Author Topic: Apophenia's Offerings  (Read 905247 times)

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1700 on: December 17, 2017, 05:59:00 AM »
Excellent unmanned suggestions folks. But, before those concepts, back to the meat-puppet variants ... First, an overview of the SuperCat lineage.

A Summary of Eastern SuperCat Variants

FM-3 - Refined FM-2 Wildcat with all-around vision bubble canopy
 - XFM-3: Prototype conversion from 'ridge-backed' Eastern FM-2 airframe
 - FM-3 : 1,350 hp Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone, effectively 'bubbled' FM-2
 - FM-3A: 1,350 hp Wright R-1820-62, minor internal equipment changes
 - FM-3A: Mid-production switch to water injected 1,350 hp R-1820-72W
 - FM-3B: [Project] Water-injected R-1820-74W engine, redesignated FM-5

FM-4 - [Project] Planned variant with 1,500 hp P&W R-1860-20W Super Hornet*
 - XFM-4: Sole prototype (created from FM-2 Wildcat components), abandoned
 -- * Fan-cooled engine, 4-bladed Aeroproducts propeller with large spinner

FM-5 - Intended as improved, more powerful FM-3A Wildcat variants
 - FM-5 : [Project] 1,425 hp water-injected Wright R-1820-74W Cyclone radial
 -- FM-5 production abandoned when BuAer redirected '-74W engines to Ryan
 - FM-5A: Production version with minor differences from late-model FM-3As
 - FM-5A(FN): 'French Navy', postwar export designation, French radio fit
 - FM-5B: [Project] Lightweight FM-5A (small R/T, etc.), cancelled at VJ
 - FM-5C: [Project] Similar to FM-5B, wing-root life raft store, cancelled
 - FM-5D: [Project] FM-5A 2-seat trainer, aka FM-5DC, designation reassigned
 - FM-5D: [Project] Fan-cooled Wright R-1820-84W, spinner, cancelled at VJ
 - FM-5E: Postwar conversion to better-suite FM-5A for use by USN Reserves*
 -- * FM-E lightened/reduced armour to allow for electric gear retraction
 -- NB: Contrary to widespread reports, the 'E' in FM-5E wasn't for Export
 - FM-5F: [Project] Designation held for potential British-engined variant
 -- 'FM-5F': Unofficial French designation for the postwar export FM-5A(FN)
 - FM-5K: Post-war drone conversion of FM-3A/FM-5A, unmanned aerial targets
 - FM-5N: [Project] Radar-equipped night fighter derivative of FM-5A
 -- XFM-5N: 'NightCat' prototype (FM-3A conversion), non-folding wings
 - FM-5P: Photo-reconnaissance production-line conversion of FM-5A airframes
 - FM-5Z: 'Z' for Administrative, cover designation for postwar flying bombs
 -- FM-5Z-1: 1945 FM-3A conversion to unmanned decoy/flying bomb (500 lb HE)
 -- FM-5Z-2: 1946 pilot-optional FM-5A unmanned decoy/flying bomb conversion
 -- FM-5Z-3: [Project] Pilotless conversion variant, no details recorded
 -- FM-5Z-4: 1949 FM-5E conversion to unmanned decoy/flying bomb (1,000 lb HE)

FM-6 - The FM-6 series designation was applied to two, unrelated concepts
 - FM-6 : [Project] FM-3A derivative with 4 x 20 mm cannons, not ordered
 - XFM-6: 'Whale Shark' FM-3 conversion, GE TG-100 turboprop trials aircraft
 - NB: Proposed 'Turbine-Propeller Escort Fighter' received no designation

FM-7 -  Cover designation for flying-bomb conversions of F3F-4 and FM-1
 - FM-7: Also known by another cover designation, 'glide-bomb' LBM-1

FM-8 - Cover designation for flying-bomb conversions of FM-2 airframes
 - FM-8: Also known by another cover designation, 'glide-bomb' LBM-2

F2M - [Project] Higher-powered, 'bubble-topped' photo-recon development
 - XF2M : Prototype FM-2 conversion, 1 x P&W R-2000-1 twin-row, abandoned
 - F2M-1: Planned production version, 1,450 hp P&W R-2000-2, not ordered

F3M - Original USN designation for the 'bubble-topped' FM-2 derivative
 XF3M - Prototype conversion redesignated as XFM-3 before work completed

F4M - [Project] Eastern Aircraft production version of F8F-1 Bearcat
 - XF4M : Construction begun, work on XF6M halted shortly after VJ Day
 - F4M-1: Planned production version, as F8F-1 except for minor details

