1/72 A&A Models Northrop F-15 Reporter (aka photo-recon P-61 Black Widow)

Gnomey · Jul 15, 2024

Looks good so far!

Gnomey · Jul 15, 2024

Nicely done so far!

MACHIA · Jul 16, 2024

Who came first? Northrop or Hughes? Very similar designs.

TbirdsRGo · Jul 17, 2024

Main body is together. Started adding navigator station details. There's a lot more that can be added.
The navigator's driftmeter is a pretty odd shape and hard to replicate. I modified a B-24 Norden bombsight which has a similar bulge to it. Kind of similar.

Wurger · Jul 17, 2024

TbirdsRGo · Jul 17, 2024

These pictures will give you an idea of what it will look like when completed.
Cowlings, nose and canopy aren't glued on yet.
But it is definitely going to look like a Reporter!
I'm pretty happy with the A&A Models F-15 Reporter model. No major or difficult issues, just some relatively minor things that needed fixing. Well within the capabilities of an experienced modeler.
As usual, it took a bit of digging to tease out the differences between the various aircraft, so I've tried to document that here.

Wurger · Jul 17, 2024

TbirdsRGo · Jul 17, 2024

In response to the previous question, the Northrop XF-15 first flew 03 July 1945.
The Hughes XF-11 first flew two years later on 07 July 1947. That was the flight that nearly killed Howard Hughes.
The XF-15, being based on a production aircraft, was designed and built very quickly. The XF-11 was a much more unconventional design.
I don't know how their capabilities compared, but that would be an interesting question to research a bit.

I started working on the Anigrand 1/72 XF-11 resin model a few years ago. Set it aside because the cockpit needs an awful lot of work. The rest of the kit is pretty straightforward except that the engine cowlings and intakes needed to be completely replaced. I made a new master cowling and have cast resin copies for it.

MACHIA · Jul 17, 2024

TbirdsRGo said:
In response to the previous question, the Northrop XF-15 first flew 03 July 1945.
The Hughes XF-11 first flew two years later on 07 July 1947. That was the flight that nearly killed Howard Hughes.
The XF-15, being based on a production aircraft, was designed and built very quickly. The XF-11 was a much more unconventional design.
I don't know how their capabilities compared, but that would be an interesting question to research a bit.

I started working on the Anigrand 1/72 XF-11 resin model a few years ago. Set it aside because the cockpit needs an awful lot of work. The rest of the kit is pretty straightforward except that the engine cowlings and intakes needed to be completely replaced. I made a new master cowling and have cast resin copies for it.

Thank you for the information.
Does your kit depict the XF-11 with contra-rotating props or the 2nd aircraft with conventional propellers?

fubar57 · Jul 17, 2024

Very nice

TbirdsRGo · Jul 18, 2024

I will build my XF-11 as the first aircraft with the contra-rotating props and spinners.
The second aircraft with the 4-bladed props is pretty much the same otherwise except for some of the markings.
I plan to be able to swap the props out even though the markings won't be quite right for the second ship.
The plan is to make detailed castings of the cockpit walls, floors, etc. Not sure if that's ever going to happen, though! Might end up being a one-off.

TbirdsRGo · Jul 19, 2024

XF-15A model is mostly assembled and painted. Darkened a few panels.
The glue joint between the fuselage and camera nose is at a location which is not a major panel line, which is a good thing because it needs to be filled in and smoothed out. The vertical line in front of it, which is more visible on the real aircraft, will be preserved.
The way the front of the nosewheel bay, camera nose, and round access panels line up is not exactly accurate but it isn't too far off. I'm going to leave it as-is and preserve the round access panel scribe lines.
Meanwhile, the P-51D spinners and fat kit props work together pretty well.
Need to start working on the canopy next.
The XF-15 and XF-15A both had all four underwing store pylons, so those have been attached.
The first F-15A did not have the outer pylons when NACA was using it, but at least some other F-15s did. I don't know if they all did.

Wurger · Jul 20, 2024

Gnomey · Jul 22, 2024

Good work so far!

fubar57 · Jul 24, 2024

TbirdsRGo · Jul 24, 2024

XF-15A model build is mostly complete. A few paint touchups left, then decals.
First photo shows the underside including the small fresh air scoop just aft of the nosewheel well. This is only on the starboard side. I believe it is an air intake for the gas-fired cockpit heater. P-61B/C models had a similar intake just aft of the gunner's station.
It also shows the configuration of the lower camera windows. Still need to paint a metal frame between the front two windows (almost forgot!)
Second photo shows the wing tank pylons and the small open gear door. The other doors would normally be closed unless the gear is in the process of cycling.
Third photo shows the navigator's head armor.
Fourth photo shows the head armor from the back and the tubular mounts for it. Also shows the slide rail for the bubble canopy.

TbirdsRGo · Jul 24, 2024

Pictures of near-final build.
Note that the bubble canopy itself does not appear to have any metal framing. It does appear to be attached to the metal around it, just like a Bell XP-83. The canopy and metal surround probably popped up just enough to facilitate sliding the assembly back for opening. I painted the surround a darker color but it is not very visible.
The actual bubble canopy appears to be built from three pieces. There is a very short front section, then another joint just behind the navigator's seat. There are two visible lines, so it was likely a shiplap joint. The XP-51F/G/J canopies were similarly built up from two pieces. I may carve a line into the canopy if I'm feeling lucky! I would hate to mess up the only canopy I have...
Note how awkward it must have been for the pilot to get in and out of his seat. He had to recline the seat and squeeze past that huge windshield. Not ideal for an emergency egress! Then there's the navigator's head armor to clear before encountering the tailplane...
That said, it was an impressive machine.

Wurger · Jul 25, 2024

Gnomey · Jul 25, 2024

Looks good so far!

SaparotRob · Jul 25, 2024

It's looking real good.

1/72 A&A Models Northrop F-15 Reporter (aka photo-recon P-61 Black Widow)

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