F89 Scorpion

this one is for fun........im sharing even though im building it for a GB on another forum.......theme is 'What if' so imagination can run wild



F89 was a bomber interceptor from the 50's to late 60's and was used only by the USAF



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_F-89_Scorpion



plan is what if it was a bit better than it really was?..........what if other NATO countries bought it?.....after all surely they would have had a need to intercept Soviet bomber?



going to replace the various missiles in the kit (Falcons, Mighty Mouse and Genies) with Sidewinders which is timeline correct as they did replace the under performing Falcons, grey/green camo and either Belgian or Dutch markings

kits is an old one by Revell that i aquired with no instructions or decals

I never heard of it! The box art makes it look a trifle silly. The early jets never got the publicity they deserved as progress toward today's fighters. Thanx for bringing something very different to the site!

Interesting concept, and not improbable. The USA did sell interceptors to Europe such as the F-86K Sabre, and the Swedes used the Falcon AAM, and built it under licence.
From what I've read, the Falcon was OK against bombers, which it was designed for. Far less successful against fighters over Vietnam. Both tactics and maintenance played a role there.
Back OT, I like the 'never were' concepts. Like an Australian F-104 and TSR 2.

Early F-89s did have structural issues.

Cool looking early design jet.

A beautiful and unique fighter, it puts me in mind of concept art or something from Tom Swift. Looking forward to watching this develop.

bit of progress

Nice start. The silhouette is very evocative - you definitely get a feel for the era just by the lines.

this is one weird looking plane........chunky fuselage, spindly tail and big flat straight wings

ready for a shot of primer, see what it looks like before i start painting

what makes it so odd looking i think is the cockpit location and the looooong nose very neat subject though im not an aircraft guy per se but im following along with great interest . nice start

Coming along nicely.

Interesting history as the only aircraft to test fire a live nuclear air-to-air missile. The 1.5kt "Genie" rocket was designed to take out Russian bombers from afar. And, as a selling point, for use over 20,000 feet, it was deemed perfectly safe for civilians on the ground. How nice.

the mighty mouse missiles wernt much safer lol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Palmdale

Nice progress and I see what you mean about the overall look of the jet. Some oddly out-of-proportion looking sections, like it was Frankenstein'd using parts from different scale aircraft models. Looking forward to the development.

Interesting subject Paul, hope the decals go on well.

The Battle of Palmdale sounds like a Monty Python episode. LOL

with the wing tip tanks on this really is quite a big aircraft!

camo on, next is some clearcoat ready for decals

Looking brilliant

Man, it looks strange! The early jets were a "work-in-transition!" Thanx for one of the omitted aircraft from most books.

its going dutch.....next step is some matt coat then final assembly.....keeping it simple, need it off the bench asap ready for next project

I think that looks great Paul, a proper belter.

Very nice looking fighter! So very retro and unique in its style.

and finished
more pics in the finished thread