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Post by Diamondback on Dec 6, 2011 14:18:00 GMT 9
Well, I'm planning a build on a 318th Six, and need some advice.
First, how do I find out if a particular Dart got the "Six Shooter" package with the M61A1?
Second, what all detail parts out there are worth acquiring? I want to pull out all the stops on this--manual dexterity won't let me get it Museum Quality, but I want to get as close as I can.
I know that one of my earliest moves should be to get out to McChord Air Museum ASAP and also see about pinging Sixfixer, but I'm trying to "pick the low-hanging fruit first".
Thanks in advance, gents! (And ladies, not to leave anyone out.)
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Post by Mark O on Dec 6, 2011 14:37:26 GMT 9
Well, I'm planning a build on a 318th Six, and need some advice. First, how do I find out if a particular Dart got the "Six Shooter" package with the M61A1? Second, what all detail parts out there are worth acquiring? I want to pull out all the stops on this--manual dexterity won't let me get it Museum Quality, but I want to get as close as I can. I know that one of my earliest moves should be to get out to McChord Air Museum ASAP and also see about pinging Sixfixer, but I'm trying to "pick the low-hanging fruit first". Thanks in advance, gents! (And ladies, not to leave anyone out.) Low-hanging fruit? Hmmm... Okay, for the first question. To the best of my research the only F-106s to carry the guns were those with the "vertical", or "tape" instruments so that narrows it down a bit. Do you have a particular tail number in mind? Just make sure it was either built as, or modified as a vertical-tape equipped aircraft, and I believe all 318th FIS Sixes fit that bill. Just because no photo exists of a particular tail number with the gun does not mean it never carried it. The gun pack was removable. Additionally, F-106Bs were not modified to carrying the gun so don't try to build a B-model, and get creative. As you indicate that your plan is to to build an operational aircraft, certainly, do not build it with the old-style "framed" canopy. As you can see by the video below, only the test aircraft had the framed canopy. Second, the only 1/48 scale gun I've ever found for sale is from Roll Models. The part is(was) made my Missing Link Models. Roll Models still has it listed on their site, but do not direct link to it, so I suggest e-mailing or calling them to find out what the deal is. I really don't know if they are even still making that part. Essentially it's just a resin piece of the external assembly. You have to assemble the model with the weapon bay closed, glue the part on that, and rescribe the bay doors for an accurate build. Search "F-106" here to find Roll Models listing... www.rollmodels.com/A good photo of the external assembly...  A Convair video on the gun... I trust you have read this page here on Pat's World (many people miss the home page links), but I'll post it again for others that may be interested. www.f-106deltadart.com/weapons_20mm_cannon.htmGood luck, and be sure to take pictures of your work in progress -- and the completed model -- to keep us updated. Mark P.S. Ernest White ("Sixfixer") is a man I know to be of very high integrity and honor. Although I dare to speak for him, if you need to contact him for information I'm sure he would be happy to help. |
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Post by Jim on Dec 7, 2011 1:44:28 GMT 9
Mark, your photo shows the bottom of a gun equipped a/c. Don't believe that all bubble canopy a/c were gun equipped......
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Post by Mark O on Dec 7, 2011 6:28:15 GMT 9
Mark, your photo shows the bottom of a gun equipped a/c. Don't believe that all bubble canopy a/c were gun equipped...... Yes, they were actually two separate TCTOs as I understand it, but ran pretty much concurrently. One for the gun, and one for the canopy. Eventually, all the aircraft got the canopy, but the "round eye" gauge equipped aircraft never got the gun, so you're correct. Since the gun pack was removable, not all the aircraft carried the gun all the time, or vice-versa. The point is the vertical-tape instrument equipped A-models were capable of being equipped with the gun. |
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Post by Mark O on Dec 7, 2011 12:06:41 GMT 9
318th Sixes with guns installed...  Took me a day to find one of these! :teacher |
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Dec 7, 2011 12:33:51 GMT 9
That must be one of Gene's photos.
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Post by Mark O on Dec 8, 2011 11:39:13 GMT 9
Here is a thread on the gun we all discussed a couple months ago. forum.f-106deltadart.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=2756&page=1#24167(This link will open to the last post, so scroll up to read the entire thread.) Good info here, and some more pictures. What I had forgotten was the door issue. It is discussed here. The point is that the doors had to be changed out as part of the installation of the gun. That probably made it more likely that gun-equipped aircraft stayed that way to reduce maintenance. Mark |
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Post by Gene on Dec 8, 2011 12:48:14 GMT 9
That must be one of Gene's photos. i don't think so... i think there was another guy up there a few years sooner... because of that poster shot...  |
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Post by Diamondback on Dec 11, 2011 18:08:28 GMT 9
Thanks guys--bird in question is 56-0454.