F5M - [Project] Rocket-powered fleet defence interceptor, not ordered
 - XF5M-1: 'KamiCat' anti-kamikaze prototype, flown only as a glider
 - F5M-1 : Not ordered, rocket engine unready, original concept flawed

F6M-1 - [Project] 'EscortCat', FM-5A replacement based on F4M Bearcat
 - F6M (I) : Original concept, lightened F4M airframe with R-1820-72W
 - F6M (II): Revised concept incorporating larger-area FM-5A wings
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1701 on: December 17, 2017, 06:02:24 AM »
My next backstory installment got too long (even by my usual, windy standards). So, I'm going plug in an overview here:

Export SuperCats

The first export SuperCats were lend-lease aircraft for the Royal Navy. The Fleet Air Arm had taken on FM-2s as their Wildcat Mk.VI. The FM-3A became the Wildcat Mk.VII and FM-5A the Wildcat Mk.VIIA but very few British 'bubble tops' had been received by VJ Day.

The difficulty in supplying Britain with SuperCats sprang mostly from Wright being unable to produce sufficient Cyclone engines at adequately high quality. To ease this supply problem, there was some discussion of providing the RN with engineless airframes which were to be fitted with British-made powerplants in the UK. [1] However, this scheme was abandoned with the end of the war in Europe (with B-17 production winding up, it was assumed that Wright would be able to meet Cyclone demand).

'E' is not for 'Export' - SuperCats for the Weekend Warriors

With the surrender of Japan, [2] the US Navy was suddenly awash with SuperCats. Production contracts for further FM-5As were quickly cancelled. While the future of US Navy CVEs was being decided, some FM-5As were reconditioned to provide realistic fighter-trainers for returning naval aviators joining the USN Reserves.

The revised FM-5E could not be outwardly distinguished from an FM-5A but there was one change much welcomed by pilots. The hated main undercarriage manual hand crank was replaced by an electric motor. Powered undercarriage retraction was finally possible due to other weight savings - mainly reduction of armour plating, miniaturization of equipment, and replacement of some steel components with aluminum substitutes. These changes would also be incorporated into postwar export SuperCats.

Eastern SuperCats Abroad

The FM-5E itself was exported to Uruguay where it served the Aviación Naval as a land-based fighter from 1948 to mid-1957. The Uruguayan Armada had hoped to procure a surplus CVE but this never happened. The Armada de Chile also expressed interest in the FM-5E to equip a surplus CVE. However, when Chilean efforts to purchase an escort carrier failed, the Armada de Chile lost its interest in SuperCats.

Another export SuperCat operator had succeeded in obtaining an escort carrier. France bought the ex-Royal Navy escort carrier HMS Biter in 1945. Renamed the Dixmude, this CVE soon became the Marine Nationale's aviation training carrier. At the beginning of 1947, refurbished ex-USN FM-5As arrived. Re-designated FM-5A(FN) by the BuAer, these Wildcats combined features of the FM-5E rebuild with French-specified components.

The MN's Aéronavale had established a small section for carrier-borne fighters within its Escadrille d'instruction de l' École navale (EIEN) using loaned RN Wildcat Mk.VIs. These were replaced by FM-5Fs which also embarked upon the Dixmude with the École d'aviation embarquée (EAE). This was meant to be a temporary arrangement - with the Dixmude eclipsed by a 'full-sized' carrier embarking F6F-5 Hellcat trainers in place of FM-5Fs. [3] When that planned was realized, the plan was for the Dixmude to become an auxiliary transport ship (including for aircraft meant for French Coloniale service).

Then, events intervened and the career of the Aéronavale SuperCats took an unexpected turn. But that is another story ...

_____________________

[1] The proposed powerplant was the Bristol Sagittarius, a single-row 9-cylinder radial derived from the twin-row Centaurus IX. Due to the urgency assigned to the Centaurus, Bristol was unable to dedicate sufficient resources to perfecting the Sagittarius. Bench-test examples of the Sagittarius I proved incapable of generating more than 1,260 hp at full boost.

[2] Allied planner had hoped that the successful occupation of Kyushu would make Operation Coronet unnecessary. However, with Japan fortifying Honshu against the inevitable invasion, it was decided to make demonstration of new US atomic power. On 11 April 1946, an atom bomb was dropped on Kochi, a port city on the island of Shikoku. Authorities in Tokyo discounted reports of the Kochi strike as hysteria or propaganda. On 20 April, the second atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on Honshu itself. The unconditional surrender of Japan followed on the 24 April 1946.

