Airfix 1/48 TSR-2 'What If'

[Guest]

Well, no sooner was the Lanc finished, than the next one in the queue takes its place! Here we have the Airfix 1/48 TSR-2, which I am going to do as a 'what if'. My old squadron was 41 Squadron, a Jaguar tactical recce unit. 41 swapped its Phantoms for Jags in 1977, but what if TSR-2 had gone into service? Likelihood is the Jag would never have been bought, so 41 may well have got the TSR-2. So, that's where I'm going with this. From the box, it's large but uncomplicated:

[ATTACH]19852.vB[/ATTACH]

To turn it from the Prototype to an in-service aircraft, I have a variety of add-ons:

[ATTACH]19853.vB[/ATTACH]

These are (from CMK) a replacement cockpit; nose wheel bay; engine exhausts; and from Aviation Workshop; recce pod; chaff pod; and in-flight refuelling probe. Still to come are a brass pitot tube, underwing fuel pods and repalcement auxillary intakes. I'm still undecided about an ECM pod and flare dispensers - any ideas?? Looking forward to doing this one...

[ATTACH]27137.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]27138.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

This is going to be good, when it's finished maybe you should send a shot to the MOD and tell them "This is what we should have done!!"

[Ian M]

Oh Im so looking forwards to this one.

Ian M

[Centurion3RTR]

Should be interesting, i like 'what if scenarios'. Going to keep an eye on this one.

Have fun, John

[Guest]

Great idea, always had a soft spot for the TSR2. Often wonder if it would have been as good as people seem to think it would have been.

[Guest]

Would it have been as good? Here's a couple of quotes from test pilot Jimmy Dell:

'The immediate impression was of an exceptionally good handling aircraft'

'It handled and felt like a heavy Lightning, and it was a great temptation to treat it like a fighter and throw it around'

And the telling one:

'As a flying machine, we did indeed have a world-beater in our stable'

I think that covers it!!

[Guest]

Some progress with the CMK cockpit, having found a great selection of walk-round pics on-line:

[ATTACH]19894.vB[/ATTACH]

Cammett Aux intakes and drop tanks arrived today - I think I have more resin parts than there are parts in the actual model!

[ATTACH]27173.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

Nice instrument panel work, I remember seeing a decommissioned TSR2 at Cranfield when I was on a course in 1976, was amazed how large it was and how thin the wings were, unfortunately I didn't have my camera. Looking forward to this one. Cheers Derek

[Guest]

Looking very good. I think there are quite a few of us with one of these in the cupboard and this thread is going to get the enthusiasm going again! I just need more time!!!

[Guest]

Progress - the fuselage is mostly together, including the CMK aux intakes which needed quite a bit of filling to get rid of the gap between them and the engine bulges. The fuselage join wasn't too bad, with only minor filling and sanding to get rid of it. Underwing pylons are for long-range tanks (inners), and chaff pod (port outer), and ECM pod (stbd outer) - when I manage to get hold of one!

[ATTACH]19919.vB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]19920.vB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]27189.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]27190.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Ian M]

Hi Snapper, Anything new on this build?

And it was me that moved it if you had problems finding it again LOL

Ian M