Hey guys, I was doing some reading this evening, and realized that this year will mark 75 years since the first flight of the Heinkel He 178, the world’s first practical jet aircraft. So I figured this would be a great time to have a group build dedicated to the first few generations of jet aircraft. This will be the first group build I have hosted, so any and all input will be more than welcome. If it gets big enough, I might even need a co-host, as work gets super busy for me at times during the summer. This would probably start March 1st, and run through August 27th, the 75th anniversary of the He 178’s first flight, giving just a few days shy of 6 months to complete. Any AM is fine, as much or as little as you please. Started works would be accepted, but hopefully no more than the cockpit has been finished. Criteria would be any sub-sonic/trans-sonic jet aircraft (not rocket powered) put into service before roughly 1955, in any scale. Doesn’t have to be a fighter aircraft, nor would it necessarily even have to be a military aircraft. That would cover a wide range of planes, anything pre Century series for USAF, and I think pre F4D Skyray for the Navy. Of course, it doesn’t have to be American, as I’m sure well see some Me 262’s and maybe a Meteor (I also hear Airfix makes a really nice Sea Vixon in 1/48. Now that would be way cool!) I think that covers the basics. As the title says, this is just a feeler thread to see if enough interest is out there to get this thing off the ground. I’ll probably give it a green light once I can get 7 or 8 commits. If I think of anything else, I’ll put it on here. Hope to see a lot of you on here!
Yeah I’d be in it. I have a stack of early jets that I really want to get done. I’d commit to one as an indication, possibly early post war use of a German jet.
Cheers
Tony
Great idea for a GB, unfortunately my book is way to full for the next few months for me to commit, or I would be in like a shot. But I do hope this takes off.
One suggestion, you might want to put a feeler in the Aircraft forum.
OK, sounds like fun.
I have a 1/72 Banshee and a 1/48 F-9f that might qualify 
I also have a few commitments on, but I will see what pans out.
Theuns
I am interested. I have plenty of kits that meet the criteria.
Of to a nice start already!
Bish, that’s a great idea; wish I woulda thought of that, I’ll get on that today.
Theuns, those certainly would qualify! I wish someone would step up and make a good F2H in 1/48th, I think the only one out is the Testors, which is a rebox of the OLD Hawk kit.
There is a F2H-3 in the works to be coming out in the near future in 1/48. Kitty Hawk models I think. But not the -2 that saw all the combat action in Korea.
Idk if I’ll get around to it but I have a Tamiya 1:48 Me262A-1a I’ll enter with.
When it comes to jets, the earlier the better, generally. I’ll be watching for sure, POSSIBLY throwing my hat in depending on what I have on the go at the startup date.
Vance I agree 100%. I think some of the prettiest aircraft the US ever had (other than the Mustangs of the 356th FG) were the F-84’s, F-86’s, and especially the F-89’s that were relegated and painted up in the different ANG schemes after their front-line service was up.
Interesting idea, but at the moment I have way too many bipes & tripes in the build que, along with the possibility of a USS Constitution. However, if I find myself needing a break from rigging…
You are a modeling masochist there Ruddratt… All that rigging… Yikes!!!
Well if I Know August 27th is the date of the 1st flight, but I’d be more than willing to push the end date back a month or two to accomadate the guys that have a full plate right now if that will make the difference in this thing being a success or not even getting off the ground. I know I have a Monogram F-80 on the way, I’ve always wanted to build that kit. And I’m going to find the most colorful, eye catching markings to go on it that I can find; this is the late 40’s/early 50’s we’re talking about anyways
Why not kick off the GB on that date?
Aww c’mon stik, ya know, the more rigging the better ((ummmm, I think I need help). [proplr]
That might not be a bad idea. There’s quite a few GB’s running and a couple more starting up soon. By the end of August, some of the aircraft GB’s will be finished leaving room for a new one.
Yeah, I’ve an Academy Korean War F-86 I’d like to build sometime soon but I’m in way too many GBs right now to even consider it. This autumn I might have a little more time to invest.
If thus gets held off til august I’d jump in. Have a few F-84s calling
I’m interested in this. Any limit on the number of planes we can build?
I’m interested… Couldn’t possibly start till late spring(?) but still interested!
Doug