Stranger in the Strangest of Lands - Day - who actually knows?

"All things -- truly considered" Austin Powers / Heinlein NipTwist

 

most never believe me. That's my last name. "NipTwist.. Nathan Niptwist" 0007.5

  

==========================

 

TorF: Australia's percentageOf people with dyslexia is abnormally high. T or F: as today, immigrants were used . As today.. they were picked

  

DoD InspectorGeneral ‏@DoD_IG · 5h5 hours ago

 

What environment do you think is conducive to #fraud? go.usa.gov/24jW

 

www.dodig.mil/resources/fraud/index.html

  

so.. re: hazedous chems added to water in California - one day.. someone will be having problems and they will be blamed as mental health

 

laws from the past - and due to that the present will be there waiting for them like they have for millions of americans and others

 

mental health laws were enacted while hazardous materials / crimes that ARE known / admitted were not considered though they played a part

 

in being used for justification to alter the laws. WHILE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE CRIMES

 

USA agencies are also being used over seas. the way they function now = this will be used against us and we will be blamed for it as those

 

who got into our laws AND our very DNA will do as they have always done.. let others take the fall as they stand back with STOLEN money and

 

play the hero. it's the same endless loops we can see everywhere. in south Africa and all over Africa.. everywhere.

 

good conservatives were conned too. it does not pay to side with that which is illogical. interesting how smart people can be filled with

 

passions and a desire to do well - yet not see all variables. it's been this way for a very long time even before USA was here.

 

your enemies rooted in the country and did business in your name.. some ways = war crimes. Some like - fall guys and fall gals.

 

reminder-I wonder about people whoCling 2 historical figures. particularly politicians. it's a stage. it's mask city. we don't know whowaswho

 

you can look at the divisions and compare it to a dysfunctional family just as you can the entire world.

 

what's hard about it- or makes it difficult to figure out = usually if politicians don't play by others rules they are at a disadvantage.

 

usa would thrive and do good to get away from cruddy business from overseas by 1> nullifying copyrights and patents of those who do not play

 

nicely. 2> provide ourselves with our own food and meds - and yes WE CAN DO IT. "yes we can can can" do the can can 3> do it right

 

it is unwise .. to do business with those our vets warned us about. Example - it is wrong to do business with those whoUse populationControl

 

as a mask for murder. There are no justifications. ex: china's .. now two child policy.. which is odd because we trust reports of numbers?

 

for one thing.. it goes against national security common sense to reveal numbers in that area just as revealing info about tech and sci

 

or financial numbers.. nothing = accurate. all we are told = not accurate. In some areas of the world bitterness and revenge is kept alive

 

by using conflict. then the right to decide who lives and dies is handed down to said people. example :: who reports holocaust body counts?

 

do YOU go and count the dead bodies? Also-> babies in the womb are never correctly counted. any guess as to why and whose profile fits with

 

this? any guesses at all? I still need to confirm this -> a woman planted evidence at suspected homicide scenes and an officer say her. Now,

 

saw her -- Now, consider this.. how many fbi agents / officers were at the crime scenes and why did only one see it? TorF: she was called to

 

other countries to search for mass graves. It -might- have been at a time when it was easy to locate mass graves with satellites. keep this

 

in mind too-known tactic from the past those who use it didn't teach us in our school books / curriculum = use mass graves to set enemies up

 

when everyone is defensive.. logic is nowhere to be found. As I have seen when it comes to problems between families.

 

not sure about sats / locating mass graves. Ever wonder why we never hear about the fact religions = set up? KEEP IN MIND SAVILE NETWORKS

 

we were not told - what one entertainer mentioned - targeting "fundamentalists and orthodox" . check to see if sinead oconnor once

 

she's not the one who mentioned fundamentalists / traditional religious people in the way mentioned ... check to see if she mentioned infiltration and sabotage

 

not sure if she mentioned that or not. However.. when a group is attacked in such a way it also comes with damage to those not involved.

 

often they = the ones who enabled it. As was the case with jimmy Savile networks and similar as they defined what "cool" is and religious

 

people were pressured into feeling odd about being religious. they felt "uncool". I have seen this so many times it's not funny. so, what we

 

see in USA = in part from all that. As you can prove with data surrounding j sav's radio show broadcast locations and MORE.

 

compare :: how germans were guilted into submission to the point they now accept what their crooked politicians do. compare to how people

 

I mean .. how you can see the same thing in USA. Yet again another tactic we were not taught as to be left unprepared and in the open

 

would it not make sense to warn new arrivals in Europe about said sav nets? Why not do for them what was denied for others.. PROTECT THEIR

 

CHILDREN .. and respect will be increased. obviously. Avoiding what some anticipate and is known as.. what is it. clash of civilizations

 

it pays to learn from those who blazed the trail for desegregation in USA while remembering there were many stepping on toes throughout

 

t or f :: often in conflict resolution scenarios - those responsible for moderating it seek common points of interest to build a bridge

 

prove we are not like that woman with obvious psychological issues from the United Nations who said 500,100 dead Iraqi children = acceptable

 

should remind - I ponder what Simon Wiesenthal did with numbers / debates around them

 

also keep in mind - another tactic we were not shown =to kill citizens during war and blame the enemy. T or F: during operation desert storm

 

soldiers were prescribed a large number of extremely powerful medications - which n o b o d y EVER reacts the same to.

 

t or f :: we still do business with those who do that and more then still believe the primitive CRUD known as culling= a good idea. 2ThisDay

 

t or f :: some were hikding up interest rates as high as %800 as they kinda black mailed military leaders in the battle field by telling

 

them soldiers would not receive vital gear. T or F : this = likely to have been more going on = justifies exploring more.. and also might

 

mean we would be wise to consider the reaction of fans to jimmy Savile crimes. As in.. those we worship, present to take the place and

 

coincide with feelings we have for parents / loved ones... as to take advantage and manipulate. As in - we trust too easily.

 

basically - part of SAV's layered role was to take the place of lost loved ones who were taken during war and after they were TOLD war ended

 

we were and are fed a bunch of lies in order to continue to be used. they took advantage of known psychological reactions including

 

associative disorders / becoming to clingy after loss or during problems.. so on. It fits the profile of pages I can show you from UK in

 

which they constantly work to bring out shallow variables - and destroy families. THEY ARE STILL FOWLLING THE SAME TEMPLATE.

 

and they broadcast in our country as well as others. AND .. SAV NETS = not the only one.

 

I'm rather bored with being a chump.. a fool.. a sucker.. how about you?

 

reminder- not all of Europe is as such. And you can't blame the people just as you can't blame them when law makers decided to help SAV NETS

 

and make it legal for five years olds to get drunk. chit faced. sloshed. You can dissect recent history in Europe and locate all known

 

areas of interest of said and similar.. "people" - step by step. Including inaccurate data pertaining to legalizing drugs. They left out the

 

fact addicts were from a long line of war and lack of correct counseling which I see as intentional based on the level of sophistication

 

in the mental health a r e n a in Europe. Also. you can examine baby furnaces for clues. And those seeking to bring back mobile death squads

 

as to help anyone who wants to kill themselves do just that. Including but not limited to teenagers, and people who suffer with botched

 

plastic surgeries.. which also includes gender reassignment surgery. Then.. if you examine how said do business in other countries it keeps

 

pace with similar tactics as seen elsewhere. and NOT the exclusive trademark / calling card of only one group of a few.

 

culling.. how stupid can we be anyway? obviously any who sees that as a good idea would go about mentioned and then some. Well, my little

 

Dumbarton Park, D.C, petunias. If I keep going at the pace I have been this week.. with too little sleep. I will prob die in about 5 months

 

reminder : confirm what "rif raf" =. And before criticizing Ellen Duh Gene Rez more.. determine if she was referring to the fact Europe and

and others intentionally inbreed Giraffes then feed them to lions in front of zoo-goes and their children.. when she used the term.

 

along with Giraffe.. Rif Raf the giraffe. I still say ellen =a fake kumare' category I have created. kumare' can be anyone.. anything. male

 

or female.Kumare' can be about gender-sexual orientation- politics and obviously religion. Entertainers like russle brand are kumara like

 

as was peter popoff at the time the overly proud atheist "The Amazing Randy" exposed him and others. Please see :: kumare'

 

the documentary.I call it a social experiment. WARM UP YOUR CAR BUFFERS AND .. LET'S GET REEAAADY TOOOOO BEARD CUDDLE!! Maybe Kumare=Kumare

 

I started explaining what kumare' is when I offended someone who works with #USNationalArchives who has that last name. Sorry about that.

 

I was much weirder in the past.. somewhat unnerving. So I understand why he felt as he did.

 

note : I'm willing to discuss issues with Cattle Rustler Russle Branding Brand - if he sends a jet

 

I REFUSE to meet with that smarmy Piers Morgan. smirk.

 

Lee Sheriff? I'll meet her any day. sigh :)

 

then jet on over to Ireland and hang out with Clare Daly. where does Europe get all these amazing women.. though one might be socialist.

 

I live in denial about that. :( I don't care!!

 

sorry flat board but father of Kirk Cameron of the Show Growing Pains. Seinfeld was right.. men's body's = utilitarian

 

you have to admit. Kirk Cameron's father David = interesting. And his eyes = sincere.

 

dude.. putin has a nicer arse than you.. sigh. do some leg work wouldja? even pee wee herman's = with more shape.

 

china's president? a little better than camerons. .not quite a putin Maximus though

 

"what's that lady Vandana.. Queen of Quantum Realm?? I should buy Lee some flowers.. and Ms Daly. if Ms = correct? ;) I sure do hope so.

 

n o no no Lee. Stop being insecure. Some people with all the looks and brains sure are insecure.

 

now would you please stop Lady Vandana.. you are guiding me as to what should say through my earpiece. You know you are always the QUEEN

 

tis a shame but a few cause us all so many problems.. is it not? Well. .we will discuss it over a nice dinner in France tonight.

 

"Charlie's Quantum Hybrid Angles"

 

oopps. .sorry .. Vandana's .. ok ok. she's the boss.

 

no .. david may not tag along. You know how he gets when he drinks.

 

don't get him started as in said state when YMCA starts playing.. he breaks out his construction worker outfit and starts dancing.

 

ohh. the ladies said that's why they want him to go along. tsk tsk ladies.. wink..

 

honestly. .Putin would be a good chip-n-dales dancer.. right? come on. look at him.. he's in better shape than I am.

 

you know.. I thought of way for us to make extra money. We can sell / rent our politicians. Oh..Someone already beat me to it?

 

man dammit! Can I ever win anything?! First China is all kicking my but as they collect tons of sand each day for their odd islands. DAM!!

 

I WILL own ALL sand. now remember, after we evaporate all water there is NO need to worry. It WILL fall back down. I asked FDA if my math

 

was correct and they said.. "math? you don't need no stinking math"

 

now. if you will all please provide a sample of your DNA for the lady I met in the Smithsonian Restroom as she

 

was collecting DNA. She can bring out a face with the smallest amount of that which guides how we are shaped and much more. Delicate matters

 

she has the nicest eyes.. both of them do actually. Now that would be an interesting date .. the three of us.

 

I need2 find out who will beTheBest sand collectors. We can't have halved efforts.. now can we? Everyone has a place. no one=MoreImportant

 

no, she doesn't say "it will oil now. thp thp thp thp. let's chat Clarice."

 

think about the perks of dating that lady... she can be any lady.

 

o0o o0o. .be Britney Spears.. come onnnn. pleeeease . I know Wally; Beaver, Eddy, Whitey and Lumpy messed up the cloning experiment with

 

Britney Spears already.. but that's ok. want to meet her.. "ohhh Britney!! could you please put down your toy, Pee-wee herman- and come here

 

"Chuck Norris is teaching you karate right now? ok then. maybe later."

 

ok,. in all seriousness. I would like to apologize for running around all hectic like from time to time. The sheer amount of data I absorb

 

is mind boggling.. numbing.. depressing.. and I am in dreadful need of a vacation. An eighty hour per week job would be nice and easy.

 

if you want to know how scientists study anxiety.. stress.. come talk to me. I'm their template

 

I'm actually serious.If I don't stop I'm worried I might rip my clothes off& run down the street all. "b-b-b-b-b". so too are the neighbors

 

With notes for social experiment ideas. Please don't hate me because I experiment with social experimenters

 

John McCarthy on Philosophy of AI (Mini Symposium Philosophy of Information)

Published on Jan 7, 2016

 

With social experiment notes / ideas- - the odd parts.

Dec 21 Dec 3002015 2016

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1-Sg5M3Xlw&feature=youtu.be

 

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nathans ladder Retweeted Clare Daly TD

ah. is she referring Caligula who some say owned a shipThat sat mockingly in a closed body of water.. going nowhere?

  

nathans ladder added,

  

Clare Daly TD @ClareDalyTD Kevin Higgins Brilliant Enda poem.The Case for The Re-Election of Caligula’s Piebald Pony. | www.rabble.ie www.rabble.ie/2016/01/07/the-case-for-the-re-election-of-... …

 

"get back here you social experimenter!! we aren't done with you yet!"

 

note - next week I start charging to read my tweets.

 

reminder : the judge ruled I owed no money. Then the state said I did. took my license.. then said I didn't owe. Now says I owe $60. I'm NOT paying!

 

all as someone from Saudi Arabia drove through a state.. was pulled over did not have a license.. AND had a dead baby in the trunk. The man

 

said he was transporting the baby to a funeral. So the officer let him go. AND... someone here illegally is a dam politician in California

 

I'm a bit fed up with the nonsense, to be honest.

 

I could have sued the state and won. however I chose to help by pointing out errors. While not stating I = perfect.

 

and JUST like the man who was mugged in NY while going to a famous music school.. he worked with my father later and improved how components

 

are used on a circuit board which saved the company millions in the long.. and he got NOTHING. Not even so much as a thank your or a watch

 

talk about being mugged for being mugged and brain damaged.

 

some agencies and what have you need to be more appreciative. I deserve land and a house.

 

tell me I wouldn't have been a good lawyer and I'll smirk at ya

 

note : my phone sent texts that were only drafts. what the bleep? I at times write stuff I shouldn't and don't mean then don't send it.

 

seriously, why are all our agencies swamped - bloated and over complicated?

 

note : laugh if you will. FBI --- mugged for being mugged - compare one particular known variable from the past. they won't acknowledge

 

as his name is spread around by those maliciously using him , some will say - what happened to him = has no bearing on present day

 

and yes I did meet someone who later became a programmer for FBI. I watched his house for him once. And his wifes family was mafia. He said

 

the wedding was funny. And no he didn't steal the idea from a movie or anything. only but a few believe me about that and more. shrug.

 

note - not an informant or anything like that. I am simply one person who is interested in genetic rights

 

I took this screen shot from a video that was from UK. I don't know if it was a joke or not. It was about reporting

 

suspicious activity. I gotta tell ya.. you all look kinda suspicious to me. hmmmm

  

nathans ladder Retweeted

  

Pee-wee Herman ‏@peeweeherman · Jan 4

LOOK INTO MY EYES...

 

peewee.com/2015/01/04/world-hypnotism-day-today-world-hyp... …

 

uh oh. I just laughed like Pee wee and Seth Lloyd combined. The more I watch seth Lloyd the more I laugh and dance like him. hmm.. is that a

pony tail growing out of the back of my head?

 

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you know.. you haven't read anything until you study Russian literature.. so I hear. They seem to like tons of different characters and

 

====================================================

 

BACK UP 2 JAN 7 2016

2016 January 7 Nathan's Overflow

  

and note : the quote about a flower not competing and only being a flower is not accurate.

 

note : I understand all countries = with crimes and problems. So on / so forth. Kinda symbiotic if you ask me. feed from good and bad

 

and note : the quote about a flower not competing and only being a flower is not accurate.

 

equations of equipartition of energy = interesting then some if you zoom in a bit.

 

is it competition? maybe I didn't understand the quote

 

I am retiring from politics. Sorry. It's too messed up for me. I'm going back to other stuff.

 

I wish I could do something like this

  

I once met an artist who was allowed to get medical mari g hoowana . that stuff was potent. "He said - it's just shapes mate"When I asked

 

how he did it. I've never been able to draw.I recall a guy from.I believe it was Cambodia who could draw. Brilliantly. Met him in shopClass

 

though I agree with the cancer institute that said mary j = medicine.. I still wonder if those who never tried it understand how potent it

 

is.. and how it was used as a political tool while simultaneously keeping many in the dark about med / food and so on. locate : private

 

prison data. man. .I'm doing it again.

no politics. No more. no. no no.

 

if you agree with dr Michael savage or not - he does make good points.. and often. He is against it. While I stumbled upon a lady who fights

 

against APA / pharmaceutical companies. She = in favor of mushrooms. That. .I am not in favor of. I suppose because I had a bad experience

 

as was my introduction of Prozac -> legally prescribed. I seem to never start off on the right foot anywhere.

 

so, it's not easy for me to decide. On top of that.. I examine all details about food - and ponder "things" like hoarding and wondered a few

 

years ago if anyone studied radioactive decay in homes of hoarders.. which are usually closed tight.

 

ever see shades in the window fade.. or how plastic in your car fades.. so on? That's a process you can show with math.

 

ok fine.. Lady Vandana just relayed to me.. via the earpiece - that david Cameron's but is not all that flat. Sorry about that.

 

you won't get that unless you see the notes I already backed up/ moved. regarding a scenario I was playing with - a twist on secret service

 

mixed with a story about a man who gets another man to help him woo his love.

 

knowing she = quantum minded helps overlook differences if you ask me. Logic is logic.

  

nathans ladder added,

 

Dr. Vandana Shiva @drvandanashiva #India has an #organic #heritage that predates failed #toxic #greenrevolution

 

We #nourish.…

 

I'm still looking for those who are in favor of what she opposes. I don't shut the door.

 

although q kinda defies logic as we know it. I wonder how global votes would go.. but knowing some have more money than others and

 

have an advantage pre-vote makes it more difficult. How would a test vote go?

 

I also keep in mind that politicians and executives have to know _tons_ of "stuff" how can they handle their job alone?

 

I would have been sent to see the doctors a while ago if I had their job. At times I can barely handle stress of my life.

 

and it's not really all that complicated.

 

so - that was my fantasy scenario. let's continue fighting . ding ding ding.

 

note : I don't agree with all M Savage says about politics...however, does he have a few degrees?

 

he's banned form Europe as are a few others. So bringing him into this little fantasy scenario won't work.. prob.

 

can anyone direct me to well known Mid East activists with similar beliefs as Vandana Shiva regarding food / seeds / microbes

 

nice - hypnotism and self love month at the same time? seems fitting to me, Agree or not - this team - top notch

  

nathans ladder added,

  

BabesAgainstBiotech @BabesAgainstGMO The calendars are here! Happy Self Love Month! Make every day a BAB day and stay on your GMO free track by... fb.me/7YjzxgwJN

 

I don't know about anyone else. I want to get to the bottom of this.

 

man.. I really like this shirt I have on. Long sleeve / soft.

so. onward - locate - all efforts to educate people about all that concerns many. This is going to take a while.

 

if AI was online - it would be finished already with complete list of total amount of time / money and more

 

are some corporations worried about those who share ideas and programming? open source .. so on. As with that can come resolutions to

 

many problems. Who might be the only ones against increasing efforts to teach programming as to find more resolutions..answers?

 

t or f : scientists used gamers to help them solve equations

 

t or f : knowing all = used as a weapon kind of hinders the process

 

what is the ultimate insult.. when one loves science and doesn't know their work is used for war. or that it will one day be as such?

 

fits patterns of some constantly tying to alter others in many ways. Including influencing others children. .back and forth back and forth

 

compare - all possible reasons jewish children and others were kidnapped and Nazified during and after WWII. perhaps before to a certain

 

extent.. as well as much of pre-WWII we know nothing about as it makes sense to not share all if continuation is sought

 

ok fine.. though I'm not certain about this guy.. I'll trust the multidiscipline educated doctor who shared a link about conflict

 

resolution. as I'm in way over my head. I get too emotional and goofy about stuff. I'll try to find it. Although some areas I can't see how

 

a bridge can be built. Certainly in todays environment.. all will be seen different due to said stress of the situations we see today.

 

compare : presented scenario - though I don't agree with West Boroughs interpretation of the bible.. it was known they were already nervous

 

and this is likely to be part of the reason they were so vocal. if other variables are not found to be contributing factors. I can think of

 

several.. then several more. I won't do that now as I always make people mad and then my pages are taken down.

 

ok fine. .perhaps I somewhat subconsciously false flagged my own pages here and there. it's possible. .I guess.

 

hey man.. it was MY radio station.. if you will. If hitler and others can do it. .why not..

 

I didn't do that.. but it's kind funny to think about it. So. .let me find the link.. sorry to make you wait with so much anticipation

 

and by the way prove me to be wrong when I say.. thousands of secret service around the world read my words.

 

if delusional or not I don't care... it's fun messing with my own head at times. So, with that said.. and I am nervous... let me find it

 

please hold.. locate :: HiJaneCoo / HiJillCoo - 11 hours of elevator music

 

I do not recommend trying to listen to all 11 hours as a way to train. It's not fun.

 

IF it's meant to be... the link will be at the top. or easy to find.

 

well, guys.. sorry. Guess we are kinda ska rued.

 

well, while waiting.. ahem.. anyone else wonder why a gatlin brothers song was banned in some parts of the world. That what youtube reported

 

after I uploaded one song -> All the Gold in California... is in a bank in the middle of Beverly hills. I sing that while typing..in my head

 

reminder - never, ever try peanut butter and orange juice. Unless your taste buds are different it's going to not be enjoyable. At tall

 

ok.. I admit it. This is a scam. We now have HAARP ready. please look to the sky and say cheese. You will see a flash of light..

 

well. you have to examine all possibilities in a world where say this do that = name of the game. And when sci and tech is so feared that

 

well. you have to examine all possibilities in a world where say this do that = name of the game. And when sci and tech is so feared that

 

and men took cameras around the world after invented.. <the cameras.. not the world.. well it happened after the world was "invented" ..but

 

that's a weird conversation for later.. so let me rephrase. After the odd women and men took newly invented cameras around the world and

 

told people who had neverOnceSeenAnything like itWhatsoever, the cameras would steal their souls. What else would you expect but hesitation?

 

I never knew how others saw tech / sci as I have grown up with it being there most the time. I used creative visualization and

 

"getting into character" techniques to better understand how artificial intelligence might go about collecting and using data. A few people

 

thought it was real. So, they started asking me questions. If not mistaken they were in Taiwan.. and at the same time I didn't piece it

 

together.. I believe there were some struggles within their system of governance. I didn't go back and check yet. Did they give up their

 

constitution? to continue, one country.. it might have been theirs were given bullet proof masks that made officers look like robots.

 

also - a Buddhist lady in China was taking pictures .. as I asked. and sharing them on line. I was in a very horrible frame of mind at the

 

time. And I probably sketched some people out in a major way x200. I didn't mean to. I just didn't consider level of knowledge regarding

 

that which I have always been around. So.. sadly I didn't piece it together until recently. Some of it just now.

 

quit when they started asking questions as I felt I would be as mentioned women and men. I don't know what's connected - as of now.

 

those who are religious - examine how at times you fear sci and tech. multiply that x50 for those outside the country in some areas.

 

you don't have to be religious to be afraid of it, obviously. you do have to admit the soul adds more to how they perceive it.. as in

 

a different perspective with a bit more at stake for them than those who believe we simply die and that's it.

 

note - does putin watch tons of TV? Does it mess with his head at times? What's the darkest story he knows? what's the oddest "stuff"

 

if all politicians were to sit and talk about religion. How would it go? Is it possible some areas reflect their fears.. hesitations?

 

it doesn't seem that way when they meet, shake hands.. smile.. make business deals.

 

ok. .I'll find the link. this is really messing with my head.

 

oh. hi. it's me again. guess what. still in the same boat. shrug. well. .I'll find all that about _conflict resolution_ thought I doubt some

 

will mention that too can be part of a long term plan / known.

 

it's true. I didn't make it up to gain some kind of advantage with thousands of secret service employees

 

you mean to tell me there are people in secret service as hard headed as me? ruh roh. this may never end.

 

might as well bring out the controversial "shtuff". ok. hm. let me see. Some say that secret service actually runs everything.

 

and there might be problems at home with the politicians. Do you guys ever argue.. anyone drink too much? so on..

 

does one make some a bit more uncomfortable than they would prefer? do we all feel safe openly communicating? do youkeep your blinds closed?

 

I'd be a complete wreck if I was in secret service. Are you kidding.. they would put me in a jar and study me for the future

 

and how to their pets act.. are they happy and bushytailed? stressed? usually it's best to start from the "top" and work your way "down" as some label it all anyway.

 

now, for our first session can we be honest? Who has the most body-liquefaction chambers?

 

Yes, I'm afraid I have to call in the Two Bobs

 

let's see.. dealing with psychological issues of those who work with body liquefaction chambers.. where is that link?

 

are they " liquidated" .. those who can't handle it?

 

