Author Topic: NARDU F4D-1P Spyray 1/48 - Finished - pic's pg.5 (Read 20831 times)

Old Wombat · « **on:** June 10, 2016, 08:57:33 PM »

Based on an F4D-1 Skyray, I give you the F4D-1P Skychase:

My second build for the GB over on What If is going to be a F4D-1 modified with a PR nose from another kit.

Idea is that the RAN purchased a four of these aircraft in the early 1960's for evaluation purposes to replace their F9F-8's but opted for the F-8 Crusader, instead.

The Naval Aircraft Research & Development Unit (NARDU), the RAN's version of its RAAF equivalent, retained these aircraft for weapons, stores pylon & targetting system testing.

In the mid-70's three of these aircraft were retired & used for parts to keep the 4th flying.

This aircraft was modified by fitting a PR nose to the airframe & was used as a chase-plane to record test flights of other aircraft & the effectiveness of weapons delivery systems.

It was scrapped in 1984 after a crash-landing at NAS Parafield, SA.

What I'm starting with:

Not huge progress but it is moving. I've painted & put together the photo-recce gear & put it in the main body of the PR nose. To finish this bit I have to glue the glazing into the other 3 panels & fit them to the body-work.

In a fit of misplaced enthusiasm I glued the nose to the cockpit section; $:-\$

In this shot we have the original F4D-1 nose for comparison;

So, next job is to remove it & work on the cockpit.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2016, 09:05:42 PM »

"NARDU" Wombat, really???

Cool Whiff of one of my fave 50's Navy birds!! :)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2016, 09:48:28 PM »

Quote from: FAAMAN on June 10, 2016, 09:05:42 PM

"NARDU" Wombat, really???

Cool Whiff of one of my fave 50's Navy birds!! :)

Hell, yeah, bro!

Fits into my RAM Alt History time-line, formed at approximately the same time as the ARDU but at NAS Parafield (which is why the ARDU moved to Edinburgh, just a few klicks away).

FAAMAN · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2016, 07:41:47 AM »

Was wondering 'bout the airfields' proximity to each other. Betcha the Govt. would've closed the Parafield site by now and we'd be stuck at Edinburgh with the RAFFies

Old Wombat · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2016, 10:42:28 AM »

Different universe, old son! Mine!

Navy is running 3 mid-sized fleet carriers, 3 escort carriers plus 3 LHD's.

The idea is that we're really running 3 carrier groups & 3 rapid reaction groups but with each group cycling through a maintenance/refit phase.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2016, 01:17:38 PM »

If only old son, if only!! :) :)

Sorta fits the Whiff fleet I was yappin with you about don't it? I've got a fair bit done for that too

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2016, 05:37:23 PM »

Nice details in that camera bay!

I've got a couple of these in the stash in 1/72 & 1/48, not sure what I'm going to do with them, your project may give me a little inspiration.

If the rest of this baby comes out as nice as that camera bay, you're going to have a real prize-winner on your hands when all is said and done!

Brian da Basher

Volkodav · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2016, 06:59:54 PM »

Nice, WRE/DSTO would be kept busy and AEW at Penfield would probably still be running doing support work for them.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2016, 11:53:03 PM »

Quote from: FAAMAN on June 11, 2016, 01:17:38 PM

If only old son, if only!! :) :)

Sorta fits the Whiff fleet I was yappin with you about don't it? I've got a fair bit done for that too

Have you shown pic's, yet? I don't recall any.

But then, I do seem to be getting Old-Timers'. $:-\$

Quote from: Brian da Basher on June 11, 2016, 05:37:23 PM

Nice details in that camera bay!

I've got a couple of these in the stash in 1/72 & 1/48, not sure what I'm going to do with them, your project may give me a little inspiration.

If the rest of this baby comes out as nice as that camera bay, you're going to have a real prize-winner on your hands when all is said and done!

Brian da Basher

Thanks, BdB!

I hope that my builds can inspire you, you're off-beat builds amuse the heck out of me, & I hope both my builds end as well as they've started!

Quote from: Volkodav on June 11, 2016, 06:59:54 PM

Nice, WRE/DSTO would be kept busy and AEW at Penfield would probably still be running doing support work for them.