[3] The Marine Nationale's Aéronavale had the F6F-5 Hellcats of 11F in service aboard Arromanches (with the SB2C-5 Helldivers of 3F) and the F4U-7/AU-1 Corsairs of 14F aboard the Bois Belleau.
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1702 on: December 19, 2017, 07:54:30 AM »
French SuperCats - the Aéronavale takes its 'FM-5F' to War

French FM-5F SuperCats of the École d'aviation embarquée (EAE) served aboard the CVE Dixmude for practicing catapult launches and landing on of Aéronavale aircraft at sea. In Marine Nationale service, Dixmude acted both as a training carrier and as an auxiliary fleet supply ship. The 'Dix' left Marseilles for her third supply mission to Indochine in early November 1953. This time, instead of decktop cargo, the Dixmude embarked 10 Aéronavale SuperCats which would continuing pilot training during this cruise. [1]

By the time the Dixmude arrived in port at Hai-Phong, Armee de l'Air F8F-1 Bearcats of GC 2/22 'Languedoc' were forward-basing from Hai-Phong's Cat Bi airport to the airfield at Diên Biên Phu on the boundary between the Laos and Tonkin protectorates. with Aéronavale SuperCats now available in Indochine, it was agreed that the FM-5Fs would take over GC 2/22's role at Cat Bi. [2]

Bataille de Diên Biên Phu

The Viet Minh assaults on the Diên Biên Phu airstrip changed all of that. With the runways degraded by constant enemy mortar attacks, the Bearcats were sometimes prevented from taking off. The shorter take-off run of the SuperCat could ensure top cover for the French paras on the ground. Accordingly, GC 1/22 (which had been recuperating at Bach Mai airfield, Ha-Noi) transferred some of its Bearcats to Cat Bi while the EAE SuperCats were flown into the warzone of Diên Biên Phu.

Once at Diên Biên Phu, the SuperCat flight was redesignated la flottille de chasse 13F. For the most part, the FM-5Fs were flown with minimal fuel giving them spectacular take-off performance. No underwing racks had even been fitted to Aéronavale SuperCats so the 13F fighters were restricted to strafing attacks using their four 50-calibre wing guns. A field modification also converted a pair of the SuperCats to the 'photo-reco' role as 'RFM-5Fs' (with belly-mounted cameras using components taken from recce pods used by RF8Fs). [3]

The FM-5Fs performed surprisingly well in very tough conditions but, by the time Diên Biên Phu fell to the Viet Minh in May 1954, two SuperCats had been lost in the air and three more were destroyed on the ground. None of the surviving FM-5Fs remained airworthy when the airfield was over-run.

[Top] FM-5F/FM-5A(FN) of flottille 13F as flown from Diên Biên Phu airstrip. SuperCat 13F-31 was shot down during a strafing run along Route Provinciale 41 in early April 1954. Note that the original unit markings have been overpainted - obscuring the EAE badge on the cowling and applying '13F' over the individual aircraft number.

¡SuperGato! - The Eastern FM-5A in Uruguayan Naval Service

In 1948, two different Grumman designs were delivered to the Uruguayan Armada - the Eastern TBM-1 Avenger and the FM-5E SuperCat. Priority was given to getting the Avenger into service as patrol aircraft. So, the ten Uruguayan SuperCats did not become operational until early 1949. [4] The SuperCats were stationed at Base Aeronaval No.2 de Laguna del Sauce but the Armada still hoped to procure a surplus CVE from the US or Britain (for which ROU.1 Capitán Atilio Frigerio was being reserved). [5]

Unfortunately for the Aviación Naval, ROU.1 never happened (the budget going to base expansion instead). The FM-5Es spent most of their careers escorting the 'Avengeros' or performing their own sovereignty patrols over the Rio Plate. Anti-guerrilla exercise in Uruguay's interior were also performed (primarily for interoperability development among Uruguay's modest armed forces).

The Uruguayan SuperCats served operationally until the middle of 1957 when the seven surviving FM-5Es were relegated to maintenance airframe status. However, in the early '60s, the moth-balled SuperCats had a partial rebirth - their bubble canopies re-appeared on the 'Super-6' rebuild program for Uruguayan AT-6s and SNJs.

(Bottom) An FM-5E of the Aviación Naval's Esquadron No.6 in 1953. This SuperCat has recently had its original US Navy dark blue paint repainted by a unique Uruguayan scheme. Note the under-sized 'AVIACIÓN NAVAL' script (FM-5Es never received the officially-prescribed script in large, black block letters).

