Aircraft conversion kits questions...

[Jason]

A couple of things hot on my list as of late.....

 

Does anyone know of a conversion kit available to convert a standard F-111A into the Navy prototype F-111B?

 

I’d prefer 1/72 scale, but will settle for ANY scale. Anything that’s available works for me.

 

Also, does anyone make a conversion kit for the fuselage spine/etc. for the MiG-29S Fulcrum C in 1/72 scale?

[Guest GarthKidman]

There *IS* a conversion ... part of the "Nosejob" line of products ... I think it's from Esoteric, but I can't say for sure. I have one at home, and will look for it tonight. However, this is just the nose ... it doesn't include the longer afterburner tailpipes and pointed "beavertail" of the prototype "B"s

 

HOWEVER ... there is a slightly cheaper (iirc) option. Revell's first release of it's old F-111 kit (TFX) included noses for both the "A" and "B" variants. I have a hypothetical "B" at home completed in the lo-viz markings of VF-74 circa 1990. Built it from the Hasegawa "C" (Aussie version - has the longer wings that would have been on the "B") and the old Revell nose (I kept the shorter burner cans and flat beavertail). I'll take and post some pictures of it ... the nose isn't as "pointy" as on the real thing ... but it's close enough.

 

Your best bet is definitely the Revell kit (I have no idea where to get the "nosejob" conversion ... even if it is still in production). Since you are looking for the original release of the kit (circa 1969) you'll have to work through shops that deal with OOP kits. I have the webpage of an EXCELLENT one here in the DC area ... Nostalgic Plastic ( http://www.nostalgicplastic.com ). The owner's name is Chris. I don't think he knows me by name, but just say you were referred to him by a member of NoVA (Northern Virginia) IPMS. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a couple in stock ... and I don't think the kit runs more than $6 or $7. If you call, make sure you tell him that you want the kit for the "B" version short nose - otherwise you may get a kit that has been cannibalized for that part ...

 

Hope this helps!

 

--Garth

 

<font size=1>[Edited by GarthKidman (12 Feb 2002).]

 

[Edited by GarthKidman (12 Feb 2002).]

[Guest GarthKidman]

This page has information on a 1/48 scale conversion for the F-111B

http://f-111.net/models/index.htm#Conversions

 

--Garth

[Guest GarthKidman]

FOUND IT!

http://www.meteorprod.com (Meteor Productions of Springfield, VA) lists the Esoteric F-111B nose conversion (NAFNJ6)for $4.95.

 

Just run a manufacturer search on their website for Esoteric ... or on that item number. You can order via the webpage or by giving them a call (calling them is probably better - they can verbally tell you if it is in stock and when it will be shipped.)

 

Good luck!

 

--Garth

[Jason]

Garth, did you fit the F-111B model you built with Phoenix missiles?

 

I have a pic in a book I got this weekend that shows one of the F-111B prototypes with four Phoenix missiles on the wing pylons.

 

Thanks for the links, I'm definitely going to check them out!

[Guest GarthKidman]

Yup, four of them ... I used the pylons from an F/A-18A that I built "clean" ... they aren't identical to the F-111B pylons (which were a bit longer), but they look closer than the F-111C pylons do.

 

One thing is that the Revell "B" nose requires a bit of sanding (mostly on the sides) to fit right. No biggie ...

 

You know, since I still have the Esoteric "B" nose, I've thought of doing another bird in prototype markings (I have the SuperScale decal sheet with the right markings) ... or as an "F/A-111B" with the center-mounted Pave Tack and Harpoons/GBUs hanging from the wings. I always thought that the F-111B would have been a more than adequate successor to the A-6 ...

 

--Garth

 

Originally posted by Jason:

Garth, did you fit the F-111B model you built with Phoenix missiles?

 

I have a pic in a book I got this weekend that shows one of the F-111B prototypes with four Phoenix missiles on the wing pylons.

 

Thanks for the links, I'm definitely going to check them out!

[Steven P Allen]

Watch eBay: this kind of kit (the early Revell) surfaces all the time.

[Guest GarthKidman]

I've shot and uploaded the pictures of my "F-111B" in 1/72 to the following directory:

http://home.netcom.com/~gkidman/images/models/

 

Hopefully, by going there, you will get a listing of all 7 pictures. Don't have time to gen up thumbnails ...sorry.

 

Pictures are best viewed at a screen res greater than 800x600. Since the F-111 is a short, long plane, the pictures are short ... but longer than the screen in 800x600.

 

--Garth