BadCat's SkunkWorks

[Timbo]

Only if it comes with scale leaking hydraulics.

[chunks]

Oh yeah, what was the old crew chief standby? If the drip pan is dry, then the hydraulic lines are empty and we're all going to die. Something like that.

[darkjedi351]

how about a MH-53, MI-24 but a B-25,26 or a c-47 for the para guys would work too. Or a V-22!!!

[JohnLumley]

My guess:

Skunk Works = F22 Raptor

[mountian-man]

I support the earlier intuitions that it is an SR-71, that seems synonmous with Skunk works. It would also certianly be the biggest!

[chaffhappy]

Dang, with a tagline called "Skunkworks" I was going to throw in my vote for the SR-71 also (because a B-2 stealth bomber would likely throw the price well near $200).

And then the Raptor was thrown into the mix. I would definitely be hurtin' in the wallet for that.

[Sabrefan]

I am not to sure about an SR-71. That is one long airplane, and would be HUGE in 1:18th scale. Speaking of huge, I sure would like to see a 1:18th scale F-22 Raptor. I hope they drop us a few hints along the way before they announce what it is.

[Plane Nuts]

My guess:

Skunk Works = F22 Raptor

The F-22 came from the Martin side of the company (with Boeing). It was not a Skunk Works project, as it was always an open project air superiority for the replacement of the F-15. Same goes for the F-35, though it was started from Palmdale (with Northrop and BAE) but largely intended for the Convair/General Dynamics lineage from Fort Worth.

[Plane Nuts]

Dang, with a tagline called "Skunkworks" I was going to throw in my vote for the SR-71 also (because a B-2 stealth bomber would likely throw the price well near $200).

The B-2 was not built by Lockheed.

[kevrut]

I don't remember too many people asking to see a SR-71 in 1/18 before. I'd be surprised to see that. The F-22 wouldn't surprise me.

Would an F-14 be that much more tooling than the F/A-18? Aren't they close to the same size?

Would any of you pay that for an A-10? I would have to see a picture first before I could answer that.

I hope it's a WWII plane.

I can't sleep now.

[Timbo]

F/A-18C:
Crew: 1
Length: 56 ft 0 in (17.1 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 0 (12.3 m)
Height: 15 ft 4 in (4.7 m)
Wing area: 400 ft² (38 m²)
Empty weight: 24,700 lb (11,200 kg)
Loaded weight: 37,150 lb (16,850 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 51,550 lb (23,400 kg)

F-14
Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
Length: 61 ft 9 in (18.6 m)
Wingspan:
Spread: 64 ft (19 m)
Swept: 38 ft swept (11.4 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.8 m)
Wing area: 565 ft² (54.5 m²)
Empty weight: 42,000 lb (19,000 kg)
Loaded weight: 61,000 lb (28,000 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 72,900 lb (32,800 kg)

[chunks]

F/A-18C:
Crew: 1
Length: 56 ft 0 in (17.1 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 0 (12.3 m)
Height: 15 ft 4 in (4.7 m)
Wing area: 400 ft² (38 m²)
Empty weight: 24,700 lb (11,200 kg)
Loaded weight: 37,150 lb (16,850 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 51,550 lb (23,400 kg)

F-14
Crew: 2 (Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer)
Length: 61 ft 9 in (18.6 m)
Wingspan:
Spread: 64 ft (19 m)
Swept: 38 ft swept (11.4 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.8 m)
Wing area: 565 ft² (54.5 m²)
Empty weight: 42,000 lb (19,000 kg)
Loaded weight: 61,000 lb (28,000 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 72,900 lb (32,800 kg)

OK, I guess physically it's not that much bigger, just seems much more massive.

[75th Ranger]

Oh yeah, what was the old crew chief standby? If the drip pan is dry, then the hydraulic lines are empty and we're all going to die. Something like that.

Oh the good old times of being part ofthe Army...it brings back memories...riding the big school bus...CH-47......but it sure was better than humping the bush...hahahahaa!!!

I will ride anytime...especially if you talk about humping the mountains of the good land of the morning calm.....hahhhaha

HOOAH!

[Timbo]

Take a look at the empty weights Chunks. That about says it all.

[Plane Nuts]

Woohoo! This one's got me excited!!

Like a lot of you, I think it has to be something from the Skunk Works stable! Why else would Bad Cat be sooooo specific with terminology and even use the Skunk Works skunk!! I don't think it is just coincidental that the project was developed over several years in complete secrecy. Because some Skunk Works projects have been widely known, Skunk Works isn't necessarily limited to just secret--their specific tasking is developing the highly risky, big payoff advanced concepts quickly.

