This is more a "paper airplane" than a "what if" build. The first design studies of what was to become the U-2 were based on a modified F-104 fuselage mated to a set of long, glider-like wings. As the design matured, the resemblance to the F-104 faded until the definitive U-2 emerged.

The model was kitbashed from the ancient 1/48 Testors F-104 (which was about all that monstrosity is good for) and the equally ancient Testors U-2. I used a spare U-2R back seat cockpit to fill the gaping void which was the F-104 cockpit. I needed quite a lot of miliput to fair the U-2 wings into the F-104 fuselage and even more to create the belly skid (the original design dispensed with landing gear, using a dolly to take off and landing on the skid). I chose to portray it as though it was an operational CIA U-2 in overall black without any distinguishing markings. The aircraft sits on its ground handling trolley awaiting its next flight.



The model was built around 2004. I apologise for the dust.

Interesting. Good job on the wings.