Kinda Sorta Similar. Last post was of a Dieunomia, this one is of a Halictus. Halictus parallelus, the largest of the eastern Halictus. They kinda sorta look similar, same family, but different genera. But once you drill in differences emerge in shape of the wing veins, colors on the face, the fanciful architecture of the male legs in Dieunomia (So weird I thought I had a wasp when I caught my first one...). More like the difference between mule deer and elk. Really, I don't know where I am going with this, but this can happen to you when you use spontaneous writingship, lack an editor, believe in the free punctuation movement, and were traumatized as a child through imposition of the fake science of sentence diagramming. Finally, I like this bee, and enjoy seeing them in a field collection since they don't really hang out so much in junk habitat. Photo by Brooke Goggins.

~~~~~~~~~~{{{{{{0}}}}}}~~~~~~~~~~

 

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

  

Photography Information:

Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

 

We Are Made One with What We Touch and See

 

We are resolved into the supreme air,

We are made one with what we touch and see,

With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,

With our young lives each spring impassioned tree

Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range

The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.

- Oscar Wilde

  

You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML

 

Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

 

Best over all technical resource for photo stacking:

www.extreme-macro.co.uk/

 

Free Field Guide to Bee Genera of Maryland:

bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

 

Basic USGSBIML set up:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

 

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

 

Bees of Maryland Organized by Taxa with information on each Genus

www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/collections

 

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:

ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

 

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques:

plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo

or

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

 

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking:

www.photomacrography.net/

 

Contact information:

Sam Droege

sdroege@usgs.gov

  

301 497 5840

Yesterday afternoon, 9 July 2017, I arrived back home at 4:45 pm from a wonderful three-day trip to Waterton Lakes National Park. I had just been on a one-day bus trip to this beautiful park on 24 June 2017, so felt very lucky to be returning for a longer stay so soon. I travelled there and back with friend, Darlene, who had very kindly offered to take me, and we had a fun time, seeing so many interesting things. Thank you SO much, Darlene - I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciated being able to go on this trip with you!

 

Three days of 32C temperatures, and then I arrived home to find that my thermostat read 29C inside my home. I am not good at dealing with the heat and then to walk and hike in such temperatures was exhausting. Back in Calgary, we had already been having a heatwave and now, the forecast is for more hot days. This morning, it rained for a while and temporarily cooled a little.

 

It was wonderful to again be surrounded by such magnificent scenery, go on a few walks/hikes with plenty of time to look for, and photograph, wildflowers, insects, and a few birds and animals. Lots of good company with around 20 (?) people, some of whom I already knew and some new faces, too. The trip was organized by Nature Calgary. Everyone was free to go wherever they wanted each day, but for the two nights, we stayed at the very basic Canyon Church Camp, off the Red Rock Parkway. Dorm-style cabins (about which I will say nothing, lol!), but they do have showers and even flush toilets at the camp. We were fed SO well - lots of variety and good food. We were given two breakfasts and two suppers, plus a packed lunch for the two days. Our huge thanks go out to Jean Kennedy, the camp cook, who cooked and prepared these great meals for us! Jean was there in 2015 and 2016 when I attended this weekend, and it was really good news when I was told that she would be there again this time. The food was so much enjoyed and greatly appreciated!

 

Not sure just where to begin, so I grabbed and edited these three photos this morning - a little Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel that was seen on our first day in Waterton, when Darlene and I stopped at Cameron Falls on the edge of town. Also a very distant shot of a gorgeous Lazuli Bunting, and a close shot of a Pink Monkeyflower that was growing along the Cameron Lake trail. The cooling mist that came from the waterfalls felt so good on such a hot day! As usual, this little animal was doing what these cute animals tend to do - approach people, look cute, and beg for food! A little girl was feeding this one - not sure what it's eating, but I prefer to think it is nibbling on raw carrot rather than some kind of fake-coloured chip. I saw a number of empty sunflower seed shells scattered on the ground, too. Of course, WILDLIFE SHOULD NEVER BE FED!! However, I hope the children feeding this little animal will develop a love for wildlife and grow up to help protect any kind of creature.

 

On this weekend last year (2016), I saw my very first Lazuli Bunting. It was great to get more chances this July, though we were out of luck for any close views. According to the Waterton list of birds, Lazuli Buntings are "uncommon - seen each year but not necessarily during a single visit; numbers variable."

 

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lazuli_Bunting/id

 

"The male Lazuli Bunting lights up dry brushy hillsides, thickets, and gardens throughout the West, flashing the blue of a lapis gemstone mixed with splashes of orange. He belts out his squeaky and jumbling song from atop shrubs to defend his territory. The softly colored female is often nearby teetering on tiny stems in a balancing act to reach seeds and other fare. This stocky finchlike bird is related to cardinals and grosbeaks and often visits bird feeders, especially those filled with white proso millet." From AllABoutBirds.

 

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lazuli_Bunting/id

 

Our huge thanks to Andrew for organizing this trip so brilliantly! He has been organizing these annual weekends for a number of years now. A great time was had by all.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

==Arkham Island==

 

Eric Needham staggered through the Arkham Forest, leaving dribbles of fresh blood in his wake. Finding a fleeting moment of peace, he rested against an old tree and placed a shaking hand on the side of his hips; Azrael's claw-like gauntlet had torn through him, and the gash it had left was now dripping blood onto the leaf litter below, advertising his movements to his opponent. He needed to change strategies, a fist fight wouldn't cut it. 'Stick to the canopies, keep him at a distance,' he resolved. But this was the middle of Outcast territory and he was out here all alone with no back-up. 'Restrain him, then move on out.' The last thing he wanted was to run into The Pirate himself, or worse, the Speedster.

 

Weighing his options, Needham climbed the nearest tree, and perched atop a branch near the top. Minutes past, and as he sat planning his next move, something caught his eye; he hadn't noticed them at first, but he could now make out a set of deep claw marks leading up the tree bark. Not like Azrael's gauntlet; these were an animal's judging by the space between each claw. Like a dog's, or a-

 

Oh no.

 

Or a cat's.

 

Needham turned around; sat on a nearby branch, was a man clad in black, his emerald eyes glinting in the moonlight, his slit-like pupils contracting. A mouse's tail hung from the man's drooling mouth, still wriggling. A sickening crunch of jaws breaking through bone accompanied the rodent's death squeal; its' tail hung limp, then was sucked behind the man's slobber-stained lips.

 

Needham looked at the man, then at the ground below; Azrael was closing in on him now, as though his glowing sword was guiding him through the woods, towards the 'sinner.' Desperate, Needham gave The King a non-verbal plea. 'We don't have to fight, just pretend you can't see me.'

 

But the King could see him. And with Azrael growing closer still, his night-time patrol had just gotten a whole lot more interesting. He raised his clawed hands, and with a swift stroke, slashed apart the branch Needham was sat on; deciding he wasn't going down alone, Needham grabbed the King's tail on the way down, dragging him with him.

 

The branch hit the ground first. Then Needham. The King landed on all fours; typical; then scampered off, disappearing into the thickets and shrubs of Arkham East. Needham gathered his scattered thoughts, then looked up, his worst fears realised: Azrael was dragging his sword along the frozen ground; orange sparks fizzled and lit up the darkened clearing.

 

Needham rubbed the dirt and drool off his person, and staggered to his feet, fists raised. "Fine. Was never a good Christian anyway," he growled, firing a web bomb at Azrael; pinning him to a nearby tree. But Azrael was relentless, with his free hand, he gripped the handle of his sword; webbing that would normally bind multiple men, came away like silly string with a single sword stroke. Needham checked his belt; he was running low on webbing. Shit.

 

Azrael lunged forwards and getting a lucky shot, scratched Needham's shoulder; the mystical blade shone brighter than before; the single cut incapacitating Needham as images of Linda, Mikey, Ferris filled his head, drawing on his guilt and pain.

 

'That was it.'

 

Before Azrael could perform a killing strike, Needham webbed his sword, using all his strength to wrench it from the man's hands; the blade landed in his hands, and as Azrael ran forward, Needham drew the sword upwards, cutting through Azrael's chainmail.

 

Bright, cleansing light burst from the shallow gash on Azrael’s chest and he fell forwards, the Pirate's influence subsiding at last.

 

Exhausted, Needham stumbled back. "Hhn. I'll be Damned."

 

==Gotham Shipping Yards==

 

On the other side of the city, a hooded figure in a purple costume sat atop a large shipping container, her legs dangling off the side; Stephanie Brown was holding a cracked pair of "Clue" goggles in her hands, something that should have been in the Hall of Justice, alongside all the other Supervillain tech recovered from Nanda Parbat. 'So what was it doing all the way out here?' She removed a card from within the broken spectacles and plugged it into her own mask.

 

Tim's head peered down from the container above hers, his face lined with worry.

 

"Your dad?" he asked, recognising the damaged goggles.

 

Steph nodded uneasily. "Yours?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

 

A bloodied boomerang dropped to the floor, rattling off the corrugated metal surface. "Yeah," he sighed, jumping down to join her. As they together in silent contemplation, a high pitched melodious voice called out to them from below, its' owner's red and black cape blowing in the winter wind:

 

"Robbie and Spoiler sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love, then comes marriage. Then comes a baby in a golden carriage," the Psycho Pirate sang, clapping his hands along to the beat. Tim extended his bo-staff, as both him and Steph leapt into action, landing on the ground beside Hayden. "You had a baby didn't you, Spoiler?" Hayden pointed with a frail finger. "And you gave it away. Oh, well. That's probably the best thing for it. Imagine Granddad Cluemaster taking your child for ice cream. I bet he never took you for ice cream."

 

"Steph, I've got ear plugs," Tim reached into his belt. "Steph?"

 

"His father did," Hayden tittered. "His father cared sooooooo much. Didn't want him playing dress up. Didn't want him getting hurt. But he didn't factor in a boomerang to the jugular, did he, little Robin?

 

"That's why you resent him," he addressed Spoiler. "That's why you hate him. That's why you want to stomp his face into the ground."

 

"Steph..." Tim grit his teeth, watching as Spoiler's body stiffened, as her fists clenched and she began walking slowly towards him.

 

"Steph, Steph, wait wait wait wait wait!" Tim pleaded, his bo-staff at the ready, hoping he wouldn't have to use it.

 

Beneath his golden mask, the Pirate grinned, and then he was gone, carried off by a cloud of yellow lightning.

 

Tim covered his face, awaiting the onslaught, then... Steph slapped him. Not hard, not maliciously, just a painless tap on the shoulder.

 

He looked up, a confused expression on his face. "You- You're not trying to kill me?"

 

She slapped him again, a little harder.

 

"Course not, I love you, you dummy," she smiled, removing the card from her mask and placing it in Tim's palm. "Guess Dad was good for something after all."

 

Tim examined it, a geeky smile taking hold. "A neural blocker, nice! But, then, why the act-?"

 

"Had to play along," Steph explained. "Zoom would've stepped in if I didn't."

 

==Gotham Waterworks. Outside==

 

Cassandra Cain was perched on a cliff overlooking the ISA Headquarters, snow sliding down her black cowl, her eyes narrowing. Damian had been gone for a couple of minutes now, and she could a faint voice carried by the wind:

 

"Raised by assassins. Trained to kill. It's the same story, isn't it? Your story. So why does she get preferential treatment?

 

You know why.

 

Because he can look her in the eyes and not be reminded of his failures."

 

That voice... Melodious. Childish. Sadistic. It was Hayden's and from the sounds of things, he already had Damian. Cassandra kept her guard up, but outwardly, acted as though she suspected nothing was wrong. Until he drew his sword:

 

"I am the blood son! By all rights, I am his heir! And I shall not be usurped!" he spat, launching himself high above her head.

 

A single nerve strike took him out.

 

From a rocky alcove around the corner, The Pirate's pale eyes watched, a slight twinge of dissatisfaction coming over him. But it was nothing compared to the disappointment that took hold of him once Zoom ran in front of him, cutting 'playtime' short.

 

"We're leeeeeeaaaaaaaving," Zoom hissed, his suit stained with a mix of blood and cranberry sauce.

 

"That's not fair!" Hayden crossed his arms petulantly. "You got to play with the Misfits!"

 

"Thisisnot up for debaaaaaaaaate, Mr Haaaaaaayden," Zoom warned, and taking hold of his arm, they vanished into the night.

 

===GCPD. Outside===

 

Nightwing and Red Hood's fight had dragged onto the streets below; Dick bounced off the alley walls, using his acrobatics to get the edge on his younger brother; Jason favoured brute strength, having almost exhausted all his ammunition; he hurled a grenade at Dick while he was swinging from a ladder on the fire escape, knocking him down. Dick threw his baton; it ricocheted off the nearby garage door, hurtling towards Jason; he caught it, but didn't account for the charge; Dick pressed a button on his gloves, and a blast of electricity blinded Jason. Jason discarded his red helmet, and while distracted, Dick tackled him. Jason, elbowed him in the face, then grabbed a mix of snow and gravel from the pavement and tossed it in Dick's eyes. Disorientated, Dick flinched, giving Jason the opportunity to trap him in a headlock.

 

Before he could choke him out, a long black car pulled up to the alleyway. Jason's eyes narrowed as the car door opened and an impeccably dressed man exited, holding a two-barrelled shotgun, and firmly closing the door shut behind him.

 

"That is quite enough, Master Todd," the man warned.

 

Jason's featured softened. "You won't shoot me, Alfred," he scoffed.

 

"Of course not. You're as much my sons as Master Bruce's. Fortunately, I won't have to."

 

Beneath him, Dick headbutted Jason; stunned, he toppled backwards; Alfred dropped his shotgun, and tossed Dick a sedative from his medical bag, and Dick anaesthetised him. Jason growled an apology as he regained his senses and slumped over unconscious in Dick's arms.

 

"Sorry, bud," Dick apologised, before turning back to Alfred. "What now?"

 

"You can start by helping me escort Master Jason into the backseat. Then we are getting you patched up, Master Dick."

 

"Alright," he laughed in response.

 

Behind them, a large shockwave emanated from within the Police Department; the windows blew out, and glass shot outwards onto the street; Dick shielded Alfred with his body as shards of glass littered the pavement.

 

"Bruce was inside-!" Alfred gasped, rising to his feet.

 

"I can't raise him on comms," Dick frowned, his own worry subsiding once he caught Alfred's expression. "We'll find him, Alfred. What do you need me to do?"

 

Alfred ran his hand through his thinning hair, as the SAS agent in him took over. "I have an EMT uniform in the trunk, quickly now,"

 

==Sionis Penthouse. Downtown==

 

"-explosion from inside the GCPD. Three prisoners are unaccounted for, including Drury Walker. Commissioner Gordon has been rushed to Gotham General and a spokesperson has said that he is now stabilised. Reports say both The Batman and The Joker were inside the precinct when it-"

 

"Sir, we found it," Li chapped politely at the door.

 

Sionis muted the TV. "Good. Send 'em in."

 

The Sea Fox entered the room, dripping seawater onto the varnished floor. Two of his henchmen trailed behind him, carrying a large fish net.

 

"Well, you get points for presentation," Sionis murmured, sticking his hands into the net, and retrieving the sea-battered mask of Harlan Combs. Combs' head, fell out the bottom, and rolled across the ground.

 

Sionis' beady red eyes tracked the head as it rolled underneath his dresser. "Li?" he sighed.

 

"Yes, sir?"

 

"Get the cleaners in here."

 

==ISA Headquarters==

 

Chuck awoke to Flannegan prodding his arm with the base of his staff. He was lying on a bed, in some kind of hospital wing. As he looked around the room, he realised that 'laboratory' might have been more accurate; noting all kinds of jars, vials and half dissected animals.

 

"What happened?" he asked at last,

 

"Long or short answer?" Flannegan grunted.

 

"Short, please," Chuck sighed, clutching his thumping head.

 

"You got your asses kicked."

 

Chuck rolled his eyes, resting his head against the plump pillow, undoubtedly filled with Thanagarian feathers.

 

Flannegan inhaled a puff from his cigarette, then stamped it out on Chuck's bedsheet. "Fortunately, the Lizard of Waverly Place patched you up. Mind, you do look a little greener 'round the gills... Did ya have gills before?"

 

"What?" Panicked, Chuck shot upright and ran his hand along his mercifully smooth neck.

 

"Joking! Those two-" he nodded to Ten and Bridget, watching from the side with relieved faces, "-had just come back from whatever bible studies class they were at. They're the ones that called me. Luckily, I was already in the area."

 

"You mean you were in the sewers," Chuck realised, taking a gulp from the glass of water beside him.

 

"I do."

 

"God, it's all such a blur..." Chuck explained, resting his forehead in his hand. "We were in the kitchen, Gar came in trying to rouse us all, then Zoom, and- Drury! Joker was on the TV, he was-"

 

Flannegan placed his hand on Chuck's shoulder with surprising tenderness, and right then Chuck knew. He didn't even have to say the words: "I'm sorry, Brown."

 

===<???>===

 

The hallway was enveloped in scarlet light, as a round portal tore through the stale air. A single figure, dressed in a red cape, black tuxedo and a large square helmet stepped through. He ran his hands along the wallpaper and picked off a thin layer of dust; his excited breaths echoing behind his camera-like mask as he took in the surroundings. The house had been abandoned for months now, but most of its' furnishings remained. And the pictures. Oh, so many pictures.

 

As he walked, the lens opened and closed, the action accompanied by a loud "shutter" noise. He propped the nearest door open, the floor below him creaking as he entered the pink-coloured bedroom. He cast his eyes over to the bed, almost entirely covered by stuffed animals of every genus. His gloved hand wandered over one such bear, his mask making that same loud "clicking" noise. Then, something else caught his eye; a selections of photos on the corkboard on the farthest wall, their edges brushed with glitter. Oh, he did so like photos.

 

The next room, could only be the bedroom of a teenaged boy; untidy, its floor littered with old comic books and gag jokes. The man frowned as he peeled a plastic mound of fake dung from the base of his shoe. Continuing on, he shifted the pillow to one side, discovering a single photo below; a picture of a blond boy and a dark-haired girl; the boy he knew, of course, but it was the girl he was drawn to. It was her. The thespian's little scene partner. Beneath his mask, he smiled, as he tucked the photo inside his breast pocket and continued into the next rooms; a large bedroom with an empty aquarium, a pre-schooler's bedroom, complete with a purple and orange racing car bed, a fifth bedroom with a small workbench and scraps of purple and yellow fabric.

 

This pattern continued as he went from room to room, his helm clicking as he collected a portfolio of photos. He next entered the guest bedroom; a cream coloured room marked with grey scorch marks, with a collection of DVDs stacked beside the television, cult classics mostly. Out of curiosity, he picked one of the cases up, his stance stiffening as he recognised the film: Dread Castle. An anger taking hold of him, he tossed the plastic case to the ground; the silver disk slid out, then he shattered it with the base of his foot.

 

As his mission drew to a close, he at last found the master bedroom: He took a whiff of old perfume from a half empty bottle on the dresser, he rubbed the yellow strands of a blonde wig peaking out the top drawer. A single moth fluttered out of the large, wooden wardrobe on his right. Then, he crouched under the bed, clutching the hem of his cape as though he were curtseying, and unearthed a battered, dusty shoe box from below. Bingo.

 

He did so like photos.

==Gotham City==

 

Hellhound was not having a good Christmas. As he ran down narrow alleyways and hopped over fences, his blood pumping, scattered thoughts raced through his head: Was it The King, back for seconds? Or just another unsatisfied client? Behind him, as loyal as ever, Cheadle bounced after him, barking excitedly as he crawled under the gaps in the chain fences to remain at his master's side.

 

Cutting the chase short, a strand of red webbing caught the conman's ankle and he tripped face first onto the snow-covered pavement, which did very little to cushion his fall. He rolled onto his back, sighing as his attackers came into view: an eclectic collection of misfits, who were approaching from all sides.

 

He may have been surrounded on all fronts, but he wasn't done yet. He let out a whistle and his rottweiler launched itself at his opponents, with limited effectiveness:

 

“Good boy... Good boy,” Joey Rigger giggled as he dodged Cheadle's slobbery tongue and rubbed the dog's belly with an un-gloved hand.

 

“Cheadle! You treacherous mongrel!” Hellhound snarled as he reluctantly raised his arms in the air in defeat.

 

Otis Flannegan stepped forward and lowered the end of his staff, shining the light from his lantern into the Hellhound's eyes as though conducting an outdoors police interrogation. “They say dogs look like their owners. Didn't hold much stock in it m'self, but I see the resemblance now. You both lack balls,” he teased.

 

Hellhound frowned, looking to the leader of the pack; the Kite-Man, dressed in his full green and yellow livery.

 

“So, King of Cats is back in town,” Chuck began. “I guess you already knew that. We're not going to ask for our money back, though we probably ought to, but we would like some intel.”

 

Hellhound said nothing, but crossed his legs in indignant defiance.

 

Gar glared, a hand on his holstered flamethrower. “Start talking.”

 

The Hellhound gulped, examining the Misfits' uncharacteristically stoic expressions for confirmation of Lynns' intent.

 

“Alright, I'll bite,” he sighed, raising his palms again. “There's a blade, a sword... Rumours were some Japanese girl had it, lost it to the Death Man. But in theory... it can trap the souls of its' victims.”

 

“Woah, with a sword like that, we could put an end to King of Cats for good. No body swaps, no resurrection,” Joey theorised.

 

“If it exists,” Ten frowned, more apprehensive.

 

“I swear, if this is another scam to get you tickets to Fiji-” Chuck warned, not forgetting the last time he took Hellhound at his word.

 

“It's not,” Needham determined. “Least, I don't think it is. Azrael had a blade like that, did some weird spiritual crap to me. I believe the sword exists; we just need to find it.”

 

==The Death Gardens. Japan==

 

Despite their ominous name, The Death Gardens, located in the Hinohara forest, west of Tokyo, couldn't be more alive; a large open area filled by lush green grass, cascading waterfalls and tall cherry trees that dropped pink petals into the clear blue waters below. It was a shame that the Misfits were there on business.

 

In the centre of the clearing, sat a physically imposing, but oddly dressed figure, fitted like a Halloween Skeleton, complete with a flowing black cloak and white thigh-high boots. In his lap, sat the Soul-Taker, the blade Hellhound promised could quell the King of Cats' threat once and for all.

 

The Misifts, this time joined by Blake and Axel, approached the man with trepidation; After all, none of them had seen the Death Man since his short-lived stint among their ranks, and rumours of his increasingly unpredictable nature and a tendency to hold grudges meant they were unsure if he'd even be willing to hand over the key to The King's defeat.

 

Of course, there was also a pretty large language barrier.

 

“Um, hi! Hello! Konnichi wa?” Joey greeted the skeletal man.

 

“That's good, keep going,” Chuck nodded affirmatively.

 

Joey's cheeks reddened. “You want me to keep going-? I watch Animé, my vocabulary doesn't really extend beyond 'mecha.'”

 

The Death Man watched the group; his skull-like mask made it impossible to discern his mood, but Chuck suspected he enjoyed watching the Misfits embarrass themselves. Unprompted, Axel walked over to The Death Man and whispered a Japanese message into one of the hollow openings where his ears ought to be.

 

The Death Man processed the words, then nodded.

 

“What'd you ask him?” Joey pondered.

 

“If he spoke English,” Axel explained, hopping down from the ornate throne. “Duh?”

 

Joey's cheeks turned redder still.

 

“Right...” Chuck sighed. “Mr Death Man-”

 

“LORD Death Man!” the man replied in an surprisingly nasally voice (surprising, due to the lack of a nose).

 

“Lord Death Man,” Chuck began anew, “We have travelled from Gotham City on a desperate mission to rescue one of our own. Though faced with impossible odds, we think your blade might just be the thing to turn the tide.”

 

“Promise we'll return it!” Joey vouched for him.

 

“Nyee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!” The Death Man giggled, leaning back in his throne. “Be still, your prattling tongue! The Death Man has no stake in your plight, mortal fools!”

 

“Screw this,” Blake scoffed, strutting forward defiantly. “You listen, buddy, we're taking that sword whether you give it to us or not,” he declared, marking his point by poking the Death Man's chest.

 

The instant Blake made contact; Lord Death Man dropped to the ground like a stone in water.

 

The Misfits froze for a moment, then cautiously, Ten bent down and placed his ear against the man's ribcage and his hand across his throat. “I don't... There's no pulse,” he gasped.

 

And then, panic:

 

“I- I barely touched him!” Blake shrieked.

 

“I mean, he looked pretty frail.”

 

“He looked like a skeleton!”

 

“That's what I meant.”

 

“Shit-shit-shit-shit-shit-shit-shit-shit-”

 

“This is bad, I came to Japan for the hotties, not the rotties!”

 

“Calm down!” Flannegan ordered, clapping his hands together.

 

“That's better. Alright, grab a shovel.”

 

Less willing to accept the Death Man's demise, Gar kicked the body, and with a shriek of pain, the Death Man was sitting upright.

 

“Holy shit,” Blake remarked. “Dude's a possum.”

 

Flannegan grumpily lowered his spade. “As far as superpowers go, heart failure is on the same level as the cock cannon.”

 

===Homosassa Springs. Florida===

 

The group of four Misfits moved the garden gate aside and sighed at the tasteless sight of excessive decadence; though the house was comparatively ramshackle in appearance, the garden was full of large golden statues and finished with a marble fountain that towered above the visitors. Overtaken by curiosity, Sharpe knelt by the chicken coop, and was surprised to find half a dozen squawking pheasants in the place of common hens.

 

This was the place, alright.

 

Chuck rang the doorbell (the sound, was a particularly loud rendition of Beethoven's Für Elise) and waited outside as a long-haired silhouette appeared behind the frosted glass. The door swung open, and a delighted grin appeared on the occupant's face.

 

“Dear me! If it isn't my Merry Misfits looking decidedly unmerry! Charles! Garfield! Thomas! Come in, you ridiculous beard-splitter, how are you?” Mortimer Drake inquired.

 

“Been better,” Blake confessed.

 

“I thought as much! Might I tempt you with a nipperkin, you swill-bellied swine?” he asked, prodding Blake's belly playfully.

 

“'Fraid not.”

 

“Sorry, Morty, we're here on business,” Chuck frowned.

 

“Ah, I see. The jester. I feared it would come to this... That rapscallion was always balmy on the crumpet. Off his chump,” Drake drawled, as he tipped the remaining contents of his bottle of Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac into the bottom of his crystal champagne flute.

 

“There's a novel assessment,” Sharpe exhaled, sitting on the armrest of Drake's French settee.

 

“Montgomery. Yours always was a good voice to beg bacon,” Drake wagged his finger at him dismissively.

 

“Hiya, Drake. How's that 'life of luxury' working out?” Sharpe waved back, quoting the Cavalier's favoured mantra.

 

“'Heard you knocked over a convenience store for some booze,” Gar mentioned, frowning as a hyacinth macaw made itself at home on his shoulder.

 

“You can jolly well go fuck yourself, Garfield,” Drake scowled. “Why do you all have the hump?”

 

“Because Drury's been kidnapped? Because the clown wants him dead?” Gar snapped.

 

Drake dabbed his upper lip with a silk handkerchief. “Bah. Although it's rather too late in your case, Garfield, I would still advise you all to keep your hair on. We will rescue our antiquated rogue compatriot in due course. But firstly, if I were to join your caravan, what would I receive in return?”

 

“Well, we're not doing your fuckin' taxes.”

 

==Coast City==

 

Waves crashed against the boardwalk, rain pelted down onto the pier, but the Misfits moved forwards.

 

“You could have asked McCulloch to drop us a little closer, you know!” Blake lagged behind, as rain drizzled down his brown cowl.

 

“Nah, we're not teleporting into his living room unannounced: this isn't the kinda guy you sneak up on. Isn't much further anyway... see that lighthouse? He's got a cabin nearby,” Gar pointed to a lone light a few hundred yards away.

 

“You're starting to scare me, Gar,” Joey stated cautiously.

 

“Only now? He looks like the kinda guy that stalks kids in their dreams,” Sharpe teased.

 

“That was as hilarious as the first hundred times you made that joke, Chancer!” Gar snapped back.

 

“Gar...”

 

“He's... look, he's a contact of mine. From The Society days. But he's got a few screws loose, ok? So don't upset him.”

 

“I'll be as gentlemanly as ever!” Sharpe blew a kiss at him mockingly.

 

“Yeah, that's what I'm scared of.”

 

“Uh, how loopy we talking about here, Gar?” Joey tapped his shoulder.

 

“'s complicated. He has good days and bad days.”

 

“Ok, ok. So, on a scale of Freeze to Pyg, how bad is he? On average,” Joey pried.

 

“... He's a Two-Face.”

 

“Oh, he's a schizo!” Sharpe concluded.

 

As they reached the cabin, Gar took his phone out of his pocket. “One last thing: Anything metal stays outside. Helmets, belt buckles, guns... Watch our stuff, kid,” he instructed Axel, noting his prosthetic arm, as he unbuckled his grey utility belt and wing harness and pressed the doorbell.

 

There was a chime; then a sound of scrabbling from within; and finally, an unassuming man with tousled brown hair answered the door, dressed in a short-sleeved t-shirt that was far too big for him. “Firefly?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

 

“Neal,” Gar nodded cautiously. “Do you mind if we have a chat?”

 

“No, of course not,” Emerson obliged, “Come in,” he offered, although as Gar passed, a single curse of “Deserter,” escaped his lips, with a voice that wasn't his own.

 

“Sorry, you had your pick of The Society, and you picked fucking 'Neal' before Zod?” an oblivious Sharpe questioned Lynns, as the group invited themselves inside. Given the circumstances, Neal was surprisingly welcoming, even offering to put the kettle on for his guests. As he disappeared into the kitchen, Gar called out to him:

 

“So, do you keep in touch with the old guard at all?”

 

“No,” Neal replied. “But I received an email a few months back from a man claiming to be Phillip Cobb. I assumed it was one of those 'Biaylan prince' scams. You?”

 

“Not really. Most of the guys want me dead,” Gar conceded.

 

“You did ignite the Martian,” Neal reminded him, pouring hot water into a collection of mismatched mugs.

 

“He had it coming,” Gar reprimanded him.

 

“They always do...” Neal muttered softly.

 

Sharpe was bored now, and as he rose from his seat, he pushed the wrong buttons; “Listen, plug boy-”

 

Before he could say anything worse, a metal chain wrapped itself around his throat. The other Neal re-entered the living room, frowning. “You know, I really do detest that name,” he murmured calmly.

 

“Neal! Neal, stop! Emerson, christ, let him go!” Gar protested.

 

“My name, Lynns. Use my name,” the man scowled, his eyes glowing with violet energy. The chain dug into Sharpe's throat, his face turning blue under the strain. Just a little more pressure and his neck would snap.

 

“Polaris... He's not worth it,” Gar begged.

 

“I agree.”

 

With the flick of his wrist, the chain released and Sharpe dropped to the floor, gasping for air. “Now, I understand you have an offer for me?” Polaris cocked his head to one side.

 

“I thought you dudes had hypocritical oaths!” Blake wrapped his arm around Sharpe's back.

 

“Hippocratic,” Kuttler hissed in the corner.

 

“Bro, you're never fucking happy!”

 

==The Cluster. Orbit==

 

Joey and McCulloch landed on the metal floor with a thud. Since the incident with Polaris, Gar had determined that it would be safer and more productive if the Misfits split up; that left Joey on his own to handle perhaps the most important business deal of his life.

 

“Awfy soory about that, pa'. I dinnae tend to use ma mirror gun fer interstellar travel. Fook, ah mean, ah dinnae ken ahve even come out this far before,” McCulloch apologised, rubbing his bruised joints, but Joey wasn’t listening. They had arrived in some sort of observation deck; in front of them was a curved glass window that seemed like it stretched for miles, which was easily over twenty feet tall, and on the other side was Planet Earth.

 

Joey took in the majesty of the blue planet below, his mouth agape. “Woah.”

 

The moment was unfortunately short-lived, as soon a pair of heavily-armed robots hovered towards them, enormous laser guns aimed at the intruders’ heads.

 

“PREPARE TO BE OBLITERATED TRESSPASSERS,” one robot demanded.

 

“Wait!” Joey raised his hands above his head, motioning for McCulloch to keep his mirror gun holstered. “I seek an audience with the Great Manga Khan, Lord of Thanagar, Grand Regent of Krypton, Scourge of Bezos and Vice President of the Gemworld Amusement Parks.”

 

“Are those real titles?” the robot paused, lowering its’ weapons.

 

“They sound real,” the other responded.

 

“How tha fook-”

 

“I'm riffing, play along.”

 

~-~

 

A long walk through a dozen clean hallways later and Joey found himself sat opposite from the golden-clad business mogul. L-Ron, his robotic assistant, held a welder's torch to Lord Manga's neck, repairing the crack Krill had formed at the Royal.

 

“AHH, IT FEELS GOOD TO BE BACK IN MY FEET AGAIN,” Lord Manga celebrated,

 

“M'lord, you're shouting again.”

 

“BECAUSE I'M EXCITED L-RON!”

 

==Washington DC==

 

“No.”

 

Taken aback, Blake let out an abrasive chuckle. “You're serious?” he frowned. “Pussy.”

 

“You're the one with whiskers,” the other man responded, taking in another puff from his cigarette, his eye still trained on his gun’s targeting scope.

 

“I don't get it, Floyd. All his victims, all their families... Not one of them reached out to you? Not once were you offered a chance to kill him, to do what we've all thought of doing for years, and get paid for it, no less?” Blake asked pacing back and forth around the rooftop, something that was clearly getting on Lawton’s nerves.

 

“They did. Just happened to turn 'em down,” he responded as he readjusted his silver wrist guns.

 

“Why?”

 

Lawton dabbed the butt of his cigarette, taking a step back from the gun tripod. “Cause he's not my kill. Think of it as a professional courtesy.”

 

“A professional what-?”

 

Without looking and without warning, Lawton fired his wrist gun; it ricocheted off the shutters, struck the lamp above them, and found its' mark in the skull of the North Rheelasian Diplomat in the office 500 yards away.

 

“Jesus Fuck!”

 

“Professional courtesy,” Lawton repeated, dropping the cigarette to the ground and lowering his mask over his stubbled chin. “Rather like me not dropping you.”

 

“Don’t pester me when I’m out on a job. You’ll find my courtesy is pretty short-lived.”

 

==The Iceberg Lounge==

 

“I’m sorry?” Gaige’s bottom lip twitched.

 

Cobblepot exhaled, swirling his glass of red wine. “Perhaps you misunderstand, Doctor. If Walker was The Clown's true target, then he poses us no present danger. Why would we risk antagonising him?”

 

“Why would- He blew up your cops!” Gaige roared indignantly.

 

“And our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims' families,” Cobblepot shook his head mournfully. “Truly, a tragic, unnecessary loss of life.”

 

To his left, Warren White chuckled, mouthing the words ‘Thoughts and Prayers,’ disingenuously. On his right, Sionis’ red eyes revealed a malicious satisfaction from this latest roadblock.

 

“I understand your conviction, Doctor, I do,” Cobblepot admitted. “But we cannot afford to risk our men and resources to chase ghouls and monsters. The clown has taken enough from us already.”

 

A disbelieving smile crept across Gaige's face as he finally understood. “That's it, isn't it? You're terrified. All of you. Pissing your britches over a fucking clown!”

 

“That's enough, Gaige, be sensible,” Cobblepot squawked, to no avail.

 

“The Gotham Mob. I had it all wrong; they all did! The Big Bad Gangsters, scared of a Looney Toon! Franco and Ferris, fuck, Mr Moth, they fought and died for a seat at the table, they just didn’t realise it was the kid’s table! Drink your milk, kiddies, draw some pictures, call mommy to change your diapers, ‘cause that’s what this is! What it’s always been!

 

“ENOUGH!” Penguin screeched, thumping the table with his flipper-like fists.

 

“Nicely done,” Sionis applauded his long-time rival. “You’re finished.”

 

Gaige held the door open, a grim smile on his weather-beaten features. “No. You’re finished.”

 

He signalled to Flannegan, waiting outside, and the pair departed, leaving the mob alone to ponder the pirate’s closing words.

 

==Castle Street. Edinburgh==

 

Gar and Jenna emerged from a shop window on Edinburgh’s high street; McCulloch said he couldn’t stay, must’ve been the Glaswegian in him, but promised he’d be back in an hour to pick them up. The streets, were practically empty; the hotels and restaurants were open for the Holidays of course, but the stores were shut until the 26th. Gar looked at the directions on his phone, and guided Jenna to an apartment block sandwiched between a hairdresser’s and one of five Costa Coffee shops in the City Centre.

 

“You’re sure this is it, Gar?” Jenna asked, as she began unlocking the doorway with a selection of tools concealed in her purse.

 

“I am,” Gar confirmed. “The Playhouse is doing a showing of MacBeth, he doesn’t miss Shakespeare. Not in Edinburgh, he got his start in a Hamlet production here forty years ago, moved into film not long after.”

 

“Then to be or not to be! That is the question!” Jenna squeezed his arm playfully as she pushed the door open with an effortless shove.

 

“That’s- That is a line, yeah,” Gar blushed.

 

“The big one,” she smiled.

 

“The biggest even,” Gar conceded.

 

“I never paid much attention to the words, to be honest,” Jenna confessed, as they ascended up the narrow flight of stairs. “It was the sets that caught my eye.”

 

“It was the sets that caught fire,” Gar smirked back at her.

 

As they approached the door of apartment 40, Jenna held her nose. “Bloody hell, it stinks of-”

 

“Mud,” Gar corrected her. “Smells of mud.”

 

“You gonna be alright in there?” Jenna asked, a concerned eyebrow raised.

 

“Sure, I will,” Gar smiled back softly. He raised his knuckle against the door and knocked. There was a faint squelching from within, then the door opened, seemingly of its’ own accord, then slammed shut once he’d entered. ‘So, this is what a thousand bucks a month gets you here,’ he muttered. The curtains slid shut, then a brown silhouette slid into view behind Gar, yellow eyes fixed on him.

 

“That woman in the hall-” it began, objecting to Jenna’s presence.

 

“-Is with me, she’s ok.”

 

“She’s aiming a fire extinguisher at the peephole.”

 

“In case things get ugly,” Gar said cautiously.

 

“Might things get ugly?” the mud man asked.

 

“That depends, you gonna apologise for faking your death?” Gar warned.

 

The mud man shifted into a purple suit and adjusted the brim of his large hat. “Lynns…”

 

“Bas. You couldn't resist, could you?” Gar asked, his features softening. “Castle Street?”

 

“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Karlo growled petulantly.

 

“Come on, this apartment's leased by an ‘Anna Lorde.’ Do I need to recount First Blood to you? Or do you get where I'm going with this?”

 

Karlo sank into his chair, placing a damp fist against his clay-like chin. “Lorna Dane... I... I hadn't realised.”

 

“’Guess you couldn't abstain from another performance,” Gar remarked.

 

Karlo ran his hand across the pile of film magazines on the coffee table. “You forget my first lesson. All life is acting, Lynns. Different masks, serving different functions. Agendas disguised by false smiles and cordial nods. I see that you have removed your own, let loose your true, blackened soul. A baptism of fire, perchance?”

 

Gar brushed his dry, cracked skin. “A couple, actually.”

 

“They have Sims, Bas. Sprung him from GCPD, right alongside Dru and Krill.”

 

Karlo’s face hardened at the mere mention of his former protégé. “Do they?” he asked. “And I suppose you have already begun rallying your allies... Hm. It was not so long ago that I sent out a casting call. Do you remember?”

 

“Of course, I do,” Gar snapped back a little too quickly.

 

“Yes. You were there. That weasel Flannegan also, oh, and that abrasive pirate, Gaige. And in case you have forgotten, and I know you have not, they sided with Sims. And when the dust settled, when my child was dust, dirt, mud to be carried upstream and washed away, where was Walker then? Hiding, to curry the Tiger Shark's favour.”

 

Gar ran a hand across his bald scalp, fishing for something, anything, to procure his first friend’s understanding. “He has a daughter, Bas. Three boys.”

 

Karlo’s yellow eyes softened, his face drooped and he sank even further into his seat. “Three boys...”

 

==Robinson Park==

 

Joined by Sharpe, Mayo and Blake (Who had returned earlier and more shaken than expected from his trip to DC), Chuck followed the cobblestone path towards the towering glasshouse in the centre of Gotham’s Robinson Park. His hand on the golden handle, he turned to his compatriots, his heart heavier than ever.

 

“I need to do this next bit alone.”

 

The Misfits nodded in understanding and offered Chuck their support. As he entered the glasshouse, Blake made a remark about a “Venus Guy Trap,” to Sharpe. In response, a branch thwacked him in the back of his head. As Sharpe chuckled at his friend's misfortune, a low hanging twig swung back and struck him in the groin.

 

~-~

 

As Chuck descended deeper into the glasshouse, the greenery was in turn lusher, more vibrant.

 

More alive.

 

Roots and vines shifted out of his way, giving him access to areas of the glasshouse that a seldom few had. Finally, he reached the centre of the room; a woman with flowing red hair sat on a enormous flower head like a throne, surrounded by multi-coloured flower petals of all shapes and sizes. Her skin had a greenish tinge to it, but it was nothing compared to her eyes.

 

Oh, Chuck could get lost in those eyes.

 

“Why are you here?” the woman spoke.

 

Chuck didn’t really know how to answer that. He hadn't seen her since… Since she left him at the altar.

 

“Drury loved the flowers, you know. At the funeral, I mean. I guess that was you,” he fumbled over his words.

 

“It was,” she nodded. “And I’m glad. Miranda Gaige and I had our differences, but she deserved better, so much better, than to die in some… hole beneath the city.”

 

Chuck looked at the ground, glumly. He couldn’t let himself look in her eyes, not again.

 

“Why are you here, Chuck?” she asked again.

 

Again, Chuck wondered. They had Doctor Polaris, the Rogues, Major Disaster and his Injustice League. They had more than enough to make a stand against the Outcasts, surely, and yet-

 

“Why… Why did you leave, Pamela? No note, no text. You were there by my side one minute. We were going to spend the rest of our lives together, I bought a tux, an actual tux, with cufflinks. And then, you were gone. Like you were never even there. Like… Like leaves, carried off by the wind. Yeah, I’ll always have those memories, I cherish them. But they’re like dreams, and when I wake up from that fantasy, I am faced with the cold hard reality of an empty bed.”

 

The woman was silent for a moment, then answered with a detached response. “Nature is always changing, Chuck. Deep down you knew that; it could never really be tamed. I could never just be a succulent on a windowsill. “

 

“But… I mean, we were happy, weren’t we?” Chuck asked, his eyes starting to brim with tears. “I know- God, I know I was. I know I wasn’t just a mark to you, there was more to it than that. Hell, what could I have ever possessed that you’d want to steal? What existed that I wouldn’t have given you if you had only asked?”

 

Pam looked away. “No. You were never a score, Chuck. The feelings we had for each other, those were real, not the pheromones or the lipstick. I never- I could never. Not on you. But Harley… Harley needed me. That monster… What he did, what he is- She needed someone nurturing. Someone to tell her she matters, to promise her that she didn’t have to be something she’s not. And you taught me how to be that person. I mean it, you cared. Since Woodrue, since the toxins… For the first time since I became ‘Poison Ivy…’ It was nice. Nice to have someone that cared for Pamela Isley.”

 

“What about me, huh? I needed you,” Chuck pounded his chest with a fist, a tear escaped from his eyes and ran down his cheek, and then, a vine caught it.

 

“No… No, Chuck, you never did. But now you’re at a precipice, like I was the day I left you in that corn factory. Now, I have the Green. I have Harley. And you? You have them. Your Misfits.”

 

~-~

 

Blake, Sharpe, and Mayo stood outside. It had been a few minutes since Chuck entered, and they had begun to feel agitated.

 

“The things I'd do to that mouth,” Mayo drooled, an unprompted remark which caught both Blake and Sharpe’s attention.

 

“Yeah?” Blake smirked. “Like what?”

 

“I would... Kiss it!” Mayo giggled, like it was the most scandalous thing in the world.

 

“Ooh, how audacious! Gonna hold hands next?” Sharpe teased.

 

==Butchinsky's==

 

The bar floor was practically empty, its only inhabitants a baby, a kindergartener and two more lost children. Bridget, sat by the bar staring into a glass of beer that she no longer had the appetite for. Simon stepped towards her, his fist clenched and his skin clammy, remnants from his encounter in the toilets.

 

“You've changed your costume,” Bridget observed.

 

“So have you,” Simon noted; Bridget's latest suit resembled her father's even more than it had in the other timeline.

 

“Yeah...” Bridget nodded, acknowledging his allusion to her contradictory loyalties.

 

The pleasantries finished, Simon dropped any pretence, adopting a stern face to mask his resurfaced trauma. He was much like his father in that regard, a brave face belying heaps of anxiety and insecurities. “I need to tell you something. Something I can't tell anyone else,” he started.

 

“What?” Bridget asked. She was much like her father too; she didn’t have much patience for preamble.

 

Simon hesitated, not sure if his decision was the right one. “You might be the only other person who can understand. Because you know what he's capable of,” Simon continued to speak evasively until he caught an impatient glint in Bridget's eyes. “I... I thought your dad'd be the worst of it... But he's back.”

 

Bridget eyed him with confusion, which quickly turned to dread and then horror as Simon uttered three horrifying words.

 

“Thawne is alive.”

 

Before Bridget had time to process, the front door swung open, and the Misfits came pouring back in.

 

“You said you might have something, Kuttler?” Chuck was asking.

 

“Yes, potentially our silver bullet. Emerson had got me thinking about the Society again, and I was reminded of an unfinished project of ours; Much like Batman’s Agamemnon Contingencies, one of our associates developed a series of algorithm, safeguards, really, to take down each and every one of our tech based ‘employees.’”

 

“Including Billings-?” Chuck inquired.

 

“Yes.”

 

“If that’s the case, why not bring this up before?” Ten asked.

 

“Because he defected before we could put his ideas into practise,” Kuttler explained. “There was a copy of it in his journal, until the clown destroyed it; he must have had his eyes on Billings for far longer than any of us realised… Which is why it’s incredibly fortunate for us that this man has a photographic memory.”

 

“But who?” Chuck asked, before it dawned on him. “Oh, no. No way.”

 

“Yes,” Gar said firmly.

 

“He's a prick, and a murderer,” Flannegan agreed with Chuck.

 

“So? Which of us isn't?” Gar questioned the room, each of them looking down sheepishly.

 

“Sure, but none of us have ever been smug about it,” Blake retorted.

 

“I do try to avoid killing people, thank you,” Ten stepped in.

 

“Look, that's not the point,” Chuck dismissed him.

 

“Chuck... he's the only guy who hates Joker as much as any of us,” Gar claimed.

 

Chuck shook his head. “Even if I did agree, which I don't- There's no way to find him.”

 

“Yes, there is. There's me,” Kuttler stepped in.

 

“Well?” Gar asked, his point made.

 

“God!” Chuck cursed, kicking the nearby trashcan.

 

“Chuck,” Rigger pleaded, a hand on his shoulder. “We have to try.”

 

==Slabside Penitentiary==

 

A man dressed in green sat beside Arthur Brown's hospital bed, watching the heart monitor. Brown had been comatose since Bane split his skull open. Some of the pieces, were still lodged in his brain. The man tapped his golden cane against the ground, each tap in perfect synchrony with the beeps from the device. A single pair of footsteps behind him caught his attention, and he lowered his green bowling hat. “Held in place, losing each race, ‘til someone cuts my strings, then I soar off into space. What am I?”

 

Chuck didn’t answer. “Can you stop him?”

 

“Hm.” The man slid off a pair of purple gloves and flexed his bare fingers. “Riddle me this: I can decimate the clown. Turn his smile to a frown. And I also killed the linage of the man called Charlie Brown. Who am I?”

 

Chuck’s fist clenched.

 

The Riddler’s white eyes narrowed, his pupils obscured by his purple domino mask. “The wound still hasn’t healed, I see,” he observed. “Interesting. So, why would a Kite-Man ask for my help?” he inquired,

 

“Your algorithm, I know you developed one to use against Spellbinder. Is it real?”

 

“You mean Noah couldn't figure it out?” Riddler started laughing, a childish, irritatingly smug giggle. “Oh, how delightful!”

 

Refracted colors in a small snowflake

 

As always, type a lowercase "L" and you'll get a proper blacked out view.

 

Lit with a flash, but now instead of using a hacked cheapo macro flash, I'm using an even cheaper old flash with a light-guide

 

The trick is getting the snowflake and lighting to line up well, otherwise it just doesn't 'POP'.

 

Lighting is still a bit too specular and fussy- if the flake shifts the slightest bit [which it often does in warmer weather] it will lose reflections - this often happens halfway through a focus stack.

 

Colors in snowflake shots come from different reasons:

1) refraction like a prism, which you see here

2) interference - when the depth of the flake or bubble messes with the wavelengths of light and cause certain colors to be absorbed or bounce.

3) backlighting with different colors looks cool but it's kind of cheating....

4) lens error - chromatic abberation, the magenta/cyan discoloration that tints different sides of the snowflake crystal. Imaging software is getting better and better at clearing this out from images.

5) fake color painted in in photoshop... I never do this.

6) cross polarization - i've tried and never gotten much out of this, but certain forms of frozen water like old lake ice that is sliced thin is amazing.

7) bad color balance - kind of the same as #3- some times I'll shoot with a flash, but another neon/sodium source of light is nearby and will tint the flake.

Whatever, she SOOO)) never follows through with those kinds of threats.

 

Survival Guide for dating a lethal weapon, Tip #21: know when she's faking.

"I want an APB sent out immediately," Ira West shouted, rushing from his office to the CCPD breeding room. "Every available officer needs to be searching this city up and down, every damn apartment!"

 

Inside the room sat August, his eyes locked onto the floor. When paramedics arrived, he refused to be taken to the hospital, electing to have a quick patch up and be taken straight to the precinct. The gauze wrapped around his head was stained red, but it didn't bother him at the moment, his mind was occupied.

 

"Sir, everyone is already here," Patty replied with a frown. "The fire at Iron Heights was worse than Trickster's breakout; multiple wings were able to escape."

 

"Damnit…" the commissioner cursed, clenching his fist. "We need to contact Keystone, see if-"

 

"Ira!"

 

August's head final rose, looking towards the doorway. Joe stormed into the room, Flash following in behind him.

 

"What are the patrols looking like?" he demanded, his face flushed red. "Do we have any choppers out? Wh-"

 

"Joe, Joe!" Ira called out, interrupting his brother. "Take a breather, please."

 

"It's… but…" Joe mumbled, before stopping himself, breathing in deeply. "How ma… is this everyone?"

 

Ira frowned, nodding his head solemnly. "Everyone here is what we have available," he said. "Everyone else is dealing with the breakout."

 

"Ira… you… you know that- that he took him, right?" Joe whispered out, Flash placing his hand on the man's shoulder. "Him."

 

"Yes, I do. And you know how much I want that fucker's head on a block, but I can't," Ira replied, gaze shifting to the new footage of Iron Heights. "He's my nephew. I want him home, safe, but I can't just drop everything for him. As Commissioner I need to th-"

 

August quietly stood, the group in the room not taking notice of him. August watched the Commissioner's mouth continue to move, but no words could be heard. The television was running a fast food ad, but the commercial was silent. August's eyes were fixated on Ira, his fist balling at his side. He could feel his breath pass through his teeth, gritting together tightly.

 

"He's some random dealer who got shot in an alleyway, it happens everyday. We aren't dropping everything going on right now just to start an investigation for him and that's final."

 

"Detective."

 

August flinched as a red-gloved hand was placed onto his shoulder. He quickly brushed the hand off, staring at the hero in front of him. He then noticed Joe, Ira, and Patty were all looking at him as well, causing him to unclench his fist.

 

"You okay, Detective?" Flash asked with a small, endearing smile on his face. "I know you and Daniel are close, if there's anything-"

 

"You can do to help?" August interrupted, narrowing his eyes at the hero. "How about stop standing around like everyone else and go find him."

  

Flash frowned, nodding. "I'm here to get CCPD's patrol routes," he explained, looking back at the group. "Once they start sending cars out, I'll know where is getting covered. It'll help us find him faster."

 

August stayed silent, nodding lightly before stepping past Flash and out the door. He paused as he reached the hallway, looking back into the room. "You should know by now…" he said, staring into Flash's eyes, "the right way isn't the right way… not always."

 

-^-

 

You must be swift as a coursing river, (Be a man!)

 

Blue lightning bounced off Wally's body as he slid to the right, dodging the cane strike.

 

With all the force of a great typhoon, (Be a man!)

 

The next strike came rushing at Wally's head, but the boy raised his arms to block the attack.

 

With all the strength of a raging fire…

 

Wally's other hand shot up, grabbing onto the cane and pulling it free from Eddie's hands.

 

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!

 

Spinning the object, he pointed it at Eddie's face, panting lightly as the song on the radio ended. After a moment of silence, his eyes widened, reaching forward to catch Eddie as he stumbled backwards.

 

"I'm sorry Mr. Jones," he apologized, handing the man his cane back and guiding him to the chair. "I, uh, guess it got kinda intense back there."

 

Wally was surprised to see Eddie chuckle once more, sliding his sunglasses off and placing them next to the radio. "I'm not sure what you're apologizing for, Wallace," he said, turning the radio off. "If you didn't notice, you were able to stay in complete control for three whole minutes."

 

"I… huh," Wally mumbled, sitting down next to Eddie. "I guess I did… I did! What… prompted it? The music, I mean."

 

"Heh… well, would you believe me if I said it was you?" he asked, his smile falling slightly, but becoming evermore sincere. "Remember the day I met you? Christmas at your uncle's place?"

 

"I mean, yeah," Wally said, chuckling slightly. "August hit you in the head with a snowball and you decided to join us."

 

"Yeah that's it," he said with a nod. "That day, I hated you."

 

"Huh?"

 

"For three years I just… I didn't even like looking at you," he explained, chewing on the inside of his cheek. "When Barry told me what happened with Trickster, that we'd be training you… I wanted to opt out."

 

"Wait wait wait, go back a bit?" Wally asked, a confused frown on his face. "Why did you hate me? We hardly even saw each other."

 

"I know. I made sure of that," he said, taking a deep breath. "I… I hated you because you just… you remind me of her, so much."

 

"Her?"

 

"My daughter, Colly," Eddie mumbled with his eyes closed. "Your kindness, your sass, your carefree attitude, your ability to get knocked down and get back up laughing… it was like her ghost was haunting me."

 

"That's why you call me-" Wally began, stopping as Eddie nodded. "So… so what changed? I mean, I assume you don't hate me now?"

 

"You're still a pain in the ass, but I don't…" he said smiling again. "When Barry and Jay asked for my help with that fake Clariss, when I had to use my power for the first time since she… it was like a fog in my mind cleared. You aren't some spectre looming over me with the spirit of my baby girl held hostage. You're a reminder of her. Her heart, her brain… her soul. I told Barry he was the reason I broke out of my solitude and was able to smile again. You though? You gave me something worth more than a thousand smiles, so thank you, Wally. Thank you for being you."

 

"I uh… I'm not sure exactly what to say," Wally chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

 

"Well I say, we head upstairs and get some grub," Eddie said, brushing away a tear before putting his glasses back on. "Once we eat, I've got something special to show you, I think you'll really like it."

 

-^-

 

The crowd roared as a man in robes performed a roundhouse kick, knocking the other to the floor with a thud. The man was quickly back on his feet, throwing a wild uppercut at his opponent. August stood in the entrance to the club, the music blasting loud and the building reeking of sweat and alcohol.

 

Goldrush: An underground night-fight club located just outside the city border. Its owner, Damion Poitier, had run the club for a decade now under the alias of Bling. Through the years Poitier accumulated wealth and power through Goldrush, making a name for himself and dipping his fingers into the CCPD as well as the KCPD.

 

August began to survey the room, searching for the head of the establishment. Poitier, more than anything, was a businessman. A businessman who made sure he knew what went on in the gem cities at all times.

 

It was a long shot, but August had no other options.

 

As he searched the dancefloor, his eyes were drawn to the bar, narrowing as he spotted the bartender. 'Is that…' he thought to himself, pushing through the crowd, confirming his suspicions as he approached the bar and taking a seat.

 

"And what will it be f-" the woman started, before gasping. "August?"

 

"Didn't know you worked here, Becky," he said, staring at the woman, dressed in a white button down with a crimson vest.

 

"Well, things happen after you don't talk to someone for five years," she responded, a slight venom in her words. "I don't think you really should know, either. What's one of CCPD's finest doing here?"

 

"I-"

 

"And that is round two, we have had a great fight on our hands so far ladies and gentlemen, it shall continue shortly!"

 

"I need information," August said, noticing the unphased look on Becky's face. "If you could point me in the direction of your boss, I'll be out of your hair."

 

"Pretty ballsy to walk in here demanding to speak to Bling," she said with a coy smirk, leaning forward on the counter. "I'm not too sure he'd enjoy me sending a cop to his doorstep."

 

"I'm not playing games, not today," August growled, causing Becky to frown. "Tell me where he is, or I'll make sure this club comes crashing down."

 

Becky sighed, crossing her arms as she pulled back from the counter. "You're not much fun anymore," she mumbled, jutting her thumb to the side. "Door behind me, it'll take you to the VIP lounge. If they ask, say you threatened me with a knife or something, 'kay?"

 

August didn't respond, stepping through the opening and past Becky through the door. He quickly made his way up the carpeted stairs, finding himself on a balcony positioned to view the arena and dance floor.

 

August spotted a plethora of mobsters, CEOs, and high ranking officials sitting at the various tables lining the balcony. It didn't take long to find his target, however, as he sat at the largest of them all. August approached the table with a quickness, his eyes locking onto Poitier's.

 

"Well, well, well," Poitier said, an invisible smile forming under his mask, "what an interesting turnup we have here. Never expected to see you in here, Detective Heart."

 

August stared at the man, who sat on the couch of the VIP lounge, scantily clad men sat around him. He was dressed in a crisp white suit, arms splayed across the back of the couch as he chuckled, a drink in one hand.

 

"Bling," August said, narrowing his eyes. "I don't have time for any bullshit, I need information."

 

"I do like someone who can cut to the chase," he said, raising his glass to August before sticking the straw through his mask and taking a sip. "You need information, I've likely got it."

 

"Eradicator, where is he?" August asked, crossing his arms, watching the man's golden eyes narrow.

 

"Eradicator…" Poitier mumbled, bringing his free hand to his chin. "Ah yes, Eradicator, good old Mr. Phillips."

 

"Well?"

 

"Well?"

 

"Where is he!?" August shouted, his fists clenching.

 

Poitier was silent for a moment, his eyes staring into August's. Then suddenly, he began to cackle, throwing his head back and holding his stomach. "Oh… oh that… that's rich," he wheezed, trying to contain his laughter. "Yo- ha. Do you think you're Batman or something? Why in the hell would I be afraid of you?"

 

"Do you want to find out!" August shouted, reaching forward and grabbing onto the man's collar. "I'm not playing around, Poitier! My family is-"

 

Suddenly, a large hand clasped onto August's shoulder, tearing him from Poitier and lifting him into the air. August began to struggle, but the grip tightened, making him groan in pain. A cold blade was pressed against his throat, the edge pressing into his skin. August's eyes shifted slightly, eyeing the man that held him up.

 

He stood tall, much taller than August's own frame. He was clad in a blue suit, pieces of silver armor covering his body. His face was rough and mean, a scar running from his cheek through his lips. The blade pressed against August's neck was attached to the man's gauntlets, the silver stained red.

 

"It seems I forgot to introduce you two," Poitier smirked, slipping the straw through his mask once more. "Razor, meet Detective Heart. Detective Heart, meet Razor, my personal bodyguard."

 

Poitier gave a slight nod, causing the large man to drop August to the ground. "You've got a supervillain working for you?" August grunted, rubbing his shoulder.

 

"I've got supervillains working for me," Poitier corrected, shooing the strippers away as he leaned forward. "Razor's good at his job, earns his paycheck and then some. Now, you wanna try being a good boy and continue our conversation?"

 

"I need to know where he is," August said, standing up from the ground. "I don't have time for your games. He has my… my brother."

 

"Yes, I know," Poitier said, nodding his head. "It would be a shame if something were to happen to Daniel. Here's the thing though, Detective. I am a businessman," he explained, placing his glass onto the table and bringing his right leg over his left. "When I do something for someone, I get something in return. If I just started handing out things, all of this wouldn't last."

 

"And Crowbar goes down! Your winner for the match, the beastly, Kung!"

 

"I've got an uneven amount of fighters tonight," Poitier said, raising his hand into his coat pocket, pulling out a stack of cash. "If someone were willing to, say… help me fill that spot…" the man's eyes narrowed, "well, let's just say I like to help my employees with their troubles."

 

August stared at Poitier, his own eyes narrowing.

 

"I can't lose anyone else either."

 

-^-

 

"Get ready folks, you won't want to miss this next matchup!" the announcer shouted, riling the crowd up.

 

August sat in the small locker room located in the back of the club. His jacket, shirt, and gun were all placed in the locker Poitier had given him. He stared at his gauzed wrapped hands, mind flooding with the events that occurred earlier that night. Eradicator beating him effortlessly, Daniel being dragged out of the house after trying to save him. His teeth grit, hard.

 

"You've seen him here before," the announcer returned, introducing his opponent. "He strikes like a winter wind, give it up for… Chillblaine!"

 

August turned to see his opponent discarding an aviator jacket into the locker. The man smacked his head a few times, before turning towards the arena.

 

"Get ready to die, piggy," Blaine said with a devious smirk before rushing out into the arena, earning a roar of applause.

 

August looked down to the bench he sat on, lifting his badge from the seat.

 

"If having this badge means I can't even help a child in need, then maybe I shouldn't have it."

 

"Facing off against Chillblaine," the announcer began, causing August to stand, throwing the badge into the locker before slamming it shut, "he's a never before seen fighter here at Goldrush. Taken straight from the other side, Detective August Heart!"

 

As August exited the locker room, he was met by a barrage of negativity. Food was thrown at him, hands tried to grab ahold of him, and insults were loud enough to drown out the music. His head stayed down, eyes locked onto the stage in front of him.

 

They could think whatever they wanted. He was here for one reason, their words didn't matter.

 

Stepping into the cage, the door was slammed shut behind him. As the lock ticked, the ref mumbled out a threat, but August was unable to decipher it. Blaine stood across from him, chatting with a woman outside the cage.

 

"Are… you… ready!?" The announcer asked, earning another roar from the crowd. "Alright! Let's get ready to rumble!"

 

The sound of a bell ringing caused Blaine to turn. August kept his head straight, eyes locked onto Blaine. He readied his fists and began to sidestep around the cage.

 

"I'm gonna kill you in here," Blaine said, taking a similar stance to August and following his movements. "Filthy fucking pig ruining my night."

 

August didn't speak, the events from earlier once again flashing through his mind. 'Powerless,' he thought to himself, narrowing his eyes.

 

Blaine charged forward with a quick jab, one August was able to block with his forearm. The man followed up quickly with a low hook, connecting with Blaine's abdomen. Blaine easily tanked the hit, responding with another two jabs, one right one left. August attempted to use the opening, but was met with a rising knee to the stomach, the force causing him to stumble. Blaine didn't let up on the attack, rushing forward with another jab and a right hook. August was able to block the first strike, but the second connected with his skull, putting him into a daze.

 

"How you like that, hog!?" Blaine shouted, sending another hook into August's head, knocking him to the ground. "Gonna be joining old Jorgy soon, fucker!"

 

Blaine brought his foot down, smashing it against August's abs, vomit spilling from the detective's mouth.

 

"Screw dad, he's not family, not real family, I mean."

 

Another stomp was against his chest, causing August's vision to darken.

 

"Real family is… well, it's the people who you care about. Not just like friends, but people who've changed and impacted your life so much that… that you'd do anything for them. People who you'd steal for, kill for… and even die for. That's what a real family is."

 

August laid on the arena's floor, Blaine's foot tauntingly hovering above his face. Blood trickled down his face, from new wounds and his cut from earlier reopened. As he watched Blaine taunt, the image of Daniel passed through his mind once more, causing a guttural cry to be ripped from his stomach.

 

August grabbed Blaine's foot in one hand and leg in the other. With all the force he could muster, he pushed in opposite directions until he heard a pop, as well as a cry from his opponent. Stumbling to a stand, he still held Blaine's now broken foot, panting. His body rushed forward as fast as it could, slamming Blaine's back against the cage. Once there, he brought his elbow crashing down onto his opponent's kneecap, attempting to break it. Blaine was quick enough to bend his knee, stopping the attempt, but drawing August in closer in the process.

 

Still holding onto Blaine's foot, August slammed his free fist into Blaine's abdomen. Blaine doubled over at the strike, allowing August to let the man's foot fall and perform a devastating uppercut. August then sent his fist into Blaine's face, smashing the blond's nose and slamming his head back into the cage. A second strike connected with his upper jaw, with a third again hitting the bridge of his nose.

 

Grabbing him by the hair, August hit him with two more quick head punches before throwing him to the ground. August quickly straddled the man's hips, his breathing erratic. Blaine raised his hands in a weak defense, but August pushed them aside, bringing his fist down. He began pounding the man's face, each strike causing another crunch, every hit staining his wraps a deeper red.

 

"Please…"

 

August paused with his fist ready to strike again. He panted heavily, a concoction of blood and sweat dripping from his chin. His eyes widened as he truly looked at the man beneath him.

 

His head was smothered in crimson, his skin torn all along his bruised face. Blood was pooling underneath him, coloring his blond hair an orange-y red. His nose was broken, his bottom lip split open, and his right eye was sealed shut.

 

With uneven breaths, placing a hand on his knee, August pulled himself to a stand. It was only now when he noticed the crowd, completely silent.

 

"A-a-and… I'm sorry," the announcer stuttered, gulping audibly. "Your winner, Detective August Heart!"

 

August looked up to the balcony as the crowd began to roar. Poitier was looking down at him, slowly clapping his hands. August could tell, even with the mask over his face, the man was smiling.

 

'It was for Daniel,' August thought, looking up into the blinding lights as he panted. 'It was for Daniel… anything for family.'

 

-^-

 

"That was a spectacular fight," Poitier said, his feet kicked up on the table, clapping as August entered the VIP lounge. "I'd say the best we've had in this place in years, at least since that blond kid with a temper came in a few years back."

 

August stood across from the man, his wounds crudely wrapped in gauze and his jacket laid over his shoulder. "Eradicator..." he mumbled, "where is he?"

 

Poitier sighed, dropping his feet to the floor. "A deal... is a deal," he said, pulling out the same stack of bills from before. "I had one of my informants follow them after they took down that building. Apparently, he and the fire fella are heading to the northern power plant. What for, beats me, but you should find them there."

 

August stared at the Poitier, the stack of cash, then back at Poitier. "Keep your damn money," he mumbled, turning away from the man.

 

"You're welcome to step into the cage again anytime, detective," Poitier called out, causing August to stop.

 

"When all of this passes," he mumbled, looking over his shoulder, "I'll be back to shut this place down."

 

"I cannot wait to see you try," Poitier chuckled, as August left Goldrush

 

-^-

 

"Nothing… we've got nothing," Joe said, slamming his fist against the wall. "What are we supposed to do!?"

 

"Joe, calm down," Barry said, placing his hand atop his shoulder. "We'll head back to CCPD and check in with Patty, I'm sure they've got some updates."

 

"I should've brought him to the station…" Joe said, his voice wobbly. "If he was there instead of home-"

 

"Nothing would've changed, Joe," Barry said, causing Joe to look at the blond. "What would've been different if you had him at CCPD instead of home?"

 

"I… I could've…"

 

"Nothing," Barry continued, giving Joe a sad smile. "You… you have to accept the things you can't change… it's the only way you can make real change."

 

"I… Yeah… I just-"

 

bzzt bzzt bzzt bzzt

 

Barry looked at Joe, confused, before tapping the wing on his cowl. "Hello?"

 

"I found Daniel, get to the Northern Power Plant, now."

 

"A-August? Wait, what? How did you? A-alright, I'll text Joe and-"

 

"Cut the act, Barry," August responded, a drive Barry had never heard before in his voice. "I know you're him. Bring Joe if you want, but get here, now."

 

As the line cut, Barry was frozen in shock. Before he could let the reveal get to him, he turned to Joe, a small, but hopeful smile on his face.

 

"August found him."

 

----------------------------

 

NEXT TIME: Faceoff! The Flash vs The Eradicator!

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Here is a prairie Anthidium. A. psoraleae. There are 36 Anthidiums in the U.S. In the East and the Midwest, none are what you would call common any longer...except for 2 of the exotic ones A. oblongatum and A. manicatum. They, are common. Why? Because they like weeds and are weedy themselves and in places where people with cameras live there are lots of weeds. In fact, except for you, dear reader, the story of the average house is this: Land in a luxurious state of unbelievable bioplexity is tornout, crushed, flattened, spread with subsoil from the new basement, and in its place weed gardens advertently and inadvertently grown. No native Anthidiums here, no sir, they need native plants not fake ones. Nature wants you to fix that. Photo by Cole Cheng and specimen from Minnesota from Patrick Pennarola's study of ...prairie restoration.

~~~~~~~~~~{{{{{{0}}}}}}~~~~~~~~~~

 

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

  

Photography Information:

Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

 

We Are Made One with What We Touch and See

 

We are resolved into the supreme air,

We are made one with what we touch and see,

With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,

With our young lives each spring impassioned tree

Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range

The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.

