P-38 AWACS 1/72

[Tophe]

Apart of finishing my 1/32 Lightning, I was considering (for years) to what-if somehow my very old 1/72 Lightning (built 1977?), not even standing because of a too light nose. But I delayed that again and again.
Then I found, in my spare box, a surpringly big round part (radar of the Rutan Proteus Unicraft 1/72 resin http://www.unicraft.biz/on/proteus/proteus.htm ). My project now is to install it under the nose, to get a weight balance.
And I will discard the nose guns, and the roundels somehow, I will see.

[Tophe]

I have considered 3 versions, and I drew them for my what-if P-38 huge site http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/#Sit .
I will choose the left one, to provide the model with the balance it needs for a few decades...

[Caveman]

I think the area cut out by the twin boom arrangement is just crying out to be filled by a second and or third crew man position and the dome (though it will take more plastic. Ill try and sketch something out.

Edit: So, taken out the guns and stretched the crew section, added a third fin to support the dish at the rear and I guess one at the rear of the crew nacelle.

[JoeP]

Homina homina homina.
Say WHAAAAT?!?

[Tophe]

Caveman, this great project is far above my plastic skills, but as a drawing, your creation is marvellous, thanks!
(I may draw it as slanting view in some future, maybe)

[Devilfish]

Where do the klystrons and electronics go?

[Caveman]

hmm... maybe i should have extended the nose and put heavy gear in there to offset the weight...

hell you may as well start with one of these

[Tophe]

So... here are the Caveman Aircraft Co models CAC-38, CAC-48 and CAC-58... Thanks!

[Taiidantomcat]

I really like this idea! 

[Brian da Basher]

A P-38 AWACS?!! Absolutely inspired, mon ami!
 
Brian da Basher
(bowing to your genius)

[Caveman]

Wow, im honoured.

I won a Tophe

 
(that was supposed to be a pun on trophy... you can all laugh now)

[Tophe]

Painting and gluing is done, now standing on the nose wheel. The whole result, even what-if-modified, is still a child toy (with unpainted frames of the canopy, …). I will not improve it further though, just modifying the roundels.

[Tophe]

Final picture:

[NARSES2]