NATO's Scientific & Technology Organisation (STO) had their top secret advanced developments team known as X-Projects Unit located at Evie Air Base. Some had compared the Unit to Lockheed's renowned Skunk Works. Following the successful Evie Air Show, X-Projects Unit were keen to showcase their capabilities using newly acquired advanced aviation technologies still under examination in their covert 'Black Box' Hanger on the base
The STOs Chief Executive set X-Projects a challenge. The challenge was to take a well known science fiction aircraft and turn it into a full sized workable science fact creation. The science fiction concept was to be proven to work demonstrating potential military capabilities using conceptual designs and pioneering avionics to redefine battlefield flight for the future.
To make things interesting a national competition was held and a shortlist of 3 emerged:
- Battlestar Gallactica's Colonial Viper Mk II & Mk VII
- International Rescue's Thunderbirds 1 & 2
- Star Wars T65 X-Wing Starfighter
A decision was to be made on the successful entry in the next few weeks. The X-Project Unit's scientists invited colleagues from NASA to work in collaboration with them on this.
Meanwhile ahead of the decision an STO site inspection team arrived at Evie to inspect the construction site.
A week later a perimeter fence was erected around the site and the Project Architect was soon reviewing plans and visualising
At the main gate security redirect the driver to the site entrance. Once again SUPERMODELNATION PLC were called upon by NATO to provide the sponsorship funds for this project...and now with funds to support it, things start to get interesting..