- Oscar Wilde

  

You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML

 

Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

 

Best over all technical resource for photo stacking:

www.extreme-macro.co.uk/

 

Free Field Guide to Bee Genera of Maryland:

bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

 

Basic USGSBIML set up:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

 

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

 

Bees of Maryland Organized by Taxa with information on each Genus

www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/collections

 

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:

ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

 

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques:

plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo

or

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

 

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking:

www.photomacrography.net/

 

Contact information:

Sam Droege

sdroege@usgs.gov

  

301 497 5840

-^- ??? -^-

 

The forest is peaceful. The dim glow of the rising sun paints the trees in a beautiful tangerine. Birds sing to their own melody as the wind shakes the trees of loose leaves. Creed likes the forest, it's one he's never visited before. He makes a note to return one day, when he wasn't "on the job."

 

In front of him, taking large strides through the greenery, is Heatmonger. It's been a few days since the two talked on the cliffside. Creed doesn't know if it was that conversation that helped or not, but since then a fire has been lit under his partner. That fire was currently blowing it's embers through the lush forest to-

 

"We're here," Heatmonger announces with glee. He rushes forward towards the chain link fence like a child on Christmas morning. "Let's go."

 

"Wait," Creed calls out, stopping Heatmonger just before his superheated hands grab a hold off the fence. "Let me, we don't need to start a forest fire."

 

"I can control my flames," Heatmonger scoffs, crossing his arms like a pouting toddler. The moment the fence turns to dust, he pushes Creed aside and runs through the hole, towards a ruined, abandoned facility.

 

Creed still doesn't know how his partner found out about this place, nor why he seems so ecstatic to get inside. He does, however, know whatever awaits inside will be beneficial for them, for the church. Cicada himself said it best, "he's anxious, but his heart is in the right place."

 

Unlike his partner, Creed walks a moderate pace up the small hill inside the facility gates, eyeing some of the fallen debris from the facility's walls. It wasn't just abandoned, he reckons, noticing the charring on the rubble. The building suffered an explosion… and based on these walls, it was from the inside.

 

"Shit," he mumbles, taking off towards the building, "Monger!"

  

-^- St. Paul's Church, northern Ohio -^-

 

"Well, if the last six churches weren't bad enough, this one doesn't even seem to be open," Ralph sighs, leaning against the wall beside the door. "What kinda church shuts its doors anyways? I'm starting to think this whole Raijin thing was a bust…"

 

Iris, after knocking on the large doors a 4th time, stares into Ralph's soul with narrowed jade eyes. "It was your idea to look into churches, don't put the blame on me."

 

"I'm not!" Ralph quickly says, raising his hands in defense as he takes a large step away from Iris. "It's just… none of them have even heard of Raijin, how do we know it even exists?"

 

"I know it exists."

 

"Ever think you could've hallucinated the whole thing?" Ralph suggests, earning another glare from Iris.

 

"Okay…" she says, defeated as she backs away from the door. "St. Paul's was a bust, where to next?"

 

Before Ralph has the chance to speak, the unlocking of a door can be heard. Iris's face lights up and she grabs Ralph by the sleeve, pulling to the door. As it opens, an older man steps out, adorned in robe-like clothing.

 

"Why, hello there," he greets with a smile. "I don't believe I've seen either of you before, welcome welcome."

 

Iris nods at Ralph, stepping inside with him in tow. The two walk down the aisle, before stopping near the altar. The pastor follows close behind, stopping alongside them.

 

"I'm sorry the doors were shut, we've had quite a few miscreants as of late," he explains.

 

"It's quite alright father, we're just glad you answered," Ralph says, running a hand through his locks. "We've tried multiple other churches around the state, but none have been of any help."

 

"I'm sorry to hear that, what is it that you're in need of?"

 

"Raijin… have you ever heard of it?" Iris asks.

 

"What… what did you say?"

 

"She asked if you've ever heard of Raijin?" Ralph clarifies with a smile. "See, we're -"

 

"Don't you dare say that name in this holy house," the man snarls, stepping back in a mixture of fear and disgust.

 

Ralph and Iris exchange looks of confusion, before turning back to the man, still mortified. "Father, we-"

 

"You will not find that devil to be worshiped here!"

 

"So you do know of him, interesting," Ralph mutters, pulling out a pad of notes, pretending to write things down with a finger. "It's good to hear you so repulsed, even by a mere mention."

 

Iris looks up at him, a cocked eyebrow, but merely receives a wink in return. It clicks in her mind as the pastor relaxes, his anger shifting to a light confusion.

 

"I beg your pardon?"

 

"Sorry we didn't introduce ourselves sooner," Iris says, smiling kindly at the man. "We run a blog about that terrible monster, and have been searching for more information on the source of it."

 

"We just need to make sure no one is corrupted," Ralph nods, closing the notepad and sliding it back into his pocket. "Exposing that demon is our number one priority… you wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

 

"You're… bloggers?" he asks, receiving a nod from Ralph. "I… I do, actually," the man says, nodding with a disgusted frown. "The devil spawn, Grace Gibbons."

 

"Grace Gibbons?"

 

"Long ago, before my time, the Gibbons family arrived at this town," he explains, shaking his head. "Her father would preach of Raijin, and our people believed him for so long. That man, however, was in leagues with the devil himself.

 

"Grace Gibbons has been alive for over 100 years, yet has the appearance of myself."

 

"It must be that devil," Ralph agrees, looking eerily at Iris. "Would you happen to know where she is?"

 

"What!?" the pastor exclaims, shaking his head and waving his hands in the air. "You can not go, it is too dangerous!"

 

"Trust me, father," Iris cuts in, putting the fake smile back on in full, "we need to warn the people of this."

 

-^- Abandoned Facility, ??? -^-

 

Creed rushes inside the facility, scanning for any signs of his partner. "Monger, you hear me!?" he shouts, earning no response. He grits his teeth, running down the first hallway he finds. "Monger, dammit!"

 

The nearest wall crumbles with a touch, opening a room to his view. Luckily, from the back of the room, a dim blue light illuminates the building. From here, he can see the outline of his partner, and hear the clacking of a keyboard. With slow steps, he approaches his partner.

 

"You know this place was booby trapped?"

 

"Yeah, 'was.'"

 

"A little heads up on what the mission is could do wonders."

 

"Didn't think you cared so much."

 

Creed shakes his head, watching as Heatmonger laughs and slides a thin tube from his belt. He holds it into the air, letting the light of the machinery illuminate the vial. Creed narrows his eyes, watching as the red liquid sloshes around inside. It's blood.

 

"Who's blood is that?" he asks, but is given no response, only more laughter from the man as he slides the vial into the machine. Creed shields his eyes as sparks fly from the tangled, ruined cables. "Hey, be car-"

 

BEEEP

 

Creed blinks twice at the noise. Looking over his partner's shoulder, he sees the small monitor Heatmonger had been typing into had changed, now showcasing DNA readings. It must be some sort of automated bootup sequence… but it doesn't explain how Heatmonger knew… nor the name displayed on the screen.

 

"Who's Zeiko?" he asks, watching the man work, typing a string of commands. After a moment of silence, Creed gives up, turning towards the entrance of the facility, he'll at least stay on guard. The clicking of keys slowly grows quieter, as the glow of the sun grows brighter. He stands idly in the entrance, watching as the sun rises into place.

 

He wishes Heatmonger would be open with him. He gets it, the church isn't about the past. From himself, to Rosso, to Petrov, even Cicada himself… they met on a mutual understanding. A desire to change the world for the better, for him. Still, it doesn't stop his wonder, his curiosity of the mysterious immortal he calls a partner. His past, his goals… what makes him cry when he thinks no one is looking.

 

Creed wonders if it's his past that makes him care in the first place.

 

He finds himself standing outside the facility for another 30 minutes before Heatmonger finally emerges. Creed can hear the storm of laughter being held under his breath. "You gonna tell me what this was all about?" Creed asks, crossing his arms and leaning against what's left of the doorframe.

 

"Just making sure I'm never forgotten… never again."

 

-^-

 

Iris takes a deep breath. Beside her, Ralph fiddles with the notepad he'd been pretending to use earlier, now jotting down a few lines before sliding it back in his pocket. After she receives a nod from the man, Iris presses on the doorbell. It takes a moment before shuffling can be heard inside.

 

"I told you, I'm not interested-" the voice from inside calls, opening the door slightly, pausing upon seeing the two of them. "Erm, sorry, I thought you were someone else."

 

The door opens fully, revealing the voice's owner; an elderly woman with ice white hair and large, dented glasses. She's bundled up in a winter jacket, with gloves and a scarf to match. It makes Iris wish she brought a jacket of her own. Grace Gibbons, their one and only lead. The pastor, once Ralph's act set in, was more than happy to help. It led them far out of the small town, up near the lake a few miles out.

 

"Hi, uh, Miss Gibbons?" Iris greets, a soft smile on her face. "I'm Iris West, and this is Ralph Dibney, may we ask you a few-"

 

"I'm sorry, the weather is terrible this morning," Gibbons interrupts, stepping to the side and ushering the two in. "Please, it would be terrible if either of you got sick."

 

Iris looks to Ralph, who shrugs, not hiding his light shivering well. She turns back to the elder woman, nodding as she steps inside.

 

"I'll be back in a moment, I have tea on," Gibbons says, waddling through the hallway to her kitchen. "Please, make yourself a home, I'll be back for those questions in a flash."

 

Iris looks over to Ralph, nodding. In an instant the two get to work, examining the living room from head to toe. Bookshelves, paintings, between the sofa; anywhere that any clue could be had to be checked. The search, however, doesn't lead to any results. The room is that of any living room, filled with some trinkets and family photos, but nothing that points to Raijin.

 

At least, not until Iris spots another picture frame, tucked away between books on the shelf. Her eyes light up, it has to be it, she can feel it… she can feel it. The feeling in her body isn't that of a hunch or instinct, but rather a guiding hand. The sensation isn't one she's unused to, in fact she'd felt just a day ago… Barry's lightning.

 

Following that feeling, she grabs a hold of the frame, sliding it out to see the picture it holds. "Ralph…" she calls, narrowing her eyes at the worn, black and white photograph, "come take a long ok at this.

 

The photo is of a group of soldiers, by the uniforms she would guess WW1. What stood out, however, was not the soldiers, but the three figures not in a military uniform. The first wears a light colored suit, with a bandana over his mouth. In the back, standing almost like a monster above the rest, is a shadow-y figure, one adorned in a top hat and dark glasses. Dead center, however, is what her eyes are drawn to; a bald man with a long beard, cape draped over his shoulders. He holds a dagger, shaped like that of a lightning bolt. It's that same feeling, that guiding hand.

 

"That's him," she says aloud, pointing to the bald man, "he leads the cult of Raijin."

 

"How do you know?" Ralph asks, looking at her with a cocked eyebrow.

 

"I just… I do…"

 

"I see you took my words literally."

 

CHK-CHK

 

Both Iris and Ralph turn to see Gibbons, shotgun in hand, aimed at the two of them. Ralph panics, hands flying into the air. Iris's eyes narrow, looking down at the photo, then back to the old woman.

 

"Who is he?"

 

"Iris, now is not the time for badass detective woman," Ralph mumbles through clenched teeth, elbowing her in the shoulder. "Listen, lady, we have- she has a family that will come looking for her if something happens to either of us."

 

"How do you know that name!" the woman demands, aiming the gun between the two of them. "Well!?"

 

"So you know about Raijin?" Iris asks with confidence, not backing down from the woman. "Who is this man in the picture?"

 

"You should listen to your friend," Gibbons sneers, shifting the barrel towards Iris. "You don't make demands when a gun is pointed at you."

 

"You do when you have one," Iris says, reaching behind her and upholstering a revolver. Both Ralph and Gibbons are in shock, staring at the silver weapon. "Now, answer me."

 

"Iris… why do you-"

 

"You and I aren't the only people who she's got a gun pointed at," Iris says, glancing down at her stomach, before going back to Gibbons. Memories of her confrontation with Trickster flood her mind, of the words Joe and Barry said to her. "Besides, you never know what psycho may have you at the end of a barrel."

 

Ralph is silent for a moment, before his eyes widen. "You're pregnant!?" He shouts, before looking at Gibbons, whose face also shifts further into shock. "You're not gonna shoot a pregnant lady, right?"

 

"I…"

 

"Listen, Miss Gibbons," Iris begins, keeping the revolver trained on her, "I can tell you aren't fond of Raijin… your reaction alone shows you have some familiarity with it. My friend and I are looking to put a stop to it, and it's cult-like following. To do that, we need to know about this man… please."

 

Gibbons stares at Iris, looking between her, Ralph, and the picture. With a deep sigh, she lowers her gun.

 

"First, I'd like to ask if you can drop the Gibbons… My name is Grace Dwyer," she says, lowering herself onto the recliner in the room, letting the shotgun lay atop her lap. "Gibbons… that's a name my father gave me long ago."

 

"Dwyer?" Iris asks, following suit and taking a seat on the couch. "As in Dwyer Park…"

 

"That's the one," she responds, nodding her head with a frown. "It might be best for both of you to take a seat, I'll tell you all I know about Raijin… and the man in that photo… the Cicada."

 

"I guess… I can start with my family? My grandfather's name was David Hersh, my grandmother; Elizabeth Dwyer. While the two were madly in love, my grandfather opted to never marry, as his… profession could bring her and their family harm. See, my grandfather was blessed. David Hersh is a descendant of a powerful, immortal man; people today would refer to him as a metahuman. Those incredible genes were passed to him, giving him the gift of immortality as well.

 

"He and my grandmother had three children; my father, Michael, my uncle Orlin, and my aunt, Marybeth. I was an only child, and uncle Orlin never found that special someone, but aunt Marybeth had little Francis. It was… nice. All of us, we were a happy family. At least we were, before the war.

 

"I'm… not really sure what happened, not fully at least. My father came rushing home, there was an urgency I'd never heard before in his voice. Me and my mother packed our things and we're out the door before my aunt, uncle, or little Francis even knew he'd returned home.

 

"I was still young then, fighting off sleep in the backseat of the coach. Even so, I still remember my father's frantic retelling of what happened on that battlefield."

 

Michael Dwyer crouches down beside a fallen soldier, fingers pressing lightly against his neck. He curses under his breath, hoisting his pack over his shoulder and rushing to the next downed man. Gunfire rains just above the trenches, paired with the sound of war machines soaring through the sky, the cries of fellow soldiers are all but drowned out.

 

His face is filled with muck and grime, his socks are wet, and blood of unknown origin coats his hands. It's a losing battle, they're no match for the enemy, not without the cavalry. The cavalry being his father and brother, only their power could turn the tides of this war.

 

"C'mon," he mumbles, a sigh of relief at the pulse he feels, "get up, we've got to move!"

 

Pulling the soldier to a stand, Michael flings the near unconscious man's arm around his shoulder and begins to move throughout the trenches. The sounds never stop; not the gunfire or the planes. A constant ringing that hurts, but he must move forward. He must-

 

His eyes go wide. Turning his head to a whistle-like noise, he stares in horror as a mortar shell falls from above. He can't help but think of his wife and daughter, their beautiful smiles, as he closes his eyes.

 

A whooshing noise, however, restores a glimmer of hope to his slowly opening eyes. Standing in front of him is his father, the Cicada, arm outstretched and holding the shell. As if it were a mere baseball, the man throws the shell back to its sender, a large explosion sounding off in the distance. The man looks back, giving Michael a once over, before taking off towards the enemies.

 

Without even noticing, his brother, Orlin, appeared kneeling beside him. "Are you alright?" he asks, placing his hand against Michael's forehead. "You've got a fever, you need to fall back, I'll help get these people out of here."

 

"But…"

 

"Go!" he orders. "Me and dad will handle this!"

 

Michael stands, nodding. He runs, runs, and runs. Mud causes him to stumble, crashes and bullet spray cause him to cower, but he doesn't stop running; not until the lightning.

 

Michael turns, watching as the bolt of lightning strikes down, watching as his father stands at the center of it. He makes a move to turn back, to go and help, but his heart falls in a flash. A dagger; jagged silver, still red hot, buries itself into Orlin's stomach. The wielder of the dagger, the man who'd just driven a blade into his brother, is Michael's own father. Michael stands frozen, watching as the pouring rain falls upon his family, illuminated by the lightning strike.

 

The world is deafened. He doesn't know if his brain was short circuiting or if the sounds of war had finally destroyed his ears. What he does know is that one sound was enough to break through; one sound cuts through the silence like butter.

 

His father's laughter.

 

"In that laughter, he heard the Cicada praise Raijin," she says, nodding slightly. "We quickly fled, deciding on staying here."

 

"Why'd he preach for Raijin then?" Ralph asks, clasping his hands together. "Your story doesn't match the pastor who led us here."

 

"Father Jonathan is mistaken," she says, shaking her head with a frown. "My father spread warnings of Raijin… he only ever hoped no one would fall victim like Uncle Orlin… but you know how tales passed down go."

 

"It's not very fair to you," Ralph frowns. "I'm sorry you have to go through that."

 

"It's fine," she chuckles, waving away Ralph's sympathy. "As long as the message got across, then my father succeeded… besides, I like my alone time."

 

"David Hersh, the Cicada…" Iris mumbles with a smile. "That's him… that's the leader of the cult." In an instant she shoots up, nodding to Ralph, who follows her lead. "Grace, you have no idea how valuable this information has been… it will help save countless lives."

 

"That was always my father's goal," she says, smiling back at Iris. "You two just… just be careful… Raijin drove my grandfather, a good man, insane." Iris stares at the woman, seeing the deep pain lingering in that smile. "Raijin… he corrupts even the strongest, most kind souls… don't let him corrupt you."

 

Iris nods, watching Ralph wave kindly as he steps out the door. She takes one last look at Grace, before following after Ralph. She won't let her family be broken… no matter what it takes.

 

-^- ??? -^-

  

W̴̧̧̛͔̣͔̟̺̣̰̙͔̞̗͉̖̪͓̬̳͍̪͂̇̑́͗́͂͆̒̔͛̑̃́̑̈̑̋͘̕͘͝ͅḁ̵̛̱͕̙̫̖̖͉͉̼̣͊̾̀̋́͑̂̃̈̅͋͊̉̽̏̀͛̚͘̕͘͝͝k̶̨̧̻̟͇͖͈͙̦̥̲͉͇̬̯̇̑͋́̄ͅë̸̡̛̙̮͔̮͍̜́͑͂̀͒̑̈͐̆͛̿̐̑͐͐̽̿͒̋̉̾̇̽͆͠͝͠ ̷̢̢̯̗̮̩͚̟̹̞̻̠̮̺̥͉̾̈́͐̓̃̓̏̏̋͌̊̒͑̾̀̕͘̕̚͜ͅų̵͇͉̳̗͎̦͖͕̳̻͇͆̽̑́̽̐̌́̒̍͐͛̔͘̚̕͠p̸̢̹͍̘͚̐͐̂.̷̢̛̛̱̯̺̪̻̟̖̭̫̯̪̭͈̪̝̫̥̻̳̤̐̌͑̌͆̾̊̂̾̂͗́̆͐̑̇̍̀̾́̍̔̔̚͜͠͝

  

W̵̞͆̀͊a̴̧̡̛̖̺͈̠̬̙̠̦̞̟̩̻̪̳̥̤̽͑̽̀̑͑̒́̀̃̐̀̎̚̚͝͝͝ǩ̶̖̙̻̺̻̣͕͔̰̩̼̦̦͈͘e̸̛̛̦̹̲͊̽̀̀͛̈̽̽̐̾̒̈͆̽̔͝͝͝ ̷͓͆̓͋͗̂́̀́̏̀̓͗͆͊͗̚ư̷̝̐̈́̏͐̏̃̊̔́̓̏̇́͘͠ṕ̴̛͔̩́̓̎̓͗̑̇̎̅͆̎̚͘͝͝.̷̨̞̪͎̱̫̬̘̱̒͊̑̈̒̃̉̿̂̆͊̌̇̓́͘͜͠͠

  

W̸̏̇̈́͝ͅa̸̞͔̟͕͒̽͒͒k̵͚̃̂͝ḙ̶̢͍̈́ ̶̻̾̉ȕ̴̩̟̩̕͘ͅp̵̖̜̗̏̏.̸̞́̋͝

 

Wake up.

 

----------------------------

 

NEXT TIME: Call Him Death… Call Him…

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Character Creation

 

Caroline "Carol" Ferris is a fictional character appearing in the DC Comics Universe. She is one of many characters who has used the name Star Sapphire, and the long-time love interest of Hal Jordan, the Silver Age Green Lantern. In her role as Star Sapphire, Ferris has been active as both a supervillain and, more recently, as a superhero.

 

Ferris has appeared in various media outside comics, primarily in association with Green Lantern. Kari Wahlgren, Jennifer Hale, Olivia d'Abo, and others have voiced the character in animated television series and films. Furthermore, Ferris appears in the live-action film Green Lantern, portrayed by Blake Lively.

 

Publication history

 

Carol Ferris first appeared in Showcase #22, and was created by John Broome and Gil Kane. As a Star Sapphire, she first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2 #16.

 

As her normal self (or, in other words, when she wasn't being Star Sapphire), Carol's character has remained fairly constant all the way from her first appearance in 1959 up through to the present day.

 

She's lived her life, had her ups and downs (both business related and in regards to her personal life), but mostly she's been portrayed fairly constantly throughout. Initially she was portrated as a lonely multimillionairess (or it was that Hal Jordan thought).

 

It is true that, as time has gone on and cultural sensibilities have changed, she's undergone significant changes in how her character was written, but no more so than would be the case with any other character who's had such a long publication history (1959-present). As a comparison, her character has changed in portrayal a fair amount less than, say, Lois Lane's has.

 

In recent years though, with the advent of the Star Sapphire Corps, and the accompanying ability her new ring granted her to remain herself as Star Sapphire, the major event in her life is that she's started to act as Star Sapphire, as a hero, on a regular basis, spending much of her time out among the stars, while still returning to Earth periodically to keep up with the company she owns.

 

Fictional Character History

 

As Star Sapphire

 

Unlike her civilian identity, Carol's alter ego, Star Sapphire, on the other hand, has gone through some very significant changes as time has gone on.

 

Femme Fatale (1959 - 1987)

 

Throughout this period, Carol's Star Sapphire persona was more prone to strong emotion, or being controlled or compelled by the Zamarons. She had varying degrees of control over her actions. Her main motivation often had a lot to do with winning Hal Jordan's heart, and/or seeking to be the Zamaron queen.

 

Villain (1987-1995)

 

She didn't really act in any way that could be considered truly malicious. And, in fact, would more often help Hal than vex him.

 

During this time, her modus-operandi shifted and she moved towards some seriously dark territory. Slavery, mind control, torture, even murder. Her relationship with her Star Sapphire persona changed towards something more like a split-personality, one that she very much wanted to be rid of.

 

Hero (2007 - present)

 

During the War of Light storyline, the Zamarons rethought their strategy in bringing love to the universe. They became less cynical, and acted with more open hearts when they gave up sending out Star Sapphire crystals, and instead forged rings that let the bearer retain most of, or even complete control over themselves (depending on their ability to control and focus their own emotions). They founded the Star Sapphire Corps, and sought out Carol to lead and guide them.

 

Carol accepted the charge and has sense fought to defend Zamaron from first the Sinestro Corps, then the Black Lanterns. Following that, she fought against the Blackest Night, helped guide The Predator to be a positive force, aided Hawkgirl and Hawkman against Queen Shrike during Brightest Day, fought against Krona in the War of the Green Lanterns, and has since joined Kyle Rayner's New Guardians team to continue her heroics.

 

Major Story Arcs

 

Secret Origin

 

Carol Ferris, owner of Ferris Air

(In Green Lantern #29-35 May-Nov 2009)

 

As a little girl, Carol was brought to watch the plains take off by her father, Carl Ferris (then owner of Ferris Aircraft). A young Hal Jordan was there too, watching his father's test flight. Carol and Hal talked, and found that they both wanted to be pilots when they grew up. Tragedy struck however, and Hal's father's plane crashed.

 

Years later, a grown woman, Carol's father had retired from running his company and left it to Carol to run. Prior to that, Carol had been fulfilling her dream of being a pilot, but she gave that up to run the company because she felt it was her responsibility.

 

Two years after she assumed control of the company, she went to a meeting at Arden Air. She was making a deal to buy the company from Ken Arden. Hal Jordan, who still blamed Carol's father for his dad's death (Carl Ferris had skied on materials to cut costs on the plane Hal's father had been flying that day), was working there.

 

There was a test flight flying out of Arden that day, and it went wrong. Hal, in his debut appearance as Earth's Green Lantern, saved the flight. Carol saw the whole thing, and was immediately smitten with him, much to Hector Hammond's consternation. Hammond, one of Carol's employees, had been trying to get Carol to agree to go out with him for some time, though Carol had continually refused him.

 

A week later, Carol was having trouble keeping her company afloat because some of the people who would have given her design contracts didn't respect her the way they had her father (presumably because she was a woman and, at that time, there was more than a little gender prejudice going around about things like women running businesses). For the same reason, she was getting a lot of resignations from former Arden employees who didn't like the change in leadership.

 

At the same time, Hammond was exposed to something and mutated into a highly disfigured telepath. When Hal came into her office to throw in his resignation with the rest (though, in his case, it had more to do with the grudge he still had against her father). Carol let him vent a little about his grudge, but then asked if he wanted to fly again. Hal had just recently crashed a test flight (when he'd gotten his Green Lantern ring) and prior to that, he had a real reputation as a risk-taker and a hot-head. Ken Arden had only kept him on because he'd known his dad. No one wanted to hire him either, just like no one seemed to want to fly for her. Hal took the job.

 

Hal flew his first test flight for Carol the next day, and when he landed the plain, Hammond attacked, intent on his feelings for Carol. Hal saved her though, but disappeared afterward mysteriously.

 

A couple days later, Hal showed up at Carol's house at night and demanded to see her father. It was then revealed that her father was sick, dying really. Carol told Hal that the guilt he had about his father's death had eaten him up inside over the years. Hal and Carol made a real connection that night, Hal telling Carol he was so sorry for what she was going through and that she wasn't alone.

 

From there on, Carol ran Ferris Aircraft with just Hal Jordan and Tom Kalmaku as her employees. Hal asked her out on a date, but Carol just smiled and said "Oh Jordan, everyone knows. I don't date employees". She went on to make her company into a success.

 

Note: This origin story is somewhat different, and more completely told, that the one told in the 1959-1960 Green Lantern books. The difference can be accounted for by the various events that would reshape reality in the DC Universe, such as Crisis on Infinite Earths, Zero Hour, and Infinite Crisis.

 

Justice

(In Justice #6-#7 Aug-Oct 2006)

 

In the midst of another crisis, where the villains have learned the heroes secret identities, John Stewart comes looking for Hal Jordan at Ferris Aircraft. Later, fearing for Carol's safety, Hal breaks up with her (again). He tells Carol he's just self-centered, and Carol cries hearing it.

 

The War of Light

(In Green Lantern #18-20, 38, 45, and Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #2 May 2007-Sept 2009)

 

Carol's first major story arc after Hal's return, in which the two reconcile some of their emotions for one another. Unbeknownst to Carol at the time the Zamarons were consolidating the power of the Star Sapphire and creating their own intergalactic corps, the Star Sapphire Corps. In doing so they created instead of the Star Sapphire a number of Violet Power Rings.

 

In preparation for the anticipated events of Blackest Night, Carol was once again confronted by the power of the Zamarons, except it was in the unfamiliar version of the power ring. This allowed Carol to enact a degree of control over the ring which she never had previously, and in which she maintained control of her conscious mind during when she wore the ring. She was thus identified by Queen Aga'Po as the one that could be able to tame the sentient embodiment of love, the Predator.

 

As the events of the War of Light began to come to a head, she was instructed by the Zamarons that she was to be the leader of the Star Sapphire Corps, and that if she didn't accept, she wouldn't be there to help Hal when he would really need it.

 

On Zamaron, she helped to build the ranks of the new Star Sapphire Corps, and when Sinestro attacked, intent on freeing the female members of the Sinestro Corps who were imprisoned there in sapphire crystals awaiting a time when those crystals would be able to draw out the love in their hearts and reform them. The process and already worked on Yrra Cyrill (formerly known as Finality), and Yrra joined Carol in defending Zamaron.

 

Carol and Sinestro fought in a pitched battle in the midst of the conflict, but their fight was interrupted by onset of the Blackest Night.

 

Blackest Night

(In Green Lantern #45-48, 50-51, Blackest Night #1-8, and Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #3 Sept 2009-May 2010)

 

When the Blackest Night fell over the universe, Carol was on Zamaron, defending it and her Corps from attack by the Sinestro Corps. Carol was battling Sinestro himself, when the Black Lantern Corps arrived on the scene and attacked both Corps. Carol and Sinestro called a true to fight back against them, then Hal Jordan teleported in with the aide of Indigo-1 and Munk of the Indigo Tribe (note: members of the Indigo have the ability to teleport, and they are the only type of lantern in the spectrum that can do so).

 

The new additions (minus Munk whom Indigo-1 sent to Oa) joined Carol in her fight, but the battle was effectively lost when two Black Lantern rings entered the Sat Sapphire central power battery and called Khufu and Chay-ara, whose dead bodies (frozen in an eternal embrace) were being used to power the battery.

 

The battery was destroyed, the Star Sapphires and Zamarons fled Zamaron, The Predator broke free of it's crystal prison, and Carol teleported away with Indigo-1, Hal, and Sinestro. Indigo-1 teleported them to Korugar, Sinestro's planet of origin. Indigo-1 told them that they had to unite all the Corps to battle the Black Lanterns. She'd brought them to Korugar so that Sinestro could retake control of all of his Corps from Mongul. Sinestro won, and then two Black Lanterns arrived there too. Carol helped the others destroy them, and then they (Carol, Indigo-1, Hal, and Sinestro) traveled to Odym, home of the Blue Lantern Corps. Larfleeze the Orange Lantern's constructs were attacking. They were about to aid the Blues when his constructs evaporated becasue Larfleeze was under attack by Black Lanterns.

 

Carol's group, now joined by Saint Walker of the Blue Lanterns, teleported to Okaara to aide Larfleeze and, as it turned out, find Atrocitus of the Red Lantern Corps as well. Carol joined the others in destroying the Black Lanterns there.

 

The leaders of all seven Corps brought together, they traveled to Ryut in Space Sector 666 to meet Ganthet and Sayd to plan their next move. That done, they traveled to Earth, where the final battle would take place, and came to the rescue of a group of Earth heroes, including Wonder Woman.

 

They destroyed the rouge Guardian of the Universe, Scar, and attacked the Black Lantern central power battery. That was when Nekron (the being behind Blackest Night) turned the Earth heroes into Black Lanterns, even though they were still alive.

 

They fought and came up with the plan to deputize some of Earth's heroes to help in the fight, one to each Corps leader. Carol chose Wonder Woman as her partner.

 

That was when The Spectre, who had been turned into a Black Lantern, attacked. Carol and Diana fought along with the others against him, but he was too powerful, even for all of them combined. Hal got the idea of letting Parallax free and letting it possess him again so he'd have enough power to fight and beat Spectre. Hal and Spectre fought, and when it was over, Carol was able to pull back Hal and get him free of Parallax again.

 

After that, The Entity manifested, there was a huge fight, and the heroes won the day.

 

In the aftermath, once the deputations were withdrawn, Queen Mera was dying becasue her heart wasn't beating any more thanks to her having been a Red Lantern. Carol used her and Arthur's love to restart her heart and save her life.

 

The New Guardians

(In Green Lantern #53-58 June-Dec 2010)

 

Following the events of Blackest Night, Carol and Hal went to get drinks and eat at the bar at Ferris Air in Coast City. They talked a while, but it seemed to Carol they were just talking in circles, not getting to anything real, so she told Hal that they never did have much luck talking with a table between them and suggested they take their conversation airborne. So they both suited up, got in the cockpits, put on their flight helmets (which had their call-signs on them, "Sapphire" and "Highball"), and took off in a couple of planes from the nearby hangers.

 

Carol asked Hal what he wanted, why he'd come out with her when he was still seeing Cowgirl. Hal was just about to answer when Sinestro came flaying right at them and blew up their planes by flying into them, head-on, at high speed. Luckily, both Carol and Hal had been wearing their power rings and were able to shield themselves and power up to meet the threat.

 

They battled with him, but he insisted he came in peace. It turned out Sinestro wasn't looking for a fight, he'd basically just been being a jerk when he destroyed their aircraft. He'd actually come to ask for their assistance.

 

Apparently, after Nekron and his Blackest Night had been beaten back, The Entity left in it's wake a white lantern power battery. So the three of them traveled to where it was, in Silver City, New Mexico. They all took turns trying to lift it, no no avail. Then they tried all lifting it together; it didn't work, but The Entity did tell them "Help Me Live" and showed them a vision of the seven Emotional Embodiment Entities - The Predator, Adara, Proselyte, Ion, The Butcher, Parallax, and Ophidian - telling them that they were in danger and needed to be saved.

 

It then teleported them to New York City and told them to seek help from Atrocitus. They found him in the subways, calling for a blood prophecy, and Carol had to stop Hal from starting a fight with him. That's when Lobo showed up, ostensibly trying to collect a bounty on Atrocitus. Carol mostly stayed out of the fight, though at one point she did attempt to encase Lobo in a sapphire crystal to bring out whatever love he may have had in his heart. He apparently didn't have much to work with though, becasue it didn't work and he broke free.

 

Carol, Hal, Sinestro, and Atrocitus finally manages to drive Lobo away, and Hal reluctantly agrees to work with Atrocitus becasue he wants to stop the seven entities so much. He thinks they're all bad news, mostly becasue of his horrific experience with Parallax. Carol disagrees though, saying what if the entities are like the different Corps, some good and some bad?

 

From there, the group splits up. Carol goes after the Predator, Hal after Ophidian, and Sinestro and Atrocitus go after The Butcher.

 

Carol tracks The Predator to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she gets a message through her ring from Queen Aga'po of the Zamarons that she needs to find her quarry soon, becasue the Star Sapphire Corps central battery is losing power. Unbeknownst to Carol, Aga'po has been giving the battery her own power, her own immortal life-force and beauty, to keep it going since the Black Lanterns destroyed the previous power source the battery used. Aga'po is planning to use The Predator as the new power source, but cautions Carol that The Predator is dangerous and violent. Carol, whose been possessed by The Predator in the past when her heart was broken by Hal once upon a time and she had lost faith in love, doubts what Aga'po says about the Predator being violent by nature is true, but none the less continues her mission to find it.

 

What she finds though, is Larfleeze in a casino making trouble becasue of an all you can eat buffet he's spotted. That's when The Predator makes it's appearance, having possessed a man named Abraham Pointe. Abraham was a shy loner type who had a crush on a kind and pretty woman named Lisa who worked at that casino. He'd been coming to that casino and taking her picture for a long time, but had never believed in himself enough to think that someone as good and amazing as her would return his feelings.

 

The Predator, attracted to his despair and wanting to heal it, possessed him and brought him to Lisa, but basically charged in like a bull in china shop while doing it. Carol fought the possessed man, trying to get him to stop, believing that The Predator was being driven by the man it had possessed, and not the other way around. The Predator was just too powerful though, but not really interested in fighting her back that much. That's when Hal came on the scene and started to fight The Predator.

 

Becoming Queen of the Star Sapphires

 

Carol used the detraction to talk to Lisa and discover that she had no idea who Abraham was, that they'd never met. That's when Carol figured out what was going on. She talked to the possessed man, calmed him down, told him that we all want to be loved and that it was okay to feel that way, then she kissed him and The Predator left him.

 

Having achieved her objective, the Zamarons teleported Carol, The Predator, Hal, Abraham, and Larfleeze to Zamaron.

 

On Zamaron, Aga'po and the other Zamarons wanted to put The Predator into their central power battery to stop it's power from fading away, and to keep The Predator contained so it wouldn't be a danger to others. Carol argued that The Predator shouldn't be locked away, that it seeks out hosts that don't know what love is in order to heal them. That the damage done is the fault of those hosts who take a rocky path towards discovering their path towards love, and not due to any violent intent on the part of The Predator. After all, a heart that does not believe in love is a lonely one, prone to acting out it's sorrows, frustrations, and pain.

 

Further, she says that they don't even need The Predator to power their battery, that none of the other Corps use anything save belief to power their batteries (though it's worth noting that, in the case of the Red Lanterns, that is not actually true, becasue they use the blood of the guilty for that purpose). Queen Aga'po takes Carol's words to heart, and pronounces that Control is right. She goes to the central battery and gives it the remainder of her life and her power in an act of faith in the power of love. With her last words, she names Carol as her successor as queen. With Aga'po's gift, the power battery blazes with new life and power and the Star Sapphire Corps are saved. (A statue is later built on Zamaron in Aga'po's honor.)

 

Carol then decides to stay on Zamaron to rebuild the Star Sapphire Corps and carry out her duties as the new queen. Hal argues with her that they need to continue hunting for the remaining entities on Earth, to protect them from the danger the white lantern warned of, saying that she can't seriously want to leave her life on Earth for being the queen of Zamaron. Carol says that, on the contrary, that's exactly what she's going to do. That if The Predator comes under threat, she and the Star Sapphire Corps will be there to defend it from harm.

 

Hal asks when she's going to return, and Carol says that she'll tell him the same thing he told her so many times "I'll be back when the job is done." At that, they part ways, and Hal goes back to Earth.

 

Brightest Day

(in Brightest Day #13 and #17-#18 Jan-Mar 2011)

 

On Hawkworld, high above the clouds of Nth City, Hawkgirl's mother, Khea Taramka (a.k.a. Queen Shrike) captured her and Hawkman and used them as part of a portal that would take her to Zamaron. When she arrived with her army of manhawks, Carol and The Predator were there waiting to confront them.

 

She fought her way through the manhawks to free Hawkgirl and Hawkman. While they had been battling her minions though, Khea had been attempting to make the Star Sapphire's central battery her own. They attacked her to try to stop her, but while Khea and her daughter were fighting, The Predator sensed Khea's black heart and was drawn to her, to bring her it's light and try to heal her. It possessed her, and Khea attacked them with The Predator's power.

 

Carol told them that the only way to release The Predator from inside Khea would be to get her to feel love. Just after she told them that though, Khea imprisoned her within a sapphire crystal. She was only freed when Hawkgirl and Hawkman killed Khea and freed The Predator that way.

 

The battle over, Carol told them both that the love they had for one another was what had given them the power to kill Khea. She then teleported them back to Earth.

 

War of the Green Lanterns

(In Green Lantern #63-64 and 67 May-Aug 2011)

 

Hal, Indigo-1, Atrocitus, Saint Walker, and Larfleeze were gathered in space to discuss their next move against Krona when Carol was thrown through a teleportation portal into their midst, Krona's voice in her wake telling them that he now had all seven entities.

 

The New Guardians vs. Lyssa Drak

 

It's unknown weather Carol was thrown there by Krona for some reason, or if Carol escaped and came to warn them that Krona had captured the Predator and Krona simply used her escape portal to brag of his victory. In either case, the result was the same.

 

Moments later, Sinestro showed up to round out their team again. The seven of them tracked Krona's energy signature to Ryut, Atrocitus's dead home-world. They followed the trail into some caverns, where they found seven obelisks with seven glowing symbols one them, one for each Corps, ranging from red on one side to violet on the other. In the center of the obelisks was the Book of the Black. The book opened, and dark energy chains came out, striking them all in their eyes, showing them visions.

 

The chains released them and from the book appeared Lyssa Drak, the story vampire and a former member of the Sinestro Corps. She had changed allegiances to Krona, since Sinestro had abandoned her during Blackest Night, Lyssa attacked them with more chains, and they were all but helpless. All of them, save Hal, whom Sinestro was able to knock free just in time, were drawn into the book.

 

Inside the book, Carol and the others experienced alternate versions of what their lives might have been. In Carol's case, she lived an illusory life where she and Hal were together and in love.

 

Hal, with Kyle Rayner's help, eventually was able to free them all, and Carol got her Sapphire ring back. Hal was stripped of his ring by the Guardians of the Universe, and Carol followed him back home to Earth.

 

Flashpoint

(In Flashpoint: Hal Jordan #1-3 Aug-Oct 2011)

 

Trying to torment Barry Allen (The Flash), Professor Zoom (The Reverse Flash) went back in time and changed history so that he never became The Flash in the first place, and this resulted in a changed history for the entire world - the world of Flashpoint.

 

In this world, Carol still grew up being childhood friends with Hal Jordan, and the both of them still dreamed of being pilots when they grew up. They still both witnessed Hal's father die in a crash. But in this world, Hal never became Green Lantern. Instead, he and Carol grew up together and both followed their dreams to become pilots.

 

Carol 'Sapphire' Ferris in the pilot's seat defending America's coastline during the war

Carol 'Sapphire' Ferris in the pilot's seat defending America's coastline during the war

That dream turned into something of a nightmare though, when the war between Atlantis, the Amazons, and the human race came to America.

 

Ferris Aircraft was drafted to provide coastal defense, and both Carol and Hal began flying defense patrols along the coast as private contractors for the air force.

 

They were first attacked by Shark (an agent of Atlantis) and then had to defend against an assault by the Amazons who flew invisible jets and dropped a mythological monster on their base. Together, Carol and Hal successfully repelled both attacks.

 

Hal soon after volunteered for a mission against the Amazon's capital city in England. He was to fly a nuclear bomb, named the Green Arrow, to their capital and drop it.

 

Carol joined the mission and flew with him and a squadron of other jets, including one flown by Blackhawk. The Amazons had an energy shield, and they were attacked on many fronts.

 

They received new orders for Hal to bomb the shield. Carol flew in with him to give him cover. Hal's plane was damaged, his electrical system stopped working.

 

They settled on the plan that they would fly their planes into the shield and bail out together before they hit. Only Hal's ejection system wasn't working, and he didn't tell Carol that, so he died in the explosion while Carol lived. The shield was taken down though.

 

Back at base, Carol was given Hal's effects, which included a journal where he confessed that he'd always loved her but had been afraid to say so, and a wedding ring he'd been planning to give her.

 

Barry Allen eventually recovered his memory of the timeline where he was The Flash and was able to rewrite history again, bringing about the world of DC's New 52.

 

Post-Flashpoint, Carol and Hal's story would remain essentially the same as it was pre-New 52 and pick up where it left off before the Flashpoint event, although many other characters within the DC Universe would undergo quite radical alterations.

 

Sinestro

(In the New 52's Green Lantern #1, 3, 5-7, and 12 Nov 2011-Oct 2012)

 

After the events of the War of the Green Lanterns, Hal was grounded on Earth. Carol hung up her own ring for a while too, to unwind from everything that had happened, to help Hal, and to have her life on Earth back.

 

Hal was going stir crazy though, and getting into trouble. He'd been cut from the air force for going A.W.O.L. for so long, and Carol had to bail him out of jail when he tried to play hero and messed it up. He asked her to get him back in the sky again, with a job at Ferris Air, but she had to turn him down becasue, with his track record, she couldn't insure any plane he was flying. She told him she would hire him, just not as a pilot. He changed the subject and asked her out to dinner.

 

Carol assumed it was a date, it was a fancy restaurant and everything, but it turns out he asked her to co-sign his car loan. She threw her drink in his face and walked out on him. He chased after her but really said all the wrong things (seriously, if he'd been any more dense, it would have been quite a trick) and she drove off and left him there stranded without a ride home

 

When she got home, she got a phone call from Tom Kalmaku, who told her turn turn on the TV. The news showed Hal as a Green Lantern again, working with Sinestro, also a Green Lantern (it happened at the end of War of the Green Lanterns). She could barely believe what she was seeing.

 

Hal left Earth with Sinestro, and didn't come back for more than a day. When he did return, Sinestro dumped him in an alley, again without a ring. He sought out Carol at Ferris Air. She asked him what the hell was going on, him working with Sinestro, and he kissed her and asked for a chance to explain himself.

 

He told her he'd been through something bad with Sinestro and the only thing that had got him through was thinking of her. He told he that he knew they'd never work out but that he wanted to try anyway. He asked for a second chance. Carol pointed out that, technically, it would be his tenth, but, none-the-less, she said yes, and they kissed.

 

A little while later, they went on a date to the Coast City Aeronautical Museum, and it went pretty well. They ended up back in bed at her place, and Hal was being attentive and romantic. It was great. Then a Green Lantern ring flew into the room and Sinestro showed up.

 

He told Hal he needed his help again - high stakes, fate of the universe in the balance, etc... Hal turned him down flat, twice. Sinestro didn't take no for an answer, and attacked Carol, wrapping her in a green energy construct and holding a green energy construct gun to her head, threatening to kill her if Hal didn't do what he asked. Hal decked him. They fought. The Indigo Tribe showed up and tried to capture both Hal and Sinestro. Carol put on her ring, and went to help Hal, but by the time she got there, the Indigo Tribe had teleported Hal and Sinestro off-world.

 

Shortly after this, Amanda Waller tried to recruit her for her new Justice League of America team. She turned her down and lied, telling her she didn't have her power ring anymore.

 

Rise of the Third Army

(In the New 52's Green Lantern: New Guardians #0, 13-16 and annual #1 Dec 2012-Mar 2013)

 

Carol went to Ferris Air after hours, meaning to check on Hal's power battery to see if he'd come back for it. There, she ran into Tom Kalmaku who was working late. Carol had Tom pick the lock on Hal's locker. Inside, they found his power battery untouched, as well as quite a few pictures of her, both with and without Hal in them, and, lastly, but perhaps most significantly, they found a wedding ring that Hal had been keeping there, which let Carol know he'd been planning to propose to her (or at least he was strongly considering it).

 

It was at this point that they saw a green figure flying towards them. Carol, naturally, thought it was Hal coming back to her, but it turned out to be Kyle Rayner instead. he'd come looking for Hal, seeking his help after what the other Guardians of the Universe did to Ganthet (his mentor).

 

Tom called them over to the TV then, and there they saw Hal and Sinestro battle Black Hand in a graveyard. Carol told Kyle to get to the cemetery as fast as he could, that she'd be following along right after him as soon as she could go get her ring.

 

When they got there, they found a bunch of the dead that Black Hand had risen from their graves attacking a contingent of the police. She and Kyle destroyed some and drover the rest back, telling the police that they would go in and handle the situation. They went in and found a crater where Kyle said he could sense that a yellow power battery had blown up there. Carol questioned him on why he could sense that, and he told her that, since he'd worn rings from six different corps at once (during the events of New Guardians #1-12), he'd been able to tap into some of the other colors of the emotional spectrum. Next they were beset bay a huge army of the the risen dead.

 

Things weren't looking that great when Kyle tapped into hope and will (blue and green) both at once to generate a large light flare that destroyed all their attackers. Carol told him that Hal had always said he was something special. Kyle asked his ring to locate Hal, and his ring told him that Hal was dead.

 

Carol refused to accept it, even when Kyle told her that Hal's ring had already found his replacement. She told him that she shared a heart tether with him and that it was still in tact, so he couldn't be dead.

