Death from the Skies: New Fighters for the Kingdom of Colores

An undisclosed amount of time ago, the Kingdom of Colores, Bureau of Military Acquisitions, obtained a large supply of abandoned Imperial airframes. These planes were reconstructed to a "zero condition" (like new, zero hours), and upgraded with better avionics, engines, and weapons. For service in the Kingdom of Colores, the plane has been given a new designation, the F/A-86 Bulldog.
Today is the debut of the 141st Strike Fighter Squadron!


The F/A86 is single engine, multi-role fighter. It has transitional capability, meaning it can be deployed from a carrier in space, carry out a mission in atmosphere, and can regain orbit to be recovered by the carrier using it's servo rockets,
It has a mixed reputation among Imperial pilots. It is considered capable of many tasks, but master of none. To the Kingdom of Colores pilots, it is a godsend. A fighter finally at least within the same operational range of capabilities as the major powers.

Below is the basic F/A86A single seat model.

The "I" model is the two seat variant. In addition to the pilot, it carries a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) who operates the sensor mast and other electronic warfare systems. The sensor mast allows the F/A86I to attack both ground and capital ship targets at long range with guided heavy munitions.

Finally, a couple of beauty shots from the 141st's maiden flight...



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So, Robert and I went out an bought the "Death from the Skies" 40k expansion.  As you can see, a couple of  flyers were purchased as well. (He picked up two of the Stormhawk / talon flyers) :)
These conversions are not my idea. I was inspired by the converted ork planes from this post on this blog:


Robert and I will be running an event at Goldmine Games on May28th and revisit the "Bomberz on Da' Sulfur River" scenario, adapted to the new rules!

AIR WAR!

I would like to welcome our new reader:
The Responsible One
Welcome aboard!

Comments

  1. Nicely done! Love the airstrip pic too:lots of lovely kit there!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Preacher,
      I set up a number a vignettes around the airfield and took pics, but in the end , I chose to keep focus on the new planes.

      Maybe Ambassador Sophie should pay visit and go on a tour?

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    2. Definitely! A great excuse to get the toys on the table!

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  2. This is absolutely wonderful!!!! I love what you have done and added to my ideas. It's just awesome man! I like your aerial sensor mast. I don't know if you saw my original entry for that conversion so here is the link http://22ndvrrr.blogspot.com/2013/05/mk-86-attack-sabre.html?m=0

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    Replies
    1. Hi Chris,
      I hadn't seen that original post, thanks for the link. I laughed when I realized we both made the "Sabre 86" designation.
      I came up with the "sensor mast" idea as a way to "40K" the model. I mean, it is something that at first glance is "high tech", but in the real world better and more advanced solutions already exist, and the mast is not really a viable choice.
      ...but "it looks cool" trumps all that reality :)

      Thanks for the compliments!

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  3. That is a great idea! I never thought of picking those kits up for conversion work. Great job.

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    1. They would fit nicely into your recent Korean War hobby postings. The kits themselves seem to split the difference between the MiG's and Sabres of the period.

      Thanks

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    2. How involved was the "de-Orking" of the jets?

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    3. The sanding off of the spikes on the nose scoop is really the only mandatory hard thing. There are some primitive looking plates on the leading edge on the tail and the rear wings, but on one plane I sanded them off and did not on the other. It doesn't make that much of a visual impact either way.

      The 2 seater was a pain because the rear seat is supposed to be a tail gunner. The back of the canopy is open, so you have to fabricate a rear glass pane. Plus, the fuselage has a notch in it where the gun would fit. I put the "sensor mast" in it, but trying to create a flat surface with no gap to the rear canopy would be difficult.

      So to sum up... Single seater, very easy. Two seater, more challenging.

      Will

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  4. Great set up there Will looks ace & talking of ace's maybe some pilot's will reach that standard :-)

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    Replies
    1. More likely my son's Stormhawks...
      You'll being seeing those soon!

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  5. They look really cool, good job.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks T.J.
      Hopefully, we'll square off in the skies over Goldmine soon!

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    2. That sounds like it will fun!!!

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  6. Excellent work on these. I have often thought about buying one and "de-orking" it... maybe some day.

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    Replies
    1. The most difficult part is sanding the spikes off the front air scoop. The two seater requires some sort of filler (I put the sensor mast there) for where the tailgun sits, as well as a pane of glass for the rear of the cockpit. Plastic from a blister pack works just fine.

      The rest of the conversion is very easy.

      Will

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  7. Everybody has stated it, but I can only join to the applause, very clever and unexpected use of the kits and an lovely result! Top notch!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Suber!
      I still laugh everytime I think of the phrase: "No Suberlings were deprived of food during this experiment."

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  8. Great conversion! I have 3 Ork fliers in my basement waiting for the same treatment!

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    Replies
    1. Great, can't wait to see them
      May we meet in the skies!

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