Desertpilot

Thanks everyone! I had a blast building it. Give me a few weeks, I've got another "what-if" in the works...

It would be really cool if someone would update the pilot helmets for the A-10C as well. All A-10C's got the new Scorpion HMD this spring and can be seen flying all over the place. That would be nice to have in resin.

For those of you interested, this is the concept sketches I did for this project: And the back story I cooked up: Development history of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F-2S Viper II: By Desertpilot Late in the year 2010 in the midst of a global depression, Communist China decided that its sovereign islands to the south had overstepped their bounds. In a bid to dominate the conflict as much as possible, the Chinese Navy set out to control the shipping lanes and fishing grounds of the Eastern China Sea. This action was enforced initially by Chinas substantial submarine force, sinking

BACK FROM THE DEAD !!!! First off, the meat of this build took place here in the 2009 Whif Group Build: http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=173057&st=80&gopid=2441832entry2441832 SO, a LOT has changed since I started this build. Needless to say, life happened, a new house, new baby and even more work travel. That being said, I have made some progress on my F-2S Viper II Went with the twin tails, blended the fuselage, started on fleshing out the wings. With the long weekend this week, I'm going to start the "home stretch" on this I think. Have a look:

BACK FROM THE DEAD !!!! First off, could I request that a Mod move this thread out of the 2009 group build? Not sure where it should go. Thanks! SO, a LOT has changed since I started this build. A new house, new baby and even more work travel. That being said, I have made some progress on my F-2S Viper II Went with the twin tails, blended the fuselage, started on fleshing out the wings. With the long weekend this week, I'm going to start the "home stretch" on this I think. Have a look: As always, please discuss and let me know what you think! A resurgent, DP

http://media.photobucket.com/image/f-18%20..._rear_small.jpg

Interesting... where can one purchase Pit Road kits???

I've gotten a LOT done on this bird. Taking a LONG time with my work travel schedule, but it's getting done. Will post some pic's this weekend. DP.

Correct on the Mk16E seat on the F-35. Since this pic was taken, the head-pad has changed and the canopy breakers have gotten larger. Here's a pic of the (not-so) current configuration:

I've got pic's up close of the A model, not the B.

Guys, I'm on vacation this week, I will be hitting this girl tomorrow ALL day!!! Wish me luck! Pic's to follow! DP

JEEEZ that went fast!!! I'm on the road so much, not sure how much I can get done! Will hurry!!! DP

Deino, I've been on travel for work since the second week of March. I'm back on Friday, so I hope to get some work done on this. I was tempted to pic up a couple of Hobby Boss kits for the tail mod's, but I think I'm just going to do the styrene thing and copy the one I have. DP

DUDE. That thing is S&$T HOT!

DUDE, those paddles are SWEEEEEET.

You like that? I left the helmet on the brass rod so I can remove it during the finishing process. I just may finish off the cockpit, install the canopy and tape it for the duration of the build. Will take away the worries of dinging up the pit. As for adding a "beefed up" spine, I am going to add some material under it and fare it forward into the rear of the canopy ala the AFTI F-16. To tell everyone the truth, I was thinking about adding twin Rafale tails to begin with. The single tail just looks a little "off" to me. We'll see...

This is EXCELLENT!!!! I LOVE the "chips" on the X-wing's paint. SERIOUS talent here. Keep it up!

Update: I pulled the trigger this week and got some work done on the Viper II. Installed the mounts for the canards and intake trunks. Also started on the spine and wing root mounts. I still have to fair in the under wing details, but we're getting some where at this point, it's beginning to look like a real fighter. Got the cockpit done, with the pilot & HMD. Some changes: I decided to ditch the F-2A tail and built in the tail off of the Heller Rafale prototype with a squared off tip. MUCH better, and sexy I might add... Have a look and let me know what you all think. There

The Chaff / Flare dispensers might get covered, but will be brought to the outer most surface in that area.

You have a point, that and the Rafale set is a bit on the short side. Perhaps Intruder MLG? Perhaps with a reduction in main wheel size it would look better? Either way, I think I'm going with the nose gear off of a Hornet as I do not have the nose gear of the Rafale M. I'm swamped until Friday so this is going to have to brew for a bit... DP

To answer some questions, they (the F-2 and SH) are both 1-48th scale. As for the landing gear, I'm going to use the main gear off of a Rafale I think and put it in the wing roots ala Gripen NG. Thoughts? DP

I don't know about the Bronco line, but I saw a pair of EMB-314 Super Tucano's flying out of NAS Fallon last month with USMC serials on them. Interesting and sexy all at the same time. Too bad no one makes a 1-48 Tucano....

Alright, got some work done on this beast tonight. Have a look: And the intakes!!! Other side: I've figured out how the Milliput works and am having fun with it. More to follow!!! DP out!

Thanks all, didn't realize I'd stir up this much interest. From the guys at Pax & China Lake that I've spoken with, the Rhino IRST will be used in conjunction with the JHMCS helmet (IRST will detect & cue the pilot / WSO) and will aid in beyond visual IFF & spotting. As for use past the merge, it's limited according to the crews I spoke with. Back to the original question, does anyone have any photos of this thing yet??? Thanks again, DP

Sorry guys, got called away to Dayton on a last minute trip. Hopefully a swing by the AF Museum will juice up the creativity a notch when I get home tomorrow night... DP