As FAAMAN said ... "If only!"

elmayerle · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2016, 03:04:53 AM »

Beautiful! What aircraft did the camera bay and nose come from? It certainly encourages me to consider a F5D-2P.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2016, 04:28:48 AM »

Quote from: FAAMAN on June 11, 2016, 07:41:47 AM

Was wondering 'bout the airfields' proximity to each other. Betcha the Govt. would've closed the Parafield site by now and we'd be stuck at Edinburgh with the RAFFies

I would have thought NARDU would be based at HMAS Albatross (formerly Naval Air Station (NAS) Nowra) or perhaps at NAS Jervis Bay thus accommodating both land/carrier based aircraft as well as float/seaplanes at the nearby HMAS Creswell

FAAMAN · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2016, 07:47:50 AM »

Aww come on GTX, that would make too much sense wouldn't it?

Wombat is ultimately Whiffing about "Government: decisions isn't he???

Volkodav · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2016, 11:39:19 PM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on June 12, 2016, 04:28:48 AM

Quote from: FAAMAN on June 11, 2016, 07:41:47 AM
Was wondering 'bout the airfields' proximity to each other. Betcha the Govt. would've closed the Parafield site by now and we'd be stuck at Edinburgh with the RAFFies

I would have thought NARDU would be based at HMAS Albatross (formerly Naval Air Station (NAS) Nowra) or perhaps at NAS Jervis Bay thus accommodating both land/carrier based aircraft as well as float/seaplanes at the nearby HMAS Creswell

Nah, you see when the decision was made the Defmin, Finance minister and Foreign Minister were all South Australians.

Daryl J. · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2016, 02:10:35 AM »

Oooooh! Cameras!! :)

GaryF · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2016, 05:33:55 AM »

Curious if the camera nose is from the KH recce Cougar? And if so is there another nose option in the kit?
Was thinking of an RA-4 Skyhawk with a belly pod but that nose you're using might look good.

thanks

FAAMAN · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2016, 09:38:47 AM »

Noooooo !!! Not an RA-4

How could you???

Wasn't it bad enough that Kiwi's got our A-4G's for next to nuthin'

Old Wombat · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2016, 11:31:07 AM »

Quote from: GaryF on June 13, 2016, 05:33:55 AM

Curious if the camera nose is from the KH recce Cougar? And if so is there another nose option in the kit?
Was thinking of an RA-4 Skyhawk with a belly pod but that nose you're using might look good.

thanks

Hi, Gary!

Yep, the Kittyhawk kit comes as the F9F-8/F9F-8P, so you get the standard fighter nose & the PR nose.

And I'd love to see a RA-4!

FAAMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2016, 02:20:48 PM »

You would Wombat

GaryF · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2016, 10:55:09 PM »

Thanks for the info, Wombat. May have to look around for that Cougar.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #19 on:** June 14, 2016, 12:02:10 AM »

Quote from: FAAMAN on June 13, 2016, 02:20:48 PM

You would Wombat

Yeah, Baby!

Quote from: GaryF on June 13, 2016, 10:55:09 PM

Thanks for the info, Wombat. May have to look around for that Cougar.

Not a problem!

Old Wombat · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2016, 01:11:09 AM »

Just to show that I've been doing some modelling:

I finally got to glue the nose on for real!

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2016, 01:50:10 AM »

Looks like you and your putty will be getting a lot of alone time on this one where the narrow Skyray fuselage meets the nose section from the Cougar.

PSR

:)

FAAMAN · « **Reply #22 on:** June 18, 2016, 06:35:08 AM »

Progress is always good Wombat :)
Try using plastic card formers and then fill in with filler

Old Wombat · « **Reply #23 on:** June 18, 2016, 04:38:21 PM »

I have a plan, my Lord!

Hopefully it's cunning.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2016, 06:19:17 AM »

Old Wombat · « **Reply #25 on:** June 19, 2016, 05:41:31 PM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on June 19, 2016, 06:19:17 AM

Nope, but it appears to have worked!

FAAMAN · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2016, 04:52:10 PM »

A plan huh? Well . . . . . (foot tapping) . . . . . give it up Wombat

Old Wombat · « **Reply #27 on:** June 28, 2016, 10:36:47 AM »

After a certain amount of PSR & repairing of 2 glazing panels that accidentally got popped in (That's not fun, believe me!), a moderately cunning plan has come together.

