Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: The Big Gimper on November 01, 2014, 04:45:49 AM

Title: 1/72 USAAF Bell F-18A Bullet
Post by: The Big Gimper on November 01, 2014, 04:45:49 AM

Here is the Bell F-18A Bullet. A very high speed photo reconnaissance aircraft used over Japan in late 1945.  It was dropped from a B-29 mothership (not shown) and flown at near Mach 1 or beyond Mach 1 speeds depending on the air threat.  The single K-18 camera removed some of the tankage so external drop tanks were used first then dropped before the final run. A small downward looking periscope is located under the cockpit.

A secret airfield was built in China to recover the F-18A.

This is a rescue from the SOD (shelf of doom). I was hoping to finish it for the The Snoops, Sensors, Spooks, & Spies etc GB but a leak in the liquid oxygen tank preventing me from finishing it on time. 

(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/CF-101B/Modeling%202014/IMG_1627.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/CF-101B/media/Modeling%202014/IMG_1627.jpg.html)

(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/CF-101B/Modeling%202014/IMG_1633.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/CF-101B/media/Modeling%202014/IMG_1633.jpg.html)

(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/CF-101B/Modeling%202014/IMG_1629.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/CF-101B/media/Modeling%202014/IMG_1629.jpg.html)

(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/CF-101B/Modeling%202014/IMG_1625.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/CF-101B/media/Modeling%202014/IMG_1625.jpg.html)

Build notes:
Stock Tamiya X-1. I removed the extra pitot tubes. The drop tanks are from a 1/100 A-6A. Added the periscope bulge. Decals from an after market P-51 sheet.

Title: Re: 1/72 USAAF Bell F-18A Bullet
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on November 01, 2014, 04:57:22 AM

Very nice!  Would have been an interesting camera platform in real life. 

Title: Re: 1/72 USAAF Bell F-18A Bullet
Post by: GTX_Admin on November 01, 2014, 06:18:06 AM

Wow!  Great idea and rendition. :)

Title: Re: 1/72 USAAF Bell F-18A Bullet
Post by: finsrin on November 01, 2014, 09:22:41 AM

Two cool (P-59, X-1) inspired & inspiring builds  8)
Pacific theater 46'
Good kitbashing eye seeing those configurations lurking within the kits.

Title: Re: 1/72 USAAF Bell F-18A Bullet
Post by: uncle les on November 01, 2014, 11:49:18 AM

Nice...  I now know where my 1/72 Tamiya X-1 is heading...  that kit has an extra fuselage in it too...   hmmm...

Title: Re: 1/72 USAAF Bell F-18A Bullet
Post by: Brian da Basher on November 03, 2014, 06:17:25 PM

Sharp as a tack and I really like the color scheme!

Brian da Basher