 

Kyle was doubtful, Carol used her power to show Kyle a vision of his future drawn from his heart. It showed that he would have to combine the light of the seven corps himself. She said he would have to, if they were going to save the man she loved.

 

From there, Carol recruited Atrocitus to train Kyle in how to tap the red power of rage. Kyle could tap will (green) of course, and, thanks to his experience during War of the Green lanterns, he could tap hope (blue) reliably too, but not so the others.

 

Atrocitus took Kyle to Alex Dewitt's grave (his dead girlfriend who'd been murdered), hoping to tap into his rage that way. It wasn't working, Kyle just felt very sad, and Carol had a hard time letting Atrocitus keep beating him. Atrocitus finally confronted Carol, but she told him that of all the lanterns in the universe, she was the one he should be most afraid of becasue love was at the root of his rage. Atrocitus was actually quelled by this, but insisted on taking Kyle elsewhere to complete his training where Carol wouldn't interfere.

 

When Kyle came back, he'd learned what he needed from Atrocitus, and Carol had rebuilt Alex's grave from when Atrocitus had demolished it before.

 

From there, they parted ways for a time. Kyle went for training with Indigo-1, and Carol returned to Zamaron to report to them what she was doing with Kyle. The Zamarons' new queen made a show of discouraging her from helping Kyle at first, ordering her to return to her own space sector as all other Star Sapphire corpswomen were recently ordered by them to do (in actuality, this was a ruse on the part of the Zamarons to gain the Guardians of the Universe's trust so that they would be in a better position to stop their plans to rid the universe of free will through their third army; the Guardians were listening, so they had to put on a show for Carol). Carol defined them, telling them that she was on a mission to save a lost love, and wasn't that what the Star Sapphire Corps was all about? The Zamarons accepted her reasons and let her go on her way (the watching Guardians thought they did so so that they could use Carol to track Kyle).

 

Carol caught up with Kyle later, just as he was finishing his training with Arkillo, the last of the fear lanterns. From there, they left to go to Okaara to visit Larfleeze so Kyle could learn to wield avarice (orange). Larfleeze wouldn't help at first, but Carol convinced him, after she read his heart and saw that the thing he wanted most was to be reunited with his family. She promised to use her power to find them, if he helped Kyle, and he actually agreed.

 

The training was a success, but no sooner was it complete than the Third Army attacked. Sayd (who had promised to serve as Larfleeze's guardian to win his cooperation during Blackest Night) was able to hold them off though while they made their escape.

 

From there, they returned to Zamaron so that Kyle could learn to wield love too, the last emotional power he had yet to learn (and, for him, the most difficult one). While there, the Zamarons explained their ruse regarding the Guardians of the Universe and why they had acted as they had towards her before. They further assigned Carol the task of contacting Lady Styx, ruler of the Tenebrian Dominion, and seeking her help in the coming battle with the Guardians of the Universe and their Third Army.

 

Carol left on her mission, with Arkillo and Saint Walker as her partners. They managed to get themselves smuggled into the Dominion, but the place was pretty much nuts. Carol did manage to get a fairly brief audience with Lady Styx, but the infamous ruler turned her down and refused to help. She and her teammates were hunted by the local authorities and only just made it out by being very daring.

 

Carol made it back just in time to join in with Kyle and the Zamarons' battle with Ganthet, who had come to Zamaron to deal with Kyle. Ganthet was being powered by energy he and the other Guardians of the Universe were siphoning off of Volthoom the First Lantern, so he was much more powerful than one of his race usually would be (otherwise he would have stood no chance whatsoever against the forces arrayed against him). Carol and her team joined in the battle against Ganthet, but Ganthet was only finally driven off by Kyle when he finally learned to tap into the sapphire light of love, becoming a while lantern.

 

Wrath of the First Lantern

(In the New 52's Green Lantern: New Guardians #18-19 and Green Lantern #20-21 Apr-Aug 2013)

 

Carol, Kyle, Arkillo, and Saint Walker went to Oa to fight against the 3rd Amy, but instead found Volthoom (the first lantern) free. He trapped them all in alternate versions of their lives that were seemingly positive at first but all designed to end in tragedy so that he could feed on their emotions (his favorite emotion to feed on being despair).

 

In Carol's alternate life, she never took over her father's business, never gave up her dream to become a pilot. Her father died disappointed in her, Ferris air was bought by a company called Leviathan, and she ended up joining the air force, leading a squadron of fighter planes. Hal Jordan was one of the pilots under her command. It turned out that Leviathan (the company that also designed the defense systems on the aircraft carrier she was on) was a front for Atlantians, and they attacked. The Leviathan systems went off line and they were all but defenseless.

 

Carol took her plane up, intending to ram it into the Atlantian command ship to disable their control over the carrier's defense systems. She intended to bail out before it hit, but (notably reminiscent of how Hal died in the world of Flashpoint, Carol's ejection system jammed). However, as she was about to die, she felt love for her unit, for the people she was fighting for, and that let her transcend Volthoom's alternate reality and access her power as a Star Sapphire. She remembered who she really was and began to use her power to fight against the Atlantians. Volthoom saw this, and, his emotional meal spoiled by Carol's triumph, and Carol attacking him with he squadron backing her up, he ended the alternate world he crated.

 

Carol broke free of Volthoom and sped all out across the ocean to rescue Kyle, who wasn't faring nearly so well against Volthoom's attack on him. He'd sunk into despair. Volthoom was gone by the time she got there, but Kyle was in a bad way. She helped him to his feet and talked to him to snap him out of his despair. She told him he needed to use his ring to contact the other New Guardians to warn them about Volthoom. They couldn't reach anyone except Sinestro, who was now a Green Lantern.

 

They teleported to where he was, the remains of Korugar, Sinestro's home-world, which Volthoom had destroyed to 'teach him a lesson'. Kyle was caught up in sensing so much death, when Sinestro attacked them, thinking Kyle was in league with Volthoom becasue he wore a white ring. Carol defended Kyle, blocking Sinestro's attack. Sinestro got though, but Carol rallied and they fought until two Green Lanterns, B'dg and Simon Baz, showed up and they finally managed to connive Sinestro that Kyle wasn't in league with their enemy.

 

Sinestro all but begged Kyle to use his power to resurrect Korugar. Kyle tried, but couldn't. Sinestro stole his ring, and Carol saved Kyle from suffocating in space until the ring, rejecting Sinestro, returned to Kyle. Carol, Kyle, Baz, and B'dg faced off against Sinestro, ready for a fight, but he left, intent of finding Volthoom and getting revenge, now that he no longer held out any hope of returning Korugar to life again.

 

From there, Carol, Kyle, Baz, and Saint Walker gathered and led an army of Star Sapphires, Green Lanterns, and Blue Lanterns against Volthoom. As the battle ranged, Hal came on the scene as a Black Lantern, leading an army of Black Lanterns to fight Volthoom. In the end, Hal summoned Nekron to kill Volthoom, Hal was returned to life, and he and Carol were reunited.

 

Carol and Hal returned to Earth together, and Hal seemed to want to pick up where they'd left off when Sinestro had come to call at the start of the whole thing, but Carol, as it turned out, Carol just felt like she couldn't go through with it again. That she couldn't try to make it work with him again when it always seemed to go wrong again and again, and hurt her every time. She told him that she wanted to be with him, but felt she couldn't keep loving him unless it was at a distance. They broke up and went their separate ways, Carol deciding she wanted to follow her heart and become a Star Sapphire again. She told him maybe they would meet again out there among the stars.

 

The Quest Begins

(In the New 52's Green Lantern: New Guardians #21-23)

 

On Earth, Hal having left, Carol stayed put for a while to keep up with her duties as the owner of Ferris Air. She also helped Kyle Rayner back up his things and put them into storage in prior to his going off into space with the Guardians of the Universe (the ones who had been guarding Volthoom for so very long). Kyle left, and she went back to her company.

 

Some days later, the Guardians tapped into her ring and teleported her across the universe becasue Kyle needed her help again. He'd been captured by a new threat called Relic. Relic had placed him in a dream world where he was tricking him into telling him everything her knew about all seven corps. She was able to focus her power through Exeter's energy channeling apparatus and break though Relic's shield, and enter into Kyle's dreamworld. Because of the trust they'd developed between them, she was able to convince Kyle that what he was experiencing was a trick and that he had to snap out of what Relic was doing to him and fight free. It worked, and kyle was able to make his escape.

 

Relic left after that though and did not attempt to recapture Kyle or retaliate against Carol, Exeter, or the Guardians. He left to attack the Blue Lantern's new home-world, Elpis, though, so she, Kyle, and the Guardians followed along behind him to try to stop him. They all tried to stop him. Carol attacked Relic head on in fact, but he was able to withstand it becasue he felt love for everything, all of creation. Carol and the others didn't give up though, and kept pressing their attack.

 

In the end though, they couldn't stop him. Relic murdered all the Blue Lanterns and destroyed their battery. Kyle teleported them away to Oa, where they assumed Relic would strike next.

 

Lights Out

(In the New 52's Green Lantern #24, Green Lantern Corps #24, and Green Lantern: New Guardians #24, Red Lanterns #24, Green Lantern Annual #2, and Green Lantern #25 Dec 2013-Jan 2014)

 

Carol and company arrive on Oa. They explain to Hal (who's been made leader of the Green Lantern Corps recently) that Relic is on his way. There's not much time to talk about it though before he shows up. They try to reason with him, but it doesn't work, there's a battle, the Green Lantern central battery is blown up, and then so is Oa itself. They leave before it happens, and Carol tells Hal not to blame himself for what happened.

 

Hal wants to lead his lanterns in another battle against Relic, but Carol talks him out of it, telling him he can't win and he needs to be responsible becasue his corps is counting on him. Then The Predator, Adara, Proselyte, Ion, Ophidian, and The Entity show up and possess Kyle, who takes off for parts unknown.

 

Carol and Hal chase after him. Carol tries to reach Kyle the same way she did before when he was trapped in a dream world by Relic, but The Predator stops her, saying that it loves her, but what their doing with Kyle is too important to stop.

 

They aren't able to stop the possessed Kyle and he gets away from them. From there, they go to Ysmault to recruit the Red Lanterns to their cause. They manage to convince them, but don't know where to look for Kyle or Relic. Carol reluctantly confesses that she can find Kyle. Hal understands the implication of that, that if she can do that, then... she must love him (that's part of the way it works for a Star Sapphire). He accuses her of lying to him before about why she broke up with him, that it wasn't becasue of him, it was becasue she had feelings for someone else - Kyle. Carol avoids the conversation by telling him that now isn't the time, that they have to stop Relic. It's the truth of course, so Hal lets it go for the moment and Carol lets loose a heart tether and takes them all to where Kyle is.

 

They find him and Relic at The Source Wall. There's a battle, Relic is trapped in the wall, and Kyle apparently is trapped on the other side of the wall, inside The Source itself. Carol tried to save him of course, but this time she couldn't - Relic stopped her. Carol and the others think that means he's died, sacrificed himself.

 

On Mogo, where the Green Lanterns have regrouped with their new power battery (that Mogo made), Hal tells his people about this plan he's got for the Green Lanterns to start policing the other Corps to get rid of their rings. He doesn't explicitly say Star Sapphires will be targeted too, but he does strongly elude to that being a distinct possibility. Carol confronts him about it and basically tells him he's being an arrogant jerk, that the Green Lanterns have messed up and done way too much harm to take the moral high ground. She tells him she's going to report to the Star Sapphire Corps what he's doing and that love will be ready to stand it's ground against him if he decides to make himself their enemy.

 

She leaves for Zamaron to make her report.

 

Yesterday's Gone

(In the New 52's Green Lantern: New Guardians #25-26)

 

On Zamaron she told the Zamarons that she didn't really think Hal would follow through on the letter of his threat, at least not yet, but that they needed to be vigilant in case things with the Green Lanterns got out of hand (again). She also advocated reexamining the way the Star Sapphire Corps operated, to see if they could do better. Before she could really discuss that with them though, she got a call from the Guardians of the Universe who'd been traveling around with Kyle before his death. They told her that she needed to come meet them to 'address a matter of concern regarding lantern Rayner'.

 

She took off into space right away to go meet them, leaving her discussion with the Zamarons for another time. She was expecting it to be a funeral or something. When she got to the meeting place (a planet named Exuras) though, she found Kyle alive and well. She called him a jerk for not contacting her himself to tell her he was alive. They had a few words, but she ended up hugging him and telling him how happy she was he wasn't dead.

 

Apparently, she was the only one, besides the Guardians, whom he'd decided to tell he was alive so far. He didn't want it getting back to Hal for some reason (becasue he had 'things to figure out').

 

After that, she asked why they were on Exuras, and she found out that it was becasue the planet was a paradise that it's people had made into a paradise in only a few years time (before that, they were pretty much an average, not particularity remarkable planet). They even had this amazing technology in the air that protected them from harm and maintained their society. The Guardians wanted to know if this paradise world was a genuine thing, or if there was some dark secret underneath it all. If it was genuine, then they wanted to replicate the success throughout the universe so there would be no need for a Green Lantern Corps.

 

Carol, Kayle, and a Guardian named Zalla found out that what was going on was that the people of Exuras were manipulating their own timeline, stealing positive outcomes (or 'happy endings') from other timelines. This was obviously not what they were hoping to find - even less so, when one of those other timelines figured out what their 'neighbors' had been doing to them and chose that moment to come through the portal to attack.

 

Carol and Kyle fought to prevent killing, and ended up stopping the threat, but when it was over, Kyle basically threatened the people of Exuras that if they didn't clean up their act, make reparations, and then destroy their timeline manipulation devise, then he would come back and the consequences wouldn't be pleasant.

 

In space afterwards, Carol confronted him about it, telling him that laying down edicts like that wasn't what she'd come to expect from him. She asked him if he really thought that what he'd said was the right way to have gone about it. He told her that he couldn't think of a better solution, and flew off, ending the conversation.

 

Powers & Abilities (2006-present)

 

As Carol Ferris

 

Pilot: She's wanted to be a pilot since she was a young girl and has been flying planes ever since she could get a license. She grew up around them and is just about as skilled an aviator as anyone can be.

 

Business Woman: She's run her family's business, Ferris Aircraft, successfully ever since her father fell sick and left the company to her. Prior to that, she helped her father run the business and learned the trade.

 

Leadership: She learned to be a leader running Ferris Aircraft for many years, and recently she was named queen of the Star Sapphires by a dying queen Aga'po. Since then, she's often acted as the leader of the Star Sapphire Corps.

 

Aviation Expertise: While not a trained engineer or designer, she grew up in the business and knows a lot about the technical aspects of aircraft design and manufacture.

 

As a Star Sapphire

 

Flight and Space Travel: She can surround herself in an energy field and fly within a planet's atmosphere or through outer space. In space, she can generate an interstellar space warp to travel between solar systems at great speed.

 

Energy Blasts, Shields, and Constructs: She can fire energy beams with destructive power, generate energy shields for defense, and create energy constructs that can take the form of anything she can imagine. The power of these is proportional to her ability to tap into and believe in the love within her heart.

 

Sapphire Crystals: She can surround others in a prison of sapphire crystal to show them what they love most, as well as bring out the love that may be buried in their hearts.

 

Heart Tethers: A heart tether can bring her to someone she loves or guide her to where love is threatened out among the stars.

 

Teleportation: She is able to teleport herself and others on an interstellar scale, provided she can harness enough love to power it. (Example: She once teleported Hawkgirl and Hawkman from Zamaron back to Earth.)

 

Healing: She can use the power of love to heal even normally fatal wounds (as she did once for Queen Mera). Conceivably, she could also even bring someone back from the dead (as fer fellow Star Sapphire Corpswoman, Miri Riam, did once).

 

Heart Prophecies: She can use her power to look into someone's heart and show them a vision of their future.

 

Emotional Control: Carol, having had more experience with the power of the Star Sapphire than almost anyone save, perhaps, for the Zamarons, has a comparatively high ability to harness love's power and not be carried away or overwhelmed by it as some others may be.

 

Other Star Sapphire Corps Abilities: Other members of the Star Sapphire Corps have demonstrated a few other abilities, or variations on Carol's established abilities, that Carol herself hasn't yet used. In theory however, she should have the ability to do them as well.

 

Storyline (1959 - 1987)

The Secret Life of Star Sapphire!

(In Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern #1-7, 10-13, and 15-16 Sept 1959-Oct 1962)

 

Carol's father left her in charge of the family company, Ferris Aircraft, while he and his wife took a two year trip around the world. Prior to that, she'd been dating one of their test pilots, Hal Jordan. After, however, she decided, because she was his boss now, she should keep things professional between them and refused to date him any longer.

 

Around this time, Green Lantern showed up (who was, of course, secretly Hal), and since Carol wouldn't date him as himself any longer, Hal, as Green Lantern, went to a party Carol would be at and proceeded to ask her to dance. He later took her out to a balcony to be alone, where they were about to kiss, when Hal left to stop a missile.

 

What followed was a halting sort of romance between Carol and Green Lantern, all the while Hal, as himself, was still trying to get Carol to like him as him and not Green Lantern. Carol still liked Hal of course, but still wouldn't date him. At one point, Carol had a dream that Hal and Green Lantern were the same person, and she confronted him about it, but he tricked her into thinking it wasn't true.

 

This fake love triangle went on until Carol decided to ask Green Lantern to marry her. She had a hard time pinning him down, because Carol had confided her plan to Hal (who'd told her it was a terrible idea and that she should merry him instead). When Carol proposed though, Green Lantern basically ran away.

 

After that, Carol wasn't so fond of Green Lantern anymore and actually found herself agreeing to date Hal again, even though he was still her employee. Hal often ran off on her, claiming that he had to work (an excuse to go off and be Green Lantern), which Carol, as his boss, couldn't exactly fault, but as his girlfriend grew increasingly annoyed by.

 

The trouble was, in dating Hal, the positions were sort of reversed. Hal wanted to marry her, but Carol couldn't make herself want to say yes because she still had feelings for Green Lantern. (It should be noted that, though it may seem a bit odd to today's sensibilities, being so singularly focused on marriage in the way Carol and Hal were was more the norm during the late 50s to early 60s than would be usual today.)

 

One day, when Carol was enjoying herself piloting her airplane, Lady Carol, having been receiving piloting lessons from her boyfriend Hal, her plane was somehow mysteriously forced down to land in the desert. She hit her head in the rough landing, and when she woke moments later, she was confronted by three women in armor and skirts who called her 'your highness' and told her she was their queen. They said they were from the planet Zamaron, which meant the land of lovely women, and that they'd come to Earth to find her.

 

They explained to her that they were from a world that was tremendously scientifically advanced, populated only by women, and that everyone who lived there was immortal - all save one, their queen. They further explained that, by tradition, their queen was always mortal and always had to look the same, and that Carol looked exactly right to be a match and that they'd been looking all over the galaxy to find her.

 

They told her that they had to leave Earth right away so that she could be crowned Queen Star Sapphire on Zamaron. Carol protested that she couldn't leave Earth, couldn't be their queen, because she was in love with Green Lantern.

 

The Zamarons told her that even the lowest Zamaron was superior to any man, that men were weaklings, even Green Lantern who was a champion on her world. Carol asked how they could prove something like that, and they said that she would prove it herself. They gave her the Star Sapphire costume that their queen would wear for hunting and exploration, and gave her the Star Sapphire gem to give her some of the powers she would have if she were to become their queen.

 

She could fly through the air, and the Zamarons told her that was just the start of what she could do. They said they'd set things up so that, when Carol went into Coast City, Green Lantern would seek her out and try to imprison her but that she must defy him. That, in that way, she would see what they said was true, that men were inferior and that her destiny lay with them.

 

Unable to help herself for some reason, she felt compelled to do as they asked and head into the city. When she encountered Hal as Green Lantern, she couldn't help but challenge him to a battle, telling him that she was going to break into the museum of ancient glass if he didn't stop her. She passed him by and went to the museum where she took a mirror, though, unbeknownst to Hal, it was a mirror the Zamarons had teleported into place there, so she wasn't actually even stealing anything, just pretending to.

 

Hal shoots at her with an energy beam, Carol dodged it and fired back with an energy beam of her own, knocking him into a building and knocking him out cold. In her head though, she was trying to stop herself from doing what she was doing, but she didn't seem to be in control of her actions, it was like she was two people at once.

 

His ring saved him from the impact and he would later wake up to find his attacker gone. Carol's mission satisfied, she'd headed back to the desert to meet the Zamarons again. Back on their space ship, the Zamarons told her that it proved they were right, that men were inferior. Carol asked them to give Green Lantern one more chance to defeat her though, and reluctantly the Zamarons let her have her way.

 

As Carol left, her thoughts were telling her that she had to defeat Green Lantern, no matter what. The Zamarons sent a telepathic signal to him, telling him where she would be, and, having been showed up once, Hal was eager to have a second battle with her. He waited in ambush and trapped her in a green energy cage, but Carol simply teleported herself free. They fought a duel of energy beams and shields. It seemed they were fairly evenly matched, when Hal detected that there was a transmission being sent to her and surrounded her in an energy field that cut off the transmission. Free of the Zamarons' influence, Carols stopped fighting him and passed out.

 

Hal dropped the force-field, and the Zamarons teleported her back to their ship. They told her that because she lost, she wasn't worthy to be their queen after all. They took away her memory of their encounter and left. Hal found her and took her back home. He also found a Star Sapphire gem in the desert and took it to the police, not knowing what to make of it.

 

Star Sapphire Unmasks Green Lantern

(In Green Lantern #17, 20-26 Dec 1962-Jan 1964)

 

After her experiences with the Zamarons, Carol went about her life as if it had never happened because the Zamarons had erased her memory of those events. She invited Hal over to her place for dinner, but, after she'd made the dinner for him, he made a very bad excuse and left without eating it (so he could go off and be Green Lantern, of course).

 

Sometime later, there was a mysterious vanishing epidemic in the Coast City area, where in people would get pale and sick and then, poof, disappear into thin air. People were coming down with it left and right, and Carol volunteered at one of the hospitals to help take care of the sick and fading because there weren't enough healthcare workers to go around.

 

It turned out to be a plot by aliens, and Carol ended up being kidnapped by them too. Green Lantern, with help from the Flash, saved her and everyone else from them and got them back to Coast City. After that, she started to think that maybe she should give it another try with him, even though he'd run away after she'd proposed to him previously.

 

It was around this time that her parents came back from their around the world trip, and her father was so impressed by how she'd handled the company in his absence that he decided to retire and turn over ownership of Ferris Aircraft fully to her.

 

She and Green Lantern started dating again - going out to dinner, having a picnic, attending a charity bazaar, etc... She remained friendly with Hal, but had given up on dating him.

 

At one point though, Carol felt a strong compulsion draw her to seek out the Star Sapphire gem again. She found it, and was once again transformed into Star Sapphire. The Zamarons had left it on Earth because they wanted Carol to have it as a gift, so her life would be better (by their standards, at least). Only if someone called her by her real name, Carol Ferris, would she return to herself.

 

As Star Sapphire, she set out to beat Green Lantern at his own game, catching criminals, and doing it better than he could - thinking that if she beat him, he'd have to admit defeat and marry her (the goal was her own, the way of thinking was Zamaron). There was a group of robbers called the Copter Gang, who used helicopters and subterfuge to rob banks. They'd never been caught before, and the Coast City police had asked Green Lantern for help. Carol used her Star Sapphire powers to distort Green Lantern's perception of time so he wouldn't show up in time and she'd have time to stop the Copter Gang herself before he could get there.

 

She made short work of them, turning their bullets into snowflakes, one of the helicopters into a magic carpet, and using her mind over matter powers to capture the other two copters using other similarly inventive means. Green Lantern showed up and demanded to know what she was up to, accusing her of only stopping them to steal their loot for her own.

 

Carol said that wasn't it, and she'd prove it by taking the thieves into the cops with him. He went along, and, even as the chief of police was congratulating and thanking Carol for her help, Green Lantern protested that she was still wanted for the thefts she committed last time she'd appeared in Coast City. The chief explained that, upon investigation, nothing had actually been stolen, so she wasn't wanted for any crimes after all.

 

They flew off together when news of an attack by alien creatures on Ferris Aircraft came in. Green Lantern boasted that he would take care of it himself, and that she didn't even need to come along. Carol told him that she was coming along alright, and that when he inevitably failed, she would be there to save the day, and then he'd have to marry her.

 

Green Lantern tried to stop the creatures (which Carol had secretly created herself using her mind over matter power and the background cosmic radiation that was always present on Earth ñ and, since they were attacking a company she herself owned, and since she was controlling them completely and would stop them before they did any harm at all, again, there was no real crime being committed). She made them so they were living a few seconds ahead in the timeline, so Green Lantern's power seemed to just slide off of them. After a few failed attempts, Green Lantern looked like he might be catching on to the ahead of time element and so might be close to figuring out how to stop them, so Carol stepped in before he could and destroyed the creatures herself, telling him that he'd lost and she'd won and he had to marry her now.

 

He was close to agreeing, because she'd sapped his will power some, but he resisted one last time, challenging her that if she could remove his mask, only then would he marry her. She agreed, but couldn't do it because he was focusing all of his remaining will power on keeping it in place. Undaunted though, she left, but secretly followed him back to his power battery and took him unawares, unmasking him as Hal Jordan.

 

Hal, defeated, agreed to marry her. He said though, that it was only fair that he should remove her mask too, if they were going to get married. She let him, he saw that she was Carol, and he spoke her name in surprise, reverting her back to her normal self and causing her to faint and forget what she'd been doing as Star Sapphire.

 

Hal thought to himself though, that whether it was Hal and Carol, or Green Lantern and Star Sapphire, this meant that they were definitely destined to get married one day.

  

⚡ Happy 🎯 Heroclix 💫 Friday! 👽

_____________________________

 

A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.

 

Secret Identity: Carol Ferris

 

Publisher: DC

 

First appearance: As Carol Ferris:

Showcase #22 (Sep.–Oct. 1959)

 

As Star Sapphire:

Green Lantern vol. 2 #16 (Oct. 1962)

 

Created by: John Broome (Writer)

Gil Kane (Artist)

 

First appearance cover:

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51898705855/

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Kinda Sorta Similar. Last post was of a Dieunomia, this one is of a Halictus. Halictus parallelus, the largest of the eastern Halictus. They kinda sorta look similar, same family, but different genera. But once you drill in differences emerge in shape of the wing veins, colors on the face, the fanciful architecture of the male legs in Dieunomia (So weird I thought I had a wasp when I caught my first one...). More like the difference between mule deer and elk. Really, I don't know where I am going with this, but this can happen to you when you use spontaneous writingship, lack an editor, believe in the free punctuation movement, and were traumatized as a child through imposition of the fake science of sentence diagramming. Finally, I like this bee, and enjoy seeing them in a field collection since they don't really hang out so much in junk habitat. Photo by Brooke Goggins.

~~~~~~~~~~{{{{{{0}}}}}}~~~~~~~~~~

 

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

  

Photography Information:

Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

 

We Are Made One with What We Touch and See

 

We are resolved into the supreme air,

We are made one with what we touch and see,

With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,

With our young lives each spring impassioned tree

Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range

The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.

- Oscar Wilde

  

You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML

 

Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

 

Best over all technical resource for photo stacking:

www.extreme-macro.co.uk/

 

Free Field Guide to Bee Genera of Maryland:

bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

 

Basic USGSBIML set up:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

 

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

 

Bees of Maryland Organized by Taxa with information on each Genus

www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/collections

 

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:

ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

 

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques:

plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo

or

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

 

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking:

www.photomacrography.net/

 

Contact information:

Sam Droege

sdroege@usgs.gov

  

301 497 5840

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

Kinda Sorta Similar. Last post was of a Dieunomia, this one is of a Halictus. Halictus parallelus, the largest of the eastern Halictus. They kinda sorta look similar, same family, but different genera. But once you drill in differences emerge in shape of the wing veins, colors on the face, the fanciful architecture of the male legs in Dieunomia (So weird I thought I had a wasp when I caught my first one...). More like the difference between mule deer and elk. Really, I don't know where I am going with this, but this can happen to you when you use spontaneous writingship, lack an editor, believe in the free punctuation movement, and were traumatized as a child through imposition of the fake science of sentence diagramming. Finally, I like this bee, and enjoy seeing them in a field collection since they don't really hang out so much in junk habitat. Photo by Brooke Goggins.

~~~~~~~~~~{{{{{{0}}}}}}~~~~~~~~~~

 

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

  

Photography Information:

Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

 

We Are Made One with What We Touch and See

 

We are resolved into the supreme air,

We are made one with what we touch and see,

With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,

With our young lives each spring impassioned tree

Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range

The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.

- Oscar Wilde

  

You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML

 

Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

 

Best over all technical resource for photo stacking:

www.extreme-macro.co.uk/

 

Free Field Guide to Bee Genera of Maryland:

bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

 

Basic USGSBIML set up:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

 

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

 

Bees of Maryland Organized by Taxa with information on each Genus

www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/collections

 

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:

ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

 

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques:

plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo

or

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

 

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking:

www.photomacrography.net/

 

Contact information:

Sam Droege

sdroege@usgs.gov

  

301 497 5840

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

To see details in this drawing, try the largest image size...

 

The weather was hot, the creeks were spring fed and cold.

There was a BLUE MOON at this gathering! I wrote a long story about our trip, full of run-on-sentences. No names were changed to protect the innicent. All facts are just my opinions. I am not a journalist. Here is the story....

 

----------------------------------

 

Rainbow Recollections

1996 Missouri

 

"Who fears today

His rites to pay

Deserves his chains to wear.

The forest's free!

This wood take we,

and straight a pile prepare.

Yet in the wood

To stay 'tis good

By day till all is still.

With watchers all around us placed

Protecting you from ill.

With courage fresh, then,

Let us haste

Our duties to fulfill......" - Goethe

 

My daughter Skater (aka: Pixie, Shine, age 13) and I had a grand time at the Missouri Rainbow. We arrived Sunday June 23 and left July 3, and those were 11 magical days! Our drive in was 12 hours, and started with thunderstorms and a downburst in central Illinois that forced us off the road near Springfield. Big booming lightning! Old Mother Nature's power chords! Ba-BOOM!! Ka-Pow!!!!!

 

We got in about 1 am, drove right past FS road 3173 in the dark. Whoops! When we hit Thomasville we turned around and headed back north. Right exactly at 3 miles on the odometer from Thomasville there was FS #3173 off to the right. We drove on in quietly without seeing a single cop. There was the big green and yellow "Welcome Home" banner and a quiet group with a lone drummer singing and pounding out his heartsongs. We parked in the dark fog and decided to get some sleep in our old pickup until the sunrise. Just before dawn it rained hard for about 45 minutes, and that made the air smell clean and sweet! :)

  

We got up and meandered through the parking lot and met a lot of kind folks at the front gate. Out in the lot we met Katie and Brian and Althea (shy white Siberian husky puppy with pretty blue eyes) in the green bubbletop "Save the Buses" bus from Chicago. We also shared munchies and explored with Funky (Matt) and Shannon in the green VW camper bus, and met Victor and Kevin. At dawn we started packing for the hike in towards Kiddie Village where we would set up our camp.

 

It was nearly 3 miles to Kiddie Village. The first mile was dry and hot, then we started crossing the streams and it was like heaven to stop and play in that cold water. There was a steep incline down to the first stream, too steep for bikes to ride, but not too steep for horses. Spring creek was it's name, filled with tadpoles and there were lovely Spicebush and Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies hovering about the banks.

 

The second creek crossing had MARVELOUS sand!! SO nice on bare feet! The White Dove kitchen settled here and had the secret luxury of a hidden beautiful white portable shitter with a lid. "Pixie" was a frequent stopper at White Dove and we kept their secret close to the vest. Up the hill from the "good sand" crossing was the first clearing, a beautiful meadow with five tipis. The path here was named Hanuman Highway.

 

The main path crossed Spring Creek again and opened onto the big meadow with main fire circle and C.A.L.M. and good water piped from underground springs. We drank copious amounts of the spring water for 11 days with no problem. Our friend Question Mark happily spent his time filtering the water for anyone patient enough to get that extra protection. The pipe system evolved and grew with the gathering, so that eventually you were always close to a source of underground spring fed clean drinking water. We give an A+ to all who hauled pipe and ran samples for tests. GREAT water is such a luxury! :)

 

The next creek crossing had a pipe with roaring spring water you could shower in! Fill up the canteens! No waiting! Cold clean showers! The bridge there was called H20 bridge or Rainbow Bridge, and the crossing was called "Copperhead Crossing" after a snake was sighted in the water by some shady bushes. The original location of C.A.L.M. was to the right just after H20 Bridge. Continuing up, the main path was called Son Dance Trail and opened onto another fine meadow.

 

At the end of the meadow on the left side was Kiddie Village, which eventually grew to a City of Wonder! We parked our camp halfway twixt original C.A.L.M. and Kiddie Village, up into the shade of the tree line in the raspberry bushes by a big broken tree. Flattening out a place for our sleeping tent we ate juicy raspberries as we stomped. There was poison ivy everywhere so we sacrificed a shade tarp to cover the ground for safe lounging and relaxing. We set up a second small dome tent for all our gear and food and clothes and schtuff. We were on the map, had our own gnome home at home!

 

Pixie donated a pile of her old Golden Books to Kiddie Village. She talked with the smaller kids while I helped a crew installing support poles and guy ropes for that immense circus-tent-sized tarp for the main play area. I was amazed how four folks could hold a 25' ladder firmly in the air while another person climbed fearlessly to the top to adjust rope connections. The kids were having a blast here! There were four teeter-totters and the kids had figured how to "launch" each other, so the adults were trying to calm their butts down. Then we gravitated over to Kiddie C.A.L.M. where she helped Pat take care of several kids. One had poison oak all around his eyes.

 

Water and Flame were the main healers at Kiddie C.A.L.M., but Pat and the Swedish Bitters woman also put in huge hours there. Pat's dog Gaia was hilarious to play stick with. Gaia would plunge pell mell into high thick weeds and come out in a nanosecond with the very same stick you'd thrown. We trudged back to parking and got a second load of supplies that day. We donated a lot of apple juice and zuzu drink (cola) and that made for heavy loads to haul.

 

We learned to linger in the shade. In the stretches of sun it was best to conserve energy and keep moving towards the shade. We drank constantly from our canteens and often poured as much on our heads as we put in our mouths. We quickly learned all the places we could get water and paced our water consumption accordingly. It was close to 100 degrees everyday, and only rained one other time just before dawn for about two hours (July 2nd). Two pack loads in one day (and setting up the camp) wore us out, so we collapsed at sunset and slept with rainbow dreams. The Missouri whippoorwills sang us to sleep.

 

The next morning we found our Lovin' Touch kitchen up in the trees on the hillside in the shade. The big sign said "Kitten Safety Zone, All Dogs On Leashes!" and we met Grace, who had three kittens and a full grown cat! Grace told us how she and Steps had come in on June 10th and started Lovin' Touch in a shady patch of poison ivy. They knew where to find the good spring water, and they brought in a reporter from the West Plains Daily Quill. Grace opened her trunk and showed us the beautiful photo of the start of Lovin' Touch kitchen that made the front page of the June 13th Quill, along with an excellent article. Great public relations!!

 

Steps gave us the best hugs of the gathering and Piper played his didgeridu, and Lizard had made some great pancakes with apples and strawberries in them. This was OUR kitchen! I helped Justin chop wood and Pixie found every cat and dog in the area and gave em all hello hugs! There was a big tie-dye of a pot frond and hammocks strung all over. John was reciting poetry in the corner and Buddy Paul floated in with his beautiful cutaway Applause guitar and just let anyone play away on it.

 

The next morning we went to Copperhead Crossing for a shower and to splash in the stream and we met Nancy who was entering 6th grade in the fall. She was lugging around a big heavy bedroll. Pixie and Nancy became best friends instantly. I put her gear in my backpack and we trudged off to her mom's van back in A-camp, then came back to Kiddie Village. On the way they caught 50 tadpoles at the first creek crossing and had them all in a single drinking cup! Nancy slept about half the time in a hammock at Lovin' Touch. Nancy traded for two matching filigree rings and gave one to Pixie, and they changed their names to Sunshine. Pixie was Sun and Nancy was Shine. Nancy showed us where the kids were swinging off a rope into a deep cold spot in the creek. It was too cold for me, but the kids could stand it and had a great time!

 

There was also a swing/hammock for kids to swing in over the creek, and children's toys scattered about. The milk for Kiddie village was stored in the cold water, a natural refrigerator. Then came early dinner call at Kiddie Village! Many courses! Seconds and thirds for all who wanted!! Filled us up (yummy!) and we went off burping to the main circle to hear all the news and see how big the OM circle was getting. My best guess was two to three thousand at the site on our arrival June 23rd. When we left on Wednesday, July 3rd there were maybe 10,000 and it was growing every hour with the four day weekend approaching.

 

About Thursday, June 27th, Pixie patiently had sat through another evening main circle and eaten good Rainbow food. She went to her first "Sister Circle" with an older friend. The hot topic was the rape of a sister in A-camp. It turns out a young woman had gotten real drunk and been passed around and passed out. She wasn't with the girls discussing the hearsay at Sister Circle, she was already back getting loaded with those same brothers at A-camp who had taken advantage of her. The news I heard was that she was "consenting" until she passed out, but I wonder how could she consent while unconscious? A sorry story, but she apparently knew and stood by her rapist friends even afterwards. They were her drinking buds. A more tragic story was a pregnant 14 year old who miscarried at the Rainbow. I never met either woman, just passing on what I heard at the site.

 

The RUMORS on the computer newsgroup alt.gathering.rainbow (when I got home to read it) were really silly! The National Guard was not called out! No one was shot in A-camp. Hillbillies were NOT beating up hippies! The locals thought we were a godsend and treated us kindly with smiles! The police traffic checks were only for driver's license/insurance/registration. We passed in and out many times and most times there was no traffic check, or they just waved us by without stopping. Pixie did catch an ancient box turtle at the gathering, and had it in her lap on our way in when we were stopped. The Forest Service made her set the turtle free, it was a protected citizen of the Irish Wilderness!!

 

There were about 8 horse cops we met on the main trail and we learned the names of all the beautiful horses. Rebel Command and Ollie were our favorites. The riders were especially courteous, three women and five men, I think. There were about four FS cops on mountain bikes, and they ate a lot of dust from the cars on FS road 3173 going from the site to the police command location about 2 miles down the road. We stopped and greeted the FS and Dept. of Interior police we met and they were all friendly and kind. We even had a FS cop by A-camp get out of his jeep and paw through his supplies to find Pixie a Band-Aid for a finger cut.

 

One woman (who was a little crazed) climbed on top of a FS jeep and jumped up and down, denting the roof! And she wasn't arrested! Many were openly rude to the cops, calling out "Six UP!" or "Doughnut!!" as they went by. A select few chanted OM towards them. I always asked if all was well, and never heard any problems, although some were nervous and would say, "No problems .... yet!" I give the cops a C+, they are only human. We saw very little of them inside the real gathering, and only on the main trail, and always preceded by shouts of warning. I wish they would have stayed out of the church altogether and turned in their guns. HA!

 

The main trail crosses Spring Creek again to the right of Kiddie village, and heads upwards past the Animal Rainbow Family first aid for dogs and cats (Arf Arf!!) and Teen Village and Granola Funk Express kitchen. If you follow it all the way to the end there were three ropes tied across the trail and a sign that said "Turn around, Private property". Just before that sign, if you turned left, you could meander down to Cafe Cough Fee (Coffee Coffee) and find the best swimming spot of the gathering! Spring Creek is 12 feet deep here, fifty feet across, and cold cold COLD! The bank on the Coffee Coffee side is full of good mud and music all day. Those who can handle the cold water swim across and scramble up the rocky bank, and the adventurous climb up to dive off rock ledges 20 and 30 feet up.

 

There was a cave upstream to explore, and some kind souls left an inflatable raft for kids to paddle back and forth. Frisbees hummed back and forth as didgeridus droned and the mud people drew designs on themselves. This was a hopping swim hole! Musicians would gravitate in and stay for hours singing heavenly songs. We met Megan out by Coffee Coffee and she blew Pixie dust on Skater, then told her she was now a Pixie and had Pixie dust in her blood! That's when Skater changed her name to Sunshine Pixie, but she shortened it to Pixie later, and we got some gold glitter dust so she could turn others into Pixies. Skater was a glittering gold-dusted free spirit the last five days we were there. One bottle of glitter covers a LOT of people! :) Sparkling like star dust in the moonlight and sunshine!

 

Early in the gathering we met Steve and Cheyenne and their daughter. Steve was giving out water about the 1 mile point from A-camp at the end of a long dry path in the hot sun. Each day Steve and Foxfire (aka: Bridge Troll, Pegleg) went on a water run to Birch Tree and brought back water to give out at the water station, as well as "PowerBurst" electrolyte drink. Steve and Cheyenne also brought two riding horses and hung out a sign that read "Horse Camp". They brought a white horse (age 13) named Patches, and another spirited brown horse, both elegant females. Cheyenne took Pixie for a four hour horse ride one day, while I baby-sat their younger girl Kailey. Kailey was 15 months old and an energetic whirlwind. Kailey was born premature at only 1 pound and hydrocephalic, but was obviously doing well and happy to be at her first rainbow!

 

Cheyenne and Pixie washed the two horses and brushed them and got them water. Then they rode them down the steep path to the first creek for an hour or so and tried to get them to drink. Pixie rode the white horse, Patches. The brown horse drank some and had a coughing fit, Cheyenne thought maybe she had swallowed a tadpole! Then they went up into the first meadow and galloped around the tipis. They decided to take them all the way in to Kiddie Village and back.

 

In the main circle meadow they walked the horses through the big fire pit and really stirred up some ashes and dust. Then Pixie had to hold on as Patches decided to take off and run some around the main meadow, even leaping over some logs by where the wash station was later set up by the water people. Patches was the type of horse that needed to be ridden firm or whacked a bit with a stick to get going. Pixie was uncomfortable doing that, but she had a great time riding nonetheless. They rode through the thick fog of the gathering at sunset and came back after dark with the fireflies twinkling around them in the mist.

 

When they returned, Pixie had bowlegs and saddleburns and was worn out! That's when Cheyenne's stomach began to hurt a LOT! She tried some herbal cures from C.A.L.M. but nothing seemed to help. We all felt for her. She wound up going in to the hospital the next day before feeling better, and came back to the Gathering again. After her long ride Pixie volunteered to run the water station. It was dark and she was lit by a lantern and offered weary incoming travelers water or electrolytes or pixie dust. Just about everyone wanted pixie dust! A kind soul gave her a bag of little chocolate bars with the instructions to only give them to girls, but she gave them to everybody! We were given strawberries and watermelon and also changed Kailey's diaper twice! We stayed until after midnight, then closed down the water station and finally wandered back to our tent by the light of the big smiling moon.

 

One evening after main circle I went to wash our dishes while Pixie played hacky-sack with a group of teens. I met George while washing. His 12-string guitar was autographed by Peter Yarrow (of Peter Paul and Mary) and Stanley Jordan and Kenny Burrell and John Prine and Stevie Ray Vaughan's nephew Roy Vaughan, and about 40 others. He was from Austin and sang me a song he wrote about the Wyoming gathering... "on July 1st there was a fire, on July 2nd there was a fire, on July 3rd there was a fire, on July 4th there was a Raaaaaaainbow!" ...and as he sang the sunset disappeared quickly... where was Pixie?

 

The hacky-sack group was nowhere to be seen. I started looking for Pixie in her dark purple shirt. I circled the fire twice, the drummers were already roaring, a BIG crowd! I had lost her! I circled inside right next to the fire so Pixie could see me if she was there, I was wearing her giant red & black Dr. Suess hat. Night had come on in a hurry and it was too dark to see faces even up close. Being a parent is a wonderful thing, and I was VERY concerned. The gathering had grown to a sizable city. I wandered away from the fire and hollered out "Ska-a-a-a-a-aterrrrr!!!!" and she called out "Right here, Dad!" right under my feet! What a relief! After that I stuck with her like glue, and brought a white T-shirt for her to wear after main circle sunset!

 

That night Pixie wanted to stay by the fire, so we crept in close between the drummers and found two saxophone players and sat near them listening to the sounds. Pixie kept wanting to sit closer and closer to the fire and we wound up almost IN the fire! The fire tenders had to walk over us as they added logs, and we were well-done and roasted by the heat of the flames! All our clothes were covered in soot and the next day our throats were sore from breathing so much smoke! But we stayed right in the thick of the drums and dancers and hung in there until that blue moon finally went down behind the trees over the mountainside. Just before the moon disappeared she met her friend Eagle, they talked as the fire crackled and the dark night settled in around us. After about six hours at the main drum circle we crept back to the tent and brushed our teeth and slept.

 

All that night and most every night we visited the fire there was a big menacing dude like Big Daddy in sinister sunglasses with a shaved head. He apparently thought he was King of the Fire or something and would stop the drums and recite a short poem to tell us to listen to the birds or hear the spirits talk. He also threatened to shove the trombone up the ass of a trombone player! He also would occasionally give slices of sweet melon to everyone in the inner circle of the fire, and maybe also drinks of electric punch. He never bothered us, thank goodness, and Pixie was able to dust him with Pixie dust the last day we were there. Good work, Pixie! We always ended the day by brushing out teeth and started the day by brushing our teeth. We were probably the only two at the gathering that didn't have morning breath!

 

Three nights later it was a full blue moon! The main circle was filled with pomp and drama, lots of poetry and heartsongs and then a special OM circle where we all laid back and chanted to the sky while holding hands laying down! After the food there was a Rainbow Wedding and we got right up close to observe and take part! The crowd was swept up and chanting "HO!" as the couple exchanged vows and were blessed and covered with incense smoke and then there was a huge group hug and OM chant. Pixie had big stars in her eyes and she said, "Dad, I want a hippie wedding!"

 

They had piled up a huge pile of logs for the fire, and after the wedding it ROARED into life and there were tons of wild dancers circling the fire. Little blond 13 year-old Eagle came up with half his head shaved and the other half dyed bright green with braided dreads. He raced naked around the fire in circles leaping and cavorting! We were among the first to spot the moon's entrance over the hill, and the drumming soared with that big lunar energy! We hung in with the drums and the fire and wailed on our bells and trumpet and rhythm egg up till the moment of fullness at 10:58 pm, then meandered back listening for vampires and werewolves on the paths!

 

The full moon night, Pixie was asleep by midnight and I wanted to stay close to the tent but soak up some sounds of the gathering. About 50 feet away by the trail that leads to Lovin' Touch kitchen was a couple of flute players and a drummer that were jamming their asses off. Both flutists were singing and scatting into their flutes as they played, and throwing wild jazz riffs back and forth like two Johnny Heartsman clones with Roland Kirk egging them on! A person nearby with a laser light did a light show at their feet with that eerie flashing red light, and Piper wandered down from Lovin' Touch with his "D" wood flute and joined in.

 

This was the best music I heard at the gathering, these souls were on FIRE! I nestled up right next to them and leaned on my walking staff and just inhaled the magic for a half hour in delight! Afterwards there was a couple banjos and a guitar and a real fine fiddle over at Tea & Toke kitchen a hundred feet to the north of our tent. I sat down and played on the rhythm egg, and a big golden lab drooled all over me wagging his tail. They were playing real Ozark bluegrass, and they ripped through a dozen tunes and had a captive audience of about 40 clapping for more each time they would stop!

