Sabre F-86 Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 This is one of the best what ifs I've ever seen. Well done Alvis 3.1. This one actually looks like someone did some thinking on the aerodynamics involved in doing a real life conversion, and really hits the mark. I'd love to see it sitting beside a Piper PA-48 Enforcer. Sabre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alvis 3.1 Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 The actual inspiration for this is unfortunately lost in the mists of time. The first attempt was likely 20 years ago, when I used a Matchbox P-38 and an old Hasegawa T-33 to start building it, but the nacelles defied me. About 4 or 5 years ago, I revisited the concept, tossed the old kit and began fresh with the Monogram 1/48th kit. I like it as the wing dihedral is molded right in, so there's little chance of me pooching it up in assembly. This one is outside my usual thought process for What-Ifs. I tend to think of a punchline first, then build the model to match, but in this case, it was the idea of a Turboprop Lightning first, then justifying how and why afterwards. Losing the contrarotating props and adding tiptanks would have in most probability overwhelmed the original tail surfaces, but more importantly, I also needed to radically change some of the main features of the original P-38. Engines, nose, canopy, wingtips, all that was left was the original tail, so it too had to go. Originally, I tried a P-51D tail with fillet, but it is actually pretty much the same area as a P-38 tail, so I then looked elsewhere...and an Italeri C-119 lost its' tails. ANyone have any ideas what I can do with a tail-less Boxcar? Alvis 3.1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne S Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 elsewhere...and an Italeri C-119 lost its' tails. ANyone have any ideas what I can do with a tail-less Boxcar?Alvis 3.1 Put P-38 tails on it? I actually like your A-38C would look at home in Nam or even today as a CAS/FAC bird. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Philp Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Love the build. The Lightning is one of my favorites and seeing it modernized is just icing on the cake. As for the tail less Boxcar, sounds like the good basis for a cargo helicopter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Rat Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Astounding, but I don't think the proper words to describe it have yet been invented! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 <...> ANyone have any ideas what I can do with a tail-less Boxcar? Stick some truck wheels on it! Flying Boxcar sans the "Flying" bit. :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alvis 3.1 Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I'd put railway wheels on it and call it a Boxcar Boxcar, except I really don't like making railway stuff. Hmm..maybe a really big bus? Yeah, that's the ticket! Thanks guys! Alvis 3.1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne S Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Astounding, but I don't think the proper words to describe it have yet been invented! "Supercalifragilisticaircraftalidocious" Now it is invented. <_< Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G_Marcat_Italy Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I'm a whatif builder attracted from the modern era jets but the A-38C from ALVIS is a model that I would do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DDC Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Super cool! That is a mean looking bit of kit! I love it, Well done! Denzil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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