Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Alvis 3.1 on May 22, 2014, 03:42:36 PM
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In the late 1930s, twin engined "destroyers" were all the rage in aviation design circles. The Bf 110 was a prime example of this philosophy, and turned out to be a good example of how an idea can be utterly wrong.
Grand Fenwick, despite it's size, is a nation of incredibly gifted designers, engineers and scientists. Lacking in manufacturing and educational institutes, most of these people emigrate and become experts in their field, never to return home. The "Bartrammer Mark 1" is one of the few times something was actually manufactured in that tiny country.
Designed as a heavy fighter by Dr Roger Kokintz, construction began in 1936. Obtaining engines from France, guns from Germany, avionics from Britain, aluminum from the US and paint from the USSR, it was a work of international proportions. This led to it becoming one of the slowest progressing designs, with delays and holdups with the various countries withholding components at various times.
As the building of the prototype dragged on, the role began to change too. Realising that the heavy destroyer concept was flawed, Dr Kokintz adjusted the design to incorporate level and dive bombing abilities. As time dragged on, and the vulnerability of smaller bombers became apparent, he again modified the plane to be a high speed reconnaissance aircraft, without the speed really required, and eventually a night fighter. It was then discovered that any attempt to install radar would cause the electrical system to overload.
So it became a target tug. Hey, everyone needs a target tug, right? Well, it turned out Romania owed the Duchy a substantial amount of money over a wine purchase, so they agreed to buy the Bartrammer to sooth over the hurt feelings. Completed in the summer of 1943, it was marked with high visibility markings of a triangular nature to designate it as a non-combatant aircraft, and was test-flown several times before proceeding to Romania.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/BartRammerinflight_zpsdd50cae4.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/BartRammerinflight_zpsdd50cae4.jpg.html)
Unfortunately, it took off on the morning of August 1, 1943, and took a course that put it right in the middle of the infamous "Ploesti Raid". It is not known if it was shot down by B-24 gunners, Bf 109s, Bf 110s, or IAR-80s. It's also possible it may have been accidentally rammed or knocked down by wake turbulence. No trace of it was ever found.
:O
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/BartRammer2_zpsece66a72.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/BartRammer2_zpsece66a72.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/BartRammer_zps1e4ae1cb.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/BartRammer_zps1e4ae1cb.jpg.html)
Kits used: Two Airfix Kingfishers, an Airfix B-25 for the nose and aft section, a Matchbox Brewster Buffalo for the canopy, and a Frog Fokker D XXI for the cool spats. I think the props came from an OV-10, but I've forgotten. I basically came up with the idea after poaching the floats from the Kingfishers for other projects, and was left with a couple Kingfisher hulks.
Alvis 3.1
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Nice back story Al and a very convincing model too!
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Great use of "spare" parts !!!!!! 8)
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Wow a nod to one of my favorite movies of all time, The Mouse that Roared!
You've done it again, Alvis and in your incredible, inimitable style!
Not only are you a top-shelf modeler, but a wizard at recycling too!
My what lovely spats!
:-* :-* :-*
Brian da Basher
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Thanks guys. I used the "destroyed by B-24s" storyline again too!
:)
Alvis 3.1
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:)
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Thanks guys. I used the "destroyed by B-24s" storyline again too!
:)
Alvis 3.1
Weirdly cute little plane. :)
So, do you know how many B-24 aces there are in your universe, Alvis? ;D
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That's great! :)
One question though: if it ended up as a target tug, how come it's still got guns?
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That's an interesting model, very well done! 8)
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That's great! :)
One question though: if it ended up as a target tug, how come it's still got guns?
The Alvispedia article obviously was wrong, and it was actually incorporating all of the features previously thought of, so it was actually multi-role.
Or: Transitting Europe in 1943 was so dangerous, the guns were kept on.
or: I made this story up originally 20 years ago, and lost it, so I improvised last night and screwed up.
Alvis 3.1
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That's great! :)
One question though: if it ended up as a target tug, how come it's still got guns?
What's the point of towing a target if there is nothing to shoot at it with? Gunnery training and target towing at the same time.
BTW, great build and great story!
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That's great! :)
One question though: if it ended up as a target tug, how come it's still got guns?
What's the point of towing a target if there is nothing to shoot at it with? Gunnery training and target towing at the same time.
BTW, great build and great story!
Now that's a thought: tow it on a long enough line, and fly a tight enough circle and you can shoot at your own tow target: saves 50% on training costs! ;D
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Twin booms and spats ... what's not to love? Great backstory too! :)
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That's great! :)
One question though: if it ended up as a target tug, how come it's still got guns?
What's the point of towing a target if there is nothing to shoot at it with? Gunnery training and target towing at the same time.
BTW, great build and great story!
Now that's a thought: tow it on a long enough line, and fly a tight enough circle and you can shoot at your own tow target: saves 50% on training costs! ;D
Awesome!
;D
Alvis 3.1
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I think I have seen it once, but it is always a pleasure to see it, thanks!
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That's great! :)
One question though: if it ended up as a target tug, how come it's still got guns?
The Alvispedia article obviously was wrong, and it was actually incorporating all of the features previously thought of, so it was actually multi-role.
Or: Transitting Europe in 1943 was so dangerous, the guns were kept on.
or: I made this story up originally 20 years ago, and lost it, so I improvised last night and screwed up.
Alvis 3.1
Or Grand Fenwick exits in morethan one reality, and all the above are equally true.
Great looking design!