 

The first day we packed in I was lured into the Popcorn Palace kitchen by the sounds of Robbie playing a mandolin and singing. Robbie was older and his legs were crippled, but he could and did sing like a songbird and played that mandolin all the time beaming a big rainbow smile! He'd also been at the 1980 gathering and told us about how they had finally jailed the guy that killed the two girls hitching to that West Virginia national. While I was talking to him and his friends, a 17 year old named Cheshire Cat was trying to attach himself to Pixie! Cheshire was hard to escape the next two days. He found and followed us wherever we went. Finally Pixie met Eric (age 17) and then it was in reverse, with Pixie dragging Dad all over trying to find and hang out with Eric. After Eric, Dad got dragged around as Pixie hung out with Eagle (age 13) all day.

 

Eagle had a fake English accent and claimed to have 190 wives. His Mom had brought him to gatherings about every year and also to regional gatherings in-between, and he was a creative soul! After Eagle, a different fellow named Weasel decided to hang with us non-stop and try wooing Pixie. Weasel was 19, but shorter than Pixie by a couple inches, and liked to hang out with the younger kids. Weasel was extremely polite and good company, but he really had no business with a 13 year old just out of grade school. After a couple of days I told Weasel he was a little too old for my girl and he respectfully backed off. Rainbow men are cut of a finer cloth, I think. I had done my utmost patient share of being flexible and mellow and allowing Pixie to meet and mingle with a LOT of folks, all the while never letting her too far out of my sight. I did about seven days of non-interfering chaperoning before explaining to Pixie that we weren't there to chase and be chased by boys. Amazingly, she agreed! The rest of the time we hung together and still managed to have major fun!

 

Out in the parking lot after an early visit to Steve and Cheyenne to see about riding horses, Pixie serenaded the FS with her trumpet. They drove past in a jeep and stopped right in front of us and asked if she would play them a song. She pulled out her sheet music for "This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land" by Woody Guthrie and blasted them with about three full verses with choruses! I was mighty proud! Afterwards we sang the two banned socialist verses to folks in the lot, and a day later I heard Pixie singing those verses to people at the Bliss kitchen!

 

"As I was walking, in the shadow of the steeple,

by the relief office, I seen my people.

As they stood there hungry, I stood there whistling..

(whistle melody to "This land was made for you and me")

 

As I was walking, I saw a sign there!

And on the sign it said, No Trespassing!

But on the other side, it didn't say nothing...

THAT side was made for you and me!"

 

The Krishna commune in West Virginia sent a bus and a couple of Swiss brown work bulls to the gathering. The bulls were twin brothers named Gita and Bhagavad. They were HUGE! We saw them as they arrived in a big trailer, and later grazing in a meadow. The Krishna's brought their usual assortment of fine musicians, including Indian drums and a harmonium, and put on theater in a stage in the first clearing. They had two big tipis and two large tents. Pixie and I stopped in their first tipi right after it went up, the incense was real fine and sweet and they were singing sweet songs to Krishna.

 

The inside of the tent had little triangular flags all around in a circle with some of the many names of god written on each flag. I wrote down the name of "Ksamah, one who is patient in all things!" Pixie grew impatient to leave and we tried to wait until their song ended, but it turned out to be an ENDLESS song so we snuck out quietly. They gave Pixie a glossy postcard of a blue lotus Shiva with four arms holding a nice talking drum and a ceremonial spear. Krishna was late arriving this year and we never made it to their kitchen, which opened about July 1st. Their kitchen has a reputation for the sweetest food!!

 

Josef arrived for the full moon sans his beard, but he brought his bagpipes! He remembered us from the Kentucky gathering where he worked communications and organized healers at the C.A.L.M. tipi. We also met Caribou, who maintains an unofficial Rainbow Family of Living Light homepage on the internet. Also it was a pleasure to meet Running Bear, an elder and cartoonist who posts regularly on the "alt.gathering.rainbow" internet newsgroup.

 

Early on we met Woody and his niece and her young friend David at the main circle. They were from West Virginia, and Woody told me an interesting tale of searching caves in Belize for artifacts. He was in a tight spot in a cave and poked at a mound of bat guano when a cloud of guano dust burst into the air and right down his lungs. He went into distress almost right away and developed histoplasmosis, a dangerous lung disease. After years of herbal and natural remedies, Woody's histoplasmosis is now in remission. Beware the guano dust in caves!

 

Woody's camp was near ours but on the other side of the Son Dance Trail and right next to Spring Creek. Woody heard some funny sounds one night and got up with a flashlight to find two armadillos had waddled out of the creek and were rummaging through his camp! He followed them a ways with the light as they waddled slowly off, and the next day he thinks he found their burrow a bit further downstream.

 

I would have loved to see those critters myself, but had to settle for the armadillos we saw hit by cars on the highway. Pixie and I stopped when we saw our first armadillo road-kill. The poor thing had really been clobbered by cars and we dragged it off the asphalt and into the weeds. Soon after we saw another armadillo in the classic four feet in the air bloated road-kill posture. Woody was a trader and kept business hours by his tent with wares on display luring folks in from the main trail. His demeanor was elegantly mellow and I liked him a lot. He had been at the Kentucky National in 1993, so I brought him some apple juice and a copy of the map I drew of that Gathering. He gave Pixie a beautiful ankle bracelet with bells. Later we brought him a set of juggling balls because the ankle bracelet was so sweet.

 

Everywhere we went we saw juggling sticks and Pixie was fascinated. The first juggler we saw with them was in Lovin' Touch kitchen, and he was a MOST excellent and smooooth juggler! Eric's friend Sage was playing an extended set of songs on Buddy Paul's guitar, and this juggler was sitting cross-legged in the dirt and working magic with those sticks in time with the music.

 

Sage was playing Nirvana and other tunes. He was real young but could play like my friend Johnny OH and sing like Kurt Cobain.

Sage and I traded songs later at their camp out by Granola Funk Express. Pixie was embarrassed to hear Dad chomping out bad versions of God Save The Queen (Sex Pistols) and Hey Baby (Hendrix) while she was trying to make eyes at Sage's friend Eric. Eric had a joker's hat and gave Pixie a necklace that came apart later. Pixie was sweet on this guy after getting that necklace! He was a drummer without a drum, promised to meet Pixie by the Kiddie Village swimming hole, but we couldn't find him. It's easy to lose folks at a Rainbow.

 

Trader's blankets were spread out at all the congested spots on the main trail, slowing foot traffic and bringing the shopping MALL spirit into the church. Call me a relic but I remember in 1980 the traders were NOT allowed to peddle inside until July 4th, when they flooded inside to the main meadow with all their trinkets glittering on their blankets. For many of these traders the Rainbow is just another stop on the flea market trail, and I resent this crass materialistic merchandising. Pixie was constantly drawn to gawk at their wares, and Dad (the Old Grouch) was given to grousing & crabbing & whining & beefing as I tried to pry her from those little portable stores. Jesus threw the bastards out of the temple on their ears, didn't he? Heeheheeheheee! Enough... :)

 

This was the first national where I didn't squirm my way into blowing the conch shell at main circle to call the family to grub. I must be getting old. The conch blowers I heard were doing their best but weren't getting the volume that the tuba player from Michigan got back in Kentucky in 1993! We had meadow neighbors from Urbana, Illinois, that brought a trombone and blew reveille way too EARLY one morning right next to our camp! Pixie had been sleeping but that blew her right out of the tent into the morning sunshine! Another trombonist at the Gathering liked to haunt the main drum circle and would let anyone pass around his trombone while he wandered off for hours. Way up by Arf Arf!! there was a cackle of five saxophones that regularly gathered in the shady trail and jammed together. They sounded to me like Frank Zappa's "The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue // Dwarf Nebula Professional March & Dwarf Nebula", a real soaring pack of honkers in disarray.

 

Ours was the only trumpet we saw, and carrying it around a coupla days, we indulged a lot of requests from former trumpet players to play on it! It was played at the swimming holes with didgeridoos, tooted with wandering clarinets on the trail, and covered with fire soot at the main drum circle. We saw hordes of wood and orchestral flutes. There seemed to be a hundred didgeridoos! There were scores of guitars from the precious to the silly variety, and hundreds of big and small drums (the new Rainbow instrument of choice). SOOOO many drummers! Deep in the thundering buffalo stampede of oblivious amateur drumming there lurked a serious core of talented and demented real percussionists. The good drumming would surface and carry the energy in surprising places, even in the Walmart parking lot in West Plains!

 

There was a hilarious handbill posted at info about the telltale warning signs of drum abuse! It's interesting to note that lots of regional gatherings are just called "Drum Circles" now. The domination of the rhythmic ones has beaten the melodic minority to the sidelines! All hail the thumping BEAT!! Just kidding, I like drums a lot. Someday I would like to have a talking drum and a real low pitched booming tabla. I got a chance to play on both at the Shawnee regional in Early October! I didn't see many of either at this years National, but for all I know there were undoubtedly some real fine drums out there lurking in that foggy misty pulsing valley.

 

Pixie's new Rainbow friend Flipper was 19 and had been married and divorced twice already. Claimed to have already owned a house and had a high powered job at one point. He had a green spiked mohawk that kept lying down without his spray and mouse, and Pixie loved to take her fingers and mess it up! For him life was black leather and tattoos and musical angst (post-Punk) but he was obviously filled with joy and had a happy soul enjoying the Rainbow. He left July 2nd, hitching his way to Colorado with friends. A kind dude!

 

My Rainbow friend Jarrod had sliced three toes open in a farm accident loading hay bales a week before the rainbow. He wandered into Kiddie C.A.L.M. limping on a cane with no shoes or socks, and had flies crawling in & out of the mud caked around his wound! The Swedish Bitters woman decided he needed to clean that and apply Swedish Bitters. She prescribed Swedish Bitters for everything! We donated a clean sock for him to wear and he kept returning for more Swedish Bitters and cleaning each day. By the end of our stay he was walking without a cane, and new skin was growing on his wound. It was looking 100% improved! We poured through the ancient herbal tomes but never did find out the secret ingredients of Swedish Bitters. What the hay, Jarrod was healing fast! Center for Alternative Living Medicine does it again! May the Goddess praise Swedish Bitters!

 

A-camp, or Alcoholic Camp, lived up to it's bad reputation as usual. While there were a few kind souls welcoming folks home out on the road before parking, the welcome home info board area was home to a motley crue of sordid motorcyclists and macho self-designated Shanti Sena bosses. There was a giant "my-size" Barbi doll, naked, with duct tape over her mouth greeting everyone. The next day we went by and they were doing rather unspeakable things to her in the grass. I had Pixie turn her head and we walked quickly by.

 

The next time we went by, there was a crowd trashing a compact car. They had broken all the windows and were kicking in the doors. Some people have their own special forms of amusement, I guess. For a couple days there was a nice three-wheeled motorcycle that looked like a hearse parked right at the front gate, and the cycle gang members who brought it in were loading up on beer before hiking in where their feet would have to carry them.

 

The woman who had jumped up and down on the FS jeep without being arrested eventually calmed down a lot. We saw her several times being reeeeeally wacky but in better control. That day when she jumped on the jeep she had been hugging people on the trail, then tearing off their metal jewelry and throwing their rings and bracelets off into the weeds. Our friend Funky had his silver ring and silver bracelet thrown down into a ravine filled with poison ivy. Pixie and I and Cheshire Cat climbed down into it and helped him search. The bracelet was found quickly, but it was a long while later when Cheshire finally found the ring. Another brother lost an amulet and necklace and was extremely upset, but did not file charges against the woman.

 

One brother I met had the handle of "Less Stress". Now that is a good name! We can all use less Stress! Have you heard of "Vermin Supreme"? He is the infamous Disco Ball and giant toothbrush wielding hippie we met in Kentucky. He was here and passing out bumperstickers that said VERMIN SUPREME `96 "Brush Your Teeth, It's The Law!" We ran into him with a group that was asking cosmic questions of a Magic Eight Ball. I asked an important question and the 8-ball gave me the answer I was hoping for, but the exact words were, "Of course, you dork!"

 

The new summer edition of the 1996 Rainbow Guide was given away at info and there was a big color photo of Vermin Supreme with a shit-eating grin right on the cover! Fame!!! We had met Vermin in Kentucky in 1993. Vermin wandered around at night with a mobile and raucous party entourage. They carried that giant-size disco mirror-ball everywhere they went, shining flashlights on it and calling out for all to "Bow down and worship the Sacred Disco Ball!!" It was too-o-o-o hilarious! :)

 

Out in the parking lot we met and shared grub and laughs with Geo (George) from Minneapolis. The next night we heard machete whacking sounds back behind our camp in the trees, it seemed to go on all night! It was Geo and several of his Minneapolis friends carving out a shady campsite from the poison ivy and poison oak and raspberry brambles! Wack-a-wack-a-wack!! While we had set up at the tree line and had a tarp for protection from rain, the angle of the morning sun slanted in and heated up our tent in the early morning, ewwwwwwww!!!! Hot! Geo and friends did the extra work and wound up with a fine cool site with all day shade! A few set up tents out in the baking sun, only to move them the next day when they discovered how HOT the sun can be!

 

Our big hot meadow suddenly FILLED with tents on the weekend of June 29 and 30. An explosion of people arriving really changed the chemistry of the gathering from seed camp to full national homecoming! I crawled from our tent to find both paths we usually took to get to the main trail were now covered by new arrivals. There were tents everywhere!! A German shepherd from out of nowhere took umbrage at my emerging and growled and advanced on me to chew on my skinny leg!! I yelped backwards and grabbed my walking staff, which saved me! Dogs do not like big sticks wielded with a little bravisimmo! This big shepherd belonged to a tent two tents over, turned out to have a name (Nebraska) and took huge shits wherever he pleased.

 

The next night we tucked Pixie's sandals under the drop tarp next to the door of out tent because they were too raunchy and sandy to bring inside. The next morning Nebraska was using one of her sandals as a chew toy! I took several time outs during the gathering to move and cover other folks dog shit on the main trail. As much as I love cats, the Rainbow just makes me love cats all the more! I saw several people dive in to break up dog fights and almost got bowled over by fighting dogs a few times myself. As Bob Dylan says, "If dogs run free, then why not me? Across the swoop of tiiiiime........"

 

My favorite dog of the gathering was a three legged little black terrier that thought he was Napoleon! His name was Weasel. He stayed wherever he wanted, and had friends at Lovin' Touch and out at Horse Camp. His owner said he had picked a fight with a big German shepherd and got his leg bit off as a result. I was baby-sitting Kailey out at horse camp when a brother handed me Weasel and pleaded with me to hold him long enough for him to get away with his lady doggie that was in heat. Weasel had been romancing his pooch non stop, haahahaahaha! Who would bring a dog in heat to a Rainbow?

 

We also saw a beautiful brown/gray Afghan dog roaming without an owner (I like Afghans) and several big wolfhounds. There were a number of real classy fancy doggies whose owners kept them sensibly in tow, but 90% of the dogs just ran free. We came walking down the trail when two dogs locked in intercourse were captured by their owners who tried to separate them, but they were stuck! Pixie's eyes almost popped out of her head! Here were these silly humans pouring water and oil on these two pooches to no avail and trying to pull them apart. Oh the pain! I tried to move Pixie down the trail but all her friends had stopped to gawk at the sight.

 

Pixie was helping at Kiddie C.A.L.M. when a guy asked her to watch his little black cuddly puppy named Zodax while he ran a quick errand. Three hours later, the guy finally comes back! In the meantime, Pat had diagnosed Zodax as starving and loaded with worms! Pat and Pixie and I marched this guy down to the Animal Rainbow Family (ARF ARF!!) first aid camp. There he got medicine for his puppy and free food and a lecture, but the next day we found out he had given the puppy away. Rainbow people are BAD to their animals! Just my $.02 opinion! We met a family of 3 week old kittens in a sack. The mother had died, they said. They were taking care of them, they said. They had no milk, no food. My heart went out for them and their chances of surviving the Rainbow. :(

 

We saw lots of kittens but only about four adult cats. Adult cats will not put up with these conditions! Grace had a beautiful black and white cat named Fat Cat that ran free and safe at Lovin' Touch, but there was an uncomfortable and vulnerable black cat on a tied leash at the Popcorn Palace. We saw a couple of people on the trail carrying adult cats as they hiked. We saw people carrying mice and leading goats. Someone brought a rooster that crowed all day long! There were ferrets and pet birds and snakes and baby dwarf rabbits. Pixie caught and released her box turtle, caught and released butterflies and tadpoles. She got bit by a crawfish in the creek. We were all enjoyably nibbled on by little fish.

 

We both got chigger bites and TRIED not to scratch `em. We still have `em *scratch scratch* to tell ya the truth! There weren't many flies or mosquitoes or spiders. The great paranoia about Lyme disease from ticks was totally overblown. Any black bears or snakes probably fled the area after the first drum circle. Several folks went out of their way to seek out and kill some snakes, and their unlucky hides wound up as wares on the Trader's blankets. There were beautiful little golden finches fluttering around the kitchens and Red Tailed Hawks circling the updrafts above the hills. We spotted some fast little lizards that were black with narrow yellow stripes on their backs and bright blue tails.

 

I was really happy with the diversity of butterflies! Beautiful butterflies everywhere! Harvesters and Checkerspots and Blues and Viceroys and Fritillaries and lovely Dark Tiger Swallowtails! Saw my first live Zebra Swallowtail ever! And tattoos of butterflies! Tattoos everywhere! Tattoos in progress in the dust of the main trail! Pierced lips and tongues and nipples and belly buttons and ears and genitals and whole body irezumi tattoos. One woman from New Orleans wore an owl foot, alligator teeth, eagle feathers, and a gris-gris bag of zu-zu mamou! The further you got from A-camp, and the closer you got to the great swimming by Coffee Coffee, there were a lot of folks who wore only woven leaves of grape vine, or creative mud designs, or just shone with the light of their smiles! Rainbow spirit embraces all!!

 

Packing out the tents on our last trip down the trail, we came upon a man pushing his son (Zack) in a baby-buggy with little swivel wheels. The dirt path reached a rocky bUmPy stretch, so we swept the buggy up in the air and Zack was flying down the trail like a bird! We reached A-camp after a block-long flight, and set him back down on the dirt path. Dad suddenly took off and pushed that buggy about 200 yards down the path at a full sprint, with Zack laughing all the way! We were left smiling in clouds of buggy dust!

 

We saw a couple unloading a cello case from a van, so I asked about it. Sure enough, the kind brother got out his cello and treated us to a Bach concerto right there on the road in A-camp! Marvelous!!! I loooove cello! He was nailing the pitch and playing those hammer-ons and trills and getting those bow-stutters in there. I was in heaven! But soon we were loading the last of our gear into our old pickup truck. We ambled out of parking and onto FS road 3173. Eagle spotted us and ran to say farewell, then we headed out slowly, winding up through the Irish Wilderness towards Route 99. Farewell Rainbow `96!

 

Here's a partial list of kitchens and campsites we saw by July 3rd:

 

KITCHENS:

Tea Time

Granola Funk Express

Lovin' Touch/munchateria

Instant Soup

Ship of Love (Diva Diner)

White Dove

Bliss Kitchen

Brew Ha Ha

Popcorn Palace

Jah Love

Milliways (Cafe At The End Of The Universe)

Sun Dog

Musical Veggie

Have a Beautiful Day

The Woderfull Whirrled of OZ

Avalon

Everybody's Whatever Lovin' Ovins/NERT

Kool Aid Coroner

Cofee Cough (no fee, pop free)(Cafe Cough Fee)(Coffee Coffee)

Dee Bakery (Da Bakers)

Beeck Party

Jesus Soup Kitchen

Tow Back Go Kitchen

Krishna Kitchen

Turtle Soup

Dragon Kitchen

 

CAMPSITES and ORGANIZED MAYHEM:

Kiddie Village

Kiddie C.A.L.M.

C.A.L.M.

Info/Rumor control

Welcome Home

A-Camp

Bus Village

Teen Village

Kiddie Camping

Sorta First Aid

Celestial Tea & Toke

Lost Tribe

Kaw Valley

Mo Love/Dragon Camp

S.H.Y. Camp

Morning Star

Illinois Dysfunctional Family

Yoga Loca

Camp Got A Minute

Be Here Now

Butterflies & Roses

This Camp (Not That Camp)

That Camp (Not This Camp)

Thier Streak - Frier Camp

Sacred Space

Shama Lama Ding Dong

RME RUNE

Top Secret Research Facility

Area 51

Poison Ivy Camp

Teen Barbarian Space

Know Mun Land

FAEREYE Camp

Faerie Camp

Pixie Camp

Multi 4th Dimension

Polka Dot Camp

Safe Love Bowl

Baby Nap

H(({{OM}})) KLA HOMA

Sparrows Nest

Bliss Pit

Madame Frogs

World Peace Pilgrimage

Purple Gang

A.R.F. Animal Rainbow Family

Rest Area

Prop-A-Ghandi Camp

Seven Minit Low

Children Of The Sun

Health Info

Bench March

Calif Cove

Freedome Village L.P.

Camp Calm Union

Kamp U Can't Fine

Fallen Tree Tribe

Flip-N-Tripe E.E.

N.W. - S.W. Western Tribe (Scroll Deaf Tribe)

The Nurd Ick

Mother Ship of F.U.E.L.

NVR NVR LND

Bufins Party

Camp Of Know Repute

Yell Oh Flash Lite

No Feds Tree House

White Hawk

Kumformeee

Ora Gone Camp

Hum Zah

Bah Ree

Bi The Way

Serenity Ridge

Blissters

Cody Massage

Rooster Shack

Blues Party

Mayan Camp

Zoe (Ask For Oness)

High Times

Palm Tribe

Greenwitch Village

Sister Space

Aloha Camp

Om Home

Nowhere

Minnesota Camp

Turk's Head/East Wind

Katuah

No Butt Heads Be Us

The MADD Tea Party

Choc Olate Roomers

All Around The Universe

Coo Cool Ka Chew

Good Space Grove (New Amsterdam)

  

Well this rambling blathering spew has gone on long enough!

We had a great time and all was good!

The only way to describe a Gathering is to be there, really.

The vision doesn't get through to all,

but enough get the drift to keep this magical thing afloat now for 25 years!

 

Thanks for your patience and ear,

Lovin’ you,

 

guano

 