_____________________

[1] On its first two supply runs to Indochine, the Dixmude's decks were crowded with more mundane vehicles. The ship could carry up to 15 aircraft but normally carried a mix of eight SuperCats and four Eastern TBM-1C Avengers (the latter being drawn from flottille 4F stocks).

[2] Control of the Dixmude's aircraft was transferred from Forces Maritimes en Extrême-Orient (FMEO) to Forces Aériennes en Extrême-Orient (and reporting to the Commandement-en-Chef des FAEO). Later, the SuperCats would be assigned directly to the Groupe d'Opération Nord-Ouest (GONO, under général Christian de Castries) at Diên Biên Phu.

[3] EROM 90 (Escadrille de Reconnaissance d'Outre-Mer 90) was sometimes applied to the two camera-equipped of SuperCats. This over-blown term was probably intended to mislead the Viet Minh opponent as to aerial strength at the Diên Biên Phu airfield.

[4] At this stage, the Uruguayan naval air arm was still known as the Servicio de Aeronáutica de la Armada (SAA or Fleet Aeronautics Service). The name was changed to Aviación Naval (AN) in 1951 and again to Aviación Naval Uruguaya (ANU) in 1955.

[5] The 'ROU' prefix is for República Oriental del Uruguay. ROU.1 was to be named after capitán Atilio Frigerio, the first Uruguayan military pilot.

[6] It had been hoped that the Super-6 would later adopt the FM-5E's Cyclone radials and motor-mounts as well. However, such an ambitious re-engining program proved beyond the capabilities of the ANU's aircraft maintenance facility.
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1703 on: December 19, 2017, 08:12:45 AM »
finsrin: Regarding Korea. In this slightly alternative timeline, the Soviets have more time to regroup after VE Day. As a result, the Red Army not only occupies Manchuria but also drives into Japanese Chosen as far south as Keijo (Seoul). After US troops land at Fusan (Busan), the Soviet advance is paused and Red Army troops later retire to the 38th Parallel as agreed in General Order No. 1. From that point on, Korea is a stand-off between the Soviets and the US ... but there is no Korean Conflict.

The altered timeline also gives the Soviets time to pursue their claims against other Japanese possessions. Soviet Marines occupy the entire Kurile Island chain and Karafuto. Then, in April 1946, the Soviets launch amphibious assaults against Japanese troops on Hokkaido. Initial landings are at Mashige (on the west coast) and Esashi (of the north coast).

The Japanese military is able to halt the Red Army's advance at Sapporo. However, Sapporo and neighbouring Otaru are heavily bombed by the V-VS operating from Plastun in Primorsky (only 200 miles away in the Soviet Far East). With losses mounting and complete capitulation rumoured to be imminent, Japanese resolve begins to falter. a week after the 24 April 1946 surrender of Japan, the US begins landings on Hokkaido - amphibious at Hakodate and airborne operations at Urakawa and Kushiro. By the end of April, a local Russo-Japanese ceasefire has been agreed and US forces stand down.

In later negotiations, it is agreed that the Soviet Union will maintain control of the Kuriles and Karafuto. By agreement, both US and Soviet forces are completely withdrawn from Hokkaido by 31 Dec 1947. Thereby, a crisis is avoided and a much-feared first 'hot' encounter of the looming Cold War is dodged in northern Japan.
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Tophe

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1704 on: December 19, 2017, 01:46:02 PM »
My uncle, who was a pilot of Bearcat in Indochina, may have liked the French SuperCat, thanks! ;)

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1705 on: December 20, 2017, 07:51:31 AM »
Thanks Tophe! And, as you had suggested, here is my SuperCat entry into the Drone/UAV/unmanned whatever GB ...

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=7632.0
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Tophe

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1706 on: December 21, 2017, 12:45:12 PM »
Thanks to YOU! And, as you will probably win, I require 1% of the $billion you will get! (joke...) ;)

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1707 on: December 23, 2017, 07:45:20 AM »
I see a sharing of those inevitable winnings to be most fair  ;)
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1708 on: December 23, 2017, 08:27:42 AM »
No backstory here ... just a late-production-MiG-21/MiG-29 mash-up.

This version has enlarged outer wing panels with wingtip rails but retains the original Tumansky R-13-300 powerplant. Re-engining with a single, more powerful Klimov RD-33 would be an upgrade option (hence the taller tailplane).
« Last Edit: January 05, 2018, 06:44:15 AM by apophenia »
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1709 on: December 24, 2017, 02:24:56 AM »
Interesting
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Tophe

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1710 on: December 27, 2017, 08:29:59 PM »
And lovely! :-* (if this wasn't a warplane)... ???

