http://gizmodo.com/5074207/guy-builds-f+35-fighter-jet-on-his-own
I think this guy is Dutch, but no matter what, its a heck of a find.
When I was active in CAP I was on the lookout for a non-flyable C-150 or similar sized aircraft that could be modified with removable wings for use as a towable parade implement, an "attract" item out in front of your unit's next open house, an aerospace "demonstrator," and as a mobile SAR target.
For the parade purpose, you'd have to have a seriously pre-surveyed parade route, and wing walkers, but imagine an old 150 painted in CAP colors, on a towbar behind a CAP van (or towed by a four-wheeler), with a lazy-turning prop (electric motor), with strobes and rotating beacons, and two cadets inside waving to the crowd. Talk about generating "interest." (The idea came from a parade where my color guard was marching behind the CG Aux Flotilla's towed boat. A mommy on the side of the parade route said "Look, honey, the Coast Guard Auxiliary!" since it was painted on the side of the boat in fairly prominent letters. Then she said "Look, Army men!" at my color guard. Grrrrr..)
On an open house night, have it sitting next to the road in front of your local VFW post squadron meeting location, strobes going, with a banner velcro'd to each wing leading edge "OPEN" and "HOUSE" and 2 cadets waving people in. If you don't cause a traffic accident, you might get some people to look closer at CAP. Or maybe you can arrange with the local mall to put it inside for a couple days a week prior to your open house.
Want to show cadets "Semi-monocoque" construction? Ribs & spars? Bellcranks? Nothing like having the real deal, or at least part of it, right there at your unit. Roll that puppy into the drill hall at the armory your unit meets at and you're in business.
Upcoming SAREX? Find a great "crashsite," roll her off the trailer, remove the specially engineered removable nose gear, tilt her down on the specially reinforced nose (extra structure under the cowling for this, attached to the engine mounts), lay the wings next to it, and lets hope the aircrew is paying attention.
But heck, a "mini F-35?" You'd have your local USAF recruiter beating down your door for opportunities to use it.
My squadron had something similar for a little while: http://www.concordcap.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=49 (sorry for the busted links... Not my website anymore..<GRIN>)
Quote from: NIN on February 20, 2010, 03:32:40 PMA mommy on the side of the parade route said "Look, honey, the Coast Guard Auxiliary!" since it was painted on the side of the boat in fairly prominent letters. Then she said "Look, Army men!" at my color guard. Grrrrr..)
OWNED! >:D
Quote from: MIKE on February 20, 2010, 04:18:02 PM
Quote from: NIN on February 20, 2010, 03:32:40 PMA mommy on the side of the parade route said "Look, honey, the Coast Guard Auxiliary!" since it was painted on the side of the boat in fairly prominent letters. Then she said "Look, Army men!" at my color guard. Grrrrr..)
OWNED! >:D
What gets me is when people are right in front of you. Can read your tapes and still get it wrong.
One parade several years ago, before I returned to CAP, I was watching my unit's color guard present the colors. Later in the parade, I saw this:
(http://www.wolveshollow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Shriner-1.jpg)
(http://www.wolveshollow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Shriner-2.jpg)
It's a Shriner's display plane with a lazy prop, built on some type of cart platform. It reminds me of the Dodo plane in Grand Theft Auto III. I always thought it'd be a cool thing for us to have. I saw several e-mails circulating through INWG a while back about some type of parade plane being built by the cadets, but I haven't heard any recent news about it.
I'd love to have one of these.
*goes to buy lottery ticket* >:D
A couple of years ago we built something similar for a night parade. Basically converted the bed of a truck into a runway, complete with runway lights and a rotating beacon, and put our squadron's R/C plane on the runway. If I remember correctly, one of our enterprising cadets slapped a CAP paintjob on the little plane. We ran the truck behind our the color guard and a small group of cadets.
It was really cool, but other than that, I'm not sure how much value we got out of it recruiting-wise. But definite cool points. Really wish I had a picture to post...
Bowie Composite Squadron in MD has one that they haul around:
http://www.bowiecap.org/BestofShow.php (http://www.bowiecap.org/BestofShow.php)
I so wish my group had one of those........I could justify wearing the flight helmet :D
I'm assuming that the "jet" is self propelled. A jet's nice and all, but I think the prop plane would be more in line with our current aircraft.
But I'm also a little jealous. I want either one to play with...I mean ride in to promote CAP. :D >:D