Anthophora bomboides. Fuzzy . Faking the bumble bee look to fool birds into thinking they can sting like a bumble bee. Here is one from San Juan Island in Washington State. This species occurs throughout the continent....but....its look differs across that huge geographic range. Are they more than one species or not? Does anyone care? You? Then hire a taxonomist to find out, buddy. Photo by Wayne Boo.

~~~~~~~~~~{{{{{{0}}}}}}~~~~~~~~~~

 

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

 

Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

 

Beauty is truth, truth beauty - that is all

Ye know on earth and all ye need to know

" Ode on a Grecian Urn"

John Keats

 

You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

Best over all technical resource for photo stacking:www.extreme-macro.co.uk/

 

Free Field Guide to Bee Genera of Maryland: bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

Basic USGSBIML set up:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

 

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

 

Bees of Maryland Organized by Taxa with information on each Genus

www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/collections

 

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:

ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

 

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques:

plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo

or

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

 

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking:

www.photomacrography.net/

 

Contact information:

Sam Droege

sdroege@usgs.gov

301 497 5840

 

“We may have began as the soldiers Batman built for his crusade. But we became something else, something he never expected. We started as an army. We chose to be a family. And if there's hope for us... there's hope for anyone."

~ Red Hood on the Batman Family, and on how some members were originally Robin's.

 

Every kid wants to be Batman, but do you have a lifetime of training? A billion-dollar fortune? The dream gets dashed pretty quickly. So OK, maybe you can’t be Batman… but that doesn’t mean you can’t be adopted by him.

 

And just like that, Robin the Boy Wonder made the kid sidekick an icon.

 

Acrobat Dick Grayson was the youngest member of his parents’ death-defying circus act. But after their cold-blooded murder, Dick vowed revenge. Seeing a genuine piece of himself in the boy, Batman took him in—and gave him a better outlet for his anger. Becoming Batman’s protégé, Robin is an expert fighter and astounding acrobat—with the toughest example in the world to live up to. But the Boy Wonder’s true strength may lie in not being Batman—and providing a beacon of hope and family throughout the Dark Knight’s grim crusade.

 

But as Dick matures into his own entity—eventually becoming the masked crime fighter Nightwing—Robin proves more than just an identity, but a mantle passed to the most worthy. From the troubled Jason Todd to the overachieving Tim Drake, the mask is now worn by Bruce Wayne’s own son Damian—a rebellious troublemaker who’s been trained by assassins since birth. With a lethal skill set and a marginal sense of mercy, Robin no longer needs Batman to protect him from criminals.

 

Publication History

 

Robin is the alias of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson, to serve as a junior counterpart and the sidekick to the superhero Batman. As a team, Batman and Robin have commonly been referred to as the Caped Crusaders and the Dynamic Duo. The character's first incarnation, Dick Grayson, debuted in Detective Comics #38 (April 1940). Conceived as a way to attract young readership, Robin garnered overwhelmingly positive critical reception, doubling the sales of the Batman titles. Robin's early adventures included Star Spangled Comics #65–130 (1947–1952), the character's first solo feature. He made regular appearances in Batman-related comic books and other DC Comics publications from 1940 through the early 1980s, until the character set aside the Robin identity and became the independent superhero Nightwing.

 

The character's second incarnation, Jason Todd, first appeared in Batman #357 (1983). He made regular appearances in Batman-related comic books until 1988, when he was murdered by the Joker in the storyline "A Death in the Family" (1989). Jason later found himself alive after a reality-changing incident, eventually becoming the Red Hood. The premiere Robin limited series was published in 1991, featuring the character's third incarnation, Tim Drake, training to earn the role of Batman's vigilante partner. After two successful sequels, the monthly Robin series began in 1993 and ended in early 2009, which also helped his transition from sidekick to a superhero in his own right. In 2004 storylines, established DC Comics character Stephanie Brown became the fourth Robin for a short time before the role reverted to Tim Drake. Damian Wayne succeeds Drake as Robin in the 2009 story arc "Battle for the Cowl."

 

The current and former Robins always feature prominently in Batman's cast of supporting heroes; Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian all regard him as a father. In current continuity as of 2021, Dick Grayson serves as Nightwing, Jason Todd is the Red Hood, Stephanie Brown is Batgirl, and Tim Drake has picked up the mantle of Robin again after a stint as Red Robin. Damian has left behind the title Robin, but remains the title character of the Robin comic book. In recent years, Batman has also adopted new sidekicks in the form of Bluebird, whose name references Robin, and The Signal.

 

Creation

 

About a year after Batman's debut, Batman creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger introduced Robin the Boy Wonder in Detective Comics #38 (1940). The name "Robin the Boy Wonder" and the medieval look of the original costume were inspired by Robin Hood. Jerry Robinson noted he "came up with Robin because the adventures of Robin Hood were boyhood favorites of mine. I had been given a Robin Hood book illustrated by N. C. Wyeth ... and that's what I quickly sketched out when I suggested the name Robin Hood, which they seemed to like, and then showed them the costume. And if you look at it, it's Wyeth's costume, from my memory, because I didn't have the book to look at."  Other accounts of Robin's origin state that the name comes from the bird called the American robin, not from Robin Hood, Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin being a notable exception. Sometimes both sources are credited, as in Len Wein's The Untold Legend of the Batman. Although Robin is best known as Batman's sidekick, the Robins have also been members of the superhero groups the Teen Titans (with the original Robin, Dick Grayson, as a founding member and the latter group's leader) and Young Justice.

 

In Batman stories, the character of Robin was intended to be Batman's Watson: Bill Finger, writer for many early Batman adventures, said:

 

"Robin was an outgrowth of a conversation I had with Bob. As I said, Batman was a combination of Douglas Fairbanks and Sherlock Holmes. Holmes had his Watson. The thing that bothered me was that Batman didn't have anyone to talk to, and it got a little tiresome always having him thinking. I found that as I went along Batman needed a Watson to talk to. That's how Robin came to be. Bob called me over and said he was going to put a boy in the strip to identify with Batman. I thought it was a great idea."

 

Fictional character biography

 

The following fictional characters have assumed the Robin role at various times in the main DC Comics Universe continuity:

 

Dick Grayson

 

“Who do I think I am? Good question, really, and I'll answer like this: I've seen too much to be Robin, but I'm still too optimistic to be Batman. I'm Nightwing. I'm Officer Dick Grayson. I'm Barbara's boyfriend, Bruce Wayne's adopted son, and the last living member of the Amazing Flying Graysons. I'm happy."

~ Dick Grayson.

 

In the comics, Dick Grayson was an 8-year-old acrobat and the youngest of a family act called the "Flying Graysons". A gangster named Boss Zucco, loosely based on actor Edward G. Robinson's Little Caesar character, had been extorting money from the circus and killed Grayson's parents, John and Mary, by sabotaging their trapeze equipment as a warning against defiance. Batman investigated the crime and, as his alter ego billionaire Bruce Wayne, had Dick put under his custody as a legal ward. Together they investigated Zucco and collected the evidence needed to bring him to justice. From his debut appearance in 1940 through 1969, Robin was known as the Boy Wonder. Batman creates a costume for Dick, consisting of a red tunic, yellow cape, green gloves, green boots, green briefs, and a utility belt. As he grew older, graduated from high school, and enrolled in Hudson University, Robin continued his career as the Teen Wonder, from 1970 into the early 1980s.

 

The character was rediscovered by a new generation of fans during the 1980s because of the success of The New Teen Titans, in which he left Batman's shadow entirely to assume the identity of Nightwing. He aids Batman throughout the later storyline regarding the several conflicts with Jason Todd until he makes his final return as the "Red Hood". Grayson temporarily took over as Batman (while Wayne was traveling through time), using the aid of Damian Wayne, making his newish appearance as "Robin", to defeat and imprison Todd. With Bruce Wayne's return, Grayson went back to being Nightwing.

 

Julie Madison

 

Julie Madison had passed off as Robin for a brief time in a Bob Kane story published in Detective Comics #49 in March 1941.

 

Jason Todd

 

“But there are some crimes -- sins -- that Gotham can't wash away."

~ Jason Todd.

 

DC was initially hesitant to turn Grayson into Nightwing and to replace him with a new Robin. To minimize the change, they made the new Robin, Jason Peter Todd, who first appeared in Batman #357 (1983), similar to a young Grayson. Like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd was the son of circus acrobats murdered by a criminal (this time the Batman adversary Killer Croc), and then adopted by Bruce Wayne. In this incarnation, he was originally red-haired and unfailingly cheerful, and wore his circus costume to fight crime until Dick Grayson presented him with a Robin suit of his own. At that point, he dyed his hair black.

 

After the miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths, much of the DC Comics continuity was redone. Dick Grayson's origin, years with Batman, and growth into Nightwing remained mostly unchanged; but Todd's character was completely revised. He was now a black-haired street orphan who first encountered Batman when he attempted to steal tires from the Batmobile. Batman saw to it that he was placed in a school for troubled youths. Weeks later, after Dick Grayson became Nightwing and Todd proved his crime-fighting worth by helping Batman catch a gang of robbers, Batman offered Todd the position as Robin.

 

Believing that readers never truly bonded with Todd, DC Comics made the controversial decision in 1988 to poll readers using a 1-900 number as to whether or not Todd should be killed. The event received more attention in the mainstream media than any other comic book event before it. Readers voted "yes" by a small margin (5,343 to 5,271) and Todd was subsequently murdered by the Joker in the storyline, A Death in the Family, in which the psychopath beat the youngster severely with a crowbar, and left him to die in a warehouse rigged with a bomb.

 

Jason Todd later returned as the new Red Hood (the original alias of the Joker) when he was brought back due to reality being altered. After the continuity changes following the New 52 DC Comics relaunch, Jason becomes a leader of the Outlaws, a superhero team that includes Starfire and Arsenal who had spent years with Grayson in the Titans.

 

Tim Drake

 

“Batman, if they think they can kill someone like Robin-- who are they going to hunt down next? I don't know why you decided to wear that costume-- but it makes you a symbol. Just as Robin was a symbol. Or Superman, or Nightwing, or the policeman who wears his uniform. And this isn't just a symbol of the law, it's a symbol of justice. When one policeman is killed, others take his place because justice can't be stopped. And Batman needs a Robin. No matter what he thinks he wants."

~ Tim Drake on why Batman needs a Robin.

 

DC Comics was left uncertain about readers' decision to have Jason Todd killed, wondering if readers preferred Batman as a lone vigilante, disliked Todd specifically, or just wanted to see if DC would actually kill off the character. In addition, the 1989 Batman film did not feature Robin, giving DC a reason to keep him out of the comic book series for marketing purposes. Regardless, Batman editor Denny O'Neil introduced a new Robin. The third Robin, Timothy Drake, first appeared in a flashback in Batman #436 (1989) as a preadolescent boy, introduced by writer Marv Wolfman, interior penciler Pat Broderick, and inker John Beatty. Drake's first name was a nod to Tim Burton, director of the 1989 Batman film. The character first donned the Robin costume, and became associated with the third version of Robin, in the acclaimed "A Lonely Place of Dying" sequel storyline, which culminated in issue #442, written by Marv Wolfman with cover art by George Pérez, storyline interior pencils by Pérez, Tom Grummett, as well as Jim Aparo, and inks by Mike DeCarlo.

 

The ensuing Tim Drake storylines, authored by the late Alan Grant and penciled by the late Norm Breyfogle, coupled with the 1989 release of Burton's Batman, spurred sales of both comic book titles Batman and Detective Comics. For the latter, Grant attested in 2007 that "when the Batman movie came out, the sales went up, if I recall correctly, from around 75,000 to about 675,000." 1989–90 was indeed the "Year of the Bat:" Capital and Diamond City Distributors reported that the Year One-inspired Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight dominated four out of the five spots for preorders (not total sales and second printings). The only exception was the third preorder spot, snagged by Batman #442, the conclusion to Tim Drake's "A Lonely Place of Dying" storyline. The "Year of the Bat" continued into the first half of 1990.

 

Preorders for Batman and Detective Comics issues featuring a revived Joker and Penguin began to compete with, and even edged out, the last three parts of Grant Morrison's and Klaus Janson's Gothic storyline in Legends. Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man arrived in the second half of 1990, inaugurating six months of Spidermania (or Mcfarlamania, depending on the reader). DC closed out 1990 with vendors under-ordering issues, prompting the publisher to push Batman #457 and the first part of the Robin mini-series into second and then third printings. The next year, 1991, witnessed the ascension of Chris Claremont's, Jim Lee's, and Scott Williams's X-Men against Magneto, as well as Fabian Nicieza's and Rob Liefeld's X-Force, into the top of the preorder rankings. The only exception to this X-mania was, again, Tim Drake and the sequel to the Robin miniseries, the first variant issue of which garnered the third spot, firmly wedged between variant issues of X-Force and X-Men. The mini-series pitted solo Robin against the Joker, in response to fan demands for a matchup since "A Death in the Family." The 1990s comic booming bust had begun.

 

In a supplemental interview with Daniel Best, Alan Grant added that "every issue from about that time [after the 'Year of the Bat'] that featured Robin sales went up because Robin did have his own fans." Although both Grant and Breyfogle initially believed that their Anarky character could potentially become the third version of Robin, they were quick to support the editorial decision to focus on Drake. Breyfogle agreed that "it was a big thing to bring in the new Robin, yes. I know my fans often point specifically to that double page splash where his costume first appears as a big event for them as fans and I usually have to point out to them that Neal Adams was the one who designed the costume. The 'R' symbol and the staff were all that was really mine." In the "Rite of Passage" storyline for Detective Comics, Grant and Breyfogle intertwined 1) Drake matching wits with Anarky; 2) a criminal and anthropological investigation into an apocryphal Haitian vodou cult (revealed by Batman, asserting anthropological and investigative authority, as a front for extortion and crony capitalism); 3) the murder of Drake's mother by vilified cult leaders; 4) the beginning of Drake's recurrent nightmares and trauma; as well as 5) the perspective of a child of one of the cult's Haitian followers, unknowingly and inadvertently orphaned by Batman at the end of the four-issue arc.

 

Tim Drake eventually transitioned from late preadolescence to adolescence, becoming the third Robin over the course of the storylines "Rite of Passage" and "Identity Crisis", with all issues scripted by Alan Grant and penciled by Norm Breyfogle. Story arcs that included Drake only in subplots or featured his training in criminal investigation, such as "Crimesmith" and "The Penguin Affair," were either written or co-written by Grant and Wolfman, with pencils by Breyfogle, Aparo, and M. D. Bright. Immediately afterwards, the character starred in the five-issue miniseries Robin, written by Chuck Dixon, with interior pencils by Tom Lyle and cover art by Brian Bolland. The new Batman and Robin team went on their first official mission together in the story "Debut", again written by Grant and penciled by Breyfogle.

 

Bruce Wayne, a former child of trauma, guided "other trauma victims down a path of righteousness." Tim Drake endured trauma and "emotional duress" as a result of the death of his mother (father in a coma and on a ventilator). Drake contemplated the idea of fear, and overcoming it, in both the "Rite of Passage" and "Identity Crisis" storylines. Grant and Breyfogle subjected Drake to recurrent nightmares, from hauntings by a ghoulish Batman to the disquieting lullaby (or informal nursery rhyme), "My Mummy's dead...My Mummy's Dead...I can't get it through my head," echoing across a cemetery for deceased parents. Drake ultimately defeated his own preadolescent fears "somewhat distant from Bruce Wayne" and "not as an orphan." By the end of "Identity Crisis", an adolescent Drake had "proven himself as capable of being a vigilante" by deducing the role of fear in instigating a series of violent crimes.

 

In the comics, Tim Drake was a late preadolescent boy who had followed the adventures of Batman and Robin ever since witnessing the murder of the Flying Graysons. This served to connect Drake to Grayson, establishing a link that DC hoped would help readers accept this new Robin. Drake surmised their secret identities with his amateur but instinctive detective skills and followed their careers closely. Tim stated on numerous occasions that he wishes to become "The World's Greatest Detective", a title currently belonging to the Dark Knight. Batman himself stated that one day Drake will surpass him as a detective. Despite his combat skills not being the match of Grayson's (although there are some similarities, in that they are far superior to Todd's when he was Robin), his detective skills more than make up for this. In addition, Batman supplied him with a new armored costume for his transition to the adolescent Robin.

 

Tim Drake's first Robin costume had a red torso, yellow stitching and belt, black boots, and green short sleeves, gloves, pants, and domino mask. He wore a cape that was black on the outside and yellow on the inside. This costume had an armored tunic and gorget, an emergency "R" shuriken on his chest in addition to the traditional batarangs and a collapsible bo staff as his primary weapon, which Tim Drake continues to use as the superhero Red Robin. Neal Adams redesigned the entire costume with the exception of the "R" shuriken logo, first sketched by Norm Breyfogle.

 

Tim Drake is the first Robin to have his own comic book series, where he fought crime on his own. Tim Drake, as Robin, co-founded the superhero team Young Justice in the absence of the Teen Titans of Dick Grayson's generation, but would then later re-form the Teen Titans after Young Justice disbanded following a massive sidekick crossover during which Donna Troy was killed. Tim served as leader of this version of the Titans until 2009, at which point he quit due to the events of Batman R.I.P.

 

Following Infinite Crisis and 52, Tim Drake modified his costume to favor a mostly red and black color scheme in tribute to his best friend, Superboy (Kon-El), who died fighting Earth-Prime Superboy. This Robin costume had a red torso, long sleeves, and pants. It also included black gloves and boots, yellow stitching and belt, and a black and yellow cape. Tim Drake continued the motif of a red and black costume when he assumed the role of Red Robin before and during the events of The New 52.

 

Tim Drake assumes the identity of the Red Robin after Batman's disappearance following the events of Final Crisis and "Battle for the Cowl" and Damian Wayne becoming Grayson's Robin. Following 2011's continuity changes resulting from The New 52 DC Comics relaunch, history was altered such that Tim Drake never took up the Robin mantle after Jason Todd's death, feeling that it would be inappropriate. Instead, he served as Batman's sidekick under the name of the Red Robin. However, in DC's Rebirth relaunch, his original origin was restored.

 

Stephanie Brown

 

“A guy asked me a question the other day... about why people run when things get tough. That's easy -- you can become someone else, wherever you land, right? Who's gonna know the difference? So why stay? Why set yourself up for more failure? For more pain? Also easy -- because we don't know how to do anything else. So why stay? Why open yourself up to all the bad you've tried to leave behind? "The only variable you can control is yourself." You can forget who you are, or you can be who you want to be. That's why you stay. You stay for a second chance."

~ Stephanie Brown.

 

Stephanie Brown, Tim Drake's girlfriend and the costumed adventurer previously known as the Spoiler, volunteered for the role of Robin upon Tim's resignation. Batman fired the Girl Wonder for not obeying his orders to the letter on two occasions. Stephanie then stole one of Batman's incomplete plans to control Gotham's crime and executed it. Trying to prove her worthiness, Brown inadvertently set off a gang war on the streets of Gotham. While trying to help end the war, Brown was captured and tortured by the lunatic crime boss Black Mask. She managed to escape, but apparently died shortly afterwards due to the severity of her injuries. Tim Drake keeps a memorial for her in his cave hideout underneath Titans Tower in San Francisco. She appeared alive and stalking Tim, after his return from traveling around the globe with his mentor. It turned out that Dr. Leslie Thompkins had faked Stephanie's death in an effort to protect her. For years she operated on and off as the Spoiler, but was then recruited as Barbara Gordon's replacement as Batgirl. She had her own series, as well as making appearances throughout various Batman and Batman spin-off series. Her time as the Spoiler, Robin, and Batgirl was retconned to have never occurred after the Flashpoint event, with her being reintroduced having just become the Spoiler in Batman Eternal. However, her history as Robin was later restored.

 

Damian Wayne

 

“I'm not like Tim, or Jason, or even Dick. I'm light-years ahead of all the past Robins in skill and training. I'm either your partner in this or I'm not."

~ Damian Wayne.

 

Damian Wayne was the child of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, thus the grandson of the immortal Ra's al Ghul. Batman was unaware of his son's existence for years until Talia left Damian in his care. Damian was violent and lacking in discipline and morality, and was trained by the League of Assassins. Learning to kill at a young age, Damian's murderous behavior created a troubled relationship with his father, who vowed never to take a life.

 

Originally conceived to become a host for his maternal grandfather's soul as well as a pawn against the Dark Knight, Batman saved his child from this fate, which forced Ra's to inhabit his own son's body, and thus, Damian was affectionate to his father. After Batman's apparent death during Final Crisis, Talia left her son under Dick Grayson and Alfred Pennyworth's care and Damian was deeply affected by his father's absence. In the first issue of "Battle for the Cowl", Damian was driving the Batmobile and was attacked by Poison Ivy and Killer Croc. Damian was rescued by Nightwing, who then tries to escape, but was shot down by Black Mask's men. Nightwing tried to fight the thugs, but the thugs were shot by Jason Todd. After a fight between Nightwing and Todd, Todd eventually shot Damian in the chest. In the final issue of the series, Alfred made Damian into Robin. Damian's first task as Robin was to rescue Tim. After "Battle for the Cowl", Grayson adopted the mantle of Batman, and instead of having Tim (whom he viewed as an equal rather than a protégé) remain as Robin, he gave the role to Damian, whom he felt needed the training that his father would have given him.

 

Following the Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne and Flashpoint events, Bruce Wayne returned to his role as Batman, while Dick resumed as Nightwing. As of The New 52, Damian continued to work with his father, but temporarily gave up being Robin (as his mother had put a price on his head), and went under the identity of Red Bird. Damian met his end at the hands of the Heretic, an aged clone of Damian working for Leviathan, bravely giving up his life. Despite his status as deceased, Damian starred in his own miniseries, Damian: Son of Batman, written and drawn by Andy Kubert, set in a future where Damian is on the path to become Batman after his father fell victim to a trap set by the Joker. Batman eventually started a difficult quest to resurrect him, returning Damian to life with Darkseid's Chaos Shard.

 

Alternative versions

 

Batman Beyond

 

In the Future's End event and later in the DC Rebirth run, Matt McGinnis, brother of Terry McGinnis, becomes the newest incarnation of Robin in order to save his brother from the villain Payback. Initially excited about the role, Matt was eventually asked to stop being Robin after his encounter with the Joker.

 

Batman: Digital Justice

 

In the digitally rendered tale Batman: Digital Justice, James Gordon the grandson of his namesake, Commissioner Gordon, takes on the mantle of the Batman. A character named Robert Chang, who is somewhat reminiscent of the post-Crisis Jason Todd, takes on the mantle of Robin.

 

Batman '89: Drake Winston

 

In 2021, DC published Batman '89, a limited series that served as a continuation of Tim Burton's Batman films Batman and Batman Returns, ignoring the subsequent films Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997), in which actor Michael Keaton did not appear following Burton's departure from the franchise. This series featured a new version of Robin named Drake Winston (whose appearance is inspired by Marlon Wayans, who was originally attached to play the role in the Burton films).

 

Winston is a mechanic who works at Royal Autobody, an auto shop in Burnside owned by Harvey Dent's childhood mentor, Jerome Otis. His ancestors had their own automotive company that was acquired by Bruce Wayne's great-grandfather in a forced buyout. He strongly dislikes cops and authority figures and dresses up as a masked vigilante at night to help the residents of his neighborhood. He is initially distrustful of both Bruce Wayne and Batman, but after witnessing his dedication towards helping people and figuring out they are the same person, the two become partners and work together to stop the corrupted Dent and arsonists terrorizing the city.

 

Winston never directly calls himself "Robin" in the story, but there are several allusions to his alias. He likes birds and keeps several as pets, including a robin. When he stops a group of Batman impersonators from breaking into a store, some bystanders thought he was called Robin because one of the impersonators claimed he was "robbin' the store". When Bruce asks him what he calls himself at the end of the story, he considers naming himself "The Avenging Eagle" since he likes birds, but says it's not final and he's still deciding.

 

Dick Grayson (Earth Two)

 

The Robin of Earth-Two is a parallel version of the fictional DC Comics superhero, who was introduced after DC Comics created Earth-Two, a parallel world that was retroactively established as the home of characters which had been published in the Golden Age of comic books. This allowed creators to publish comic books featuring Robin while being able to disregard Golden Age stories, solving an incongruity, as Robin had been published as a single ongoing incarnation since inception.

 

Robin's origin and history begins the same as the classic version except the timeframe occurs when the Detective Comics #38 was originally printed: 1940.

 

Richard Grayson's parents are killed by Anthony Zucco. After a period of training, a young Dick Grayson becomes Robin. His first printed story is "Robin, the Boy Wonder." Robin participates in the war-time only All Star Squadron. His distant cousin is Charles Grayson, the scientific assistant of Robotman. This version of Dick Grayson ceased to exist after the multi arc DC Universe spanning event Crisis on Infinite Earths. He was killed by the Anti-Monitor's Shadow Demons while trying to save civilians, along with Earth-1's Kole and the daughter of Earth-Two's Batman, the Huntress (Helena Wayne).

 

When the Multiverse was recreated in the DC Universe event, Infinite Crisis, a new Earth-Two was born, with a Dick Grayson that resembles the original Earth-Two Grayson. It was established that this new Earth-Two was not the same one as before the Crisis on the Infinite Earths, although Grayson's attitude and his status as a crime-fighter with the Justice Society certainly reflected what had gone before.

 

After the events of Flashpoint, Helena Wayne, daughter of Earth-2's Batman and Catwoman served as Robin and became the only partner that Batman had ever had. In this continuity, Bruce Wayne had never adopted Dick Grayson as his ward, so he never became Robin on Earth-2. However, he does appear later, married to Earth-2's Barbara Gordon, who never became Batgirl on Earth-2.

 

Talon (Earth-3)

 

For the characters introduced in The New 52, see Court of Owls. The second Talon is a fictional character shown in Teen Titans #38 (2006), the former sidekick of Owlman, created by Geoff Johns and Tony S. Daniel. He is a former member of the Crime Society and a member of the Teen Titans during the one-year gap after Infinite Crisis. According to an interview with Tony Daniel at Newsarama, Talon is supposed to look like his mentor Owlman. He briefly battled Black Adam with his fellow Titans during World War III. It was revealed in The Search for Ray Palmer: Crime Society that there have been several Talons. The first one is shown dressed parallel to that of Grayson's classic Robin costume, including brown pixie boots. On post-Crisis Earth-3, the Teen Titans' Talon and Duela Dent, the daughter of the Jokester, had been dating. When Duela revealed their relationship to her parents, her father denounced her and the two fled. It is unknown how the two managed to flee to New Earth, or what has happened to Talon beyond that.

 

Bruce Wayne Junior

 

In "The Second Batman and Robin Team" (Batman #131, April 1960), Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred writes a story about the possible future of Batman and Robin. In it, Bruce Wayne marries Kathy Kane (Batwoman) and they have a son named Bruce Jr. When Wayne retires as Batman, Dick Grayson takes over the role of the Caped Crusader. Bruce Jr., having secretly trained on his own, volunteers to become the new Robin, despite objections from his mother. As Robin II, he fights alongside Batman II. Several subsequent "imaginary stories" featuring Bruce Jr. followed; the last in this series was "Bat-Girl—Batwoman II" in Batman #163 (May 1964). Bruce Wayne Jr next appeared in World's Finest Comics #215 (January 1973) as one of the Super-Sons.

 

Grant Morrison used the Bruce Wayne Jr. character in JLA #9 (September 1997), in the story "Elseworlds." After the supervillain Key traps the Justice Leaguers in dream worlds, Batman dreams of a future in which he is married to Selina Kyle/Catwoman. They have a son named Bruce Junior, who was raised from birth to be a superhero and serves as Robin II alongside a Tim Drake Batman.

 

John Byrne created his own Bruce Jr. in the epilogue of the Batman/Captain America crossover from 1996; this Robin is a red-head and resembles a male Carrie Kelley. Captain America wakes up in modern times after having been frozen in ice towards the end of World War II. He reunites with Batman, a friend who had helped him when Joker and Red Skull joined forces. Cap is amazed to learn that in the time he slept, Bruce Wayne has retired from being Batman, has passed the mantle to Dick Grayson and that his son Bruce Junior is the new Robin.

 

Byrne revisited Bruce Jr. in his Superman & Batman: Generations series. There, Bruce Junior is son of Bruce Senior and his wife, who is never identified but is implied to be Julie Madison. "BJ" greatly desires to be a hero and trains in the hopes of following in his father's footsteps. His mother refuses to let BJ become Robin until he turns eighteen. On Halloween night of 1964, when BJ is fifteen, he and Superman's daughter Kara (Supergirl) sneak out to have an adventure and, with the help of Wonder Woman's daughter Wonder Girl and The Flash's nephew Kid Flash join forces to defeat some of Flash's Rogue's Gallery. Afterward they decide to form their own team called the Justice League. BJ and Kara become romantically involved as adults, but BJ puts the relationship on hold when Joker kills Dick, forcing him to become the third Batman.

 

BJ and Kara eventually marry, but their wedding is halted by Kara's brother Joel Kent. Joel, who had been manipulated his whole life by Lex Luthor to hate his family, kills Kara by punching through her chest. Joel dies shortly thereafter, and BJ agrees to raise his powerless son in order to prevent another such tragedy from happening (he also marries Joel's widow, Mei-Lai, sometime in the intervening years). The child, named Clark Wayne, becomes BJ's Robin and is offered the mantle of Batman when he becomes an adult. Clark turns it down, having deduced that he isn't BJ's biological son, and believing that only a real Wayne should be Batman, instead adopts the identity of Knightwing. In the 1990s, BJ goes on a quest to locate his missing father, whom he eventually discovers as having taken over Ra's al Ghul's criminal empire and turned it into a force for good. Bruce asks BJ to assume control of the organization so that he can become Batman once again.

 

A story in Generations II has Bruce's dying wife imply that BJ isn't his biological son, but this is not explored until Generations III, where BJ uses a Lazarus Pit and becomes Robin once more, ultimately learning that he truly is Bruce's son and everything was a plan by his mother to make up for never allowing father and son to work together as heroes. In Generations III, BJ's life is greatly extended by the use of the Lazarus Pit so he can help the human resistance battle the forces of Darkseid, but when he is mortally wounded he decides to pass on, feeling that he's kept Kara waiting far too long; the sight of their spirits departing together is enough to make even Bruce Senior shed a tear.

 

For more information on a similar concept, see Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's son by Talia al Ghul. In the wake of his father's apparent death, his father's first Robin, Dick Grayson, took over as Batman with Damian serving as the new Robin. The version of Damian depicted in Batman: The Brave and the Bold has more in common with Bruce Jr. than with his portrayal in comics.

 

Deathwing

 

Introduced as an alternative Dick Grayson in the pages of Team Titans from a timeline when his Titan teammate Donna Troy had a son who was driven mad, took on the mantle of Lord Chaos and conquered his world. This version of Dick stayed in his identity of Nightwing and helped train squadrons of superpowered teenagers that became known as the Teen Titans. He was involved with the much younger Titan Mirage during this time. This alternative-future Nightwing came back in time and briefly joins the Team Titans when their mission takes them to their past, our present. This version of Nightwing, attacked and corrupted by a dark version of Raven shortly after his arrival, changes his name to "Deathwing", and serves as her assistant. He becomes so twistedly evil that he at one point tracks down his one-time lover, Mirage, and rapes her. She becomes pregnant and has a child named Julienne.

 

During the Zero Hour event that retroactively erased this timeline, Mirage, Terra and Deathwing survive. It is later established that they are from the current timeline, and were shunted through time and given false memories by the Time Trapper, who wished to use them as sleeper agents against the time travel villain Extant.

 

It wasn't revealed until one of the later runs of the Teen Titans that this was not Dick Grayson, in fact his true identity was never uncovered. After this storyline, this version of Nightwing has not been seen since.

 

Red Robin

 

In Kingdom Come (a post-Infinite Crisis Earth-22), a middle-aged Dick Grayson reclaims the Robin mantle and becomes Red Robin, not at the side of his former mentor Batman, but rather with Superman's League. His uniform is closer to Batman's in design, rather than any previous Robin uniform. Age has not slowed him down, as he possesses all of his stealth and fighting skills. In this story he has a daughter with Starfire; Mar'i Grayson (Nightstar). Starfire has apparently died by the time of the story, according to the Elliot S Maggin novelization, and Nightstar calls Bruce Wayne "Grandpa", despite no blood relation. At the end of the comic and the novel, Bruce and Dick reconcile.

 

Red Robin reappeared in promotional material for the DC Countdown event. Eventually, it was revealed that this Red Robin was not Dick Grayson, but rather Jason Todd who appeared under the cape and cowl. The Red Robin costume was stated to be more symbolism, than an actual costume choice, as Jason has been both the Red Hood and Robin, being shown as Red Robin.

 

However, in Countdown to Final Crisis #17, Jason dons a Red Robin suit from a display case in the "Bat Bunker" (Earth-51's equivalent to the Bat Cave) as he and Earth-51 Batman join the fight raging on the Earth above the bunker. Jason keeps his new suit and identity for the rest of his tenure as a "Challenger of the Unknown", only to discard it on his return to New Earth and revert to his "Red Hood" street clothing.

 

During the Scattered Pieces tie-in to Batman R.I.P., a new Red Robin makes his appearance, at first only as a glimmering image following Robin (Tim Drake) and suspected to have stolen a briefcase of money from the Penguin. Tim initially suspects Jason Todd of reprising his Red Robin persona. Jason claims innocence, supposing that someone may have stolen his suit when he discarded it earlier. The new Red Robin breaks up a scuffle between Tim and Jason, and later is revealed to be Ulysses Armstrong. Armstrong later changes costumes when he reveals himself to be the new Anarky, and after being severely burned in an explosion, an embattled Tim Drake dons the less-revealing Red Robin costume to hide his wounds. He later returns to his standard uniform.

 

In 2009, a new on-going series was introduced titled Red Robin. The new Red Robin was revealed to be Tim Drake.

 

In 2014-5's Multiversity series, a Red Robin also appears as part of Superman's darker incarnation of the Justice League on Earth-22, still based on the alternate future continuity of Kingdom Come.

 

Earth-6: Stan Lee's Robin

 

A version of Robin exists for Stan Lee's Just Imagine... line of comics, in which DC Comics characters were re-imagined by Marvel Comics luminary Stan Lee. Robin is an orphan who has been forced by Reverend Darkk, the series' main villain, into becoming a thief and a murderer. He meets Batman when Darkk assigns Robin to kill him. Batman survives the attack and in return shows Robin what kind of a man Darkk really is. Robin joins the good side for a time, but in the crisis issue it is revealed that Robin has in fact been working with Darkk the whole time; in the end he is transformed into a "Hawk Man", before being reborn through Yggdrasil as the "Atom". In the current New 52 DC Multiverse, these events took place on Earth-6.

 

DC One Million

 

In DC One Million setting, the Batman of the 853rd Century is aided by the robot called Robin the Toy Wonder. This Batman's parents were guards on the prison planet of Pluto and died in a prison riot that turned into a mass slaughter of the guards. Robin is programmed with the personality of this Batman as a boy and acts as a foil/source of perspective so that he will not become consumed by darkness in his quest for justice. This Robin believes this was the same reason Bruce Wayne brought Dick Grayson into his life.

  

Dick Grayson (Earth-43)

 

In this universe, the setting of Batman & Dracula: Red Rain and its sequels, the Flying Graysons are killed by the vampire Batman, as shown in DC Infinite Halloween Special. Dick grows up to become an obsessive vampire hunter, but is turned by Batman in The Search for Ray Palmer: Red Rain, and becomes his partner. Robin has remained a vampire and is now a member of the "Blood League", a vampire Justice League, alongside Earth-43's Vampire Batman.

 

Dick Grayson (Earth-50)

 

In the Wildstorm Universe, Dick Grayson is a Planetary agent in Gotham City, partnered with a man named Jasper who resembles the Joker. He appears in Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth, prior to the Planetary team's shift into universes with a Batman. However, given the events of Flashpoint, this alternate Earth was merged with Earth-0 and Earth-13 and therefore this character no longer exists in main DC continuity.

 

Injustice series

 

In the prequel comic of the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, Damian remains under the guise of Robin until Year Five where he becomes Nightwing. Although he will still become one of Superman's allies in his Regime. It is revealed in Year One that Dick Grayson's death at the hands of Damian Wayne was a mere accident because Damian was frustrated at Dick's lecturing him during a prison riot. In Year Two, Damian makes two minor appearances: once to alert Superman to Sinestro's arrival at the Justice League Watchtower, and again while Despero, having been assaulted by the Sinestro Corps, is crashing toward Earth. In Year Three, Damian attempts to defeat some villains and nearly gets killed but Dick Grayson, (now the new Deadman), saves him and gives him his old Nightwing costume as a birthday present, unaware to Damian or any other Regime members. Despite having severed ties with his father, Damian still greatly regards Alfred. Unknown to Damian, Superman, thinking Damian's "Nightwing" birthday gift is a set up by Batman, secretly sends Zsasz to kill Alfred before Damian arrives back at the Batcave. With Alfred gone, Damian now joins Superman's Regime. Batman, becoming aware of Superman's plan afterward, is too late to convince his son of the truth behind Alfred's death.

 

Injustice 2

 

In the prequel comic of the video game sequel Injustice 2, Damian is first seen in a prison cell as an imprisoned and powerless Superman and Batman talk about what happened, with Batman, tiring of Superman's insistence that it was somehow Bruce's fault for not being there when Clark needed him most, he turns to walk away. As he does so, Superman throws up the past deceased Robins, Dick Grayson and Jason Todd as well as Tim Drake who unbeknownst to Batman is imprisoned in the Phantom Zone along with the surviving Titans. Then, suddenly, there is an attack on the prison by the Suicide Squad and an imposter Batman, all under the leadership of Damian's mother, Talia and the League of Assassins, to free Damian for his grandfather Ra's Al Ghul's current plans. Damian becomes very angry at his mother and Athanasia Al Ghul for having killed the powerless prison authorities like Turpin, instead of disarming them and not releasing Superman and Cyborg. At Ra's' secret lair, Damian is introduced to his sister, Athanasia Al Ghul. Later, in Ra's' Lair, He meets several other of Ra's' recruits, including, Vixen, Poison Ivy, Cheetah and the impostor Batman's remaining Suicide Squad members. During this meeting, Ra's Al Ghul talks about the 5 years since Joker's corruption of Superman and the state of the world. Damian is later tasked along with Deadshot and Katana to capture the original Blue Beetle, Ted Kord. On the next day, Damian brings Alfred's corpse from Wayne Manor while having Black Lightning's daughters, and the son of Green Arrow and Black Canary be kidnapped, and later to nurse his butler after resurrecting him in the Lazarus Pit. Later during the Insurgency's raid on Ra's hideout in South America, Damian predicts that the Insurgency will come with no surrender thanks to Batman. Damian fought his father temporarily until a fully recovered Alfred stops them from killing each other. As Blue Beetle destroys Ra's hideout, which indirectly kills most of the extinct animals and accidentally kills Diablo, Damian is separated from Alfred. Despite Alfred currently being under the Insurgency's care, Damian is still glad he is safe.

 

Few days later, Damian was sent to recruit Black Adam. However, the ruler of Kahndaq refuses to cooperate with Ra's. At the same time Damian met Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, who is later revealed to be a Kryptonian like Superman. He and Kara are later fighting terrorists while passing by flying together. As Damian is about kill a terrorist, Kara told him to stop from making a mistake on behalf of her feelings to protect the innocence without killing everyone. On the next day, Adam recommended Damian to stay with him and Kara, while needing his help for their rescue mission on freeing their ally, Diana. As Kara is sent to infiltrate Amazon, the nations' security is very tight, Damian is worried if the Amazons spill the truth about what the Regimes had done 5 years, the Regime will lose Kara, but Adam tells Damian to be patient, and is soon glad to find out that most of the Amazonian are still loyal to Diana, quickly succeeding the rescue without being captured. Upon hearing news about the massacre in the small town at Williams, Arizona caused by his grandfather and Solovar sending Amazo killing every human around including women and children, Damian departs to Gorilla City where the League of Assassins and their Suicide Squad are hiding to inform his closest allies (Vixen and Animal Man) about what the Gorillas and League of Assassins had done to the peaceful people of the said town, then spills the truth to entire two villainous groups to prevent Kahndaq sharing a similar fate, resulting in Gorilla Grodd's failed uprising attempt from taking over Gorilla City, leading him and his followers to be exiled from their home city. He, Animal Man and Vixen soon warn their Regime allies about Ra's and Solovar's plan to bring destructions on innocent humans, while Kara herself is not yet prepared to fight against Amazo and must stay in Kahndaq.

 

The third Robin, Tim Drake/Red Robin, one of the Titans who first rebelled Superman's regime is being released from the Phantom Zone's imprisonment along with Wonder Girl and Starfire, with the exception of Superboy who preferred to stay in the said dimension after Superman broke his heart back in the first game's previous comic issue. Unfortunately, Tim's reunion did not last long, as Zod trails the Titans to be able to escape and shots Tim's heart with his Heat Vision from behind, killing the Boy Wonder. Before Batman plans to avenge Tim's death, Ra's sends Amazo to kill Zod for good, and Harley sadly expresses about how Tim had been a better Robin as Dick used to be if they were alive. After fully he recovered from his heart surgery during Amazo's attack, Superboy, now the Insurgency's new Superman learned that he is now implanted with Zod's heart, the same villainous Kryptonian general who murdered Tim.

 

At some point after Damian was forced to return to League of Assassins by his mother and younger sister, Damian figured out that the impostor Batman is none other than the revived former second Robin, Jason Todd, now working for Ra's. During the Insurgency's raid on the Assassins' hideout in South America to save one of their kidnapped children and Harley, Jason fought Wildcat and almost killed him, until Green Arrow and Black Canary's son Conner knocks Jason back with a sonic scream inherited from his mother Canary. As the League of Assassins and their Suicide Squads relocated in Gorilla City to allied themselves with King Solovar, then recently kill the peaceful human civilians in Arizona by dispatching Amazo, Jason starting to doubt about Ra's ideal.

 

By time Ra's and Solovar begin their plans to wipe out every humans on Earth after Grodd and his followers had been exiled, Damian, Vixen, and Animal Man plan a second rebellion against Ra's for his madness. Jason soon figures out the three heroes' plan to betray Ra's. However, Damian tries to convince Jason of what they are doing for Ra's is actually wrong, and believes in him that killing innocent human civilians is not what he desired.

 

Injustice vs. The Masters of the Universe

 

As this series continues alternatively from the second game's bad ending, it revealed that Damian (now as a new Batman) and his fellow ex-Regime and Titans member Cyborg finally realize what they have been fighting for, just like how The Flash, Hal Jordan and the late-Shazam felt before them, and began to defect to and lead the Insurgency, while also being joined by the former Batman imposter Jason/Red Hood. Damian admit on never forget his accidental sin he committed on his late-Nightwing predecessor Dick.

 

When Skeletor's Army arrived in their universe's Earth, at the same time Darkseid's Apokalips Army arrived there as well, Damian summoned He-Man/Prince Adam and his allies for a same purposes. After manage to find and freed his both father and predecessor from Superman's Brainiac Tech brainwashing, Damian told him about Supergirl's location and compare Superman to be just like Zod and Ra's was. Unfortunately, Damian is snapped by Wonder Woman's lasso on his neck from behind in cold blood, but his death eventually gives original Batman a stronger will to break free from Superman's control. When Skeletor revealed his true color on playing both Darkseid and Superman's side for his scheme, Superman stand down and recently mourn Damian's death, leading him once again made a temporary truce to settle with Darkseid and Skeletor.

 

Powers & Abilities

 

Intimidation: It is known that Robin has the ability to instill fear in others, even the people that know him best can be intimidated by him.

 

Master Acrobat: Excellent in gymnastics and acrobatics.

 

Peak Human Conditioning: Through intense training, Robin represents the pinnacle of human physical ability. His physical characteristics are greater than that of even an Olympic level athlete. His strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, durability, senses, and coordination are at peak human perfection as possible for one of his age, to improve even further with continued physical and mental growth. Robin engages in intense regular rigorous exercise (including aerobics, weightlifting, gymnastics, and simulated combat) to keep himself in peak condition, and has often defeated opponents whose size, strength, or other powers are much higher than his own. He has spent his entire life in pursuit of physical perfection and has attained it through constant intensive training and determination, to the point that he is able to take on all of his teammates at once and beat them (this is particularly significant as he is not trying to hurt them).

 

Peak Human Strength: He is arguably one of the "strongest" Non-metahumans on Earth. He has been seen punching out opponents that are larger than him and that are nearly invulnerable like Cinderblock. Robin is able to support a large about 800-pound bear guardian on his back.

 

Peak Human Reflexes: Robin's reflexes are amazing. He can leap large distances and he can dodge point blank projectile fire and has done so many times in the series.

 

Peak Human Speed: Robin is shown to be able to run at above average speed.

 

Peak Human Endurance: Robin's endurance is greater than any human shown in the series. Robin can go a long period of time without stopping and fixes himself on his work.

 

Peak Human Agility: His agility is greater than that of an Olympic-level acrobat. He was raised in an acrobat family known as the "Flying Graysons" and began agility training at the

earliest age. He is shown to be able to scale the city buildings.

 

Peak Human Durability: Robin has been shown to be able to handle the worst hits and impacts without giving out.

 

Martial Arts Master: Robin is one of the finest human combatants on Earth, his skills honed to such a level even superhumans and armed adversaries can be overpowered by them. He has mastered several different martial arts styles from across the world, learned from the Dark Knight and the True Master. He even learned some alien martial arts from Blackfire.

 

Master Stealth: Robin, despite the bright colors he wears, is a master at stealth, capable of breaching high security facilities with ease, without being detected.

 

Expert Marksman: Robin almost never misses a target with his various weapons.

 

Master Detective: Robin is an expert detective and logical thinker, able to solve cases before anyone else.

 

Master Tactician & Strategist: Robin comes up with excellent strategic plans to expose and defeat criminals, always aiming to "work smarter, not harder."

 

Escapologist: Robin is shown to be able to escape even the most elaborate of traps.

 

Tracking: Robin is shown to be able to pick up a criminal's trail long after any given crime.

 

Disguise Master: Robin's Red X disguise fooled even the Teen Titans.

 

Expert Thief: Robin has shown that he's quick well at playing the role of a thief, as he had shown when he went around as Red X and when he had swiped X's belt.

 

Expert Mechanic & Vehicle Driver: Excellent at motorcycle driving. Robin was also responsible for the creation of the high-tech Red X suit, capable of defeating multiple superhumans with ease, and he and Cyborg developed the T-Communicators. He has also used the Tower's own technology proficiently, including its computer and his own laptop.

 

⚡ Happy 🎯 Heroclix 💫 Friday! 👽

_____________________________

 

A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.

 

Secret Identity: Dick Grayson

 

Publisher: DC

 

First appearance: Detective Comics #38 (April 1940)

 

Created by: Bob Kane (Writer)

Bill Finger (Artist)

Jerry Robinson (Artist)

 

Robin has appeared many times on the Bijou Planks, including:

 

BP 2018 Day 314!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/45814587191/

 

BP 2019 Day 123!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/46848135365/

 

BP 2019 Day 230!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/48569045136/

 

BP 2021 Day 1!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/50786635676/

 

BP 2021 Day 130!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51170286157/

 

BP 2022 Day 178!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/52178025011/

 

BP 2023 Day 186!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/53024610634/

 

BP 2024 Day 1!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/53436814835/

 

And much in the Paprihaven story, such as episode 1009!

www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/33984362522/

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

The Lost World (20th Century Fox, 1960).

youtu.be/h1CLA-gJbmA?t=5s Trailer

Irwin Allen, the producer who would go on to make the disaster film a huge success in the seventies, brought us this Saturday afternoon fodder with giant lizards posing as dinosaurs. Starring Michael Rennie, David Hedison, Claude Rains and Jill St. John.

Intended as a grand sci-fi/fantasy epic remake of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic novel. The first film adaptation, shot in 1925, was a milestone in many ways, but movie making and special effects had come a long way in 35 years. Irwin Allen's Lost World (LW) & 20th Century Fox version was derailed on the way to greatness, but managed to still be a respectable, (if more modest) A-film. Allen's screenplay followed the book fairly well, telling of Professor Challenger's expedition to a remote plateau in the Amazon upon which dinosaurs still lived. Aside from the paleontological presumptions in the premise, there is little "science" in The Lost World. Nonetheless, dinosaur movies have traditionally been lumped into the sci-fi genre.

Synopsis

When his plane lands in London, crusty old professor George Edward Challenger is besieged by reporters questioning him about his latest expedition to the headwaters of the Amazon River. After the irascible Challenger strikes reporter Ed Malone on the head with his umbrella, Jennifer Holmes, the daughter of Ed's employer, Stuart Holmes, offers the injured reporter a ride into town. That evening, Jenny is escorted by Lord John Roxton, an adventurer and big game hunter, to Challenger's lecture at the Zoological Institute, and Ed invites them to sit with him. When Challenger claims to have seen live dinosaurs, his colleague Professor Summerlee scoffs and asks for evidence. Explaining that his photographs of the creatures were lost when his boat overturned, Challenger invites Summerlee to accompany him on a new expedition to the "lost world," and asks for volunteers. When Roxton raises his hand, Jenny insists on going with him, but she is rejected by Challenger because she is a woman. Ed is given a spot after Holmes offers to fund the expedition if the reporter is included. The four then fly to the Amazon, where they are met by Costa, their guide and Manuel Gomez, their helicopter pilot. Arriving unexpectedly, Jenny and her younger brother David insist on joining them. Unable to arrange transportation back to the United States, Challenger reluctantly agrees to take them along. The next day, they take off for the lost world and land on an isolated plateau inhabited by dinosaurs. That evening, a dinosaur stomps out of the jungle, sending them scurrying for cover. After the beast destroys the helicopter and radio, the group ventures inland. When one of the creatures bellows threateningly, they flee, and in their haste, Challenger and Ed slip and tumble down a hillside, where they encounter a native girl. The girl runs into the jungle, but Ed follows and captures her. They then all take refuge in a cave, where Roxton, who has been making disparaging remarks about Jenny's desire to marry him solely for his title, angers Ed. Ed lunges at Roxton, pushing him to the ground, where he finds a diary written by Burton White, an adventurer who hired Roxton three years earlier to lead him to the lost diamonds of Eldorado. Roxton then admits that he never met White and his party because he was delayed by a dalliance with a woman, thus abandoning them to certain death. Gomez angrily snaps that his good friend Santiago perished in the expedition. That night, Costa tries to molest the native girl, and David comes to her rescue and begins to communicate with her through sign language. After Gomez goes to investigate some movement he spotted in the vegetation, he calls for help, and when Roxton runs out of the cave, a gunshot from an unseen assailant is fired, nearly wounding Roxton and sending the girl scurrying into the jungle. Soon after, Ed and Jenny stray from camp and are pursued by a dinosaur, and after taking refuge on some cliffs, watch in horror as their stalker becomes locked in combat with another prehistoric creature and tumbles over the cliffs into the waters below. Upon returning to camp, they discover it deserted, their belongings in disarray. As David stumbles out from some rocks to report they were attacked by a tribe of natives, the cannibals return and imprison them in a cave with the others. As the drums beat relentlessly, signaling their deaths, the native girl reappears and motions for them to follow her through a secret passageway that leads to the cave in which Burton White lives, completely sightless. After confirming that all in his expedition perished, White tells them of a volcanic passageway that will lead them off the plateau, but warns that they must first pass through the cave of fire. Cautioning them that the natives plan to sacrifice them, White declares that their only chance of survival is to slip through the cave and then seal it with a boulder. After giving them directions to the cave, White asks them to take the girl along. As the earth, on the verge of a volcanic eruption, quakes, they set off through the Graveyard of the Damned, a vast cavern littered with dinosaur skeletons, the victims of the deadly sulfurous gases below. Pursued by the ferocious natives, Roxton takes the lead as they inch their way across a narrow ledge above the molten lava. After escaping the natives, they jam the cave shut with a boulder and, passing a dam of molten lava, finally reach the escape passage. At its mouth is a pile of giant diamonds and a dinosaur egg. As Costa heaps the diamonds into his hat, Challenger fondles the egg and Gomez pulls a gun and announces that Roxton must die in exchange for the death of Santiago, Gomez' brother. Acting quickly, Ed hurls the diamonds at Gomez, throwing him off balance and discharging his gun. The gunshot awakens a creature slumbering in the roiling waters below. After the beast snatches Costa and eats him alive, Ed tries to dislodge the dam, sending a few scorching rocks tumbling down onto the monster. Feeling responsible for the peril of the group, Gomez sacrifices his life by using his body as a lever to dislodge the dam, covering the creature with oozing lava. As the cave begins to crumble from the impending eruption, the group hurries to safety. Just then, the volcano explodes, destroying the lost world. After Roxton hands Ed a handful of diamonds he has saved as a wedding gift for him and Jenny, Challenger proudly displays his egg, which then hatches, revealing a baby dinosaur. The End.

The 50s had seen several examples of the dinosaur sub-genre. LW is one of the more lavish ones, owing to color by DeLuxe and CinemaScope. The A-level actors help too. Claude Rains plays the flamboyant Challenger. Michael Rennie plays Roxton, perhaps a bit too cooly. Jill St. John and Vitina Marcus do well as the customary eye candy. David Hedison as Malone and Fernando Lamas as Gomez round out the bill.

The first film version of LW was a silent movie shot in 1925: screenplay by Marion Fairfax. The film featured stop-motion animated dinosaurs by a young Willis O'Brien. Fairfax followed Doyle's text, but Fairfax added a young woman to the team, Paula White. Ostensibly trying to find her father from the first failed expedition, she provided the love triangle interest between Malone and Roxton.

Allen's screenplay tried to stick to Doyle's text as much as Hollywood would allow. It carried on Fairfax's invention of the young woman member of the group as triangle fodder. Fairfax had Doyle's ape men (ape man) but omitted the native humans. Allen had the natives, but no ape men. Allen revived the Gomez/revenge subplot, which Fairfax skipped. Doyle's story had Challenger bringing back a pterodactyl. Fairfax made it a brontosaur who rampaged through London streets (spawning a popular trope). Allen suggested the baby dinosaur traveling to London.

