This design is inspired by an original Viper concept created by Brain Larsen. This design has been around from at least 2004. It has been popular ever since for digital modelers to put their own spin on it by adding color schemes and other details. Mr. Larsen’s original design;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other artist’s versions;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My goal is to create a 3D model design of the Larsen Viper concept using Fusion 360. I wanted to learn the program by creating this model and then get it printed as a model kit to assemble. I intend to finish and light the kit. I also intend to create a cockpit with two crew, one pilot and an Electronic Warfare Officer, ‘EWO’. 

My introduction to 3D modeling was a great, free program called ‘123Design’. It was very intuitive which made it easy to use. That program was not supported after a couple of years by the company that created it, Autodesk. I can only assume it was cancelled because it pulled customers away all of their other products, such as Fusion 360. I found out that there is a free version for personal/non-professional use only and started using the program. F360 is also intuitive and easy to start with, but there are many tools to learn that give great performance and versatility.

This is my rather less graceful version of Larsen’s viper design. I am calling this design the ‘Cobra’ and the ‘Wild Weasel’ version – ‘King Cobra’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do not know how many hours it took to finalize the model. I was learning as I was creating, so it was a lot of hours. It was easy to turn the various components into STL files with a couple of clicks. I chose Shapeways to produce the parts for several reasons, good customer feed back and they have US based manufacturing and save on shipping.

 

A couple of the STL files;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once I had all of the parts converted to printable files, I started with the main fuselage parts to get familiar with the print material and check for proper fit of the parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see how coarse the finish is with this material. This is after sanding with 320 grit. I chose their Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12. This is there least expensive material. The fit was just as I had designed it, and there was no distortion with the parts. Next was how to finish the surface to smooth.

I found that a coat of primer followed by Squadron putty and sanding filled the corse texture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was time to order all of the remaining parts. I tried a couple of different materials. White natural versatile plastic, for a less coarse finish and  Matte bronzed-silver Steel for the landing gear to actually be able to hold up the model. The white plastic was not that much smoother and the metal material was coarse as well. The metal is very strong, like bronze.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a quick test fit of the latest parts. There is no tape holding this together, just a precision fit and gravity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did a wing re-design to enable the landing gear to fit without needing it to fold. There was just enough room!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is the new printed wing. The main opening will be covered with three doors with a single panel mounted on the strut to cover the rest of the opening. Doors are shown in the open position.

I was able to find a couple of pilot figures on the Shapeways market place that will be perfect for the Cobra. This also means I can start creating seats and a cockpit interior. I did a test fit of the figures and they fit nicely. I needed to keep the pilot centered and the EWO behind. I adjusted the EWO figure to fit behind the pilot, created seats and located them in place. Turned out perfectly. The cockpit was designed to be a separate unit to allow me to detail & light it. ( if this were a real ship, the cockpit tub would serve a survival capsule after ejection )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to double check the location of everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything looks good. Time to work out all of the cockpit details. There is loads of room for control panels and instruments. I found some really nice photo etch on line from a company based in England called Airscale. They also offer a decal set that goes with each PE set. The etch is very crisp & clean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using a mix of contemporary and BSG cockpit designs, I carefully constructed around the pilots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to follow….