Flankerman Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Having been seduced away from my beloved Flankers by the F-89 Scorpion... I have now made three of them.... .... and with two more (F-89B & F-89H) to make, my thoughts have turned to making the very different prototype XF-89. I have a few reference books - but none of them shows the configuration in these two photos : http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WqNTcpKd7wQ/T9FuxV0u0nI/AAAAAAAARW8/0X-_J-Ei6bs/s1600/XF-89+Scorpion+46-678+6.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cuEtm3ZHEE/T9FuwFbKMWI/AAAAAAAARW4/oXGkmdGArzQ/s1600/XF-89+Scorpion+46-678+3.jpg This iteration has a bullet fairing on the tail/fin intersection - and it looks like the rear cockpit is filled with instruments.... What are you guys thoughts on doing a conversion ??? So far I have identified.... Leave off tip tanks Replace 'decelerons' with conventional ailerons (not sure if they look any different?) Make new, shorter nose and add probe Modify cockpit to single-seater?? Remove auxiliary blow-in doors from intakes. Fill in holes left by removal of 'sugar scoop' exhausts Re-shape lower fuselage behind exhausts ??? Do I need to re-shape the engine nacelles ?? Add bullet fairing. Do I need to make a new canopy - or can I use the kit item ??? Source red markings. I would be grateful for any input - anything I have missed ?? Thanks in anticipation... Ken PS - BEWARE THE DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE :woot.gif:/>/> Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LanceB Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 (edited) Hi Ken, Canopy and windscreen were different. Windscreen was not raked back as much as the production version, making the bow higher. Also, the canopy seems to peak at the middle bow, between the two cockpits, then only very slightly taper down before making a much sharper curve down to the spine behind the aft cockpit. On the production aircraft the peak of the canopy seems to be over or just in front of the pilot's seat, and then the canopy more smoothly tapers back and down to the spine. A lot less headroom for both crew, especially the back seater. Engine nacelles will require some rework, mainly on the open ends. Intake was different, and exhaust end looks less tapered to my eye. Have you this pic? I have a larger and clearer version saved to my confuser, but can't find where I dug it out of at the moment. I would love a large, clear version of the fourth pic down the left-hand side from here (parked, taken from port forward). Hard to get shapes from pics of a glossy black jet! Edited June 16, 2014 by LanceB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
X-Plane Fan Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 It's not much, but it's all I have.... Just a typical day at Muroc AAF... Graphics for the markings... Hope that helps, Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 WOW - looks like your typical XB-35 at the front of the typical pack... Just a typical day at Muroc AAF... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 It's not much, but it's all I have.... Hope that helps, Tony Wow !!! thanks a million, Tony - very helpful :worship: This is what I love about ARC - everyone is so helful and giving.... Some great close-ups of the intakes and rear undersides/exhaust area showing the mods needed. The two photos of the prototype with a bullet fairing are interesting - they aren't in any of the publications I have. It also looks like its a single-seater ??? The configuration obviously didn't last very long - but it's one I'd like to do as it is the most different. It looks like I'll have to crash-mould a canopy and source some spoked nosewheels.... .... as well as all the other changes. Thinks..... I wonder if a Matchbox Meteor NF.14 canopy would work ??? Time to sit back and think it through. Thanks to all. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LanceB Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) Thinks..... I wonder if a Matchbox Meteor NF.14 canopy would work ??? Ooh - now that's an interesting thought! I have an F-89 in the stash that I got just to do the XF (and thanks for those pics Tony!), I had initially contemplated an F-15B/D/E canopy, but it isn't flat enough along the top in profile. But the NF.14 - that does look fairly similar to what is needed! As for the bullet fairing, that was probably an unsuccessful attempt to solve the Scorpion's elevator flutter problems, obviously didn't work, though. Edited June 17, 2014 by LanceB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 As for the bullet fairing, that was probably an unsuccessful attempt to solve the Scorpion's elevator flutter problems, obviously didn't work, though. I've just purchased the Aerofax book on the F-89 - and there is a single close-up B&W photo showing the bullet - with the caption..."XF-89, 46-678, empennage assembly close-up: bullet fairing was an experimental effort to smooth air flow and inhibit flutter" Like you say, it obviously didn't work, as they later fitted external, later internal weights. Some good close-ups of the intakes and usable photos of the exhausts - looks like a major rework is needed on the lower fuselage round those exhausts. Should be fun... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Berkut Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 So. Now that basically perfect kit of Flanker has been released (and you have waited like 30 years for that) you are building... not flankers. I am disappointed in you Ken, deeply disappointed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IrishGreek Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 So. Now that basically perfect kit of Flanker has been released (and you have waited like 30 years for that) you are building... not flankers. I am disappointed in you Ken, deeply disappointed. :woot.gif:/> Berkut, you have a way with words... I was kind of thinking the same thing, but also at the same time thinking, "Wow, Ken likes other airplanes????" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 I'm sorry guys - it's just a passing flirtation...... :wub: As soon as a new Flanker kit is released, I'll drop the Scorpion like the floozy she is..... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Berkut Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 I'm sorry guys - it's just a passing flirtation...... :wub:/> As soon as a new Flanker kit is released, I'll drop the Scorpion like the floozy she is..... Ken Better form a production line of Su-35S'... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 Meanwhile..... back at the XF-89. Would you guys agree with me that this photo shows it at one stage being flown with the rear cockpit covered over and filled with test 'gubbins' ??? Help me out here. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IrishGreek Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Looks that way to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 Wish me luck..... I'm going in....... WIP started here Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mig23 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 We have a table you can put those on Ken Cheers, Haydn. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 We have a table you can put those on Ken :whistle:/>/> Cheers, Haydn. I'll bring them with me to Telford - remind me nearer the time. How about the XC-120 Pack Plane - room for that as well??? Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IrishGreek Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Ken, You are a building MACHINE!! I just wish I could finish a 10th of what you do. That is a wonderful job there too. Didn't even hear of that plane before either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.