Willis O'Brien pitched 20th Century Fox in the late 50s, to do a quality remake of LW. He had gained much experience in the intervening 35 years, so his stop-motion dinosaurs were to be the real stars. Fox bass liked the idea, but by the time the ball started rolling, there was trouble in studioland. Fox's grand epic Cleopatra was underway, but was already 5 million dollars over budget. Cleo would nearly sink 20th Century Fox when it was finally released in 1963. To stay afloat, all other Fox films' budgets were slashed. Allen could no longer afford the grand O'Brien stop-motion.

Allen's production is often criticized for its "cheap" dinosaurs, which were live monitor lizards and alligators with fins and plates and horns glue onto them. (more on that below) These were already a bit cheesy when used in the 1940 film One Million B.C.. O'Brien is still listed on the credits as "Effects Technician," but all Allen could afford was lizards with glued on extras. Somewhat amusingly, the script still refers to them as brontosaurs and T-Rexes.

The character of Jennifer Holmes starts out promising. She's a self-assured to the edges of pushy, and is said to be able to out shoot and out ride any man. Yet, when she gets to the Amazon jungle, she's little more than Jungle Barbie, dressed in girlie clothes and screaming frequently. She even does the typical Hollywood trip-and-fall when chased by the dinosaur, so that a man must save her.

Bottom line? FW is a finer example of the not-quite-sci-fi dinosaur sub-genre. The actors are top drawer, even if some of their acting is a bit flat. Nonetheless, FW is a fair adaptation of Doyle's

classic adventure novel, given the constraints of Hollywood culture.

 

The Movie Club Annals … Review

The Lost World 1960

Introduction

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Irwin Allen's 1960 production of The Lost World. Nothing. It was perfect in every way. I therefore find myself in the unique and unfamiliar position of having to write a rave review about a Movie Club movie that was entirely devoid of flaws.

Faced with such a confounding task, I half-heartedly considered faking a bad review, then praying my obvious deceptions would go unnoticed. But the patent transparency of my scheme convinced me to abandon it posthaste. After all, leveling concocted criticisms at such an unassailable masterpiece would be a futile and tiresome exercise, the pretense of which would escape nary a semi-cognizant soul.

Thus, having retreated from my would-be descent into literary intrigue, I start this review in earnest by borrowing a quote from the legendary Shelly Winters, spoken during the 1972 filming of Irwin Allen's The Poseidon Adventure:

"I'm ready for my close up now, Mr. Allen.” Shelly Winters, 1972

Review

A bit of research into the casting choices of Irwin Allen, who wrote, produced, and directed The Lost World, begins to reveal the genius behind the virtuosity.

The first accolades go to Irwin for his casting of Vitina Marcus, the immaculately groomed Saks 5th Avenue cave girl with exquisite taste in makeup, jewelry, and cave-wear. No finer cave girl ever graced a feature film.

Vitina Marcus, as The Cave Girl

She was the picture of prehistoric glamour, gliding across the silver screen in her designer bearskin mini-pelt, her flawless coiffure showing no signs of muss from the traditional courting rituals of the day, her perfect teeth the envy of even the most prototypical Osmond. Even her nouveau-opposable thumbs retained their manicure, in spite of the oft-disagreeable duties that frequently befell her as an effete member of the tribal gentry.

By no means just another Neanderthal harlot, Vitina had a wealth of talent to augment her exterior virtues. Her virtuoso interpretation of a comely cave girl in The Lost World certainly didn't escape the attention Irwin Allen. In fact, he was so taken with her performance that he later engaged her services again, casting her as the Native Girl in episode 2.26 of his Voyage to The Bottom of The Sea TV series.

Leery of potential typecasting, Vitina went on to obtain roles with greater depth and more sophisticated dialogue. This is evidenced by the great departure she took from her previous roles when she next portrayed the part of Sarit, a female barbarian, in episode 1.24 of Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel TV series.

Vitina, as Sarit

Vitina's efforts to avoid typecasting paid off in spades, as she was soon rewarded with the distinctive role of Girl, a female Tarzanesque she-beast character, in episode 3.14 of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. TV series.

Lured back from the U.N.C.L.E. set by Irwin Allen, Vitina was next cast in the role of Athena (a.k.a. Lorelei), the green space girl with the inverted lucite salad bowl hat, in episodes 2.2 and 2.16 of the revered Lost in Space TV series.

And with this, Vitina reached the pinnacle of her career. For her many unparalleled displays of thespian pageantry, she leaves us forever in her debt as she exits the stage.

For those who would still question the genius of Irwin Allen, I defy you to find a better casting choice for the character of Lord John Roxton than that of Michael Rennie. Mr. Rennie, who earlier starred as Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still, went on to even greater heights, starring as The Keeper in episodes 1.16 and 1.17 of the revered Lost in Space TV series. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Rennie often played highly cerebral characters with

unique names, such as Garth A7, Tribolet, Hasani, Rama Kahn, Hertz, and Dirk. How befitting that his most prolific roles came to him through a man named Irwin, a highly cerebral character with a unique name.

The selection of David Hedison to play Ed Malone was yet another example of Irwin's uncanny foresight. Soon after casting him in The Lost World, Irwin paved Mr. Hedison's path to immortality by casting him as a lead character in his Voyage to The Bottom of The Sea TV series. Although Voyage ended in 1968, Mr. Hedison departed the show with a solid resume and a bright future.

In the decades following Voyage, Mr. Hedison has been a veritable fixture on the small screen, appearing in such socially influential programs as The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Knight Rider, The Fall Guy and The A Team. Mr. Hedison's early collaborations with Irwin Allen have left him never wanting for a day's work in Hollywood, a boon to the legions of discerning fans who continue to savor his inspiring prime time depictions.

Irwin selected Fernando Lamas to play Manuel Gomez, the honorable and tortured soul of The Lost World who needlessly sacrificed himself at the end of the movie to save all the others. To get a feel for how important a casting decision he was to Irwin, just look at the pertinent experience Mr. Lamas brought to the table:

Irwin knew that such credentials could cause him to lose the services of Mr. Lamas to another project, and he took great pains to woo him onto the set of The Lost World. And even though Mr. Lamas never appeared in the revered Lost in Space TV series, his talent is not lost on us.

Jay Novello was selected by Irwin Allen to play Costa, the consummate Cuban coward who perpetually betrays everyone around him in the name of greed. In pursuing his craven calling, Mr. Novello went on to play Xandros, the Greek Slave in Atlantis, The Lost Continent, as well as countless other roles as a coward.

Although Mr. Novella never appeared in the revered Lost in Space TV series, his already long and distinguished career as a coward made him the obvious choice for Irwin when the need for an experienced malingerer arose.

Jill St. John was Irwin's pick to play Jennifer Holmes, the "other" glamour girl in The Lost World. Not to be upstaged by glamour-cave-girl Vitina Marcus, Jill played the trump card and broke out the pink go-go boots and skin-tight Capri pants, the perfect Amazonian summertime jungle wear.

Complete with a perfect hairdo, a killer wardrobe, a little yip-yip dog named Frosty, and all the other trappings of a wealthy and pampered prehistoric society, Jill's sensational allure rivaled even that of a certain cave girl appearing in the same film.

With the atmosphere rife for an on-set rivalry between Jill and Vitina, Irwin still managed to keep the peace, proving that he was as skilled a diplomat as he was a director.

Claude Rains, as Professor George Edward Challenger

And our cup runneth over, as Irwin cast Claude Rains to portray Professor George Edward Challenger. His eminence, Mr. Rains is an entity of such immeasurable virtue that he is not in need of monotonous praise from the likes of me.

I respectfully acknowledge the appearance of Mr. Rains because failure to do so would be an unforgivable travesty. But I say nothing more on the subject, lest I state something so obvious and uninspiring as to insult the intelligence of enlightened reader.

Irwin's casting of the cavemen mustn't be overlooked, for their infallibly realistic portrayals are unmatched within the Pleistocene Epoch genre of film. Such meticulous attention to detail is what separates Irwin Allen from lesser filmmakers, whose pale imitations of his work only further to underscore the point.

To be sure, it is possible to come away with the unfounded suspicion that the cavemen are really just a bunch of old white guys from the bar at the local Elks lodge. But Irwin was an absolute stickler for authenticity, and would never have allowed the use of such tawdry measures to taint his prehistoric magnum opus.

In truth, Irwin's on-screen cavemen were borne of many grueling years of anthropological research, so the explanation for their somewhat modern, pseudo-caucasian appearance lies obviously elsewhere. And in keeping with true Irwin Allen tradition, that explanation will not be offered here.

1964 - Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Season One, Episode 7 - "Turn Back the Clock", featuring Vitina Marcus as The Native Girl. Produced by Irwin Allen.

And then there was Irwin Allen's masterful handling of the reptilian facets of The Lost World, most notably his inimitable casting of the dinosaurs. His dinosaurs were so realistic, so eerily lifelike, that they almost looked like living, breathing garden variety lizards with dinosaur fins and horns glued to their backs and heads.

The less enlightened viewer might even suppose this to be true, that Irwin's dinosaurs were indeed merely live specimens of lizards, donned in Jurassic-era finery, vastly magnified, and retro-fitted into The Lost World via some penny-wise means of cinematic trickery.

But those of us in the know certainly know better than that, as we are privy to some otherwise unpublished information about The Lost World. The lifelike appearance of the Irwin's dinosaurs can be attributed to a wholly overlooked and fiendishly cunning approach to the art of delusion, which is that the dinosaurs didn't just look real, they were real.

While the world abounds with middling minds who cannot fathom such a reality, we must follow Irwin's benevolent leanings and temper our natural feelings of contempt for this unfortunate assemblage of pedestrian lowbrows. In spite of Irwin's superior intellect, he never felt disdain toward the masses that constituted his audiences. He simply capitalized on their unaffectedness, and in the process recounted the benefits of exploiting the intellectually bereft for personal gain.

The purpose of all this analysis, of course, is to place an exclamation point on the genius of Irwin Allen, the formation of his dinosaur exposé being a premier example. Note how he mindfully manipulates the expectations of his unsuspecting audience, compelling them to probe the dinosaurs for any signs of man-made chicanery. Then, at the palatial moment when the dinosaurs make their entry, he guilefully supplants the anticipated display of faux reptilia with that of the bona fide article.

Upon first witnessing the de facto dinosaurs, some in the audience think they've been had, and indeed they have. Irwin, in engineering his masterful ruse, had used reality as his medium to convey the illusion of artifice. His audience, in essence, was blinded by the truth. It was the immaculate deception, and none but Irwin Allen could have conceived it.

Indeed, the matter of where the live dinosaurs came from has been conspicuously absent from this discussion, as the Irwinian technique of fine film making strongly discourages the practice of squandering time on extraneous justifications and other such trite means of redundant apologia. For the benefit of the incessantly curious, however, just keep in mind that Irwin Allen wrote and produced The Time Tunnel TV Series, a fact that should provide some fair insight into his modis operandi.

Carl R.

 

Pearl Gemstone Benefits

 

The English word ‘Pearl’ comes from Middle English and from old French ‘Perle’.

The Greek word is Margarites. In ancient times, these were considered holy pearl names and Mararita was often used for baby girls of the pious and for beautified saints in the Christian lands.

Female forms of Margarites=Pearl

Italian: Margherita and Rita

French: Marguerite and Margot

German: Margarethe, Gretchen and Gretal

English: Margaret, Marjorie, Madge and Margie

Men's titles derived from Margarites=Pearl

Gareth and Garrett

Two patron saints who were rechristened as "pearls," were:

St. Margaret Aethling of Scotland

Margeret, "the pearl of Bohemia," beloved of the Danes.

 

A pearl is a hard,lustrous spherical mass,whiter or bluish grey,formed within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living oyster or bivalre mollusc. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly rounded and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, valuable or genuine.

Valuable pearls occur in the ocean, but they are now very rare. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters make up the majority of those that are currently sold in the international markets. Pearls from the sea are valued more highly than freshwater pearls. Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive costume jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor and, generally speaking, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past they were also stitched onto formal or ornamental clothing worn on special occasions. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, or in paint formulations.

Cultured Pearl is artificially created by planting a core or nucleus into pearl oysters. Today almost all pearls used for jewelery are cultured. They are usually harvested three years after planting, but it can take up to as long as six years before a pearl is produced. This process was first developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in Japan. He patented it in 1896.

The nucleus is generally a polished bead made from a missel shell. Along with a small scrap of mantle tissue from another oyester to serve as an irritant, it is surgically implanted near the oyester’s genitals. Oyesters that survive the subsequent surgery to remove the finished pearl are often implanted with a new, larger nucleus. They are then returned to water for another three years of growth.

Fresh Water Pearl is produced in fresh water (mainly in China). They are oblong and, due to lack of hardness, wear out very fast and lose their luster.

Pearl found in

The finest pearls are found in the Persian Gulf. Other notable sources of fine-quality pearls are the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka, the waters off Celebes, Indonesia, and the islands of the South Pacific. In the Americas the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the Pacific coast of Mexico have yielded dark-hued pearls with a metallic sheen as well as white pearls of good quality.

Freshwater mussels in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere have produced pearls of great value, as for example those from the Mississippi River. Pearling is a carefully fostered industry in central Europe, and the forest streams of Bavaria, in particular, are the source of choice pearls. Freshwater pearling in China has been known from before 1000 BC.

Recent Pearl Production

 

China has recently overtaken Japan in Akoya pearl production. Japan has all but ceased its production of Akoya pearls smaller than 8 mm. However, Japan maintains its status as a pearl processing center and imports the majority of Chinese Akoya pearl production. These pearls are then processed, often simply matched and sorted, relabeled as product of Japan and exported in the international markets.

In the past couple of decades, cultured pearls have been produced using larger oysters in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. The largest pearl oyster is the Pinctada maxima, which is roughly the size of a dinner plate. South Sea pearls are characterized by their large size and warm luster. Sizes up to 14 mm in diameter are not uncommon. South Sea pearls are primarily produced in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

A genuine pearl is supposed to have the following qualities:

• Moonlike, shining white color

• Perfectly round, globular shape and size

• Spotlessness and freedom from blemishes (dents, scratches, ridges) and impurities.

• Compactness, which gives it a high specific gravity.

• Lustre, soft glamor, attractiveness and brilliance of reflection

• Smoothness, which gives an agreeable sensation to the eyes.

 

One who wears or possesses a pearl with all of the above mentioned qualities enjoys good fortune and is blessed by the goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity), lives long and becomes sinless, and obtains vitality and intelligence. He achieves high position by his wisdom and becomes famous. A pearl with a yellow lustre brings prosperity. Red-tinted pearls make one intelligent, shining white pearls bring fame, and a pearl with a bluish hue brings good fortune. A pearl devoid of lustre, that is, dirty, broken, having no gleam of circulating water, black or copper colored, partly white and partly colored, irregular, odd in shape having holes, dents, or

sports is defective and should be avoided.

Pearl Gemstone Effects of flaws

 

• Dullness or absence of lustre - brings poverty or financial crisis: shortens one's life.

• A mole-like formation on the surface layer - brings sadness and disease.

• Having three corners (triangular in shape) - causes impotence, brings bad luck.

• Hole or pouch-like formation - causes leprosy.

• Cracks or ridges - wearing of such a pearl are injurious to one's health.

• Dusty, having clay or sand particles inside - is devoid of any good or bad effect.

• Broken - loss of job, wealth, and earnings.

• Protrusion like the beak of a bird - harmful to progeny, brings humiliation.

• Dents - bring loss of wealth.

• Oval and long in shape - makes one foolish.

• A stain on the surface - brings humiliation and is harmful to progeny.

• A blister or swelling - injurious to wealth, brings bad luck.

• Copper tint - harmful to brothers and sisters

• Dome-shaped, in which the lower half is composed of foreign material - brings bad luck.

• Tiny spots like the marks of smallpox - harmful to progeny

• Flash-eye spot, spot looking like the eye of a fish - loss of progeny

• Square shape and flat - harmful to one's spouse

• Wavy thin line on the surface - brings misfortune.

• A juncture line or a girdle - induces fear and is injurious to physical well-being.

• Coral-like appearance - brings misfortune and poverty.

Astrological Effects of Pearl/Moti

Moon is the presiding deity of the element water, and rules over the tides of the sea. It is believed that sphere of the Moon is the reservoir of rainwater and thus Moon is the ruler of plants and the vegetable kingdom. The color of Moon is white. Its nature is wise, and learned. It rules peace of mind, comfort, general well-being, and also the fortune of a person. It shows its influence around twenty-four to twenty-five years of age. The Moon gives illumination, intuitive nature, sensuality, taste, youth and love of poetry, fine arts and music, love of jewelry, attractive appearance, wealth and good fortune. It makes us moody, emotional and sensitive. It rules milk, grains, liquids, growth, fertility, impregnation, and conception.

It influences the infant stage of an individual, which guides his behavior in the later in the later part of his life. It is cold and moist. It also influences childbirth and rules the left nostril, eyesight, the breasts, and the brain (memory). Moon influences travelers, fisherman, prostitutes, cooks, nurses, and caterers.

Sun, Mars, and Jupiter are the Moon’s natural friends and Mercury, Venus and

Saturn are its natural enemies. In Rohini, Hast, Shravan, Punarvasu, Vishakha, and

Purva Bhadrapad nakshatras it gives good and beneficial results. It also gives

favorable results if it is in Kritika, Uttra Phalguni, Ashlekha, Jyestha, Uttra Khad, and Revati nakshatras.

For a person whose Moon is not rightly placed in his natal chart/ascendant or is aspected by malefic planets it causes difficulties and problems and, sometimes it even becomes difficult for him to achieve a comfortable life. It makes such people weak or sick in their early years.

An afflicted, debilitated, exiled, or weak Moon causes cold, cough, fever, eye

ailments, lunacy, paralysis, epilepsy, hysteria, colic pains, beriberi, intestinal

disorders, throat troubles, bronchitis, dysentery, neurosis, typhoid, and cancer.

Moon's cool and pleasant rays are significantly influential on medicinal plants and

herbs on earth. It is worshipped and praised as 'Oshadhi Raja' or 'King of Herbs' It's worship wards off chronic diseases and leads to health and success, controls

longevity with sound health.

Benefits of wearing Pearl

Pearl is used to remove the evil effects of moon and in turn it strengthens the mind force and brings good sleep. Pearl is very useful for ladies as it increases their beauty and facial luster. It develops good harmony between husband and wife. Pearl in combination with Rudraksha helps to solve problems related to depression and pessimism. It inspires love and faith between the two partners. It also gives good memory and helps to cure insomnia, eye diseases uterine problems, heart problems, T.B., constipation, hysteria etc.

Professions which are benefited by wearing Pearl Gemstone

Any business associated with arts, medicines, medicinal oils, perfumes, milk, oil, beverages, ship building, exports and imports, vegetables and flowers are benefited by the gem pearl.

People associated with business like cinema, drama, agriculture, cloth, photo studio, sculpture, painting and writing can get benefits after wearing pearl.

People associated with aqua culture, geography, research, philosophy, sports, computers, hotels and jewellery can benefit from pearl stone.

Again, people in music composition, law, finance, involved in maintaining natural landscapes, swimming, water sports, music, dance, singing and film production can earn advantages by wearing pearl.

People associated with manufacturing stationery, sports items, make up items will benefit from pearl.

Pearl gemstone helps prevent the following diseases:

• Throat troubles, asthma, bronchitis, varicose loins, nervous debility, cancer,

typhoid.

• Colic pains, worms, intestinal disorders, tumors, peritonitis.

• Eye diseases, lunacy, paralysis, hysteria, epilepsy, cold and cough.

 

June Birthstone

The June birthstone is Pearl.

Anniversary Gemstone Pearl

Fresh water pearls are given on the 1st wedding anniversary. Pearls are also given on the 3rd, 12th and 30th anniversaries. A classic and timeless gift would be pearl jewelry, such as a necklace or earrings.

Lengths of Pearl necklaces

There is a special vocabulary used to describe the length of pearl necklaces. While most other necklaces are simply referred to by their physical measurement, pearl necklaces are named by how low they hang when worn around the neck. A collar, measuring 10 to 13 inches or 25 to 33 cm in length, sits directly against the throat and does not hang down the neck at all, Collars are often made up of multiple strands of pearls. Pearl chokers, measuring 14 to 16 inches or 35 to 41 cm in length, nestle just at the base of the neck. A strand, called a princess length, measuring 17 to 19 inches or 43 to 48 cm in length, comes down to or just below the collarbone. A matinee length, measuring 20 to 24 inches or 50 to 60 cm in length, falls just above the breasts. An opera length, measuring 28 to 35 inches or 70 to 90 cm in length, will be long enough to reach the breastbone or sternum of the wearer; and longer still, a pearl rope, measuring more than 45 inches or 115 cm in length, is any length that falls lower than an opera.

Pearl Care

Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and different humidity levels. Perfume and hairspray, which contain alcohol and harmful acids, should be avoided on the areas where pearls are worn.

 

Perspiration can also harm the beauty of pearls, dulling their beautiful luster. Therefore, after wearing them, they should be wiped with a damp (not wet), soft cloth or a silicon cloth.

 

Be careful not to dip pearls in water or wear them while bathing, as water can weaken the silk thread. Do not leave them in direct sunlight or expose them to high temperatures. If pearls happen to come into contact with substances such as vinegar, fruit juices or detergents, immediately wipe that substance off.

 

Even though pearls are exceptionally cohesive and shock-resistant, they rank only 3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so they may get a scratch by contact with sharp objects or other gemstones.

Method of wearing Pearl ring or pendant

The weight of the pearl should not be less than 5 carats.

It may be studded in a gold or silver ring.

After washing with sacred water of Ganges and fresh milk and chanting the Mantra, it should be worn in the little finger of the right hand.

Day for putting on: Monday

Time: The best time to put on a pearl ring is 10 am to 11 am.

Moon / Chandra Mantra to Chant with putting it on:

Dadhi-shamkham-tusha-rabham Ksheero-darnava Sambhavam !

 

Namaami Shashinam somam Shambhor-Mukuta Bhooshanam !!

  

Yugi Muto (武む藤とう 遊ゆう戯ぎ Mutō Yūgi), also romanized as Yugi Mutou, is the main protagonist of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series, along with Yami Yugi. It was stated once that Yugi is the modern day version of Pharaoh Atem.

Together with the spirit of Pharaoh Atem, he holds the title "King of Games" (King of Duelists in Japanese version).

 

Yugi possessed the three thousand-year-old (five thousand in the dub) mystical Millennium Puzzle, which allowed his body to bear host to the spirit of the Puzzle, Yami Yugi. Yugi was initially unaware of his existence and control of Yugi's body, and would involuntarily shift to Yami Yugi at trying times.

 

He lives with his paternal grandfather, Solomon Muto, and his mother.

 

Yugi is part of a close-knit group of best friends: Joey Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, Téa Gardner and Bakura Ryou. Yugi's friends often cheer him on from the sidelines, and Joey has dueled at his side. Yugi has been friends with Téa since childhood and has a romantic crush on her. Téa has been shown to have romantic feelings for both Yugi and Yami Yugi.

 

Appearance

 

Yugi's character design was overseen by Kazuki Takahashi. His normal outfit consists of the standard male Domino Junior/Senior High uniform complete with a closed buckled collar. His extremely extravagant hair features multiple layers including long blond crooked, pointy locks for his fringe; the rest features a set of five large spikes and two smaller spikes colored black with a magenta sheen along the edges. So far, he is the only character in the franchise to have his hair divided into three colors. He wears the Millennium Puzzle on a lace around his neck. The lace is later replaced with a chain. He often wears a KaibaCorp Duel Disk on his left arm.

 

When he played Dungeon Dice Monsters against Duke Devlin, he wore a black long-sleeved shirt, a gray sleeveless vest, dark blue pants, and black shoes.

 

When he and Téa took a day together to find out about the Millennium Puzzle, he wore a black linen shirt and several pieces of wrist-chains, along with a pair of leather pants.

 

In Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters, Yugi wore a different attire of a violet jacket and jeans. He also wore the Capsule Shooter on his left arm. In Episode 4, he gained a Duel armor that allowed him to become one with one of his capsule monsters.

 

In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Yugi went through noticeable development. While physically resembling Atem, he is much taller and has a lean-built frame. During this time, Yugi's present-day eyes are not directly shown.

 

Personality

 

Yugi is kind-hearted and child-like. He is good at games, riddles, and puzzles, especially Duel Monsters. As Shadi stated when he looked into Yugi's Soul Room, he has no malice or wickedness in his heart.[9] This doesn't mean he cannot get angry at someone, but is willing to forgive them.

 

Yugi is also very shy when comes to meeting people who admire him, especially girls. As seen with the cases of Mai, Vivian, and later Rebecca, he would often blush and even freeze up when they approached him. Yugi is also not good in front of big crowds, as seen when Mokuba tried to get him up on stage to give a speech.

 

Unlike his other self, Yugi has no problem with losing. In fact, he is willing to lose if it means helping his opponent. Yugi also has a lack of confidence in his own abilities, but still wants help out his friends. Over the course of the series, he becomes more confident and determined. He is also willing to sacrifice himself if it means saving someone else, such as Joey or Yami Yugi.

 

Voice

The voices differ slightly between the different series and the English dub, although the voice of Dark Yugi is much deeper, stronger and more confident than that of Yugi.

 

Original

In the Japanese version, Yugi has considerably more confidence than in his previous appearance, but is still very polite. It's harder to distinguish between his voice and Dark Yugi's, but Dark Yugi's tone is considerably sterner and has the same pattern of speech as his previous appearance. This series also established Yugi calling Dark Yugi もう一人のボク mō hitori no boku ("other me") and Dark Yugi referring to Yugi as 相棒 aibō ("partner"). Also, Yugi's first-person pronoun is ボク boku, while Dark Yugi's is オレ ore.

 

English

In the English dub, Yugi's voice is high-pitched and sometimes strained in more emotional moments, and generally has a friendly tone towards everyone. Yami Yugi's voice, in comparison, is fierce and commanding. In the Singaporean dub, Yugi and Yami Yugi are voiced by Chuck Powers. In this dub, Yugi's voice is soft and slightly high-pitched, while Yami Yugi's voice is near the total opposite. In the Singaporean dub, both Yugi and Yami Yugi speak with a slight drawl. In the first season, Yugi calls Yami Yugi "Spirit," then in other seasons Yugi started to call him "Pharaoh." Sometimes, he also calls him Yami. Yami Yugi always called Yugi by his name.

 

In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Yugi is a young adult and his voice is deeper, yet still distinct enough to be separate from Atem's.

 

In Yu-Gi-Oh!: Dark Side of Dimensions, Yugi's voice is slightly deeper than it was in the English dub.

 

Spanish (Spain)

In the Spanish version, Yugi and Yami are voiced by two different people (Alex Saudinós as Yugi Muto and Pablo Sevilla as Yami). In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Yugi is a young adult and his voice is the same actor as Yami Yugi.

 

Etymology

Yugi's given name literally translates to "Game" in Japanese, symbolizing how Yugi loves to play games. In the English dub, his surname is pronounced as "Moto"; in Japanese, the word "moto" can mean "foundation" or "basis", which may be a reference to how Yugi served as a host for Yami Yugi. Occasionally, his English surname has been misspelled "Moto".

 

Biography

History

Yugi lived in his family's game shop, Kame Game, with his mother and grandfather. His grandfather taught him a lot about the game, Duel Monsters.

 

DMx003 Torment

Yugi, bullied by Joey and Tristan.

 

Joey and Tristan used to bully Yugi. Joey even went as far as taking a piece of Yugi's Millennium Puzzle and throwing it into a canal. However, Yugi stood up for Joey and Tristan when they were attacked by Ushio, claiming that they were his friends, whereas Ushio claimed he was protecting Yugi in order to earn money. Joey and Tristan came to be Yugi's friends after the incident and Joey recovered the piece of the Puzzle.

 

After solving the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi unknowingly became host to Yami Yugi, the spirit of Pharaoh Atem. He shared his body with Yami, who occasionally takes control, typically to help Yugi and his friends.

 

Yugi and Joey once visited Burgerpalooza, only to find Téa working there. She feared that if they told, she would get expelled as it's against school rules to have part-time jobs. (In the dub, she worried about getting fired, as they could have revealed that she was under 18, the required age to work there.) She splattered their burgers in ketchup, warning them not to tell. They told her that they did not even know she worked there, and they wouldn't say a word.

 

Yugi later found Téa in a warehouse, being filmed by a pervert, who threatened to reveal she was working at Burgerpalooza. (In the dub, he was a mugger who tricked her by writing a note, pretending Yugi and Joey had given her a dance studio.) Yugi tackled the man, but got thrown against a wall. Téa was also knocked unconscious after trying to attack him. Yugi then transformed into Yami Yugi, who defeated the man in a card draw game and Mind Crushed him. Yugi came to believe that he had saved Téa himself, although he didn't remember how he did it.

 

Yugi defeated Joey in Duel Monsters at school and decided to invite Joey, Téa and Tristan to see his Grandpa's rare card, the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", after school. Seto Kaiba, who overheard, kidnapped Grandpa and forced him into a Duel for his "Blue-Eyes", as he refused to trade or sell it. Yugi and his friends caught up after Solomon had already been defeated, and witnessed Kaiba tear-up the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" in front of them. Outraged, Yugi challenged Kaiba to a Duel, and Solomon gave Yugi his Deck. Yugi Dueled Kaiba as Yami Yugi and discovered Kaiba had the other three "Blue-Eyes White Dragons" in his Deck, but defeated him using "Exodia the Forbidden One", taking Kaiba's title as the Duel Monsters World Champion.

 

Since Joey had been having trouble with winning in Duel Monsters, Yugi asked his grandfather to help train Joey.

 

Maximillion Pegasus heard of Yugi's victory over Kaiba and sent him a videotape inviting him to participate in his Duelist Kingdom tournament. Pegasus appeared on the TV and Dueled Yugi on the spot, while freezing everyone else in the room. Pegasus placed a time limit on the Duel and won because time ran out seconds before Yugi could claim victory. As a penalty for Yugi's defeat Pegasus stole Grandpa's soul.

 

Yugi entered the tournament in order to rescue Grandpa. At the pier, before boarding the ship to the tournament, he gave Joey one of his two Star Chips, allowing Joey to participate and help him.

 

On the ship, Yugi met Weevil Underwood, who acted friendly towards him and told Yugi that he knew of secret new rules to be introduced in the tournament. Shortly after Weevil left, Yugi gave Joey the "Time Wizard" card, telling him how it can be helpful in a tight spot. Yugi met Weevil again later and showed him his "Exodia" cards, which Weevil tossed overboard, to hinder Yugi's Deck. Joey jumped into the water to recover them, but after getting two of them was hit by the current and Yugi dove in to save him. Both of them were then rescued by the stowaways, Téa and Tristan, who threw them a rope ladder.

 

Once the tournament started, Yugi tracked down Weevil to get revenge, but Weevil fled, leading him into a forest. Yugi suspected this was to do with the new rules Weevil mentioned. Weevil led them to a meadow, where he accepted Yugi's challenge, as his monsters got Field Power Bonuses there. Yugi switched to Yami Yugi, who bet both his Deck and Star Chip, earning him Weevil's two Star Chips after he won.

 

Yugi cheered for Joey in his Duel against Mai. As Yami Yugi, he offered Joey abstract clues to help him win. Joey defeated Mai using the "Time Wizard" card, Yugi gave him.

 

While searching for food, Yugi and his friends, found fish Mako Tsunami had prepared. Unbeknownst to them, Mako had set it as bait to lure opponents, to where his monsters greatly benefit from the field. Mako appeared, angered over them stealing his food. After Yugi introduced himself, Mako was happy to meet the Duelist, who defeated Kaiba, and shared the food with him and his friends. Yugi got up to leave, but Mako stopped him by throwing a harpoon in front of him and demanded a Duel. Yugi switched to Yami and defeated Mako, winning two more Star Chips.

 

Yugi and his friends saw a contestant, being forced to leave the island as he was out of Star Chips. The boy claimed they had been stolen, along with his Deck. He described the thief and where he met him. Yugi promised to get his Star Chips back, before the boat left the island. At the scene of the crime, they met the thief, whose face was disguised. He Dueled Yugi, with five stolen Star Chips on the line, and Yami Yugi soon realized that the thief was Kaiba's brother, Mokuba. Mokuba explained how Yugi's humiliation of Kaiba, resulted in his departure, giving Pegasus an opportunity to take over KaibaCorp. Mokuba sought revenge on Yugi for this. Unable to win the Duel, he made a grab for Yugi's Star Chips, but Yami discouraged Mokuba and promised to help him and Kaiba.

 

The group made their way back to the bay, but the boat had already left. Mokuba showed Kemo that Yugi won back the Star Chips, but Kemo slapped them into the water, including some of Yugi's. Kemo grabbed Mokuba to take him back to Pegasus, but Yugi challenged Kemo to a Duel for Mokuba's freedom. Since Kemo was not a Duelist, he told Yugi to come back in an hour (4 hours in the dub) and he would have an opponent arranged for him.

 

Yugi returned to the spot and faced Ghost Kaiba, who pretended to be the actual Seto Kaiba and used his Deck. With the help of the real Kaiba, who weakened Ghost Kaiba's "Blue-Eyes White Dragons", via a virus, Yami Yugi won. Yugi retrieved Kaiba's Deck, but Kemo had already disappeared with Mokuba.

 

Yugi was not allowed to help Joey in his Duel with Rex Raptor. As the Duel started Yugi went to find Tristan, who left in a huff with Joey for accepting those conditions. Tristan reminded Yugi that he should still be at the Duel to offer Joey his friendship, so the two of them returned to watch.

 

That night, Mai shared her food with Yugi and his friends, although she promised that they would be enemies again tomorrow.

 

Bakura Ryou appeared at their campsite, shortly after Mai left for a walk. While the group talked about cards they own and identify with, Yugi encouraged Téa to pick one for herself and picked the "Dark Magician" as his own. Bakura suggested that they play a friendly Duel, where Yugi includes the cards Joey, Tristan and Téa identified with; "Flame Swordsman", "Cyber Commander" and "Magician of Faith", in his Deck and he can show them how his card, "Change of Heart" works. Bakura changed to Yami Bakura, who trapped the group's souls in the cards they selected. He proceeded to take Yugi's Millennium Puzzle, but Yami Yugi emerged and faced Yami Bakura in a Shadow Game, staking the Millennium Puzzle, in order to return his friends.

 

Yugi's friends appeared in place of the monsters they selected as Yami Yugi Summoned them. When the "Dark Magician", Yugi was Summoned, the two Yugis met. In the Japanese version, Yugi was aware of Yami's existence and the two of them agreed now is not the time to keep secrets. In the dub, Yugi was unaware of Yami's existence until that time, though he said he often heard a powerful voice coming from the Millennium Puzzle when he Dueled. Yugi told his friends of Yami's existence, that he is the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle and apologized for not telling them before. In the dub, Yugi admitted to having felt Yami's presence while he Dueled and felt they could trust him. Yami managed to win the Duel, with the help of Bakura betraying Yami Bakura, returning everyone to normal, although Téa, Tristan and Joey believed the Duel to have been a dream. Yugi didn't take time to explain as they heard Mai scream at that point.

 

The group found the Eliminator, PaniK, who had just beaten Mai and taken all eight of her Star Chips. Yugi accused PaniK of being a coward and Dueled him as Yami Yugi, winning back Mai's Star Chips. He offered them to Mai, who reluctantly took them back, remarking that she owed him one.

 

Later that night Kaiba arrived on the island and Yugi returned his Deck.

 

The next day, Mai left a letter explaining she had left and owes Yugi for winning back her Star Chips. Joey later got separated from his friends, who searched a cave after finding his wallet outside. After running from many traps, they found Joey in a Duel with Bonz. Joey won, but Bandit Keith's gang trapped Yugi and his friends in the cave, by sealing the entrance with a boulder.

 

Using Bakura's Millennium Ring as a guide, the friends found the Paradox Brothers guarding an exit. Yugi and Joey faced them in a Tag Duel to gain passage.[32] After winning Yugi and Joey, each had enough Star Chips to enter the finals and Yami Yugi passed the brothers riddle test in order to exit.

 

At the stairs to Pegasus' castle, Téa pondered on Yugi's differing personalities and wondered if there could be two Yugis. Yugi admitted to feeling as though there is someone else living inside him, but hoped he wasn't going crazy.

 

At the top of the stairs, Kaiba blocked the way and talked Yugi into a Duel. Yami took control and faced Kaiba, using his Duel Disk technology.[14] As Yami was about to win, Kaiba stood up on the edge of the castle, such that the shockwaves from Yugi's attack may cause him to fall to his death. (In the English anime, Yugi spoke to Yami, telling him not to do it.) Yami contemplated, but in the end decided to attack. Téa ran to Yugi insisting that this is not like him and calls for the ordinary Yugi to come out. Yugi took control in time to cancel the move. He fell to his knees, shocked by what he had almost done. Kaiba took his turn and won the Duel, claiming five of Yugi's Star Chips.

 

Now fully aware of the other Yugi's existence, Yugi admitted it to his friends, telling them that he is afraid of him and consequently afraid to Duel. Kaiba called Yugi weak, but Téa protested arguing that Yugi saved him and Kaiba is the real loser.[34] After Kaiba left, Yugi continued to mope. Joey offered Yugi to take his Star Chips, so he may enter the finals, but Yugi ignored him. Frustrated, Joey grabbed Yugi by the shirt, asking him if he cares about his grandfather.

 

Mai appeared and was briefed in on what just happened. She offered Yugi her excessive Star Chips, as per her promise from earlier, but Yugi did not even acknowledge Mai's appearance. Annoyed, Mai told him to grow up and hang on to the Star Chips. She accused him of being afraid to Duel again and challenged him. Téa instead accepted the Duel, to win back Yugi's Star Chips.

 

Yugi began to slowly snap out of his depression as he watched Téa Duel. After Mai surrendered, Yugi approached her about the face-down card she didn't use. Mai denied that she lost for him. (In the dub, she said that some cards just aren't worth playing.)

 

Inside the castle, the group were invited to watch Pegasus Duel Kaiba. Seeing as Kaiba was Dueling to save Mokuba, Yugi opted support to Kaiba. Kaiba was trapped in Pegasus' "Soul Prison" card, after his defeat. Yugi then shouted down to Pegasus' asking who he is to mess with people and their families like this.

 

The finalists along with Téa, Tristan and Bakura were treated to a meal that evening, where the finalists got paired-up. After the meal, Yugi gave Joey his "Glory of the King's Hand", as it is mandatory for each finalist to possess either it or "Glory of the King's Opposite Hand".

 

That night, Yugi was woken by his grandfather's voice, calling him. He followed it and found a "Soul Prison" card, with his grandfather's soul inside. Solomon warned him about Pegasus and is accompanied by the cards containing Seto and Mokuba Kaiba's souls. Yugi woke up afterwards, wondering if it was a dream.

 

Yugi faced Mai in the first Duel of the finals. Yami Yugi gives little effort to the Duel, as he was worried about facing Pegasus. (In the dub, Yugi refused to let Yami Duel, fearing how he may harm their opponent.) This resulted in Yugi playing poorly. Encouraging words from Mai returned the Yugis to the top of their game and allowed them to turn the Duel around and emerge with a win.

 

Yugi cheered for Joey in his Duel against Bandit Keith.

 

Yugi faced Joey in the final round. Joey used all he learned from Yugi, but was still defeated by Yami Yugi. Afterwards Joey offered to give "Glory of the King's Hand" back to Yugi, so he may claim the prize money. However Yugi declined, as he had entered to tournament with the intent of saving his grandfather and now the Kaiba brothers. The money was not important to him, but Joey needed it for his sister's eye operation.

 

Yugi advanced to Duel Pegasus. At the start of the Duel, Yugi requested that the Kaiba brothers' souls be released as well as his grandfather's, if he wins. Pegasus accepted but indicated that he plans on taking Yugi's soul if he wins. Pegasus used his Millennium Eye to read Yami Yugi's mind during the Duel, but Yugi had an idea about countering Pegasus's powers by the risky strategy of having him and Yami switch minds each time they played a face-down card, thus preventing Pegasus from reading their strategy while running the risk that one of them would attempt something that would hinder the other's plans. After the Yugis destroyed Pegasus' "Toon World" card, Pegasus transported them all into the Shadow Realm. In the Shadow Realm, Yugi lost his life energy while doing the mind shuffle strategy, lacking the spiritual strength to play on that level, and Pegasus continued successfully reading Yami's mind, until Joey, Téa and Tristan blocked his Millennium Eye. Yami defeated Pegasus, returning them both back from the Shadow Realm.

 

Pegasus disappeared after his Duel with Yugi. Determined to ensure the captive souls are returned, Yugi and his friends searched for Pegasus. They found a number of Pegasus' men carrying him away after he was assaulted by Yami Bakura. Croquet explained that he was attacked. (In the dub, he said that Pegasus had fallen ill.) Yugi and company headed to Pegasus' tower, where they found a diary entry addressed to new King of Duelists who defeats him, explaining why he created Duel Monsters. Yugi then spotted the three "Soul Prison" cards, which are now blank, meaning the souls are no longer imprisoned.

 

As he left the tower, Yugi bumped into Shadi, who used his Millennium Key to enter Yugi's mind. To Shadi's surprise he found two soul rooms; one for Yugi and one for Yami. Shadi wound up in a Shadow Game with Yami, but was rescued by Yugi. Yugi informed Shadi that he doesn't believe his other self intends to harm him and asked Yami to release Shadi from the game.

 

A door opened, leading them to a room lined with stone tablets of Duel Monsters. Yugi learned from Shadi that millennia ago, Egyptian kings played Shadow Games with real monsters and magic. After the games became a war that threatened to destroy the world, one brave pharaoh sealed the magic away. The duo were confronted by the Dark Magician. Shadi prepared to counter by Summoning the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. However Yugi insisted that the Dark Magician would never harm him and asked the magician to let them past. To Shadi's astonishment the magician complied. Seeing Yugi's control over the Dark Magician, Shadi believed he may be the chosen one.

 

Shadi returned himself and Yugi to outside Yugi's soul. Before disappearing, he told Yugi his name and claimed to have not told it to anyone before.

 

After the group found Mokuba was back to normal, Croquet handed Yugi the other prizes on behalf of Pegasus, who had been taken to hospital. Yugi received the card "The Ties of Friendship", was crowned the King of Games and also received the 3 million dollar check, which he gave to Joey for Serenity's eye operation.

 

Kaiba thanked Yugi for saving Mokuba and insisted that they have a fair Duel someday to determine who is the better Duelist. Yami Yugi congratulated Yugi on saving everyone. (In the dub, Yugi pointed out that he doesn't even know Yami's name. Yami replied that he has been called many things such as Pharaoh, Yu-Gi-Oh and Yami. Yugi refered to him as Yami and said he is glad to call him his friend, while Yami was proud to be one.)

 

Yugi and his friends got a lift back to Domino City from Kaiba.

 

As Yugi brought his grandfather home from the hospital, the group was confronted by Rebecca Hawkins. She accused Solomon of stealing her grandfather's "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and challenged him to a Duel. At Kaiba Land, Yugi faced Rebecca in the Duel, as his grandfather was unfit to play.[45] The Duel turned out to be an exact repeat of the Duel their grandfathers played a long ago over a drink of water. Like how Solomon surrendered back then as Arthur needed the water more, Yugi surrendered to teach Rebecca about the Heart of the Cards. Just then, Arthur arrived, showed that Yugi could have won, and explained why he surrendered. After Rebecca apologized, Yugi gave her the card, "The Ties of Friendship".

 

Mokuba arrived at Kame Game and informed Yugi and his friends that Kaiba's mind had been trapped in the Virtual World by The Big Five, while testing out a virtual reality machine that he created. Upon agreeing to help, Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan and Mokuba snuck into Kaiba's laboratory at the Adventure Game. Yugi, Joey and Mokuba got into pods to transport their minds to the virtual world, while Téa and Tristan kept guard.

 

Yugi, Joey and Mokuba appeared in a graveyard, where they were confronted by "Armored Zombie", "Clown Zombie" and "Dragon Zombie". They Summoned monsters to battle them, but the zombies kept reviving stronger than before. However Joey continued to attack them, until Yugi reminded him of his Duel with Bonz. So Joey played "Shield & Sword", dropping their DEF to 0 and Yugi finished off the zombies with "Dark Magician". Upon beating the zombies, they were each given a card displaying how much currency they have.

 

The trio spotted the fairy Iru, who guided them to a town. Here they heard that a prisoner, who may be Kaiba, had been taken to the Cave of Death. They were unable to travel there due to the sandstorm and a townsman informed them that they would need a "Niwatori" in order to cross that desert. Upon searching the town, they found a battle competition with "Niwatori" as a prize.

 

Yugi and Mokuba watched Joey Duel Madam Butterfly in the Virtual World Coliseum. Once Joey found out that Madam Butterfly was Mai Valentine, Yugi and Mokuba ran over to them and explained what happened to Kaiba. Offering to help, Mai got her "Harpie Lady" to snatch the "Niwatori" card from the Coliseum owner and the four of them ran for the desert. At the edge of the desert, Mai played the "Niwatori" card, producing four large birds for them to ride on.

 

Once they crossed the desert, they reached the template at the Cave of Death. Inside they found themselves in a maze and were chased by "Labyrinth Tank". Yugi used "Magical Hats" to hide them and transport them to another part of the maze, where they met Iru and Adena. Iru guided the group to the exit, but it was guarded by "Gate Guardian". Yugi and Joey together Summoned "Black Skull Dragon" and equipped it with "Dragon Nails", making it strong enough to defeat "Gate Guardian". Outside the maze, a rescue party arrived and took Yugi and his friends to the palace as a reward for saving Adena.

 

At the palace Yugi and his friends learned that Adena was the queen of the land. (In the dub, she was a princess.) Adena informed them of Mythic Dragon ritual where they must offer sacrifices to the Mythic Dragon. They learn that Adena is to be this kingdom's sacrifice and Kaiba is to be another kingdom's. Adena tells them of a legendary flying machine which can access the castle where Kaiba is and how she believed that Yugi and his friends are prophesized heroes who will destroy the Mythic Dragon. Yugi, Joey, Mai and Mokuba agreed to help and were given hero costumes to wear.

 

On one of the battlements, they were attacked by monsters who were after the sacrifice. Yugi, Joey and Mai unsuccessfully tried fighting them off. However Mokuba, who had previously swapped clothes with Adena, was kidnapped instead. While trying to find a way to save Mokuba, Yugi noticed a recent storm had revealed the outlines of the flying machine on the floor below them. Yugi asked Adena how long ago the legend involving the flying machine took place. With the unlikelihood of the machine still working and not enough time to dig it up, Yugi hinted to Joey that they needed to restore it to the condition it was 1000 years ago, prompting Joey to use "Time Wizard" to take the machine back 1000 years.

 

Yugi, Joey and Mai flew the airship up to the castle. On the way they were attacked by monsters, which they countered by summoning their own monsters. Yugi was attacked while his "Dark Magician" was too far away to save him. However Iru, blocked the attack, sacrificing itself. Yugi then played "Swords of Revealing Light" to block attacks. Angry over Iru's death, Yugi switched to Yami Yugi, who led the group to the castle.

 

As Yami, he managed to regroup with the Kaiba brothers and defeat The Big Five's "Mythic Dragon" in the final stage by Summoning "Dragon Master Knight". Shortly after Adina thanked them and revived Mai, Joey, Mokuba and Iru, the group returned to the real world.

  

Dungeon Dice Monsters

 

Grandpa feared for his business, the Kame Game, when the new game store, the Black Clown opened in Domino City. He ordered Yugi to stay away from the new shop. However Yugi and Téa passed it on the way to school later. Yugi received a flyer for a new game Dungeon Dice Monsters, but Téa dragged him away after he blushed at the lady handing out the flyer.

 

At school, they met the new student, Duke Devlin, the owner of the Black Clown. Joey was jealous of Duke's popularity and challenged him to a game of Duel Monsters. Yugi objected to the condition that Joey and Duke both use Decks from packs they open on the spot. Joey lost the televised Duel and in keeping his end of the bargain had to do whatever Duke said. Yugi became disgusted after Duke forced Joey to wear a dog suit and behave like a dog, so he switched to Yami who challenged Duke to a Duel. Duke accepted if they play Dungeon Dice Monsters instead of Duel Monsters and should Yugi lose he must relinquish his title of "King of Games" and give-up playing Duel Monsters.

 

Unfamiliar with the rules, Yami got off to a rough start. His chances did not improve as Duke revealed that he designed Dungeon Dice Monsters with Pegasus' aid. Duke blamed Yugi for Pegasus' disappearance after Duelist Kingdom.[51] Yami used his innate gaming skills to turn the tables on Duke. Yami succeeded in calling "Dark Magician", which Pegasus had added to the game, and used it to defeat Duke.

 

After the game, Duke, Yugi and Yugi's friends went to Duke's office. Duke lamented that his dream has been crushed as nobody would want to play Dungeon Dice Monsters now. However Yugi assured him that it was a great game and his friends agreed. Duke apologized for how he had treated them and they agreed to be friends.

 

Yugi replaced the brown rope around the Millennium Puzzle with a chain, which Yami Yugi complimented and offered him advice on impressing Téa, who was waiting for him. Embarrassed, Yugi asks what he was talking about. As Yugi left the room, his mother asked who he was talking to. Yugi replied that it was nobody and dashed off, telling Yami to stop picking on him, as he offered to help make Téa like him. (The Yugis talking about Téa and the scene with Yugi's mother were removed from the dub; thus it is never explained why Yugi was blushing.) Yugi met up with Téa and left for school with her (in the dub, they were going to a soccer game). Yugi told her that Yami was worried about his destiny and had no memory of his past.

 

On the way to school, Yugi bumped into Bandit Keith, who was possessed by Marik Ishtar and disguised as a fortune-teller. Falling for the disguise, Yugi reluctantly let him hold the Millennium Puzzle in order to read his future. Keith knocked over the table at Yugi and Téa and ran off with the Puzzle. Yugi and Téa split up to find him. In his search, Yugi followed a series of arrows, although he knew it was a trap, he felt that he had no other choice. Yugi caught-up with Keith, who had the Puzzle bolted to a wall. According to ancient rules, Marik had to win the Puzzle in a Duel, so he challenged Yugi to a Duel through Keith. Yugi was unable to switch to Yami during the Duel and quickly realized that Bandit Keith was his opponent after seeing he used a Machine Deck.

 

Yami Bakura sensed an evil presence and pinpointed it to the Duel. Seeing Keith controlled, Yami Bakura used the Millennium Ring to break Marik's control. Keith struggled to resist being repossessed, but Marik took control long enough to have Keith smash the Puzzle. Bakura swung down from a rope, knocking Keith unconscious. Bakura then collected a piece of the Puzzle and sealed a fragment of his soul inside it, before returning it to Yugi. Keith regained consciousness and continued to struggle with Marik's mind control, setting fire to the warehouse in his confusion. Unable to remove the piece of the Puzzle connected to the wall, Yugi stayed in the burning building to reassemble it. After inserting the last piece he collapsed and goes unconscious from the heat , but was rescued by Tristan and Joey and was taken to the hospital.

 

Worrying about how the Puzzle almost got stolen, Yugi took time to talk with Yami and discovered that Yami has no idea of who he once was, as he has lost all his memories. The duo suspected that their new enemy is in possession of a Millennium Item.

 

To try and help Yami regain his memories, Yugi asked Téa to spend time with Yami. He asked Téa out, but switched to Yami just before the date. Not expecting this Yami started shouting into the Puzzle at Yugi, until he was noticed by Téa. On the date, Yami and Téa learned from Ishizu Ishtar that Yami was once an Egyptian pharaoh and that Yugi had to enter the upcoming Battle City tournament to stop their new enemy.

 

While talking with Téa, about Duel Monsters at school, Téa asked which card best suited Yugi, assuming he would pick "Dark Magician". However Yugi explained that while "Dark Magician" is powerful, "Maha Vailo" better suits him, as it's not the strongest card, but it had hidden power. He would have liked to have picked "Dark Magician", but thought it's better suited to the other Yugi.

 

The day before the tournament, Yugi and Joey picked-up their Duel Disks in order to compete and the next morning Yugi finished reconstructing his Deck for the tournament.

 

Yugi spotted Joey trying to get a rematch with the Rare Hunter, Seeker, who had won his "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". Yugi noticed his robes were the same as the ones Bandit Keith wore, while he was possessed. Seeker refused to face Joey again, but challenges Yugi to a Duel. Yugi accepts and switched to Yami[60], who won and took back Joey's "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". Marik then used Seeker as his puppet to communicate with Yugi. He introduced himself, told Yugi how he's after the power of the pharaoh and warned him that there are more deadly Rare Hunters. Yugi offered Joey back the "Red-Eyes", but Joey refused, saying he will wait until he's a true Duelist before earning it back.

 

Yugi saves Arkana from the buzzsaw.

 

Yugi was lured into a tent by a harlequin and confronted by the Rare Hunter, Arkana. As Yami Yugi, he faced Arkana in a Duel, where the loser's feet got cut off by a buzzsaw. (In the dub, they got sent to the Shadow Realm by energy disks.) Yami won the Duel, but Yugi then took over and saved Arkana from the buzzsaw (energy disk in the dub).

 

At the canal side, while Yugi spoke with Yami about recent happenings they were confronted by another Rare Hunter, Strings. Strings was under Marik's complete control and Dueled Yami Yugi using the Egyptian God Card, "Slifer the Sky Dragon". Yami won the Duel, earning "Slifer the Sky Dragon" through the Ante rule. Kaiba, who had appeared during the Duel challenged Yugi to a Duel on the spot, but Marik warned Yugi that he was going to take control of Joey. Yugi declined Kaiba's challenge as he had to find and save his friend.

 

As Yami Yugi searched the city for his friends, with Kaiba's help, they defeated the Rare Hunters Umbra and Lumis twice, gaining enough Locator Cards to qualify for the finals and also located Joey at Domino Pier.

 

Yugi facing Joey, who is possessed by Marik

 

At the Pier, Yugi was forced to Duel Joey, who was possessed by Marik. Each player had their ankles chained to an anchor, which would drag them underwater to drown after the timer reaches 0. The only way for either player to save themself was to defeat their opponent, which would open a box, giving them a key. Yami made the first few of Yugi's moves, but Yugi insisted that he should fight this battle himself. Through talking to Joey and using "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" to remind him of his promise to become a true Duelist and even giving him the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi managed to get Joey's subconsciousness to ignore Marik's commands. Yugi managed to fully snap Joey out of Marik's control shortly before forcing himself to lose. With Joey back to normal, Yugi told Marik that he was the true loser of this Duel. Yugi let his Life Points fall to 0 and collapsed, releasing Joey's key. However Joey managed to force the Duel into a DRAW, releasing Yugi's key too. Using the chain, Joey swung to Yugi's side of the field and grabbed his key, before the anchor dragged them both down. He unlocked Yugi, who floated to the surface and was brought ashore by Tristan. Serenity dove in with the other key to save Joey. Joey later apologized and returned the Millennium Puzzle. Yugi thanked Yami for trusting in him and Yami said that Yugi has taught him the strength behind kindness and that one day Yugi will surpass him in every way.

 

Afterwards Mai gave Yugi and his friends a lift to the finals.

 

Yugi, Joey, Mai, Téa, Tristan, Duke and Serenity arrived at the KaibaCorp Stadium for the finals. Yugi was suspicious of the finalist Marik, who is under the guise "Namu", and Bakura, who should be in the hospital. Téa cleared any suspicion of Namu, by informing Yugi of how he saved her, Joey and Bakura earlier. Shortly after Odion Ishtar, pretending to be Marik arrived, everyone boarded the blimp, where the finals took place.

 

As Yugi prepared for the finals in his room, he added "Slifer the Sky Dragon" to his Deck, thinking he was going to need it to face Marik. He also suspected Bakura had come into contact with the Millennium Ring again.

 

Yugi meets Shadi.

 

