Things come together with primer 
.
And some color on the pod racer parts…
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The main part of the pod racer.
And i try to fix the engines at the wires today, that is not very easy to get it durable…
Overview of the Diorama.
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Nice choice! 
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@ Gerrit (killnoizer).
That’s really cool! Love the dunes effect! 
—mike 
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Aloha Gerrit,
That pod racer is most excellent. I love the retro aspect.
-Zon
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I might do this little thing from AZ Models.
I was thinking of creating a separate build log in the aircraft forums, but it might be more at home here. I’ve got two of these plus the more recent reissue by KP in its real experimental markings.
Quite a simple kit, all on the one sprue plus a canopy. Moulding is a bit rough in spots, but nothing I can’t fix.
Fictional markings are given for three aircraft from No.1, 20 and 74 Squadron. Here’s where the problem does lie, as 1 and 20 Squadrons were operating Hunters in the Fighter Bomber role at this time in history (I believe 20 Sqn were in the Far East?) and it’s highly unlikely they would’ve switched to interception. I think a Lightning squadron to be far more likely. I like idea of a 74 Sqn aircraft, but thinking silver with a black tail and tiger stripe bars either side of the nose roundel. I’m not keen on calling it ‘Rocketeer’ either, sounds a little too American for a British aircraft. I’ll think of something.
Now, the reality is that the SR.53 was built to test the hybrid jet/rocket system on the proposed SR.177 interceptor which was eventually cancelled. So the idea here is that a cash strapped MoD ordered the thing into production as a cheap alternative to the Lightning. Despite the obvious shortfalls of no radar, poor range and unreliability of the rocket engine. Some politician would’ve come to the conclusion that such things can be worked out in service, thought no more of it and left the RAF to get on with it.
Once I have a couple of other projects a bit further along I’ll make a start. I’m also going to scrounge my spare decals for more appropriate decals. I’m bound to have something. I also want to replace the rather crude Firestreak missiles and ejection seat.
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Interesting kit, Stephen! Nice background - and entirely plausible politicians might come up with just such a senario.
Looking forward to see what color scheme and markings you decide on. 
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It’s plausible I think. The SR.53 did begin life on the drawing board as a point defence interceptor like the Me163. Then they decided to scale it up to the radar equipped SR.177, which was cancelled while it was still on paper. I need to dig out my copy of ‘British Secret Projects’ which does talk about it all, going from memory here! While it was controversial, I can fully understand the reasons behind the ‘57 Defence White paper that cancelled so many projects. There were simply too many competing designs that the government was footing the bill for.
I’ll do this one as is out of the box except for the little improvements. And the second (if I have time) I might tinker with it to show a later and modernised aircraft in the late 70’s or 80’s. Much like the Lightning, I imagine it sticking around far longer than it should have been. Thinking wingtip Sidewinders, drop tanks and IFR probe to increase range and a new radar equipped nose.
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Found a Trumpeter Lightning in my stash today. There’s markings for a 56Sqn aircraft that will look good on it. That’s the finish solved.
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That’s turned out really nice. 4 jets, bet that gunner can really feel the wind in his face!
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Beautiful job on the me262 tredeler, Gerrit! Great concept and beautifully executed!
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Thank you,
, that was way more difficult than it looks. There is not much space at the fuselage to get the wings on, and i dicided at one point to use only the engines to connect the three wings…
The fuselage is strong modified to get the lower wings on it, there is a gullwing design in the wing at the down Position and on and on, it is worth its own documentation!
Also every wing must be painted before getting them glued together, the spare room between is to small for later paint jobs 
.
The figure at the gunner station is also heavy modified with every arm at that position.
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Hi everyone!
I just received my MBT-70 in the mail with some goodies alongside it, I’ve been waiting for quite some time for this kit and I’ve honestly been ecstatic to finally work on it
I’ll look around for some more AM that I could use for this project but other than what’s included in the photo I’ve got spares from a Tamiya M60A1 with ERA, three academy M113 sprues, and funnily enough some dollar tree toys that I got to use as spare plastic/donors to add onto this build.
I’ll post a much more detailed explanation of this build and details on the modifications that this kit will undergo in it’s own respective forum thread here, but as a short run down I’m planning to make the turret cast and im planning to add ERA onto it so far, the kit seems all fine but I do know it’s got it’s shortcomings and inaccuracies but that shouldn’t be much of an issue due to this being fictional.
Thank you for reading!
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It sounds a very interesting idea, I am looking for the build photos!
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I am participating in two campaigns this year and as the Austin Armored Car (in the “1916 campaign”) is now black primed and I need to wait for the weekend to start painting, I continued with the Revell Star Wars Speeder Bike.
Well, the kit is more like a toy rather than a proper scale model but as it is a very interesting subject and I am willing to scratchbuild extra details, I will surely spend many hours fiddling with the engine piping, scribing some panel lines and sanding off unnecessary details.
There are too many areas for improvement.
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@LiterallyHorrigon , welcome onboard! It sounds like a great idea. Looking forward to follow your build and see the final result.
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