I have the 1.72 plastic kit version of it. Never got round to build it and its languishing in the box with all my other kits - including a 1.72 B52 that I really must get round to building, although God knows where I'll put it when its built
Benjamin, this might have been a cheaper option for you
http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/9570
I like the back story that you've given it, but if you're sticking to Canon (and the Irish Army/Airforce have them in service) the civil war here might be over a bit quicker
Although it might give me the option of pinching one....