I'm already planning on going with the Scale Aircraft Conversions gear for extra durability (I'd prefer cast steel, but even white-metal can be tougher than plastic). Eduard, all I'm finding is painting masks, though the Quickboost pitot is under consideration.
Base kit is in hand, but I'm waiting to do anything beyond pre-painting some of the details until I know exactly what's staying and what's being replaced--as for 'What-Iffing a gunned B,' that's not in the cards, my WhIF Box is already full between a four-engined, Pave Low-ized Super Stallion upgrade and an even-more-improved (think engines from two JSF's stuffed up its backside and hardpoints uprated for Harpoons, Slams or AGM-130s) Attack Super F-14 slingload for it. LOL
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Post by Diamondback on Dec 19, 2011 9:17:47 GMT 9
OK, stupid question... are the intake interiors ADC Gray all the way back to the engine, or is there a transition to another color in there somewhere? If it helps to know, this is a late-'70s build.
Guess I shoulda held off on preassembling the intakes... there will be pix once major construction commences, but I'm not even going to THINK about that until I've surveyed what all detail parts are available and/or needed, and have the parts selected for the project in-hand.
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Post by lindel on Dec 19, 2011 9:34:47 GMT 9
As I recall, the first 4 or 5 inches (inside and out) were unpainted, and then gray back to the engine. I could very well be wrong, as I didn't see that part of the a/c all that often.
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Post by Mark O on Dec 19, 2011 10:01:47 GMT 9
OK, stupid question... are the intake interiors ADC Gray all the way back to the engine, or is there a transition to another color in there somewhere? If it helps to know, this is a late-'70s build. Behind the visible splitter plate it was white. There are plenty of pics where you can see this if you go to the squadron pages (via the home page), or to Erv Smalley's pages via the links. Mark I just found this photo that will probably help. www.cybermodeler.net/aircraft/f-106/images/frouch_f-106_19.jpg |
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Post by LBer1568 on Dec 19, 2011 13:11:23 GMT 9
As I remember it, the variramp area was the same light gray as rest of mainframe. I don't remember any white paint on six except for lettering.
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Post by Diamondback on Dec 19, 2011 16:46:54 GMT 9
Mark, that photo killed the problem--too bad there aren't any panel lines on the inner intake to guide painting the lip. Thanks! We should also caution that the McMinnville Six is very inaccurately painted... when I was down there last, the USAF lettering was neither regulation font nor color, like they had just run huge peel-n-stick vinyl down the side.
Man, I frickin' hate Gloss White... I can never get an even, opaque coat no matter what, and the stuff gives me psychotic episodes just trying.
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Post by lindel on Dec 19, 2011 20:09:27 GMT 9
Try cutting the white gloss with the tinyest bit of flat clear. That might take the edge off somewhat, and give you a matte style gloss.
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Post by Jim on Dec 20, 2011 0:51:08 GMT 9
Looking at all photos I can find and remembering replacing 2 variramps due to hail damage in flight, they were gray (1960).... Not having the t.o that covered aircraft painting and marking (it was in the old 00 series as well as a specific 106 t.o.) If any are painted white they weren't painted as original.... Other than some markings for placards, white wasn't used as paint on the plane.............................
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Post by Mark O on Dec 20, 2011 1:15:27 GMT 9
So the vari-ramps were gray, but was the intake white? That's how I've seen them, but you know best!
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Dec 20, 2011 2:31:19 GMT 9
I agree with Jim.
I spent a lot of time inside the fuselage during phase inspections, with the engine removed, and inspecting the intakes for cracks and loose rivets.
The only color I remember in the intakes was the same color the rest of the bird was painted.
The entire intake was painted gray, aft of the unpainted lip.
I can't remember, was the lip stainless steel, or some special type of aluminum?
I suppose the paint had something to do with smooth airflow in to the engine.
I do remember LC Chandler, our DCM, returning from a test flight and asking me to take a close look at the intakes, as he had been going pretty fast.
There was a bit of discoloration, but no blisters or peeling. It would get repainted on the next trip to McClellan, which was not scheduled until after I left Minot.
That was on B-model 901.
For some aerodynamic reason, the B was capable of greater speed than the A.
Jim Too
:god_bless_usa
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Post by lindel on Dec 20, 2011 2:47:49 GMT 9
I think it was just unpainted aluminum, not any more special than the rest of the aircraft...but we all know it was very special!
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Post by Jim on Dec 20, 2011 4:08:19 GMT 9
I think it was just unpainted aluminum, not any more special than the rest of the aircraft...but we all know it was very special! Man more than 50 years ago- the unpainted intake lip is either stainless or titainium, believe latter because leading edge of intake would get hot, like the unpainted section on the boat tail........... Jim |
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