Shadow put together a great list of planes coming from Lockheed. (Though I am not convinced he didn't just make some of them up!! )

I don't think it would be the P-38 or F-104 because they are already done. The A-12 and HaveBlue are the lesser known early demonstrators for the SR-71 and F-117, so I think they would not be done because no one would know what they were and then call them the wrong thing if they were partially informed. I think the P-80 will be seen soon, but it is not big enough to fit Bad Cat's announcement.

"The largest, most detailed, and expensive 1:18 model ever produced"
That leaves the U-2, SR-71, or F-117

U-2: Would certainly be big, could be a champion of highly detailed especially for a later model with the external tanks. I do not think it would be much more expensive or more detailed overall from the F-16 or F-18 already done though.

SR-71: Would be the largest. Period. The detailing would be extraordinary because of the large surface areas, especially with the cooling corrugations that it had. I wonder though what specific additional parts would need detailing. It had conventional landing gear, it didn't have much in the way of control surfaces, and the cockpits are still relatively unknown. And what excitement would there be with fully decked out camera bays!!

F-117: The detailing on this one would be crazy. Replicating the saw teeth on all of the external parts and all of the various facets would make for a sweet model. Also, there is lots of potential for detail with the bomb bays, and if someone were to go really over the top, the inclusion of real drag chutes would be icing on the cake. So it could be made to be very expensive. But the problem is that it is just not that big. It's smaller than the F-16!! I think we will see this one soon, but not specifically as this one.

The answer can only be the SR-71. For crying out loud, the skunk was painted on the tail fins of a couple of them, if that's not proof enough!!

[Moth]

The SR-71 is 71.6 in L in 1/18... thats almost 6 feet!... not realistic, I think the skunk has nothing to do with the model.

[Plane Nuts]

Oh yeah... (Like I need to weigh in on this any more already!!!)

I don't think this is being done by Admiral. Believe it or not, I actually think this one will be BBI!! They have already done an exclusive paid for by Bad Cat, they are the only ones with modern aircraft experience, and they have worked with Lockheed before (I know 21st has as well, but they don't fit the first two points!).

On another matter, I think the F-14 would be more expensive than the current F-16 and F-18s, but I also think it would be much more--probably in the range of $200. There is no reason why the F-4 would be any bigger or more expensive than the F-16 or F-18.

[MiG29K]

dude, y'all are way off. come on now, it's the WRIGHT FLYER.

[Sentinel]

Of all that has been mentioned so far, an F-14 could very easily pry $140 away from me - and for quite a few re-paints too.

To my eye, very few aircraft ever had such superb lines that came together so near perfectly. Love that plane.

Whatever it is, my hat's off to Badcat for adding even more excitement (and class) to our corner of the world. Thanks!

[Jericoeagle1]

Years of complex engineering and tooling yields the largest, most detailed, and expensive 1:18 model ever produced . . . .

I don't think its going to be one of the obscure jets but a popular one like an F-14, F-4, or A-10 and I want to point out that when someone suggested the Skyraider to Jason once, he went out of his way to deny it. Years ago Jason also went out of his way to deny the A-10 as well. This is the ONLY other aircraft he has done this with. So I'm sticking with it as my choice.

[MIGMADMAVIS]

I would kill for a B-25!!!!!! Lets Hope

[panzerschiff]

I really don't think it will be a True Skunk Works Project, the skunk works here refers to
"Years of complex engineering and tooling yields the largest, most detailed, and expensive 1:18 model ever produced" all done in secret like a true "black project".
As for the Skunk Works Planes; The Blackbird and Dragon Lady would be Gigantic, in one dimension or another. As for the F-35 which variant? A, B or C? and would you invest that much into a aircraft that has not reached service? The F-117 is a little larger than the F-18 so it is a possibility, though it is not in my opinion a Must have.

I'm with Jericoeagle, $140 is going to be a hard sell outside die hard collectors (even with collectors yikes time to look into selling plasma ) unless it is a well known subject.

My guess is either an Eagle or Tomcat. Both are well known subjects. To me an Eagle would seem just a little easier to produce, but then a Tomcat would be gorgeous, especially in a Hi Vis. Sundowners or Jolly Rogers scheme

I must say that all of these announcements have certainly renewed my interest in the hobby as of late. I haven't been this excited for years. Hellcat, Dauntless and Skyraider, and now this, it almost like Walking into TRU and seeing S1 Mustangs and 109's on the shelf.

[Jericoeagle1]

I must say that all of these announcements have certainly renewed my interest in the hobby as of late. I haven't been this excited for years. Hellcat, Dauntless and Skyraider, and now this, it almost like Walking into TRU and seeing S1 Mustangs and 109's on the shelf.

I agree, lately I have been losing interest in my collection there just wasn't enough
variety to hold up my interest and I had no interest in repaints you can only have so much of one aircraft or another. I've not been this excited about the hobby in a long time.