The Underbelly;

Nose-on;

Possibly flight-profiles, nose-on;

Top views;

Side views;

The nose gear doors have been lowered into the new profile by cutting part of the wheel bay area away with some of the fuselage sides, which have been spread out to the new width, adding some styrene sheet shaped to measure into the wheel bays & PSR'ing into the required profile to blend the different fuselage shapes.

I think it looks pretty good, though I'm sure there'll be flaws brought to light by a shot of primer which will need to be rectified. After which I'll figure out some panel lines.

Thanks for waiting & watching!

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #28 on:** June 28, 2016, 01:17:58 PM »

That new nose really stands out on that Skyray :)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #29 on:** June 28, 2016, 02:27:14 PM »

Thanks, Jeff!

I think?!

I'm struggling for a name for her but they all revolve around her nose;

1) Droopy Snoopy - for comic/cartoon fans
2) Droop Snoop - for the literal-minded
3) Bignose - for movie buffs
4) Camera Conk - another for the literal-minded
5) Cyrano de Bergerac - for the literati

Bearing in mind that any references (to movies, etc.) have to be pre-1984, when, in my time-line, she crashes & is scrapped.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #30 on:** June 28, 2016, 02:35:06 PM »

Nicely faired Wombatus!! Keep up the good work :)

CiTrus90 · « **Reply #31 on:** June 28, 2016, 03:59:37 PM »

It's a duck nose!

Beautiful, ditto! Can't wait to see it finished!

Regards.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #32 on:** June 28, 2016, 04:38:51 PM »

Thank you, gents!

Speaking of ducks brings Mr Percival to mind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Percival

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #33 on:** July 01, 2016, 03:59:38 AM »

Quote from: Old Wombat on June 28, 2016, 04:38:51 PM

Thank you, gents!

Speaking of ducks brings Mr Percival to mind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Percival

Oh that looks like great fodder for a back story if I ever saw it...

Speaking of great, I'm really enjoying the play-by-play! It's a treat for me to watch the progress.

Brian da Basher

Old Wombat · « **Reply #34 on:** July 13, 2016, 12:09:37 PM »

Well, in my absence modelling has been happening & this is the result:

No clean-up done, yet, just glued together (except the engine, which is only fitted for photo purposes).

FAAMAN · « **Reply #35 on:** July 14, 2016, 06:52:10 AM »

You've done well old son!! :) :)

AXOR · « **Reply #36 on:** July 14, 2016, 07:23:57 AM »

Rhinoplasty...goood goood

Honestly,I really like it,has a very interesting and modern look with the new nose...this work promises a lot!
Keep up !

Old Wombat · « **Reply #37 on:** July 14, 2016, 08:40:05 AM »

Thank you, gents!

She has a bit of a high-speed pelican look about her, so I'm leaning towards Mr Percival as a name (it also fits the time period).

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #38 on:** July 14, 2016, 10:00:58 AM »

From the Northern Hemisphere, I would say it has the Jimmy Durante look.

Good work Guy.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #39 on:** July 14, 2016, 10:38:28 AM »

Thanks, tBG! ... Oops, & Brian!

Personally, I'm not keen on Jimmy Durante & the reference is far too obvious, plus he's not Australian.

The "Storm Boy" reference of Mr Percival is more appropriate for country & time period (mid-70's).

(Also, the Australian pelican has the longest bill of any bird.

)

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #40 on:** July 15, 2016, 04:35:30 AM »

I am seriously tempted to copy that nose for a F5D Skylancer conversion

Old Wombat · « **Reply #41 on:** July 16, 2016, 07:14:25 PM »

Go for it! :)

I'm not copyrighting or patenting my ideas for that very reason.

(I wish the RAAF would stop being hard-arse about their roundels being published on decal sheets for anything other than "approved" aircraft, too.

)

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #42 on:** July 17, 2016, 05:22:16 AM »

Quote from: Old Wombat on July 16, 2016, 07:14:25 PM

(I wish the RAAF would stop being hard-arse about their roundels being published on decal sheets for anything other than "approved" aircraft, too. )

Example?

FAAMAN · « **Reply #43 on:** July 17, 2016, 08:50:08 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on July 17, 2016, 05:22:16 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on July 16, 2016, 07:14:25 PM

(I wish the RAAF would stop being hard-arse about their roundels being published on decal sheets for anything other than "approved" aircraft, too. )

Example?

