Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Frank3k on April 06, 2026, 04:47:07 AM
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I'm trying to come up with a stealthy, jet powered drone similar to the "Hopeless Diamond" (and other variations) - since all I have so far is in my CAD software, I wanted something I could start putting together now.
The Ukrainians have had amazing success with low cost drones, drone swarms as well as high speed drones to take out Shahed and similar drones. They've even taken out a Shahed with the STING drone at a 500km range. Here are some of their drones:
(https://www.hisutton.com/images/Ukraine-Interceptor-drones.jpg)
I noticed that the drones on the left side look familiar.... The old (1958 issue) Revell Tactical Missile set has a Little John rocket as well as four Dart anti-tank missiles:
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/0/8/7/1518087-22111-72-pristine.jpg)
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-h1812-us-army-tactical-missiles-set--1518087 (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-h1812-us-army-tactical-missiles-set--1518087)
Atlantis has released many of these old 1/40 scale Revell kits, and I had this one in the stash. With the help of the plastic propellers from a Trumpeter 1/350 flying boat, I rescaled one of the Darts into this:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55189795463_31a8863998_b.jpg)
The "periscope" is a piece of clear sprue to be used as a recon camera:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55189795478_39b1578c02_b.jpg)
Even rescaled to 1/35, it's a decent sized drone. Here Steve admires it, cautiously:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55189795468_a2a31fc481_b.jpg)
I still need to add some thin legs and an antenna - this one would be reusable.
The rest of the Tactical Missile kit has some of the issues you'd expect in a 68 year old kit (even if it's a reissue) but it still holds up well and most of its sins can be fixed with some sanding and putty:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55189899059_25850ed185_b.jpg)
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Very good work on what might be an super interesting thread.
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Nice work on repurposing the missile.
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Looking good.
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This is the "Hopeless Diamond" based drone WIP. Not loving it, with or without wings. The engine intakes would be covered with a mesh or something:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55190313248_bd3e842a03_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55190313233_942d966192_b.jpg)
Wings swept forward:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55190564215_8b96b8f902_b.jpg)
I'm aiming for a 15 foot/4.6m length or about 131mm/5.2" in 1/35
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:smiley:
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The diamond drone looks very interesting. Just one note, where the wings meet the fuselage, don’t have a 90 degree angle. That angle actually seems to reflect the radar signal straight back to the transmitter. Certain angles work best for stealth performance but definitely not 90.
It’s your model so build it whatever way you like. Just my $0.02.
Otherwise, I’m very interested to see this come together!
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The diamond drone looks very interesting. Just one note, where the wings meet the fuselage, don’t have a 90 degree angle. That angle actually seems to reflect the radar signal straight back to the transmitter. Certain angles work best for stealth performance but definitely not 90.
It’s your model so build it whatever way you like. Just my $0.02.
Otherwise, I’m very interested to see this come together!
To that end, a 30° angle would be best
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Thanks for including the HI Sutton comparison drawings for reference (he does great compilations!).
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I noticed that the drones on the left side look familiar.... The old (1958 issue) Revell Tactical Missile set has a Little John rocket as well as four Dart anti-tank missiles...
That is one heck of a transformation! Love where this is going ... and the stealthier Hopeless Diamond too 8)
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Redo of Revell Dart shows great ingenuity. :smiley: Can claim to be most any scale.