PZL 230 F SKORPION the real life VF-4 predecessor?

[Model-Junkie]

It may be a bit of a stretch but the VF-4 looks remarkably similar to the PZL 230 F SKORPION. I thought the Macross Universe VF fighters were small but this thing was TINY!

Some more info can be found here and here Supposedly there is a resin kit of this subject in 1/72 and 1/48

[Kelsain]

Hmmmm, battroid mode looks better anyway...

[MechTech]

You gotta ask yourself, "was this Macross influenced?" Even Burt Raton's stuff looked different, (but similar in the scaled down appearance). - MT

[electric indigo]

I thought I'd seen this as the bad guy's jet in one of those horrible Iron Eagle flicks, but found out it was actually Rutan's Ares.

[PetarB]

Actually, the outrigger engine design of the VF-4 was influenced by a British proposed X-Plane design in 1960-70s from memory.

I would love to be able to find one sketch which - if you looked at it you'd be quite surprised at the similarity between the engines on the end of each wing's design and the VF-4. The fuselage looks nothing like the VF-4 but there's an uncanny resemblance in the engines. Must find the pic now...

[sketchley]

FYI: the VF-4 was based on the SR-71...

http://nomansland.site.nfoservers.com/MRG-Active-Archive/forums/index.php?topic=2385.msg35718#msg35718

Edited April 12, 2013 by sketchley

[PetarB]

Found it.

Although the general layout is reminiscent of the SR-71, the outrigger 'pods' of the engines and the relationship the wings for the VF-4 seem to be directly inspired by elements of the Bell D188A. It also shares some of the wing-structure as well.

See attached.

[Vifam7]

Anyone who has flipped throught this 1980's book will see where Kawamori might have gotten some ideas for his Valkyrie fighter jet designs.

http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Future-Fighters-Combat-Aircraft/dp/0668060654

Here's a BAe idea from 1978.

Edited April 12, 2013 by Vifam7

[electric indigo]

Ok now somebody build a tilt-engine VF-4!

[Kelsain]

That would give it better shoulder articulation.

(null)

[MechTech]

With reliable turbines, that would make a cool fighter Vifam. - MT