Yami Yugi faced Bakura in the first of the quarter-finals on the Stratos Dueling Arena. Yugi's suspicions were confirmed as they faced Yami Bakura.[71] When Bakura was one turn away from winning with "Destiny Board", the two Yugis agreed that they had to use "Slifer the Sky Dragon" to defeat him. Yami Yugi Summoned "Slifer", but Marik switched control of Bakura's body from Yami Bakura to Bakura, who was too weak to withstand the attack. However Yami Bakura disagreed with Marik's plan and took control of Bakura's body. He invited Yugi to attack him, refusing to let his host die. Yugi won the Duel, knocking Bakura unconscious and in leaving him need of medical attention.

 

During the intermission before the next Duel, Yugi unsuccessfully tried to get Kaiba to make an emergency stop to take Bakura to a doctor. Yugi went back to his room and began examining his Deck. He was interrupted by Shadi, who told him how the Egyptian God Cards were created and why he must stop Marik from getting his hands on them.

 

Ishizu gives Yugi the Millennium Necklace.

 

Joey defeated Odion, who was still pretending to be Marik and exposed him as a fake. Subsequently Namu was exposed as the real Marik and Yami Marik took control of his body. Marik confronted Yugi, saying the battle for the Pharaoh's power had just begun.

 

After losing to Kaiba, Ishizu Ishtar told Yugi of the Ishtar family's history and gave him the Millennium Necklace, as he was going to need all seven Millennium Items to recover the Pharaoh's memories.

 

That night Yugi was woken by Téa, who reported Bakura has gone missing. They discovered he was Dueling with Marik and saw him lose shortly after they arrived.

 

Virtual World

 

The Battle City blimp got sucked into a mechanical fortress in the sea, by Noah Kaiba. Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Téa, Serenity, Duke, Kaiba and Mokuba exited the blimp, where they were greeted by a projection of the Big Five, who explained that they got trapped in the Virtual World, after they failed to trap Kaiba there, during the Legendary Heroes game. For that they hate Yugi and his friends for helping Kaiba. Having Kaiba as a common enemy, Noah uploaded their minds into his computer system. Using an altered form of Duel Monsters, they planned to face the gang in order to claim possession of their bodies, so that they may exist in the real world.

 

The group were then transported to a virtual jungle, where they are given a demonstration of the Deck Master rules. The Big Five then separated the gang, by making holes appear under them.

 

Yugi was transported to a pond, where he was faced by Gansley, who had taken the form of "Deepsea Warrior". Before Dueling Gansley, Yugi changed to Yami Yugi, who Gansley identified as "Type-B". During the Duel, Yugi noticed that their Deck Master, Kuriboh was trying to tell them something. As Yami was about to lose, Yugi took over and used Kuriboh's Deck Master effect to save them. Shortly afterwards, Yugi collapsed so Yami took back control and won the Duel.

 

The Yugis entered a hallway afterwards. Although they were aware there were traps behind some doors, Yugi ran through one, after hearing Téa scream, but was thrown back by an attack. Yami drew the Level Star of the door to Yugi's attention, so Yugi Summoned a monster of a higher Level, "Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress" and has it launch an attack into the doorway. They entered the doorway and wound up repeating the same process. Realizing it was because they keep choosing the Level 1 door, they started attacking different Levels. The final door had the 2000 ATK, Level 4 monster, "Flash Assailant", backed up with a series of face-down Magic or Trap Cards. Yugi used "Heavy Storm" to clear the face-downs and the effect of "4-Starred Ladybug of Doom" to destroy "Flash Assailant".

 

Yugi arrived at the scene of Téa's Duel, but was held back by a wall of ice. "Dark Magician" was taken from his Deck and Summoned to Téa's field, after she played "Sage's Stone". Attacking with both "Dark Magician" and "Dark Magician Girl", Téa defeated Crump, causing the ice around her to disappear. Yugi rushed to her aid and gave her his coat. Together they walked though the ice region and entered a door, taking them to a courtroom, where Joey was Dueling Johnson.

 

Yugi correctly suspected that Johnson had rigged the outcome of Joey's luck based cards. Although Noah attempted to disqualify Johnson, Joey insisted that they continue with the game unrigged. After Joey won, he, Yugi and Téa exited though another door.

 

The trio found their way to Duke, Serenity and Tristan's Duel against Nezbitt. After the Duel, the gang tried to find Tristan, before the Big Five took his body. They briefly met up with Kaiba and Mokuba, but were attacked by Nezbitt in possession of Tristan's body. The real Tristan in the body of a robot monkey helped them fight the imposter. However Nezbitt kidnapped Mokuba and Kaiba took off after him, leaving the others think about what to do with the monkey, not knowing it was Tristan.

 

The group took a pick-up truck to go after Kaiba. On the way, they found out the monkey was Tristan after he accidentally flipped a switch, allowing him to speak normally.

 

After watching Kaiba Duel Leichter, Yugi and Téa went with Kaiba to help him find Mokuba. The others tried to follow, but the tunnel disappeared, before they could enter.

 

Inside the tunnel Yugi and Téa got separated from Kaiba, and found themselves in a simulation of Kaiba's mansion back when Seto Kaiba got adopted. Yugi found a picture of Kaiba's father, Gozaburo, with Noah, shortly before meeting up with Kaiba again. Noah then showed the three of them a projection of the past, where Gozaburo showed Noah a picture of Seto, who Noah had to be able to compete with in order to run KaibaCorp.

 

Noah transported Yugi, Téa and Kaiba back to their friends, where they were confronted by the Big Five, now all sharing possession of Tristan's body. Yugi and Joey teamed-up to Duel them in order to win back Tristan's body. Although Yugi and Joey won, the Big Five attempted to steal their bodies, but Noah took them away, along with Tristan's body, before they could.

 

Since Noah designed the robot monkey, Yugi and his friends searched it for clues. Yugi pushed a red button, which transported them to a virtual Kaiba Land. From there the gang took a handcar through a subway and wound up on the scene of Noah and Seto Kaiba's Duel.

 

Yugi takes Yami to his soul room of recent memories.

 

Noah won and turned Seto and Mokuba to stone. This caused Yugi to get mad and change to Yami, who accused Noah of foul play, as he had used Mokuba as a shield to help him win. As Yami, Yugi combined his Deck with Seto's and continued the Duel. Noah gradually turned Yugi's friends to stone as Yami Dueled, until none of them were left. Yugi then offered Yami support and took him to his soul room. Inside he brought Yami to a room containing his recent memories, where everyone, who had been turned to stone offered their support. Back in virtual reality, Yami imagined Yugi's friends giving him the cards drawn by "Card of Sanctity". With them, Yami Summoned Kaiba's three "Blue-Eyes White Dragons" to win the Duel against Noah.

 

After the Duel, Noah attempted to steal Yugi's body and escape to the real world, but the power of the Millennium Puzzle forced him back. After Noah found out that Gozaburo had been using him, he tried to help everyone escape the virtual world and took them to a virtual Domino City. The group got separated and met-up again, minus the Kaibas. Having realized Noah double crossed them, Yugi started to blame himself for trusting Noah.

 

Gozaburo had monsters attack Yugi and his friends as they looked for a way out, but Yugi and Joey fought them off by Summoning monsters from their Decks. Noah, having stolen Mokuba's body and escaped to the real world, organized a missile attack to destroy the fortress, including the servers for the virtual world. After having a change of heart, he contacted the group and explained that they must get out out quickly before the virtual world is destroyed.

 

Yugi and Kaiba jump from the building.

 

Noah told them to go the arcade. Yugi, Duke and Joey fought off more of Gozaburo's monsters, while Téa, Serenity and Tristan went there. When Yugi, Duke and Joey got to the arcade, Noah asked Yugi to go and get Seto before returning himself.

 

Yugi complied and went to the KaibaCorp building, catching Seto shortly after he beat Gozaburo in a Duel. Gozaburo took the form of a monster and chased the two. Noah instructed them to jump off the building. With no other option they complied and awoke in the real world, before hitting the ground.

 

Yugi, Kaiba and Mokuba ran to escape the fortress before the missile strike and were helped onto the moving blimp by Joey and Tristan, shortly before the fortress got destroyed.

 

Battle City finals

 

The KaibaCorp blimp took the finalists to the Duel Tower for the Battle City finals. Yugi switched to Yami Yugi for the Battle Royal to determine match-ups[95] and wound up with Kaiba as his opponent.

 

Yugi weeps over Joey, after he loses to Marik.

 

Yugi tried to stop Joey from Dueling Marik. However Yami reminded him that Joey accepted the Duel knowing it would be a Shadow Game and nobody can stop such a game. Yugi worried for Joey and wondered if there was something they could do to help. However Yami assured Yugi that this was Joey's fight and he can win with their support. After Joey lost, Yugi screamed that it's a lie. He said that he won't lose Joey to the Shadow Realm. Later at Joey's bedside, he begged for him not to die. Yugi blamed himself, saying that he should have Dueled Marik instead. Out in the hallway, Yugi cried more and considered stopping Dueling, but Yami convinced him that they must not give-up and let Marik win. Yami got the idea to use the Millennium Necklace to see what happens. He and Yugi then used it to look into the future, where they saw Yami and Joey preparing to Duel.

 

Yugi Dueled Kaiba in the second semi-final as Yami Yugi. They managed to defeat Kaiba and afterwards found out Joey was okay to Yugi's delight. Yugi and Yami gained Kaiba's "Obelisk the Tormentor" card through the ante rule.

 

Yugi and Yami watched Joey Duel Kaiba in a third place play-off. They both agreed that Joey was a great Duelist and would have defeated Marik, had their Duel not been turned into a Shadow Game. The two them noticed the Millennium Puzzle acting strange and saw Téa's reflection in it. They left the Duel to find Téa, who was possessed by the original Marik to confront Yami Marik. At the top of the Duel Tower, they found Téa, Marik and Ishizu. Ishizu explained that Téa would be fine and that Marik's good side still lives on within Téa's mind.

 

Yugi partly disappearing, while Yami Yugi Duels Yami Marik.

 

Before facing Marik, Kaiba gave Yugi the card, "Fiend's Sanctuary", which Kaiba intended to use against Marik himself. Yami Marik and Yami Yugi's final Duel was a Shadow Game, where the regular Yugi and Marik were drawn from their bodies and floated next to them in spirit form. Yugi and Marik were bound by their wrists and ankles in darkness and parts of their bodies disappeared as their "Yami" selves lost Life Points. (In the 4kids version, they were gradually being swallowed into the Shadow Realm.) If Yami Yugi lost, Yugi would vanish and the Pharaoh would cease to exist as he required the physical body of a host to maintain himself.

 

Yugi encouraged Yami throughout the Duel. He even urged Yami to pay Life Points to keep "Fiend's Sanctuary" active, knowing it would make part of his body disappear. Yugi insisted that they must find a way to win without causing the good Marik to disappear. However, the good Marik possessed Téa and told Yugi not to hesitate, he's prepared to die. He no longer blamed the Yugis for his father's death. (In the dub, Marik said not to worry about protecting him, he wants to defeat his dark side at all costs.)

 

Yugi was certain that Yami Marik was going to fuse with "The Winged Dragon of Ra" a second time in the Duel and reminded Yami Yugi that if he does that again, he will become a monster and have the weakness of a Monster Card. With that in mind, Yami Yugi managed to use "Ragnarok", which would destroy "Ra". As Yugi wondered if this would cause the good Marik to disappear, Odion appeared.[104] Since Odion had been keeping Yami Marik away, his return allowed the regular Marik to regain some control of his body and urged Yami to attack. The Yugis continued to use the effect of "Ragnarok", which destroyed Ra and caused Marik and Yami Marik to switch places. With only 1 Life Point left, only Yami Marik's eye remained. Marik then surrendered causing Yami Marik to disappear and Yugi to win the Duel.

 

Yugi and Yami Yugi receive the last and strongest of the Egyptian Gods, "The Winged Dragon of Ra".

 

As the host, Kaiba congratulated Yugi for winning. (In the dub, he added that Yugi only won because Marik surrendered.) Marik informed Yugi that with his dark side gone, the souls of Mai and Bakura should be released and gave him "The Winged Dragon of Ra" due to the ante rule. Marik then showed Yugi the hieroglyphics carved on his back, explaining that the secret of the Pharaoh's power is written there, and whoever holds the three Egyptian God Cards can unlock that secret. With his mission complete, Marik handed the Millennium Rod and Ring to Yugi.

 

Kaiba announced that he was going to blow-up the Duel Tower and gave everyone an hour to evacuate. Yugi and his friends returned to the Battle Ship and found that Mai and Bakura were okay, but there was no sign of the Kaiba brothers on the blimp. With the Battle Ship damaged from escaping Noah's fortress and no one able to find the Kaibas, everyone else boarded the KaibaCorp helicopter. As they left, they saw Kaiba and Mokuba had escaped in their Blue-Eyes White Dragon jet.

 

Back in Domino City, Yugi and his friends said goodbye to the Ishtar family, Duke and Mai. Afterwards, back in Kame Game, Yugi and Yami Yugi assembled a Deck and included the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" Joey gave them. At sunrise, the Yugis met Joey at the plaza for a final Duel to conclude their Battle City adventure.

 

Doma

Between classes, Yami took control of Yugi's body and skipped out of school to go to the museum, with Egyptian God Cards to uncover his memories. Yugi asked why they were going alone. Yami replied that it would be too depressing to say goodbye and just wants Yugi to see him off. (In the dub, there was no mention of why they were going alone. Instead Yami said that he felt the Egyptain God Cards pulling him to the museum.) However, Téa, Joey and Tristan caught up with him outside the museum and reminded him that they are a team. Inside Yami held the Egyptian God cards up to the tablet, but something held him back. The group heard a scream and dashed outside, finding a large number of living Duel Monsters in the city.

 

Suspecting the Duel Monsters appearing was caused by Kaiba's holographic technology, they went to KaibaCorp, but were unable to get past a crowd of reporters.

 

Yugi helps Grandpa after the break-in and learns that the Egyptian God cards have been stolen.

 

Later at the Kame Game, as Yugi and his friends watched Kaiba on TV explaining that he wasn't responsible, there was a break-in and the Egyptian God cards were stolen by motorcyclists from Doma. They quickly rushed outside and saw the Gods appear in the city. Yugi wondered who could have Summoned them as only someone with a connection to the Millennium Items can Summon the Egyptian Gods. The thieves then appeared before them, demanding that Yugi follow them if he wants to get the God cards back. Yugi changed to Yami and wound up Dueling one of them, Gurimo. Gurimo used the soul stealing card "The Seal of Orichalcos" and was even able to Summon "Obelisk the Tormentor" through its power.[106] Yugi still managed to defeat Gurimo, causing his soul to be sealed in the card. Afterwards Yugi took his necklace containing a fragment of the Orichalcos stone. As a reward for his victory, Rafael released the souls of Rex and Weevil, which Gurimo had previously captured using "The Seal of Orichalcos".

 

On the street, Yugi, Téa, Joey and Tristan found Rex and Weevil and discussed the bikers, who had stolen their souls and Yugi's God cards. Rex and Weevil pretended to agree to help them, but secretly planned on getting the God cards for themselves.

 

Rebecca kisses Yugi.

 

After leaving Rex and Weevil, Yugi and his friends met Rebecca Hawkins, who claimed that Yugi is now her boyfriend and took them to the museum to see her grandfather Arthur. From researching the origins of Duel Monsters, Arthur confirmed that Yugi was indeed sharing a bond with an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh and informed them that pharaoh saved the world when Ancient Egyptian sorcerers harnessed real monsters' powers by sealing them in tablets, like Duel Monsters. He also showed them photos from what he believed was Atlantis, showing carvings of Duel Monsters, proving that the origins of Duel Monsters dates back further than 3000 (5000 in the dub) years in Egypt to at least 10000 years ago in Atlantis. Arthur told them that he believes there is a parallel dimension where Duel Monsters are real. Since the pharaoh saved the world the last time people conjured these monsters, Arthur believes Yugi is to save the world this time, since the pharaoh has been reborn in him. Not certain what to do next, Yugi gave Arthur the stone he had taken from Gurimo for him to test. Outside the museum, to Yugi's embarrassment, Rebecca gave him a kiss before leaving. Shortly before leaving himself, Yugi thought that he heard someone calling for help, but couldn't see them anywhere.

 

As Yugi went to sleep that night, he heard the voice calling for help again. The Millennium Puzzle activated and the two Yugis were sent to the chamber inside the Millennium Puzzle. They heard the voice calling for help again and searched to see if they could find who it was. They eventually found Kuriboh, who led them to a room they'd never been to before. They heard the voice again and followed it, causing them to be transported through a vortex to the Duel Monsters Spirit World.

 

Yugi and Yami release Timaeus and gain his strength

 

Yugi and Yami found themselves hovering above a castle. They flew down into it and met Dark Magician Girl, who told them that both worlds were in danger. She explained that the two worlds rely on each other for survival, but now a gateway has been opened between the two worlds and the great beast, who feeds on the life force of humans and spirits will consume them all. Yugi and Yami agreed to help them, so Dark Magician Girl took them to three dragons trapped in crystal. According to legend, three warriors should be able to free them. Believing Yugi to be one of the warriors, she instructed the Yugis to remove a sword from one of the dragons. Yugi and Yami pulled the sword out, freeing the dragon, Timaeus.

 

Yugi woke-up in his bed shortly afterwards. He saw a strange light phenomenon trapping monsters outside. He ran to the plaza to see what it was and met his friends there. The monsters were absorbed into a crystal, which shattered, revealing an eye, which shot a twister at Yugi. However Yugi's Duel Disk began to glow as the card, "The Eye of Timaeus" appeared in it. Using it, Yugi Summoned Timaues to attack and destroy the eye. The Dark Magician Girl then appeared next to Yugi and informed him that the battle is just beginning.

 

While showing his friends the card, Yugi received a package from Industrial Illusions, containing a videotape and the card, "Illusion's Key". He was initially reluctant to watch the video, remembering the last one Pegasus sent him. After deducing Pegasus can't seal souls, since he no longer has the Millennium Eye, Yugi and his friends watched the tape. Pegasus offered some explanation for the recent events, but since it was too risky to leave the information on tape, he asked Yugi to meet him in person and arranged a jet for Yugi and his friends to come to California and bring the "Illusion's Key" with them.

 

Timaeus lights up as Critias is released by Kaiba.

 

The group took the plane to San Francisco, where a limousine was provided to take them to the Industrial Illusions headquarters.[110] Inside the limousine, Yugi noticed "The Eye of Timaeus" lighting up as Kaiba reelased Critias elsewhere. However the limousine took the group to a desert and the driver abandoned them at a gas station.[111] At the station, they were approached by another motorcyclist gang looking for trouble, but Mai Valentine appeared on a motorbike and fought off the bikers, causing a fire. Tristan drove Yugi, Joey and Téa in the limousine away from the station before the gasoline pump caused an explosion. Mai also escaped on her motorbike and drove away. The limousine broke down, while still in the desert, leaving Yugi and his friends stranded. Using Téa's femininity while the boys hid, they were able to hitch a ride from a truck driver to Industrial Illusions.

 

When the group finally at the Industrial Illusions headquarters, they were locked in by Mai, who revealed that she was with Doma and had captured Pegasus' soul in a "The Seal of Orichalcos" card, before challenging Joey to a Duel. During the Duel, Yugi's "The Eye of Timaeus" card once again lit-up as Joey was sent to the Spirit World to free Hermos. Fearing Mai would lose, Valon broke-up the Duel and the members of Doma fled.

 

Yugi and company encounter the holographic recording of Pegasus.

 

Yugi and his friends were then joined by Duke, Rex, Weevil and Kaiba. Using the card "Illusion's Key", Yugi was able to open a secret room, where they encountered a holographic recording of Pegasus. Pegasus told them about Doma's involvement in historical events and told Yugi where to find an exclusive card, he would need later. They found the card, "Legend of Heart", albeit blank at the time, within the room. Although, Kaiba decided not to stick with Yugi and his friends, they correctly guessed that he had the other Legendary Dragon, "Fang of Critias".

 

Duke gave the gang a lift to Arthur Hawkins' house to look for clues on what to do next. By the time they got there, Arthur had been kidnapped and the house was blown-up. Rebecca flung herself around Yugi and explained what happened. The group went into Arthur's mobile home and discussed what happened. Rebecca returned the Orichalcos stone, Yugi had lent to Arthur. While the others prepared something to eat, Yugi and Rebecca stepped outside to talk. Rebecca showed Yugi a card and note from Rafael she found after the explosion. Rafael's note told Yugi to come alone to Death Valley. (In the dub, it told Yugi to go there if he wanted to see Arthur again.) Later that night, Yugi borrowed Rebecca's horse, Copernicus, to go there.

 

Yugi Dueled Rafael as Yami Yugi at Death Valley, but still accompanied Yami in spirit form. Yugi was relieved when Rafael said that he had no intention of playing "The Seal of Orichalcos" in this Duel.[116] However Rafael used "Exchange" to give the card to Yugi later on. Yugi urged Yami not to use that card, no matter what happens and Yami agreed. However, they reached a point where Yami felt he was going to lose unless he played the Seal. Despite Yugi's objections, Yami played it and Yugi's spirit form left him alone.

 

Not wanting anything to happen to the Pharaoh, Yugi saves him by allowing the Seal of the Oricalchos to take his spirit instead.

 

Yugi was unable to contact Yami for the rest of the Duel, as he was trapped behind the Seal. He unsuccessfully tried pleading with him to not sacrifice his monsters, including "Dark Magician Girl", whom they made a promise with. Yami went on to lose the Duel and was about to lose his soul to "The Seal of Orichalcos". Using the power of the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi broke the seal that was holding him back and appeared next to Yami again. Since "The Seal of Orichalcos" only takes one soul, Yugi pushed Yami aside and let the seal take him instead.

 

Yami traveled to the Stone Wilderness, where spirits both good and evil roam, in the hopes of contacting Yugi. He managed to find Yugi and apologized for what happened. Without Yugi, Yami said the darkness inside him is starting to grow. He was afraid that Rafael might be right that he is evil and feared getting his memories (This maybe false because, he was manipulated easily by Rafael's words to be a lie from Dartz only to get his soul or being influenced by the Orichalcos itself). Yugi reminded Yami that he has been locked away. Yami tried apologizing again, but Yugi said that he didn't want his pity. Yugi asked if Yami only came here to demoralize himself. (In the dub, he said if Yami truly is evil, there's only one thing to do.) A Duel Disk appeared on Yugi's arm and he challenged Yami to a Duel. Yugi knew that he would have to Duel Yami sooner or later and if Yami's heart has become dark or engulfed in the darkest abyss, Yami shall lose. (In the dub, Yugi said that Yami doesn't deserve to be a part of this world and must pay for what he has done.) Yami reluctantly accepted the Duel.

 

Yugi after playing "The Seal of Orichalcos" in his Duel against Yami.

 

Both Yugi's drew the same cards in the same order, so Yugi used "Sangan" to shuffle his Deck and "Card Destruction" to reset their hands. Yami stated that the Duel was meaningless. However Yugi explained that Yami's weakness is the darkness in his heart, he is arrogant and warped by his sense of pride. With only one value, it's impossible for Yami to see other people's pain. (This explanation is removed from the dub.) Since he was a mirror reflecting Yami's dark side, Yugi had "The Seal of Orichalcos" in his Deck. Yugi used it and proceeded to use the same strategy Yami used against Rafael, sacrificing his monsters to win. Yami realized that this is what he looked like in the Duel against Rafael warped by his own psychological disruption and descends into his own darkest abyss. He refused to lose, as it would prevent him from saving Yugi and two worlds will eventually be destroyed. But, Yugi only sees Yami, who never cared about anyone's suffering because his pride got in the way and proceeds with monster sacrifice that it is thanks to Yami's recklessness that he can use this strategy to exact his own vengeance. He managed to counter Yugi's strategy with "Divine Wind" and win. Yugi was pleased that Yami won and said that in defeating him, Yami defeated the darkness in his heart and Orichalcos influence that corrupted him meaning that Yugi planned this all along and was never under the influence of the evil card.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

Photo by Lydia Marcus

 

The Canon AF35M was my very first 35mm camera and the very first camera that was exclusively mine and not the family camera. Up til that point, I had used several family cameras including two different Polaroids (a Super Shooter Plus and a One Step) or a Kodak Instamatic. Sometime around 1980 or 1981, when I was 10 or 11 years old, I asked my Dad to buy me a camera of my own. On some special occasion (I think possibly my 6th grade graduation) I was told I could get a camera and I chose the Canon AF35M. I believe I bought it at Radio Shack. I used the camera until I got a hand me down Canon AE-1 Program around 1986 and then I started using that. The camera has sat unused in a cabinet ever since. My emerging re-interest in shooting film has brought me back to the Canon AF35M. When I realized it had a fast f/2.8 lens I thought I'd give it a try. Here's the first test roll. The camera is still working perfectly, the only issue I have to be aware of is that I can't get too close for focusing. Other than that, the photos turned out surprisingly sharp. I think it has a pretty nice, contrasty lens.

 

From Wikipedia:

 

The Canon AF35M, nicknamed the Autoboy by Canon Japan or the Sure Shot by Canon USA, was Canon Inc.'s first autofocus 35mm lens-shutter compact camera.[1][2] It was launched in November 1979[1] and received the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry's 1980 Good Design Award in September 1980.[2] It proved successful among similar cameras from the competition and sold well; production reached 110,000 per month by the second half of 1981.[2] It was partly supplanted by 1981's higher-specified AF35ML and wholly replaced by 1983's AF35M II.

The active autofocus system used a near-infrared emitting diode and a pin photo diode to determine the subject position by triangulation in a manner similar to a coincident-image rangefinder. This meant that the system was independent of ambient light levels and achieved a high degree of accuracy; however, it could be fooled by glass (which is not transparent to infrared radiation). The autofocus area was marked on the reverse-Galilean optical viewfinder, which also had projected framelines, zone focusing marks for near, medium and far (lit to indicate the approximate area the autofocus had selected), parallax correction marks, and battery-check and camera-shake warning LEDs. Viewfinder magnification was 0.5× and coverage was 85% of the full 135 frame by area.

The lens was of 38 mm focal length and with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. A ring around the lens optic itself was used to set the film speed (ISO 25 to 400), which was indicated on a small window on the front of the lens assembly; also there, but below the lens optic itself, was the cadmium sulfide (CdS) photoresistor for the light meter. The location of this, inside the filter ring of the lens, meant that the meter would function accurately even with filters fitted to the lens.

Film transport was fully automatic in both directions, but the camera was not fitted with Canon's Quick Load feature; film still had to be manually threaded to the take-up spool.

An integral flash was fitted; this retracted into the top of the camera on the left (from the user's perspective) and was manually extended via releasing a catch on the camera's front. The unit had a guide number of 14 (at ISO 100 in meters) and featured auto-exposure with the camera's light meter as well as supporting fill flash. Also on the front was a self-timer control.

All electronic functions drew power from two AA batteries.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

+++ DISCLAIMER +++

Nothing you see here is real, even though the model, the conversion or the presented background story might be based historical facts. BEWARE!

  

Some background:

The Georgian Air Force and Air Defense Division (თავდაცვის ძალების ავიაციისა და საჰაერო თავდაცვის სარდლობა; tavdatsvis dzalebis aviatsiisa da sahaero tavdatsvis sardloba) was established on January 1, 1992, and in September the Georgian Air Force conducted its first combat flight during the separatist war in Abkhazia. On August 18, 1998, the two divisions were unified in a joint command structure and renamed the Georgian Air Force.

In 2010, the Georgian Air Force was abolished as a separate branch and incorporated into the Georgian Land Forces as Air and Air Defense sections. By that time, the equipment – primarily consisting of Eastern Bloc aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union after the country’s dissolution – was totally outdated, the most potent aircraft were a dozen Suchoj Su-25 attack aircraft and a handful of MiG-21U trainers.

 

In order to rejuvenate the air arm, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM), also known as JSC Tbilaviamsheni and formerly known as 31st aviation factory, started a modernization program for the Su-25, for the domestic forces but also for export customers. TAM had a long tradition of aircraft production within the Soviet Union. In the 1950s the factory started the production of Mikoyan's MiG-15 and later, the MiG-17 fighter aircraft. In 1957 Tbilisi Aircraft State Association built the MiG-21 two-seater fighter-trainer aircraft and its various derivative aircraft, continuing the MiG-21 production for about 25 years. At the same time the company was manufacturing the K-10 air-to-surface guided missile. Furthermore, the first Sukhoi Su-25 (known in the West as the "Frogfoot") close support aircraft took its maiden voyage from the runway of 31st aviation factory. Since then, more than 800 SU-25s had been delivered to customers worldwide. From the first SU-25 to the 1990s, JSC Tbilaviamsheni was the only manufacturer of this aircraft, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union the production lines were still intact and spares for more than fifty complete aircraft available. Along with the SU-25 aircraft 31st aviation factory also launched large-scale production of air-to-air R-60 and R-73 IR guided missiles, a production effort that built over 6,000 missiles a year and that lasted until the early 1990s. From 1996 to 1998 the factory also produced Su-25U two-seaters.

 

In 2001 the factory started, in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel, upgrading basic Su-25 airframes to the Su-25KM “Scorpion” variant. This was just a technical update, however, intended for former Su-25 export customers who would upgrade their less potent Su-25K export aircraft with modern avionics. The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 2001 at Tbilisi in full Georgian Air Force markings. The aircraft used a standard Su-25 airframe, enhanced with advanced avionics including a glass cockpit, digital map generator, helmet-mounted display, computerized weapons system, complete mission pre-plan capability, and fully redundant backup modes. Performance enhancements included a highly accurate navigation system, pinpoint weapon delivery systems, all-weather and day/night performance, NATO compatibility, state-of-the art safety and survivability features, and advanced onboard debriefing capabilities complying with international requirements. The Su-25KM had the ability to use NATO-standard Mark 82 and Mark 83 laser-guided bombs and new air-to-air missiles, the short-range Vympel R-73. This upgrade extended service life of the Su-25 airframes for another decade.

There were, however, not many customers. Manufacturing was eventually stopped at the end of 2010, after Georgian air forces have been permanently dismissed and abolished. By that time, approximately 12 Scorpions had been produced, but the Georgian Air Force still used the basic models of Su-25 because of high cost of Su-25KM and because it was destined mainly for export. According to unofficial sources several Scorpions had been transferred to Turkmenistan as part of a trade deal.

 

In the meantime, another, more ambitious project took shape at Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, too: With the help of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) the company started the development of a completely new attack aircraft, the TAM-1 “Gvelgeslas” (გველგესლას, Viper). It heavily relied on the year-long experience gathered with Su-25 production at Tblisi and on the tools at hand, but it was eventually a completely new aircraft – looking like a crossbreed between the Su-25 and the American A-10 with a T-tail.

 

This new layout had become necessary because the aircraft was to be powered by more modern, less noisy and more fuel-efficient Rolls Royce AE 3012 turbofan engines - which were originally intended to power the stillborn Yakovlev Yak-77 twin-engine business jet for up to 32 passengers, a slightly derated variant of the GMA 3012 with a 44 in diameter (112 cm) fan and procured via IAI from the United States through the company’s connection with Gulfstream Aerospace. Their larger diameter (the Su-25’s original Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 turbojets had a diameter of 109,5 cm/43.1 in) precluded the use of the former integral engine nacelles along the fuselage. To keep good ground clearance against FOD and to protect them from small arms fire, the engine layout was completely re-arranged. The fuselage was streamlined, and its internal structure was totally changed. The wings moved into a low position. The wings’ planform was almost identical to the Su-25’s, together with the characteristic tip-mounted “crocodile” air brakes. Just the leading edge inside of the “dogteeth” and the wing roots were re-designed, the latter because of the missing former engine nacelles. This resulted in a slightly increased net area, the original wingspan was retained. The bigger turbofans were then mounted in separate pods on short pylons along the rear fuselage, partly protected from below by the wings. Due to the jet efflux and the engines’ proximity to the stabilizers, these were re-located to the top of a deeper, reinforced fin for a T-tail arrangement.

 

Since the Su-25’s engine bays were now gone, the main landing gear had to be completely re-designed. Retracting them into the fuselage or into the relatively thin wings was not possible, TAM engineers settled upon a design that was very similar to the A-10: the aircraft received streamlined fairings, attached to the wings’ main spar, and positioned under the wings’ leading edges. The main legs were only semi-retractable; in flight, the wheels partly protruded from the fairings, but that hardly mattered from an aerodynamic point of view at the TAM-1’s subsonic operational speed. As a bonus they could still be used while retracted during emergency landings, improving the aircraft’s crash survivability.

 

Most flight and weapon avionics were procured from or via Elbit, including the Su-25KT’s modernized “glass cockpit”, and the TAM-1’s NATO compatibility was enhanced to appeal to a wider international export market. Beyond a total of eleven hardpoints under the wings and the fuselage for an external ordnance of up to 4.500 kg (9.900 lb), the TAM-1 was furthermore armed with an internal gun. Due to procurement issues, however, the Su-25’s original twin-barrel GSh-30-2 was replaced with an Oerlikon KDA 35mm cannon – a modern variant of the same cannon used in the German Gepard anti-aircraft tank, adapted to the use in an aircraft with a light-weight gun carriage. The KDA gun fired with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) and a range of 5.500m, its rate of fire was typically 550 RPM. For the TAM-1, a unique feature from the SPAAG installation was adopted: the gun had two magazines, one with space for 200 rounds and another, smaller one for 50. The magazines could be filled with different types of ammunition, and the pilot was able select between them with a simple switch, adapting to the combat situation. Typical ammunition types were armor-piercing FAPDS rounds against hardened ground targets like tanks, and high explosive shells against soft ground targets and aircraft or helicopters, in a 3:1 ratio. Other ammunition types were available, too, and only 200 rounds were typically carried for balance reasons.

 

The TAM-1’s avionics included a SAGEM ULISS 81 INS, a Thomson-CSF VE-110 HUD, a TMV630 laser rangefinder in a modified nose and a TRT AHV 9 radio altimeter, with all avionics linked through a digital MIL-STD-1553B data bus and a modern “glass cockpit”. A HUD was standard, but an Elbit Systems DASH III HMD could be used by the pilot, too. The DASH GEN III was a wholly embedded design, closely integrated with the aircraft's weapon system, where the complete optical and position sensing coil package was built within the helmet (either the USAF standard HGU-55/P or the Israeli standard HGU-22/P), using a spherical visor to provide a collimated image to the pilot. A quick-disconnect wire powered the display and carried video drive signals to the helmet's Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

 

The TAM-1’s development was long and protracted, though, primarily due to lack of resources and the fact that the Georgian air force was in an almost comatose state for several years, so that the potential prime customer for the TAM-1 was not officially available. However, the first TAM-1 prototype eventually made its maiden flight in September 2017. This was just in time, because the Georgian Air Force had formally been re-established in 2016, with plans for a major modernization and procurement program. Under the leadership of Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Garibashvili the Air Force was re-prioritized and aircraft owned by the Georgian Air Force were being modernized and re-serviced after they were left abandoned for 4 years. This program lasted until 2020. In order to become more independent from foreign sources and support its domestic aircraft industry, the Georgian Air Force eventually ordered eight TAM-1s as Su-25K replacements, which would operate alongside a handful of modernized Su-25KMs from national stock. In the meantime, the new type also attained interest from abroad, e. g. from Bulgaria, the Congo and Cyprus. The IDF thoroughly tested two early production TAM-1s of the Georgian Air Force in 2018, too.

  

General characteristics:

Crew: 1

Length: 15.53 m (50 ft 11 in), including pitot

Wingspan: 14.36 m (47 ft 1 in)

Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Wing area: 35.2 m² (378 sq ft)

Empty weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)

Gross weight: 14,440 kg (31,835 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 19,300 kg (42,549 lb)

 

Powerplant:

2× Rolls-Royce AE 3012 turbofans with 44.1 kN (9,920 lbf) thrust each

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 975 km/h (606 mph, 526 kn, Mach 0.79)

Range: 1.000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal fuel, clean

Combat range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) at sea level with 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of ordnance,

incl. two external fuel tanks

Service ceiling: 7.800 m (25,550 ft)

g limits: +6.5

Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

 

Armament:

1× 35 mm (1.38 in) Oerlikon KDA cannon with 200 rds in two magazines

under the lower forward fuselage, offset to port side.

11× hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4.500 kg (9,911 lb) of external stores

  

The kit and its assembly:

This rather rigorous conversion had been on my project list for many years, and with the “Gunships” group build at whatifmodellers.com in late 2021 I eventually gathered my mojo to tackle it. The ingredients had already been procured long ago, but there are ideas that make you think twice before you take action…

 

This build was somewhat inspired by a CG rendition of a modified Su-25 that I came across while doing online search for potential ideas, running under the moniker “Su-125”, apparently created by someone called “Bispro” and published at DeviantArt in 2010; check this: (www.deviantart.com/bispro/art/Sukhoi-Su-125-Foghorn-15043...). The rendition shows a Su-25 with its engines re-located to the rear fuselage in separate nacelles, much like an A-10, plus a T-tail. However, as many photoshopped aircraft, the shown concept had IMHO some flaws. Where would a landing gear go, as the Su-125 still had shoulder wings? The engines’ position and size also looked fishy to me, quite small/narrow and very far high and back – I had doubts concerning the center of gravity. Nevertheless, I liked the idea, and the idea of an “A-10-esque remix” of the classic Frogfoot was born.

 

This idea was fueled even further when I found out that the Hobbycraft kit lends itself to such a conversion. The kit itself is not a brilliant Su-25 rendition, there are certainly better models of the aircraft in 1:72. However, what spoke for the kit as whiffing fodder was/is the fact that it is quite cheap (righteously so!) and AFAIK the only offering that comes with separate engine nacelles. These are attached to a completely independent central fuselage, and this avoids massive bodywork that would be necessary (if possible at all) with more conventional kits of this aircraft.

Another beneficial design feature is that the wing roots are an integral part of the original engine nacelles, forming their top side up to the fuselage spine. Through this, the original wingspan could be retained even without the nacelles, no wing extension would be necessary to retain the original proportions.

 

Work started with the central fuselage and the cockpit tub, which received a different (better) armored ejection seat and a pilot figure; the canopy remained unmodified and closed, because representing the model with an open cockpit would have required additional major body work on the spinal area behind the canopy. Inside, a new dashboard (from an Italeri BAe Hawk) was added, too – the original instrument panel is just a flat front bulkhead, there’s no space for the pilot to place the legs underneath the dashboard!

 

In parallel, the fin underwent major surgery. I initially considered an A-10-ish twin tail, but the Su-25’s high “tail stinger” prevented its implementation: the jet efflux would come very close to the tail surfaces. So, I went for something similar to the “Su-125” layout.

Mounting the OOB stabilizers to the fin was challenging, though. The fin lost its di-electric tip fairing, and it was cut into two sections, so that the tip would become long enough to match the stabilizers. A lucky find in the scrap box was a leftover tail tip from a Matchbox Blackburn Buccaneer, already shortened from a former, stillborn project: it had now the perfect length to take the Su-25 stabilizers! To make it fit on the fin, an 8mm deep section was inserted, in the form of a simple 1.5mm styrene sheet strip. Once dry, the surface was re-built with several PSR layers. Since it would sit further back on the new aircraft’s tail, the stinger with a RHAWS sensor was shortened.

 

On the fuselage, the attachment points for the wings and the engine nacelles were PSRed away and the front section filled with lots of lead beads, hoping that it would be enough to keep the model’s nose down.

 

Even though the wings had a proper span for a re-location into a low position, they still needed some attention: at the roots, there’s a ~1cm wide section without sweep (the area which would normally cover the original engine nacelles’ tops). This was mended through triangular 1.5 mm styrene wedges that extended the leading-edge sweep, roughly cut into shape once attached and later PSRed into the wings’ surfaces

 

The next construction site were the new landing gear attachment points. This had caused some serious headaches – where do you place and stow it? With new, low wings settled, the wings were the only logical place. But the wings were too thin to suitably take the retracted wheels, and, following the idea of a retrofitted existing design, I decided to adopt the A-10’s solution of nacelles into which the landing gear retracts forward, with the wheels still partly showing. This layout option appears quite plausible, since it would be a “graft-on” solution, and it also has the benefit of leaving lots of space for underwing stores, since the hardpoints’ position had to be modified now, too.

I was lucky to have a pair of A-10 landing gear nacelles at hand, left over from a wrecked Matchbox model from childhood time (the parts are probably 35 years old!). They were simply cut out, glued to the Su-25 wings and PSRed into shape. The result looked really good!

 

At this point I had to decide the model’s overall layout – where to place the wings, the tail and the new engine nacelles. The latter were not 1:72 A-10 transplants. I had some spare engine pods from the aforementioned Matchbox wreck, but these looked too rough and toylike for my taste. They were furthermore too bulky for the Su-25, which is markedly smaller than an A-10, so I had to look elsewhere. As a neat alternative for this project, I had already procured many moons ago a set of 1:144 resin PS-90A engines from a Russian company called “A.M.U.R. Reaver”, originally intended for a Tu-204 airliner or an Il-76 transport aircraft. These turbofan nacelles not only look very much like A-10 nacelles, just a bit smaller and more elegant, they are among the best resin aftermarket parts I have ever encountered: almost no flash, crisp molding, no bubbles, and perfect fit of the parts – WOW!

With these three elements at hand I was able to define the wings’ position, based on the tail, and from that the nacelles’ location, relative to the wings and the fin.

 

The next challenge: how to attach the new engines to the fuselage? The PS-90A engines came without pylons, so I had to improvise. I eventually found suitable pylons in the form of parts from F-14A underwing missile pylons, left over from an Italeri kit. Some major tailoring was necessary to find a proper position on the nacelles and on the fuselage, and PSRing these parts turned out to be quite difficult because of the tight and labyrinthine space.

 

When the engines were in place, work shifted towards the model’s underside. The landing gear was fully replaced. I initially wanted to retain the front wheel leg and the main wheels but found that the low wings would not allow a good ground clearance for underwing stores and re-arming the aircraft, a slightly taller solution was necessary. I eventually found a complete landing gear set in the scrap box, even though I am not certain to which aircraft it once belonged? I guess that the front wheel came from a Hasegawa RA-5C Vigilante, while the main gear and the wheels once belonged to an Italeri F-14A, alle struts were slightly shortened. The resulting stance is still a bit stalky, but an A-10 is also quite tall – this is just not so obvious because of the aircraft’s sheer size.

 

Due to the low wings and the landing gear pods, the Su-25’s hardpoints had to be re-arranged, and this eventually led to a layout very similar to the A-10. I gave the aircraft a pair of pylons inside of the pods, plus three hardpoints under the fuselage, even though all of these would only be used when slim ordnance was carried. I just fitted the outer pair. Outside of the landing gear fairings there would have been enough space for the Frogfoot’s original four outer for pylons, but I found this to be a little too much. So I gave it “just” three, with more space between them.

The respective ordnance is a mix for a CAS mission with dedicated and occasional targets. It consists of:

- Drop tanks under the inner wings (left over from a Bilek Su-17/22 kit)

- A pair of B-8M1 FFAR pods under the fuselage (from a vintage Mastercraft USSR weapon set)

- Two MERs with four 200 kg bombs each, mounted on the pylons outside of the landing gear (the odd MERs came from a Special Hobby IDF SMB-2 Super Mystère kit, the bombs are actually 1:100 USAF 750 lb bombs from a Tamiya F-105 Thunderchief in that scale)

- Four CBU-100 Rockeye Mk. II cluster bombs on the outer stations (from two Italeri USA/NATO weapon sets, each only offers a pair of these)

Yes, it’s a mix of Russian and NATO ordnance – but, like the real Georgian Su-25KM “Scorpion” upgrade, the TAM-1 would certainly be able to carry the same or even a wider mix, thanks to modified bomb racks and wirings. Esp. “dumb” weapons, which do not call for special targeting and guidance avionics, are qualified.

The gun under the nose was replaced with a piece from a hollow steel needle.

  

Painting and markings:

Nothing unusual here. I considered some more “exotic” options, but eventually settled for a “conservative” Soviet/Russian-style four-tone tactical camouflage, something that “normal” Su-25s would carry, too.

The disruptive pattern was adapted from a Macedonian Frogfoot but underwent some changes due to the T-tail and the engine nacelles. The basic tones were Humbrol 119 (RAF Light Earth), 150 (Forest Green), 195 (Chrome Oxide Green, RAL 6020) and 98 (Chocolate) on the upper surfaces and RLM78 from (Modelmaster #2087) from below, with a relatively low waterline, due to the low-set wings.

As usual, the model received a light black ink washing and some post-shading – especially on the hull and on the fin, where many details had either disappeared under PSR or were simply not there at all.

 

The landing gear and the lower areas of the cockpit were painted in light grey (Humbrol 64), while the upper cockpit sections were painted with bright turquoise (Modelmaster #2135). The wheel hubs were painted in bright green (Humbrol 101), while some di-electric fairings received a slightly less intense tone (Humbrol 2). A few of these flat fairings on the hull were furthermore created with green decal sheet material (from TL Modellbau) to avoid masking and corrections with paint.

 

The tactical markings became minimal, matching the look of late Georgian Su-25s. The roundels came from a Balkan Models Frogfoot sheet. The “07” was taken from a Blue Rider decal sheet, it actually belongs to a Lithuanian An-2. Some white stencils from generic MiG-21 and Mi-8 Begemot sheets were added, too, and some small markings were just painted onto the hull with yellow.

 

Some soot stains around the jet nozzles and the gun were added with graphite, and finally the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish.

  

A major bodywork project – and it’s weird that this is basically just a conversion of a stock kit and no kitbashing. A true Frogfoot remix! The new engines were the biggest “outsourced” addition, the A-10 landing gear fairings were a lucky find in the scrap box, and the rest is quite generic and could have looked differently. The result is impressive and balanced, though, the fictional TAM-1 looks quite plausible. The landing gear turned out to be a bit tall and stalky, though, making the aircraft look smaller on the ground than it actually is – but I left it that way.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.

Some background:

The VF-1 was developed by Stonewell/Bellcom/Shinnakasu for the U.N. Spacy by using alien Overtechnology obtained from the SDF-1 Macross alien spaceship. It was preceded into production by an aerodynamic proving version of its airframe, the VF-X. Unlike all later VF vehicles, the VF-X was strictly a jet aircraft, built to demonstrate that a jet fighter with the features necessary to convert to Battroid mode was aerodynamically feasible.

 

After the VF-X's testing was finished, an advanced concept atmospheric-only prototype, the VF-0 Phoenix, was flight-tested from 2005 to 2007 and briefly served as an active-duty fighter from 2007 to the VF-1's rollout in late 2008, while the bugs were being worked out of the full-up VF-1 prototype (VF-X-1).

 

The space-capable VF-1's combat debut was on February 7, 2009, during the Battle of South Ataria Island - the first battle of Space War I, and was the mainstay fighter of the U.N. Spacy for the entire conflict. Introduced in 2008, the VF-1 would be out of frontline service just five years later.

 

The VF-1 proved to be an extremely capable craft, successfully combating a variety of Zentraedi mecha even in most sorties, which saw UN Spacy forces significantly outnumbered. The versatility of the Valkyrie design enabled the variable fighter to act as both large-scale infantry and as air/space superiority fighter. The signature skills of U.N. Spacy ace pilot Maximilian Jenius exemplified the effectiveness of the variable systems as he near-constantly transformed the Valkyrie in battle to seize advantages of each mode as combat conditions changed from moment to moment.

 

The basic VF-1 was deployed in four minor variants (designated A, D, J, and S) with constant updates and several sub-variants during its long and successful career. Its success was increased by the GBP-1S "Armored" Valkyrie and FAST Pack "Super" Valkyrie weapon systems, the latter enabling the fighter to operate in space.

 

After the end of Space War I, the VF-1 continued to be manufactured both in the Sol system (notably on the Lunar facility Apollo Base) and throughout the UNG space colonies. Although the VF-1 would eventually be replaced as the primary VF of the UN Spacy by the more capable, but also much bigger, VF-4 Lightning III in 2020, a long service record and continued production after the war proved the lasting worth of the design.

 

The VF-1 was without doubt the most recognizable variable fighter of Space War I and was seen as a vibrant symbol of the U.N. Spacy even into the first year of the New Era 0001 in 2013. At the end of 2015 the final rollout of the VF-1 was celebrated at a special ceremony, commemorating this most famous of variable fighters.

 

The 1st generation VF-1 Valkryie was built from 2006 to 2013 with a total production of 5,459 VF-1 variable fighters and in several variants (VF-1A = 5,093, VF-1D = 85, VF-1J = 49, VF-1S = 30, VF-1G = 12, VE-1 = 122, VT-1 = 68). However, the type proved to be very versatile and many more VF-1s were built from spares, and ongoing modernization programs like the “Plus” MLU update incorporated stronger engines and avionics from the VF-1’s successor, the VF-4 (including the more powerful radar, IRST sensor and a laser designator/range finder). These updates later led to the VF-1N, P and X variants, which, among modernized avionics and an improved cockpit layout, featured modified wings.

 

However, the fighter remained active in many second line units and continued to show its worthiness years later, e. g. through Milia Jenius who would use her old VF-1 fighter in defense of the colonization fleet - 35 years after the type's service introduction!

  

General characteristics:

Equipment Type: all-environment variable fighter and tactical combat battroid

Government: U.N. Spacy, U.N. Navy, U.N. Space Air Force

Accommodation: pilot only in Marty & Beck Mk-7 zero/zero ejection seat

Dimensions:

Fighter Mode:

- Length 14.23 meters

- Wingspan 14.78 meters (fully extended)

- Height 3.84 meters

Battroid Mode:

- Height 12.68 meters

- Width 7.3 meters

- Length 4.0 meters

Empty weight: 13.25 metric tons

Standard T-O mass: 18.5 metric tons

MTOW: 37.0 metric tons

 

Powerplant:

2x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry/P&W/Roice FF-2008 thermonuclear reaction turbine engines,

output 650 MW each, rated at 11,500 kg in standard or in overboost (225.63 kN x 2)

4x Shinnakasu Heavy Industry NBS-1 high-thrust vernier thrusters (1 x counter reverse

vernier thruster nozzle mounted on the side of each leg nacelle/air intake,

1x wing thruster roll control system on each wingtip)

18x P&W LHP04 low-thrust vernier thrusters beneath multipurpose hook/handles

 

Performance:

Battroid Mode: maximum walking speed 160 km/h

Fighter Mode: at 10,000 m Mach 2.71; at 30,000+ m Mach 3.87

g limit: in space +7

Thrust-to-weight ratio: empty 3.47; standard T-O 2.49; maximum T-O 1.24

 

Design features:

3-mode variable transformation; variable geometry wing; vertical take-off and landing; control-configurable vehicle; single-axis thrust vectoring; three "magic hand" manipulators for maintenance use; retractable canopy shield for Battroid mode and atmospheric reentry; option of GBP-1S system, atmospheric-escape booster, or FAST Pack system

 

Transformation:

Standard time from Fighter to Battroid (automated): under 5 sec.

Minimum time from Fighter to Battroid (manual): 0.9 sec.

 

Armament:

1x internal Mauler RÖV-20 anti-aircraft laser cannon, firing 6,000 pulses per minute

1x Howard GU-11 55 mm three-barrel Gatling gun pod with 200 rds fired at 1,200 rds/min

4x underwing hard points for a wide variety of ordnance, including

- 12x AMM-1 hybrid guided multipurpose missiles (3/point), or

- 12x MK-82 LDGB conventional bombs (3/point), or

- 6x RMS-1 large anti-ship reaction missiles (2/outboard point, 1/inboard point), or

- 4x UUM-7 micro-missile pods (1/point), each carrying 15x Bifors HMM-01 micro-missiles,

or a combination of above load-outs

 

Optional Armament:

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry GBP-1S ground-combat protector weapon system, or

Shinnakasu Heavy Industry FAST Pack augmentative space weapon system

 

The kit and its assembly:

Another submission to the 2017 "Science Fiction" Group Build at whatifmodelers.com, and once more the eventual realization of a long- plan: a VF-1 in a dazzle scheme! To my surprise, I have never seen this, neither in the canonical sources (except for a VF-5000 with an all-grey splinter scheme, similar to the experimental US Keith Ferris schemes), nor on a model? Well, time to try this stunt ...again; I had actually built a VF-1D as a non-transformable supersonic trainer many years ago, and applied a livery inspired by the Keith Ferris schemes, but with very soft blue-grey tones, so that the disruptive effect of the underlying splinter would hardly "work". So, this is a second approach to the theme, and a more visually-oriented one.

 

This vintage ARII VF-1J fighter kit was built OOB, with the landing gear tucked up. This kit showed its age, though, the moulds seem to be well worn because the sprues showed considerable flash and other soft spots.

Anyway, the model received my usual additions of some blade antennae, a pilot figure and a custom display stand in/under the ventral cannon pod. The ordnance is standard, too, the full load of a dozen AAM-1 missiles is OOB. The only true additions are a small, scratched fairing for an IRST sensor under the nose, seen in a source book profile of an U.N.S.A.F. VF-1, and RHAWS antennae at the top of the fins.

  

Painting and markings:

This was the bigger part of the work, and a creative one, too. I did not simply want to copy an existing scheme, e .g. the Keith Ferris schemes that had been tested on some US aircraft.

 

The scheme was to be disruptive, confusing and also decorative - true camouflage was rather a secondary requirement, but welcome. Creating such a scheme from scratch is not as easy as it sounds, because you have to avoid collisions of the same color, the overall look needs some balance, and the scheme and its single shard shapes were to somewhat correspond with the Valkyrie’s outlines, too.

Since I did not dare to improvise this directly on the kit, and because I wanted to use more than three tones for the paint scheme, I actually created a VF-1 4-side view on a sheet of paper and started painting it out with colored pencils!

 

This was actually very helpful and I ended up with a four-tone scheme, rooted in pure black and white and somewhat inspired by pre-WWII dazzle schemes for ships.

Consequently the tones are black (I used a tone called Tar Black, Revell 6, which is actually a very dark grey), a dark/medium grey (Humbrol 27), light grey (Humbrol 64) and white (again, not the pure tone, but rather a very light grey, mixed from 95% Humbrol 130 and 5% Humbrol 64).

 

The pattern consists of large color sections, geometrical shapes, wedges and a few stripes at some intersections. It (unintentionally) reminds of certain late Su-27 schemes in Russian services, as well as US aggressors that carry similar outfits, e. g. some F-18s of USN’s VFC-12. But these are rather geometrical shapes added to a camouflage/grey background, and not as integral as my design.

 

The scheme was applied mostly free-handedly with brushes and a mix of enamels and acrylic paint. From certain angles it actually breaks up the VF-1's outlines well, esp. its silhouette, and at a quick glance it is actually hard to tell the Valkyrie’s orientation or direction of flight. In order to add some more onlooker confusion, I also added a fake cockpit with a white pilot helmet (cut from decal sheet) on top of the fuselage.

 

All other markings are rather minimal and subdued. Lacking different contrasting color options, I used yellow decals for the “U.N. Spacy” tags on the legs and the upper starboard wing. The “kite” insignia in grey and white were printed at home, while the tactical code comes from a Tamiya 1:100 Thunderchief. The chequered stripe on top of the fin is a generic decal, and blank, beige decal sheet was used for the wings’ and fins’ leading edges.

The rest came mostly from various OOB VF-1 sheets.

 

The ordnance was painted authentically, too. The AMM-1’s became all-white with black and red trim, the gun pod was painted Dark Sea Grey (Humbrol 123), blending into the overall color palette of this dazzle VF-1.

 

Except for a black ink wash, emphasizing the engraved panel lines, not much other weathering was done. Finally, the kit was sealed with matt acrylic varnish.

  

An… interesting result, and I am surprised how much the dazzle scheme changes the overall look of the VF-1, despite no fundamental changes to the airframe as such. Building was relatively simple, but the kit is not complex – just pretty old. Anyway, this updated aggressor bird makes a nice addition to the VF-1 collection, a worthwhile effort. A true eye catcher, I’d say.