'Ford'
So here's a thing, IMO, the Skyray is one of the most beautiful looking aircraft ever to fly, simple as that.
Ok, so I have two of the still excellent Tamiya 1:48 kits in my stash and I really want to make them look as different as possible to each other, so how to do that ? - well I could simply fold the wings and open the cockpit on one of them, also give it a really unflattering paint scheme and just for the laughs, add a horrid asymmetric loadout, yeah that should do it ! - And this is what I ended-up with.
Almost feel like I should apologise for turning something so pretty into 'Franken-Ford'. Seriously, the build was pretty much trouble free, lots of test fitting of the folded wings and the Hasegawa Tow-Dart as I went just to be sure, the dart still drags on the deck, but apparently that wasn't unusual !. Tamiya lacquer & acrylics throughout topped with the superb Furball Decals 'Fast Fords' sheet (48 002) and a few scratchbuilt details in the cockpit... not too much else to say.
Please feel free to make any comments & criticisms or ask any questions. Cheers from NZ (again).
You certainly described that paint scheme accurately! 🙂
Nice work anyway.
Excellent work. That paint looks great.
I was not aware of this scheme, awesome
Excellent job and a really unusual scheme, Ian!
Beautiful build of a beautiful plane in a beautiful scheme, Ian @ij001
Well done.
Great looking airplane, Ian (@ij001). You are right, I also think this is one of the most elegant airplanes ever to fly. I have always been partial to the utility scheme you used on this model and don't think it is ugly at all. Well done.
This one certainly caught my attention! I'm certain your goal of standing this appart from your next Ford was successful. It looks awesome!
Test pilot Scott Crossfield flew USN F4D's, about which he describes intercept missions flown for NORAD. Crossfield described these missions in his bio "Always Another Dawn".
Your F4D is absolutely beautiful, in the hi-viz paint scheme; perhaps you can do one of the F4D's flown out of NAS North Island by Crossfield.
Love your build & Scheme!
Neil Armstrong also flew the test bed F5A Skylancer...Which is an even more beautiful rendition of the Skyray...IMHO
https://www.seradata.com/neil-armstrong-flew-it-but-whatever-happened-to-the-f-5d-fighter-jet/
Steve
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
This model is not often seen as assembled. Very nice.
Definitely a unique build! Love it!