Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on July 21, 2016, 03:45:25 AM
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(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_000.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_000.jpg.html)
In late 1948, the Air Ministry sought designs for specification F2377/49 which would eventually lead to the iconic English Electric Lightning. One unforeseen and utterly forgotten out come of this was the competing design submitted by the British Pneumatic Co., Ltd.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_001.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_001.jpg.html)
While British Pneumatic had no experience designing modern aircraft, they were still a respectable firm known for quality products made to a high standard.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_Air_Pumps%20flat%20tire.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_Air_Pumps%20flat%20tire.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_002.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_002.jpg.html)
Intrigued by the possibilities of the design, the Air Ministry asked British Pneumatic to expand it for specification F2986/49, a requirement for a fast all-weather, long range, high-altitude interceptor. Thus the British Pneumatic Frightening was born.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_004.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_004.jpg.html)
The prototype was powered by the British Pneumatic Gnu engine and was wicked fast, so much so that the test pilot on the initial flight was heard to exclaim "That's truly frightening!" upon getting his feet back on the ground. Whether he was referring to the speed or the unusual flight characteristics may never be known but the name stuck.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_003.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_003.jpg.html)
The Frightening's turn of speed was indeed impressive. It was no wonder the new prototype jet would be fast as British Pneumatic's core competency was anything needing air.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_005.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_005.jpg.html)
The Frightening was well equipped for its mission, carrying a Welsh Waterworks H2O multi-frequency radar capable of spotting both the enemy and bad weather "from a long way off" (actual range top-secret). The fighter was intended to have armament of two 90 mm Aden cannon & 4 Snidewider missiles or 2 missiles & two unguided rocket pods with an optional belly 20 mm gun pack. However, this would all be wishful thinking as events would prove.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_006.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_006.jpg.html)
The long-range, all-weather fighter carried a crew of two, pilot/weaponeer & co-pilot/naviguesser/radar operator. Why one man just had to fly and shoot and the other one did everything else but polish the canopy is best explained by the RAF's archaic seniority rules.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_007.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_007.jpg.html)
A series of test flights were undertaken and results were initially promising. Unfortunately, while the new aircraft was fast, it wasn't powerful enough to lift a full war load and could barely get off the ground with a full crew if either of them had eaten a proper Full English breakfast beforehand.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/full%20english%20breakie.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/full%20english%20breakie.jpg.html)
British Pneumatic's solution was to re-double flight testing in a hopeless effort to skew the data enough to get the Air Ministry to order the prototype into full production. This was, of course, a fool's errand bound to fail and would lead to near disaster.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_008.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_008.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_009.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_009.jpg.html)
Early in the evening of July 14th, the Frightening was almost lost in a near-miss with Air Commodore Lord Badmitten's Gypsy Month. Bright orange panels were hastily applied to make the prototype more visible. Now British Pneumatic's failure could be seen at a distance.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_010.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_010.jpg.html)
The Air Ministry could not find words strong enough to voice its displeasure and the test program was cancelled. The Frightening was sent to RAF Remedial Mechanic's School and Ground Crew Disciplinary Facility No. 583 at Muddyheath. The remains were disposed of by being used for target practice by the Royal Horse Guard's Atomic Artillery.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/queens%20royal%20horse%20guard%20atomic%20artillery%20with%20flag.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/queens%20royal%20horse%20guard%20atomic%20artillery%20with%20flag.jpg.html)
Nothing remains of this sleek aircraft today save the fading memories of those who ate too much to fly her and this limited-run Moonfix model.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_011.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_011.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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You kill me Brian with your outlandish builds and your pnumerous pneumatic pnuances. ;D
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This all began with the classic 1/72 Revell Douglas A3D Skywarrior a very good friend sent me recently. Isn't that box art with the busy deck crew great? One can almost smell the kerosene!
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/Revell%20Skywarrior%20box.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/Revell%20Skywarrior%20box.jpg.html)
While I'd never built this kit before, it's simple and well-engineered and one modification seemed apparent from the get-go. Time to get out my JLC razor saw which has been recommended by the legendary John Vojtech. So long, Mr Nosecone!
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_nosejob_cut.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_nosejob_cut.jpg.html)
Starting with the prop hub from an He-219 Uhu, it seemed fairly easy to convert this to a single-engine bird with a nose intake and shock-cone.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_shockcone_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_shockcone_02.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_shock_cone_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_shock_cone_01.jpg.html)
I used the back end of the cut up nose cone to finish the nose intake.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_nose_intake_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_nose_intake_01.jpg.html)
"Hey back that fuel truck over here! This nose-breather's thirsty!"
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_nose_intake_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_prog_nose_intake_02.jpg.html)
I also decided to clip the wings and use the wing-tips as horiz. stabs. The kit parts were saved for future use.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/PB_F_prog_upper.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/PB_F_prog_upper.jpg.html)
This left wingtips that needed covered and what could do that better than tip tanks?
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/PB_F_prog_upper_tip_tanks.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/PB_F_prog_upper_tip_tanks.jpg.html)
After this, all I had to do was add a ring to the tail where the guns should go as a burner can. The final mod was turning the kit's refueling probe into some very scientific-looking test equipment.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_020.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_020.jpg.html)
Once this was done, it was off to the paint shop. The old hairy stick was used along with a fair amount of Polly Scale Lettering Gray. The canopy was tinted with Model Masters Prussian Blue and the anti-glare panel was painted Model Masters Interior Black. The burner can was finished in Model Masters Jet Exhaust.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_016.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_016.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_0_upper.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_0_upper.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_0_under.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_0_under.jpg.html)
Decals were a mix from spares, but most of the roundels and the fin flashes came from a sheet for a Walrus. I really like the look of that rust-color standing in for the standard red.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_013.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_013.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_014.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_014.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_016.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_016.jpg.html)
I had a whale of a time on this model which took me a few weeks since my bench-time was limited.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_017.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_017.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_018.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_018.jpg.html)
I hope you enjoyed the British Pneumatic Frightening and reading a little more overlooked history.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_019.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/BP%20Frightening/BP_F_019.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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Goodness gracious,,, looks too correct to have failed. :(
Never heard of the Frightening until now - hmmm.
Sad that Royal Horse Guard's Atomic Artillery obliterated a piece of British aviation history.
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Brian,
You sly devil you, slipping this in on us without any warning whatsoever!
The Skywarrior without the nose takes a moment to appreciate, after that it was much appreciated as you have managed to take a box scale A3D-2 and turn it into a single engine aircraft that could be mistaken for something that actually might have flown, maybe... :)
Bravo Zulu!
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Jesus Brian, that's absolutely hilarious and brilliantly done! Bravo, my friend! ;D
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I had a whale of a time
I see what you did there ;)
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This is another case of DaBasher brilliance ;D ;D Well done :) :)
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x
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No props, no spats. Are you OK, Brian? Still, "ill" or not, you've made a good looking plane!
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Good looking but quite unique entry, here. Beautiful job and backstory.
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Just superb.
only 12 more months before I can tuck into a real Full English in England as well
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Ok, I really think you've managed to out-do yourself on this one! An old POS Box Scale kit reworked into a thing of insane beauty! Astounding!
;D
Alvis 3.1
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:)
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Great model and story! :)
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Yes and no one's ever adequately explained why you need a nuke to guard the royal horses either have they? ;)
Nice one Brian! ;D
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Oh Brian - that is great!! I did laugh...!!
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GOOD!!! :) :) :) :) :)