pratt & Whitneys were a good fit. Initially, I had plans to scratch engines closer to something on a Canberra but I was inspired by the great Kelly Johnson to keep it simple.



The paint scheme was definitely simple. The old hairy stick was trotted out again, this time loaded with Model Masters Medium Gray acrylic paint.



Those P&W JT3D/TF33 intakes were done in Model Masters Steel and the burner cans in Jet Exhaust.



The canopy was tinted on the inside with Model Masters Insignia Blue.



Decals were a mix from the decal dungeon.



The Stars & Bars and wingtip USAF markings came from a sheet for a Revell Skywarrior.



The tail codes and tiny U.S. Air Force on the nose come from a sheet for a B-52. The bang seat warnings are from a 1/144 B-58. Here's a few "money shots" (U.S. penny for scale).





This is a case where the model took a lot less time than the in-depth research. I built it in three days.



I can only credit the speed to how wonderfully engineered and crisply molded the kit is. It's the closest thing to shake-n-bake I think I've ever experienced!



I can't recommend this kit enough. If you see one, grab it and go to town. It'd make a great weekend project!



Here's one last "money shot":



I hope you enjoyed the U-3 and the story of Lt. Barry Francis "Frank" Bowers that was almost too top-secret to tell.



Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: March 08, 2017, 09:23:00 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline LemonJello

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2017, 07:31:30 AM »
I've never really liked the U-2. But I love your U-3!  Too bad it was lost to history and never made it into squadron service.

Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2017, 08:22:15 AM »
U-2 are a U-3 Brian.

U da man Brian.
U have the imagination to build a kit like this.
U have it in your blood.
=
U-3
« Last Edit: March 08, 2017, 10:10:43 AM by The Big Gimper »
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

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Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2017, 11:02:23 AM »
Once again Brian has put together a winner using is awesome skillz of modeling.  :)
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Offline KiwiZac

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2017, 11:40:22 AM »
Bravo, Brian! I love it! Very clever and it looks great.
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Offline elmayerle

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2017, 12:38:51 PM »
Beautiful!  Almost looks like a straight-winged X-16.  On the other hand, it doesn't look too much like the U-3 "cover story" (military variant of early Cessna 310).

Offline Alvis 3.1

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2017, 12:58:50 PM »
 :) ;D :o

Awesome man!


Offline finsrin

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2017, 03:50:20 PM »
U-3,,,  Really !  :o
Using right mix of parts again.  JT3D is spot on.  You are so good at researching little-to-unknown aircraft and (since no kit is available) configuring likeness in styrene.  Otherwise I wouldn't have known of U-3.
Gave me flashback to 1960/70s photos of both B-57F and U-2.  Must admit; pilot's name has a familiar ring to it.

 

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2017, 05:11:41 PM »
Beautiful!  Almost looks like a straight-winged X-16.  On the other hand, it doesn't look too much like the U-3 "cover story" (military variant of early Cessna 310).

My thoughts exactly
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Offline Tophe

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2017, 06:48:43 PM »
Very good idea and very good build :-*

Offline kitnut617

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2017, 07:37:14 PM »
 :o :-* :-* :-* :o

Offline pigflyer

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2017, 07:39:12 PM »
While this is of course an absolutely brilliant build, the source of your info worries me. It seems that the CIA etc can look at you through your telly etc.
It just so happens that here at Table top productions, I am working on the Russian 1950's U2 counter, a modified MiG 19 called "Велкин".
Now you come up with a quickie improved U2 to counter my counter.



ARE YOU WATCHING ME THROUGH ME TV?

Love the U3, marvelous back story, (Great pilot name btw) now looking for a blanket to put over the telly.

Your fan,
Worried of Hampshire
 :o



« Last Edit: March 08, 2017, 07:53:24 PM by pigflyer »
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Offline Weaver

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2017, 09:48:17 PM »
That's great - nice one Brian!  :) 8)
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Offline Frank3k

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2017, 01:00:56 AM »
the U-3 looks great with the turbofans! Did you rescale it from 1/72 or is it really 1/144?

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2017, 02:25:40 AM »
the U-3 looks great with the turbofans! Did you rescale it from 1/72 or is it really 1/144?

The U-2 kit is 1/144 scale if the printing on the box is correct. No re-scaling needed.

Brian da Basher

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2017, 03:00:52 AM »

nice transformation !

Offline Madhatter

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Re: The Lockheed U-3 Spy Plane - A Highly Classified Tale in 1/72 Scale
« Reply #17 on: March 09, 2017, 01:35:39 PM »
I'm struggling to tell if your back story is literally just that: a really well concocted exceedingly plausible fairy tale or if it's actually a real aircraft
Great build to go with it
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