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Air Campaigns
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Aeroscale Campaign Ideas
md72
#439
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 - 09:21 AM UTC
Too much time on my hands, too many projects, whatever, here’s a few campaign ideas I had while taking a look at my stash and wondering what to do next. I just jotted these down into one post, if any of them really spark an interest, I can start a new thread and hash out the details to get a real campaign proposal out there for discussion. Yes, I know, this is heavily slanted towards US aircraft, but that’s the area I know the best.
Operation ID
Scale model airplanes trace part of their ancestry back to the Scale ID models used to train WWII pilots, gunners and observers to identify aircraft. Hopefully, they would learn not to fire on friendly aircraft and shoot down enemy planes. The basic premise is to build a plane with no underwing stores or national insignia, it needs to have a propeller hub or spinner, but propeller blades are optional. It should be built in the wheels up to resemble a flying aircraft. The canopy will be painted over, so there’s no need to detail the office. So, your end product is just the basic airframe, painted black. Here’s a chance to turn that glue bomb, putty magnet disaster in a box into a finished product.
Also Rans
Many aircraft development programs result in a competition between 2 or more vendors to see who has the better solution. Sometimes the loser is almost as exciting as the winner. During WWII it wasn’t uncommon for the military to order both contestants, only to have one outperform the other in actual operations. Frequently, eager molding companies tool up the entrants, hoping to be ahead of the market. But the type fell by the wayside. Let’s look at those also rans; YF-17, F-20, YF-23, X-32, YA-9, YC-14, YC-15, XF-107, SB2U, XF8U-3, TSR, Avro Arrow. I sure I’ve missed dozens of foreign models. But the idea would be to build them as they competed, or even move to a WIFF and dress them up in operational colors. You could even include lost causes like the F2A Buffalo, SB2A Buccaneer, F3A Corsair, I’m sure everyone has a candidate here.
WIFFs
What If? Could really go two ways here, Production A/C in nontraditional garb, or prototypes in active duty markings. In the first case; things like B-58 in SEA camo, F-105 in Navy High Vis markings, P-47 in Luftwaffe markings, A6M Zero in Glossy sea blue with stars and bars. In the second case; XF5U in GSB, XF5F in early war tri color markings, TSR in desert camo, Avro Arrow in an RCAF lizard scheme, XFV-1 or XFY-1 in high vis markings. My favorite, F-111B in operational markings. I’m depending on everyone’s creativity here.
Brush Fires of the 60’s
We just finished Hot times in the 50’s, maybe move on to the 60’s with mostly small conflicts, or smaller players in larger conflicts. Soccer War (Honduras – El Salvador), I’m sure something happened in the Middle East, Vietnam (other than the US, China and USSR). Anything else? I guess you could even come up with follow ons for each decade, 70,8 0, 90, 00’s. Focus on smaller air forces.
X-planes
Pretty much anything with an X in the designation. Pure research craft like the X-1 to X60, Experiments; XFV-1, XFY-1, XF-107, XF2Y-1. First offs; XF-104, XB-70, XB-52, I’d also include the Douglas Sky Rocket. Anything else, especially from foreign shores?
Smile!
Reconnaissance aircraft, almost anything flying with a camera. Spitfire PR, SR-71, U-2, F-4 Lightning, F-6 Mustang, XF-11, F-15 Reporter. Probably plenty more that I haven’t thought of.
Lights. Camera. Action.
Airplanes from the Movies and TV. Preferably the actual craft, like Airwolf, or TC’s chopper, Sky King’s Cessna 310, Dusty Crophopper, Memphis Belle. There’s plenty more, but I’d try to limit to to actual on-screen planes, say a F4U from VMF-214 and not just any random F4U for “Black Sheep Squadron”, General Savage’s B-17 from “12 O’clock High” and not just a B-17.

Old Favorites that I’d like to try again:
Century Series
Terrible Teens
LowFiveJoe_2
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Virginia, United States
Joined: December 28, 2017
KitMaker: 47 posts
AeroScale: 43 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 08:06 AM UTC
Mark,

I've been thinking of building a MiG-21 as USAF Thunderbird for some time now, so the WIFF idea caught my eye. Kind of a parallel universe/multi-verse sort of thing.
Littorio
_VISITCOMMUNITY
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: September 15, 2004
KitMaker: 4,728 posts
AeroScale: 1,351 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 08:32 AM UTC
WIFF, my build rate is not good and my finishing campaigns is abysmal but I do have an XP-40Q that I've been longing to build in a late war natural metal finish. If this goes ahead I may just have to join.

