Hundriver

Several years ago I was lucky enough to view a "static display" of an F-22 at Nellis AFB. I was eager to see what the paint looked like "in real life" since I had seen so many photos where one would look like metallic and the next was "regular" paint. The plane on display that day was under a canopy -in the shade. My overall impression was that it looked as if the plane was sprayed with the 2 different shades of a gray translucent paint that allowed the metallic surface underneath to show through. Again: that was my overall impression. I don't know a better way to describe it.

The Huns that were modified to carry TERs also had a new weapons release system installed to handle the extra weapons. I have photos of Phan Rang Huns with all Mk82s on all 8 stations: 2 TERrs with 3 Mk82s each, and one Mk 82 each on the 2 outboard stations. I also have photos of Huns with one Mk 82 on each of the outboards and 2 BLU-27 napes on each of the 2 TERs. So, a total load of 2 Mk 82s and 4 BLU-27s. I seem to remember my buddy from Phan Rang saying that they never carried 8 BLU-27 napes due to the takeoff weight...or it might have been the lower TER station was located such that a n

I stumbled onto this web site concerning the F-104B and it's canopy/ejection system. Screen cap below has the pertinent info, link is to the actual web page. http://yellowairplane.com/museums/f-104_starfighter_ken_marlatt/Page_8_F104_Ejection_Seats.html

Rob, I am not that familiar with the 104's escape system. So, later models used pneumatic lifters to open the canopy enough for the wind blast to blow the canopy away, huh? The 104 would definitely need something pretty strong to get the canopy away at high Mach. I know the fear with the early seats was that the seat would not clear the T-tail at high speeds, thus the downward-ejecting system. I assume those were simple ballistic seats and not rocket seats.

Hmmm. The absence of pneumatic lifters is not necessarily a determinant. I flew the T-38 for 2200+ hours. Its canopy was completely manual for opening and closing, but it was ballistically removed during the ejection sequence. Having said that, the B seats were still probably downward ejecting.

From the same site: There does appear to be a metal "canopy bow" between the front and rear canopies (red arrows) upon which the aft pilot has left his helmet. I have no idea if there was glass (polycarbonate?) there, too. I doubt it would withstand the air pressures at a high Mach upwards ejection. So, I suspect you are correct in your comment about the canopy configuration being tied to the ejection direction (sounds like a medical issue with men.)

Dang! You are correct. That is the first time I have ever seen an image of the B with its canopies open. That actually only complicates building the B if you want the canopies open. I didn't plan on having them (it) open, but I will certainly not have them open now. Step one remains obtaining the different canopy. I may have to look at butchering the kit canopies. I have two TF-104G kit. I'm wanting to build a B from the TENN AIR GUARD in Knoxville...from the last century. Thanks for helping me clarify the issue...I think. 😉 BTW, someone in the forums was as

Hmmm. I have never seen a photo of an open F-104B canopy, but it sure looks like a single piece when closed. That "brace" across the middle doesn't look very substantial if it is indeed a connection between two pieces. I'll keep looking and contact a fellow who flew the C model. He may know. Thanks, Rob.

Does anyone know of an aftermarket 1/72 scale "long canopy" so a modeler can convert an TF-104G or F-104D to an F-104B? The B had a single long canopy covering both cockpits... kind of like an F-100F. -- Joe

Not sure this is the correct forum. An old kit I need to build to complete a collection is missing the clear parts. Does anyone have the canopy parts for the ESCI 1/72 A-4E that I could trade or purchase? Or, does anyone know where I might find that item? Contact direct: hundriver@earthlink.net TIA

That is correct, and only "slow movers" used them. (That included the A-37) They would not hold up to air loads on fast jets.

OUTSTANDING! Thanks so much. That exactly what we need. I told my friend that the warbird guys wouldn't know, but I bet modelers could help. I was right. Thanks again.

I am trying to help some friends restore a Skyraider (1/1 scale) to its Vietnam state. They need markings for the SUU-14 CBU dispensers and the SUU-11 "mini-gun" pod. If someone has the Zoukei-Mura 1/32nd weapons kit, could they possibly send me a scan of the markings for those two items and the associated part of the instructions? Thanks in advance, -- Joe Vincent IPMS*Memphis hundriver@earthlink.net

Yeah, I saw that one, but there's no way to tell what the size is, and therefore how many I'd need.

Seems that Custom Dioramics made one about 3 years ago, but evidently they have gone belly up. Didn't find any on eBay. Anyone know of a source? -- Joe Vincent IPMS*Memphis