gewhitefixing

Pictures of a very old kit, never published before. The idea behind this Valkyrie-derivate was to build a non-transformable jet fighter from the base kit, e. g. a prototype. The basis for this kit was a VF-1D trainer, and it underwent subtle changes that separate this simple jet airplane from its more glamorous sisters. hence it also received a new name, 'Fylgja', a supernatural being or creature from Norse mythology like the Valkyrie which accompanies a person in connection to their fate or fortune.

Main changes include the omittance of the Battroid head under the cockpit, the respective space was closed and flushly integrated into the bodywork. Additionally, the former legs are now integrated part of the hull, the seams of the original joints were covered with putty, too. Consequently, the arms under the hull are gone, and instead the airplane's body was elongated into an aerodynamic-friendly rear end cone (inspired by the similar Su-27 tail).

The main engines were also changed - the vector thrust "feet" of a Valkyrie are gone. Instead traditional engine exhausts (from a 1:144 scale F-15) were implanted. With this lack of manoeuverabilty, two extra rudders were placed at the legs' sides (they come from a crashed transfoambel 1:100 scale Valkyrie kit), almost on the same level as the VG wings which were retained in full function.

For painting I went for a low-viz livery, which was all the rage when I built this conversion (late 80ies, I think). Most of the markings come from an Italieri OA-4M Skyhawk and a OV-10D Bronco from Airfix, Macross insignia were left away.
The edgy camouflage scheme (officially "rectilinear disruptive camouflage") was inspired by a hazy picture of one of the six F-14's which were (together with F-15s in a similar scheme) designed by artist Keith Ferris (who invented the false canopy painting!) and evaluated by the USAF and US Navy in 1977. I suppose this scheme was mainly designed to break up the airplane's outlines both in the air and also on the ground (works great against the concrete runway!), and to simply confuse enemies in air combat.

The colors on the kit were guessed from the picrture. I think I used FS 36375 (Ghost Grey), FS 36320 (Compass Grey) and FS 35237 (Blue Grey). You hardly see differences, but they match up well with the grey markings. Today I know that the Ferris scheme had more contrast (correct FS tones are 36118, 36231 and 36440, F-16 colors, plus a false canopy underneath).

Anyway, this kit is still in the official collection, even though I never could figure out what it actually could be - my final idea was/is that it could be an advanced trainer with supersonic capabilities for Valkyrie cadets, hence its fictional designation "TF-1D" and the new Flygja name.

Recordaba la famosa conversion de San Pablo. Me pregunto hasta que punto una fe se puede 'transmutar'.

Yo mientras tanto... ?seguire con mi agnosticismo!