BAe Systems Meteor ER.UAV

[Daryl J.]

Since the need for intelligence is great, since the world economy is bad, since bean counters now call the shots, BAe Systems have re introduced the Meteor into active duty service with new build airframes and revised engines. Aircraft development costs were minimized, electronics by and large already exist again reducing the cost, and the video game generation is well old enough to serve in the military thinking driving a joystick is 'cool'.

Or in plain English, Tamiya kits go up better in my hands as a 'wet build'. In other words, building the entire kit before the glue dries anywhere to minimize seams and maximize alignments. That, coupled with the fact I want to practice airbrushing flat white, should produce something nearly ready for paint by the end of this weekend. No cockpit, a simple fairing over that area with ficticious bits'n'barbs to represent antennae, guns removed, and electronic sensors rather than cameras so the nose profile retains its good looks.

If the kit was readily available, inexpensive, and easy to build, the F.8 would have been used as a basis instead, but the F.3 will have to do.

[Edit] Prerequisite photos of sprues taken 15 Feb 09 but not downloaded....got word of a snow storm in the Columbia River Gorge and had to leave immediately. Next: gluing of the parts with no pre painting anywhere.

[Edit, part 2]

Note: The Thunderjet is for another spurious project......

[Edit, part 3. 2March09] Prepainting and epoxy putty preliminary filling done. Gun fairings removed. Rudder modified slightly. Pix at appropriate time.

Daryl J.

Edited March 5, 2009 by Daryl J.