Offline AXOR

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1711 on: December 31, 2017, 06:18:03 PM »
Looks fantastic and has the perfect camo for this markings :
 :D

Alex

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1712 on: January 04, 2018, 07:31:26 AM »
Nice one Alex! It does look good in those LanceR markings   ;)
____________________________________

BTW, here are my entries for the Drone/UAV/unmanned whatever GB

Missile without a Man in it!  http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=7661.0

Eastern Aircraft Wildcat Drones  http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=7632.0

Brewster's Bomb  http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=7649.0
« Last Edit: January 05, 2018, 06:44:43 AM by apophenia »
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline john_matthews129

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1713 on: January 04, 2018, 01:31:57 PM »
Loving the MiG-21/29 mashup!  It does look as though it wants a bigger engine (or perhaps a couple of the current one?).

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1714 on: January 05, 2018, 06:43:18 AM »
Thanks John. For engines, I was going for a follow-on to the MiG-21-97 and LanceR but with an RD-33 option. So, the idea was a single RD-33 companion to the twin-engined MiG-29. Not so plausible but fun to do  :D
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Tophe

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1715 on: January 05, 2018, 01:21:20 PM »
Not so plausible but fun to do  :D
The fun is not only in making the drawing (you) but also in seeing it (us), thanks ;)

Offline finsrin

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1716 on: January 05, 2018, 01:54:05 PM »
Flowing and convincing Mig mashup. :smiley:

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1717 on: January 20, 2018, 07:22:55 AM »
A quickie twin-engined racer based on Greg and Evan's suggestions about the Dora Wings TP-63E Kingcobra kit. More details here:
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=kqba27638bdpok77rhq4kiip84&topic=7446.msg135317#msg135317



Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline jcf

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1718 on: January 20, 2018, 08:34:41 AM »
Revenge of the Model 3.  ;D

“Conspiracy theory’s got to be simple.
Sense doesn’t come into it. People are
more scared of how complicated shit
actually is than they ever are about
whatever’s supposed to be behind the
conspiracy.”
-The Peripheral, William Gibson 2014

Offline AXOR

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1719 on: January 22, 2018, 09:02:06 PM »
Marvelous !  :-* :-* :-*
Alex

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1720 on: January 23, 2018, 07:30:47 AM »
Cheers! And thanks for that Model 3 3-view Jon. (Amazing how many minor variations on the Model 3 theme there seems to have been -- especially in the size/arrangement of nose wheels.)
Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline apophenia

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1721 on: January 25, 2018, 07:44:59 AM »
A quick take on Jon's suggestion for a US Navy A-20.
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=307.msg84429#msg84429

No background story other than (top) a straightforward torpedo-carrying adaptation of the A-20G, and (bottom) a revised, lightened, 2-seat torpedo bomber for carrier use. The latter has folding wings, the cockpit moved to the nose, upper fuselage cut down (for 360° turret arc), nose wheel moved forward (to enlarge bomb bay for torpedo stowage), tailhook and other carrier fittings.

I'm not sure what to call these beasts. The USN did have Havocs in service as BD-1 and BD-2s. [1] I'm guessing that the A-20G would simply become a BD-3 but the carrier version would receive a distinct designation. TB2D-1 was the RW Skypirate (Oct 1943) TB3D-1 was assigned Aug 1943 - Feb 1944 for an A-26 Invader variant. So, the shipboard Havoc's designation would depend upon delivery date.
___________________________

[1] BD-1 was a single A-20A loaned to the US Navy for target tug  tests. Eight BD-2 (A-20Bs) were used as USN/USMC high-speed target tugs.

Froglord: "... amphibious doom descends ... approach the alter and swear your allegiance to the swamp."

Offline Glanini

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1722 on: January 25, 2018, 11:32:40 AM »
The one with the folded wing is a masterpiece, the level of detailing awesome...... :smiley: :smiley:

Offline elmayerle

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1723 on: January 25, 2018, 01:31:19 PM »
Any relation to the Soviet torpedo-carrying Havocs?

Offline jcf

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Re: Apophenia's Offerings
« Reply #1724 on: January 25, 2018, 02:30:06 PM »
 :smiley:

Of course you could always posit that construction of the heavily navalized version
woud be offloaded to someone else, so the designation would then be based on
whichever company got the contract.
“Conspiracy theory’s got to be simple.
Sense doesn’t come into it. People are
more scared of how complicated shit
actually is than they ever are about
whatever’s supposed to be behind the
conspiracy.”
-The Peripheral, William Gibson 2014