Not heard of this, could you elaborate?

Old Wombat · « **Reply #44 on:** July 17, 2016, 05:28:00 PM »

OK, it's more something that I've heard rather than have 1st hand information on - a forum member elsewhere said that he had had to buy Aussie roundels "under the table" because the manufacturer had said that the RAAF would not allow them to print (for sale) any roundels or markings not specifically approved of by them.

However, the lack of RAAF roundels available anywhere (& I've been looking pretty hard over the last several weeks) except in sets for any but a few aircraft seems to support this.

If you guys know of anywhere I can buy generic RAAF early-WW2 & modern roundels, & marking numbers/letters & codes, I'd love to know where!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #45 on:** July 17, 2016, 06:16:08 PM »

Sounds like BS to me.

As for roundels etc try the following:

http://www.modelflags.com/acatalog/RAAF01_Roundels.html
http://www.modelkitsonline.com.au/pages/main/search.php?Category=Aust+Decals&Make=Aussie+Decals&Scale=Mixed&Search=

Old Wombat · « **Reply #46 on:** July 18, 2016, 01:05:25 AM »

Thanks, Greg! :)

trickyrich · « **Reply #47 on:** July 18, 2016, 06:29:11 AM »

Gosh that does sound very odd! Straight sheets of RAAF roundels maybe a bit hard to find at times so just raid specific aircraft sheets.

NovaScale have a great selection and can be found pretty easy on evilBay, plus Red Roo Models is a great place to get all things RAAF!

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #48 on:** July 18, 2016, 09:46:25 AM »

Good to see the RAAF has its snout in the trough so to speak.

Nice proboscis work

Old Wombat · « **Reply #49 on:** July 25, 2016, 09:04:54 PM »

OK chaps, just to prove that I have been doing something, I finally reached a point worthy of photo's.

Here's where I'm up to now. Colours are on, touch-ups & fixes required (luckily only small ones). Still needs a pre-decal gloss coat, etc.

Obviously I chose the easy colours!

$:-\$

FAAMAN · « **Reply #50 on:** July 26, 2016, 06:55:39 AM »

Nicely executed old son :)

A couple of days worth of masking there?

Old Wombat · « **Reply #51 on:** July 26, 2016, 08:25:56 AM »

Quote from: FAAMAN on July 26, 2016, 06:55:39 AM

Nicely executed old son :)
A couple of days worth of masking there?

Thanks, mate! :)

About 3, actually. $:-\$

KiwiZac · « **Reply #52 on:** July 27, 2016, 05:02:04 AM »

Hoooo baby, that is looking cool! Very ARDU!

taiidantomcat · « **Reply #53 on:** July 27, 2016, 08:56:48 AM »

Nice job on the paintwork!! That masking really paid off!

Old Wombat · « **Reply #54 on:** August 30, 2016, 09:52:58 AM »

OK, paint job ain't perfect but it came together better than the F6F's.

Most of the decals are on (I'm taking a little coffee break from them at the moment $:-\$ ).

So, just have to finish the decals, gloss coat, pin-wash the panel lines & semi-gloss coat.

Oh, & do all the little bits I've overlooked whilst focussing on the F6F issues, like drop tanks, & landing gear, & hook, & ....

finsrin · « **Reply #55 on:** September 01, 2016, 09:45:57 AM »

Remember seeing Skyrays on ramp and flying.
Impressed that and how you built Spyray. Lovely

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #56 on:** September 02, 2016, 09:29:46 AM »

My that's a tasty color scheme!

Brian da Basher

Old Wombat · « **Reply #57 on:** September 02, 2016, 10:08:13 AM »

Thanks, guys!

Oh-Kay ... You know how you get to the last couple of bits of a build & then "Uh-oh!"?

You've gone through the entire thing & only now do you realise that way back at the beginning you made a real rookie mistake?

Well, I've just realised that I forgot to drill out the holes in the wings for the drop tanks.

They're the last thing I need to do before this baby is done. So, I shall now have to do my chores for the day, then I can come back to her & do what needs to be done. $:-\$

FAAMAN · « **Reply #58 on:** September 02, 2016, 12:35:33 PM »

Just be gentle Wombat

Old Wombat · « **Reply #59 on:** September 02, 2016, 08:47:02 PM »

Righto, this baby's done!