Lights, camera, action, you missed Catch 22 of which I know a couple of decal sets are available for the B-25s.

Hmm.. just need to get some very large 'copters including another about to join them and a couple of cars off the bench.
md72
#439
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 01:15 PM UTC
Yes, I included Yosarian in a sentence then left him out in favor of General Savage.
RhinoSpit
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Bas-Rhin, France
Joined: September 22, 2016
KitMaker: 224 posts
AeroScale: 191 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 07:55 PM UTC
What about a Nose art, Shark teeth or a Pin-up campaign?
MichaelSatin
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
AEROSCALE
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 11:00 PM UTC
Liking these ideas everyone! Keep 'em coming and let's see what pans out.

Michael
phantom_phanatic309
#372
_VISITCOMMUNITY
United Kingdom
Joined: March 10, 2010
KitMaker: 2,568 posts
AeroScale: 1,619 posts
Posted: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 11:24 PM UTC
A nose art campaign would be interesting. Open it up to lots of different types and eras.
md72
#439
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 05:53 AM UTC
I also thought about "Manufacturers" campaigns. One group would be the actual builder, like the current Grumman campaign. And the other by molder, Like the Airfix, Frog and Matchbox campaigns. Both will be rule generating nightmares, does Monogram include Revell, what about Aurora, and where does Revell of Germany and Entex fit in?? Is it Douglas, McDonnell, McDonnell Douglas, or Boeing?
MichaelSatin
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
AEROSCALE
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 06:20 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I also thought about "Manufacturers" campaigns. One group would be the actual builder, like the current Grumman campaign. And the other by molder, Like the Airfix, Frog and Matchbox campaigns. Both will be rule generating nightmares, does Monogram include Revell, what about Aurora, and where does Revell of Germany and Entex fit in?? Is it Douglas, McDonnell, McDonnell Douglas, or Boeing?



This is one of my favorites. Given that we've had a recent Sukhoi campaign, MiGs are coming up in a month or so, and Grumman is going on now, I was going to go with the Brits and suggest a Sopwith/Hawkers campaign. How does that sound?

Michael
Bink123
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Quebec, Canada
Joined: June 23, 2008
KitMaker: 414 posts
AeroScale: 364 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 12:56 PM UTC
How about a "Swords into Ploughshares" campaign - military aircraft converted for civilian use. C-47's used as airliners, bombers used as transports, spitfires converted for racing etc. Real or imagined.
Jessie_C
_VISITCOMMUNITY
British Columbia, Canada
Joined: September 03, 2009
KitMaker: 6,965 posts
AeroScale: 6,247 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 03:20 PM UTC

Quoted Text

How about a "Swords into Ploughshares" campaign - military aircraft converted for civilian use. C-47's used as airliners, bombers used as transports, spitfires converted for racing etc. Real or imagined.



Since I routinely do that, this one's relevant to my interests

And in the WHIFF department...
md72
#439
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 03:35 PM UTC
LOL, one of the guys in the local IPMS built up an Aurora Pogo plane (XFV or XFY) and wrote a whole article about the Navy using them in Vietnam for close air Support along the Mekong River. it even included pictures of a plane making a strafing run. It was so good that the Tailhook Association published it the next month as totally legit. They had trouble believing him that it was all a hoax.
M4A1Sherman
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
AeroScale: 254 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 12:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

How about a "Swords into Ploughshares" campaign - military aircraft converted for civilian use. C-47's used as airliners, bombers used as transports, spitfires converted for racing etc. Real or imagined.



Since I routinely do that, this one's relevant to my interests

And in the WHIFF department...



Interesting! I've been thinking about doing "kind-of-a-bad-joke" 1/48 MONOGRAM C-47/DC-3 in a "Fuerza Aeria Republicca d' El Banana" fictional livery... Yes..? No..? Maybe..?
M4A1Sherman
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
AeroScale: 254 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 12:40 AM UTC
Hi, All!

