So probably like a few others out there, the new SkyStriker is a dream for those of us that missed it in 1983 and wanted it ever since, but didn’t want to pay $100+ for the 1983 version off ebay.

Of course, growing up watching Top Gun over and over again (couldn’t they have re-released it after the movie?! – I think I was just getting into joes in ’83 but would have been all over the skystriker in ’86 after Top Gun came out), a playable F-14 without two seats is nearly unthinkable! The other mod I had to do was to separate the wing pivot from the landing gear – a huge thanks to the member here that posted a detailed step-by-step for that mod!!!

So below are some pics showing my new SkyStriker two-seater. The first step is remove all the screws from the underside (especially towards the front), so that the cockpit is loose enough to separate from the fuselage. Also remove all the screws from the cockpit, which will then nicely separate into two halves. Removing the existing seat should be easy at that point.

The next important step is to cut/saw down the big square post that extends from the fuselage into the cockpit area. Don’t cut it down too far or it might interfere with the landing gear mechanism. It should still be long enough to extend part way into the cockpit, but short enough to make some extra room. You’ll see in the pic below a blue square – that’s the end result of me cutting down the post, and then wrapping it in blue painter’s tape to help it fit snugly back into the cockpit. As an aside – I left the blue tape as-is on the finished product because it gives the sense of the blue parachute tucked behind the seat in the original ’83 version.



You can also see in the image above that I cut down a little of the square area where the fuselage post previously connected (white-ish line on the floor towards the back).

Because I sawed off the original means of connecting the cockpit and fuselage, I added a screw underneath that extends through the cockpit floor and up into the remaining part of the square post. I also added a screw at the very back of the cockpit, where it meets the fuselage (parallel to the cockpit floor extending straight back – not visible in the first pic but it is just above the blue square.)



Now comes the part where you get to improvise. The original seat is just too large for the two-seater. I liked it though, and don’t have much of a toy-junkyard for acquiring alternate parts. So I separated the control console into it two parts (there actually is just a screw holding them together), leaving the upper part of the console for the pilot, and then cutting down the bottom part to use for the co-pilot (or RIO in Navy parlance).

I also kept the original seat bottom, because I liked the dual-sticks (and again, I don’t have much in the way of other parts!). I initially tried some extra Tomahawk seats, but in the end felt they were too short with no headrest. So I made simple seats using cardboard coated in black electrical tape.

What are other thoughts for crafting new seats? I think I have an old Dragonfly that might also work for seats. Or maybe a cheap plane out there I could buy just for the cockpit/seats?

Here’s my end result –as you can see I’m very much an amateur customizer!-





From there, my seats just slide into the cockpit, but I haven’t permanently affixed them yet: A) because I’m thinking I might come up with a better solution for seats and B) not securing the seats to the cockpit gives things a little wiggle to aid in getting figs in and out, but remains snug enough “in flight” to not cause problems.





Now for the final step! Pick your pilots! I’ve got two VvV Ace bodies with different heads that are my standard. But you’ll see in pic 3 below that 30th Ann. Ace actually still fits!!! That actually kinda irks me since Hasbro’s reasoning on why they had to go to a 1-seater isn’t totally correct Granted, he’s really squeezed in there.







But you’ll notice that the smaller VvV Ace bodies aren’t crammed badly, and have plenty of room. I think even two slimmer 25th Ann. molds could fit nicely, but I haven’t tried yet.

One final mod that hopefully none of you will need to make: I added a small vertical wing behind the gear button. My gear don’t lock in the up position, so this a simple cardboard-n-tape spacer to prevent the button from coming backwards and opening the gear mid-flight Other solutions?



Thoughts/feedback/critique welcomed. Hopefully this gives some hope to those of you still longing for Top Gun-esque banter inside your new SkyStriker

Feeling the need... The NEED for SPEED!!!

there, the required Top Gun quote taken care of. On to your custom, your work on the seats is top-notch! Keep that up and you'll lose your amateur status. The mods look really good. Well done

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ambitious & perfectly executed! well done!

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The seats look pretty good. You need to add the ejection pull handle to the pilot's seat though.

http://www.hyperscale.com/features/2001 ... CP2-01.jpg

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Sweet!

Nice to know that's how the seats were getting added...thought I'd seen one with modified old skystriker cockpit or dragonfly cockpit used?

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I know - that poor pilot has to hope the backseater doesn't lose consciousness when it's time to punch out! I only had the one which I re-used; I suppose scratch-building a second wouldn't be too hard - maybe loops of wire painted yellow?

You can fab seats using sheet styrene or basswood. Pretty easy to do, just cut to shape and use sandpaper or files to knock the corners off, then paint appropriately and add any detail like ejector handles.

The mods look really clean and well thought-out. Thanks for sharing this project with us. Great work!

That's pretty sweet man. Bookmarking for if/when I ever get mine out of the box, along with the thread with adding LEDs for the engines.

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Thanks everyone for all the feedback! "Well thought-out" is funny because I improvised as each new problem presented itself, but it's nice to know the end result gives that impression Hopefully it saves some others the same trial and error process.

Where does one get sheet styrene? Order online?

My local Ace has basswood, but I don't have much in the way of woodcutting tools - basically just a hacksaw and dremel. Maybe that's enough? Or maybe a thin strip could even be cut with heavy scissors? I haven't worked with it much.

All you need to cut basswood is a straightedge and an X-acto knife. Assuming you're using 1/16" to 1/4" thick material. Above that you might want to use something more substantial.

You could even use the seats you currently have to make the parts for new seats. Just trace and cut. Sand cushions to shape, then glue together. Easy peasy. If you want to put a texture on the cushions, wrap athletic tape across the exposed surface and notch at the corners, then wrap around sides. Instant fabric cushions with a fraction of the grief of stamping a texture in clay.

As for sheet styrene, you can order it online through a number of retailers, or you could just go to a Hobbyland USA or comparable hobby shop in your area. It's available in a number of thicknesses and patterns.