No photo's tonight - gotta go to bed, got a call this evening & I've got a double shift tomorrow (0800-2300).

So, may do photo's tomorrow night or Sunday morning.

There are little stuff-ups everywhere but I'm rather pleased with the result.

Until soon ...

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #60 on:** September 03, 2016, 02:44:39 AM »

Quote from: Old Wombat on September 02, 2016, 08:47:02 PM

No photo's tonight - gotta go to bed, got a call this evening & I've got a double shift tomorrow (0800-2300).

That's a pathetic excuse! We demand photos. Now! Now! Now! Now! Now! Now!!!!!!!

FAAMAN · « **Reply #61 on:** September 03, 2016, 09:15:21 AM »

Have to agree with you GTX, a poor showing, NOW . . . . . . . . . . please :)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #62 on:** September 03, 2016, 10:43:59 PM »

In 1962 the RAN purchased four F4D-1's for evaluation purposes to replace their F9F-8's but opted for the F-8 Crusader, instead.

The Naval Aircraft Research & Development Unit (NARDU), the RAN's version of its RAAF equivalent, was gifted the aircraft & retained them for weapons, stores pylon & targetting system testing.

In the 1973 the F4D-1's were showing their age & heavy usage, so three were retired & used for parts to keep the 4th flying.

This 4th aircraft, which just happened to be the 4th airframe purchased, was virtually rebuilt during its refit & was modified by fitting a PR nose from a F9F-8P to the airframe, & designated as an F4D-1P, the only one of its kind. With the big, long PR nose it was only natural that everyone began calling it "the pelican". Then, in 1976, the SA Film Corporation movie production of Colin Thiele's novel "Storm Boy" was released & the plane had a name - Mr Percival.

Mr Percival was a busy aircraft, being used as a chase-plane to record test flights of other aircraft & the effectiveness of weapons delivery systems he clocked up almost as many flying hours as all other test aircraft combined.

On the 4th of June 1984 an undercarriage failure caused Mr Percival to crash on landing at NAS Parafield, South Australia, luckily with no loss of life or serious injury. However, after the inquest into the accident, Mr Percival was officially scrapped on the 30th of June that same year.

These images show Mr Percival in mid-January, 1984, just 5 months before the crash.

Well, that's one down!

One to go!

Hope you like him! :)

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #63 on:** September 04, 2016, 02:24:53 AM »

Excellent back story to accompany your most excellent what-if yet.

ysi_maniac · « **Reply #64 on:** September 04, 2016, 02:36:09 AM »

Five stars quality!

:)

AXOR · « **Reply #65 on:** September 04, 2016, 02:51:05 AM »

Excellent finish !

Well done !

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #66 on:** September 04, 2016, 04:50:53 AM »

Outstanding! :) :)

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #67 on:** September 04, 2016, 07:05:59 AM »

Bloody ripper!
Terrific colour scheme and great build

Will I see this at the Adelaide show this year, pretty much decided I am coming over

FAAMAN · « **Reply #68 on:** September 04, 2016, 08:04:41 AM »

Brilliant Wombat!!

Great to see those Charlie tank spillages and staining represented :) :)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #69 on:** September 04, 2016, 09:34:59 AM »

Thank you all very much, gentlemen!

Sorry, Brian, work knocked back my leave request for the SAPMA Expo weekend, so I doubt I'll be there.

elmayerle · « **Reply #70 on:** September 04, 2016, 11:26:32 AM »

All I can say is "Damn, that's gorgeous and with a perfectly done backstory!" I'm definitely in awe of this one.

Volkodav · « **Reply #71 on:** September 04, 2016, 01:59:30 PM »

Just amazing how well that works out, who'd believe you'd be able to graft that nose on so convincingly and the paint job is superb.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #72 on:** September 04, 2016, 10:20:28 PM »

Thanks, gent's! Appreciated!

finsrin · « **Reply #73 on:** September 07, 2016, 12:00:19 AM »

Spyray really rocks, is cool.

Pictures bring out fine points of this fine build.
Looks every bit of its interesting backstory.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #74 on:** September 07, 2016, 09:20:35 AM »

Thanks, Bill!


Swords to Plowshares GB Now Open!!

News:

Author Topic: NARDU F4D-1P Spyray 1/48 - Finished - pic's pg.5 (Read 20831 times)