I have a BT-80 Renegade going together this month.
I've been kicking this idea around for a while.
I had all the parts but wasn't sure what to do with them.
Other candidates for this build were the Blue Bird Zero and the Sky Raider.

As an upscale, the BBZ is a pretty common choice and anyway I just finished refurbishing my old one.
I think the Sky Raider looks great as a BT-55 model but not sure it would translate at 5ft. tall.
The Renegade won. I have a history with this model and it's always been one of my favorites.

It's a straight forward build. Nothing fancy, just heavy tubes and plywood fins.
My concern was the nose cone. Too often the wrong profile can ruin the upscale.
I had an ogive cone but it was pointed. I scaled my original cone and came up with a solution.
A plug made from basswood discs epoxied to the top and cut down to the correct shape.

Hopefully I can get it into paint after the new year.
I'd like to fly it on those new Enerjet F-52 classic engines or maybe an F-67.

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An upscaled Sky Raider would look great.
I have an original kit that I'm going to open and build soon.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

The Renegade is now ready for paint.
I finished up the construction last week.
A few parts had to be fabbed for completion.
Launch lugs were made from kraft paper and attached with fabric reinforcement.
Shock cord retention is my usual steel cable system.
I put three coats of sealer on the fins and will start applying primer in a day or two.

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Here are some finished paint photos in the post-eclipse afternoon sun.
Two coats of primer were followed by three coats of color, sanded between applications.
I chose to paint the white stripes on the fins. It was easier than using vinyl.

It took a while to get the paint to cure properly in this four-season weather.
Decal fab is next on the list. Looking forward to cutting out eighteen stars for the fins.
While editing the photos for size, I noticed the camera had assigned file no. 1271 to the portrait.
Coincidently, that's also the kit number. Weird. Or maybe just good karma.

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...Lovely!

We need a "like" button

Bob

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illegitimi non carborundum

NAR# 54643 L-1

SAM# 043

AMA# 157091

VRCS# 154

A&P# 42x xx xxxx.

Excellent looking Renegade.
Agree we need a 'Like' button, but ONLY if we can get a "DISlike" button with it.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !