Bristol Bergen I

[Acree]

This is my second Floaty GB project, and much more complex than the Pelican, so it may take till the end of the GB. 

In 1936, government officials in Norway were beginning to become concerned over rising tensions within Europe, and set in place an armament build-up scheme which included new aircraft for both the Army and Navy.  Naval air leaders were well aware that a new torpedo bomber and patrol aircraft was needed to replace the Douglas DT-2 and Hover MF-11 biplanes that then constituted the striking power of the Naval Air Arm.  Having studied several designs, and weighing capability, cost, and availability, they eventually contracted with Bristols to purchase a manufacturing license for a naval floatplane variant of the then-new Blenheim bomber.  The new development was renamed the Bristol Bergen and included twin floats and other naval equipment, and the ability to carry one Mk XI aerial torpedo, or 1200 pounds of bombs. 

Bergen1 by cacree, on Flickr

Bergen2 by cacree, on Flickr

[kitnut617]

some inspiration for you, I started one some time ago before I had a house move, it's still packed away somewhere

[Acree]

thanks Kitnut.  I had all these photos, but the drawing will be very helpful.  Mine is, of course, based on a Mk I, and the floats are not Edo's, but I do want to emulate the strut layout from the Bolingbroke floatplane. 

FYI, my floats are from a Ju 52/3m See, but will portray Norwegian-designed original floats

[kitnut617]

here's the other part of the drawing for you, I got these from John Adams of Aeroclub

[apophenia]

Great concept. Watching with interest  :)

[Acree]

Making some slow progress here.  The closing up of the main undercarriage openings is complete (at least until primer shows me otherwise)...
Bergen3 by cacree, on Flickr

I'm having serious difficulty with the nose glazing.  Having read reviews and seen completed builds with beautiful noses, I was VERY disappointed to find one of the nose transparencies badly warped...
Bergen warp by cacree, on Flickr
Since this photo was taken I have soaked the offending part in boiling water and bent it into a shape that will fit the port fuselage portion, but when I try to put the two sub-assemblies together, the fit is terrible.  I'm still working out how to fix it.  Any suggestions would be welcome...

[kitnut617]

Contact Airfix maybe --- 

[Acree]

Well, I snapped it!

I have sent an e-mail to Hornby USA, but there is a big notice on their website: "If your enquiry is regarding parts and spares – please note we do not currently hold stock of any Airfix spare parts."  So, I'm not especially hopeful.  In the meantime, I have ordered a new Blenheim I, and if I get a spare part, I'll use it to replace the one I raid from the new kit.   If not, I'll figure out a more radical WHIF for the new kit that involves a new nose (trimotor Blenheim, maybe?).

[tankmodeler]

Got any friends with vacuforms? They could make you one lickety split.

[tankmodeler]

You could also change the concept to a solid nose from glazed. Put several 20mm canon in there and go with a pilot released torpedo. Not unlike an avenger or Devastator.

[Acree]

That would work if it was based on a Mk IV nose, but this is a Mk. I, so the nose is the pilot's windscreen.  I do have a new kit on the way, though, so, problem solved, at least until I start sussing out what to do with the new kit with a bad nose!  I have a sneaky little idea rattling around in my head for that, related to the upcoming retro-futuristic build (hint - laser-equipped Blenheim, anyone?). 

[apophenia]

Well, I snapped it! ... I'll figure out a more radical WHIF for the new kit that involves a new nose (trimotor Blenheim, maybe?).

Ouch    Does anyone know if the Falcon vacuform canopy for the old Frog Mk.I (Clear-Vax set 8 ) would fit the new Airfix kit?

I do like your trimotor Blenheim concept, though 

[kitnut617]

ok one of the Falcon canopy sets has a Mk.1 canopy. I'm fairly sure they have it seperate too,

[Acree]

thanks, Kitnut!  I'll check into that.  Even if I had to modify the kit significantly, I am willing to do that for a future build, so well worth the try. 

[kitnut617]

Falcon set #8, RAF bombers part #1

[apophenia]

Falcon set #8, RAF bombers part #1

Thanks for that kitnut ... if I'd proofed my post, I'd have noticed my 8 + ) code glitch 

[kitnut617]

Falcon set #8, RAF bombers part #1

Thanks for that kitnut ... if I'd proofed my post, I'd have noticed my 8 + ) code glitch 

No worries, I had missed what you had posted too  -----

Mind you, that Airfix Mk.1 looks quite tasty ---- might have to pick one (or two) up if I see them at the LMS. I've got the Modelcraft ex-Frog Mk.1 kit which actually has two complete kits in the box (which is why I know there's a vacuform canopy for it, the ones on the box are not very good)

[apophenia]

There seems to have been a lot of re-issues/re-brandings of that ex-Frog Mk.1 (an excellent kit for its day).

No doubt someone has plans for a vacuform canopy for the new Airfix kit(s). Of course, that doesn't help Acree in the short-term ... go trimotor Blenheim  :)

[Claymore]

How's about doing something like this with the second canopy-less Mk I model, with a Hurricane or Spitfire on top?

[Acree]

VERY interesting idea!!  Thanks!

[Claymore]

VERY interesting idea!!  Thanks!

You are most welcome.  Really looking forward to seeing the Bergen come to life.

[Acree]

The Bergen is back on track!  My newly ordered Blenheim IF kit arrived yesterday and I lost no time checking and assembling the nose parts. I'm quite happy with the look, though there is a very slight ridge to the nose where there is a very minor mismatch in pieces.  But I think it will be easily remedied during final finish and paint. 
Bergen 5 by cacree, on Flickr
Bergen 5 by cacree, on Flickr
Bergen 5 by cacree, on Flickr

[tankmodeler]

If it's not already glued into place, you could mount the two halves of the windscreen so as to eliminate the step (which it likely to be a b!tch to get rid of otherwise) and then use some .005" - .010" strip to fill the small gap at the back of the cockpit.

Paul

[tankmodeler]

BTW, are you thinking of using a pair of narrow struts and bracing wires as with the actual floatplane version or a mono-strut float with no wires? The latter will be a lot cleaner aerodynamically.

Also, you could semi-recess the torpedo in the underside. That would produce a really slick looking and purpose-built torpedo bomber.

If you had a spare Defiant turret laying about, that wold really make it look like a purpose-built variant. 

Paul

[Acree]

BTW, are you thinking of using a pair of narrow struts and bracing wires as with the actual floatplane version or a mono-strut float with no wires? The latter will be a lot cleaner aerodynamically.

Also, you could semi-recess the torpedo in the underside. That would produce a really slick looking and purpose-built torpedo bomber.

If you had a spare Defiant turret laying about, that wold really make it look like a purpose-built variant. 

Paul

I plan on a float mounting very similar to the Bolingbroke's (though not exactly the same).  I will externally mount the torpedo, thus preserving the bombay for use with regular gravity bombs. 

Although I like some of your ideas, I am not creating an "improved" Blenheim, merely a straight adaptation to Norwegian torpedo bomber needs. 
That being said, I am enjoying this kit so much (despite the warped canopy) that I am considering all sorts of mods (e.g., French license built version with French engines... maybe even inlines).  And I am definitely doing the "Mistel" equivalent Claymore suggested.  If it fits the rules, I'll do that for the drone/UAV GB. 

Thanks for the suggestions - I really appreciate them, even if I don't use them right at the time.