How about a "PLUG UGLY" campaign..? Some of the ugliest machines that have ever taken wing..? Examples such as the 1950s "Pogo" VTOL Double-Prop monstrosity, Italo Balbo's Flying Boat, WW I German Gotha Bomber, German pre-war and WWII Ju.52 and Ju.87... You get the idea, right..?

What do you think, people..?
PasiAhopelto
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Uusimaa, Finland
Joined: October 01, 2016
KitMaker: 514 posts
AeroScale: 239 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 04:20 AM UTC

Quoted Text

How about a "PLUG UGLY" campaign..?



That would be perfect

I'd also join Smile, Brush Fires (any period) and the Lights. Camera. Action. X-planes would be interesting, but kit availability is quite limited.

How about "Black Ops"? Any airplane in "Air America", CIA service or other clandestine operations.
Bigrip74
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Texas, United States
Joined: February 22, 2008
KitMaker: 5,026 posts
AeroScale: 2,811 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 05:09 AM UTC
I like the Plug Ugly idea.

Bob
Lakota
#123
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New Mexico, United States
Joined: November 17, 2008
KitMaker: 1,202 posts
AeroScale: 292 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 12:20 PM UTC
Howdy Y'all
I have another idea for two campaigns:
V-E Day, any plane flying in 1945 in the European theaters, and
V-J Day, any plane flying in 1945 in the Pacific theater. Perhaps running until V-E and V-J day next year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of these events.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"
JClapp
#259
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: October 23, 2011
KitMaker: 2,265 posts
AeroScale: 1,715 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 12:25 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

How about a "Swords into Ploughshares" campaign - military aircraft converted for civilian use. C-47's used as airliners, bombers used as transports, spitfires converted for racing etc. Real or imagined.



Since I routinely do that, this one's relevant to my interests

And in the WHIFF department...



Bril! "Stratocaster"....
M4A1Sherman
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
AeroScale: 254 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 12:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Howdy Y'all
I have another idea for two campaigns:
V-E Day, any plane flying in 1945 in the European theaters, and
V-J Day, any plane flying in 1945 in the Pacific theater. Perhaps running until V-E and V-J day next year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of these events.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"



Ya know something? Maybe someone could even build a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" or two with the proscribed WHITE markings to represent the Japanese Military and Diplomatic Corps' official "surrender-party" just prior to V-J day..?

Not trying to be funny or to be an idiot, and I certainly don't mean to insult anyone...
Jessie_C
_VISITCOMMUNITY
British Columbia, Canada
Joined: September 03, 2009
KitMaker: 6,965 posts
AeroScale: 6,247 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 03:16 PM UTC
Another Whiff I'm entertaining, since I have a Roden kit lying about...


And as far as pug-ugly goes there's this one

Or this one
bomber14
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 02, 2015
KitMaker: 330 posts
AeroScale: 286 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 05, 2019 - 12:49 AM UTC
i'm liking the brushfires idea.
Bigrip74
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Texas, United States
Joined: February 22, 2008
KitMaker: 5,026 posts
AeroScale: 2,811 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 05, 2019 - 05:45 AM UTC
NAVY BOYS on those Postage Stamps:

1. any carrier aircraft.
2. any era.
3. all nations that had carrier aircraft.
southpier
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Alberta, Canada
Joined: December 11, 2009
KitMaker: 546 posts
AeroScale: 16 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 07, 2019 - 11:34 AM UTC
do helicopters weigh in?

narrow the choices to only a chosen few kits:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/news/32885

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/news/33257

or similar in year/ model era.
md72
#439
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
AeroScale: 3,192 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 07, 2019 - 12:44 PM UTC
Well, I did skip helicopters. In my defense, I started the thread during the Helicopter campaign. However, what about "Rescue Me", a campaign dedicated to first responders. It would feature rescue choppers, ambulances and fire engines.
MichaelSatin
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
AEROSCALE
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 3,909 posts
AeroScale: 2,904 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 08, 2019 - 03:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text

NAVY BOYS on those Postage Stamps:

1. any carrier aircraft.
2. any era.
3. all nations that had carrier aircraft.



I love Navy A/C. I would definitely be up for this!

Michael
 _GOTOTOP