Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Aero-space => Topic started by: GTX_Admin on December 17, 2020, 01:56:05 AM

Title: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 17, 2020, 01:56:05 AM
A thread for your Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration.

(http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircraft/Brewster-Buffalo/IMAGES/Brewster-F2A-Buffalo-Title.jpg)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 17, 2020, 02:01:12 AM
Some interesting armament trials/mockups:

(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/xf2a-2-brewster-guns-jpg.586441/)
(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/xf2a-2-brewster-guns-under-jpg.586442/)

(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/xf2a-2-brewster-guns-front-jpg.586443/)
(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/xf2a-2-brewster-guns-2-jpg.586444/)

(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/xf2a-2-brewster-guns-3-jpg.586445/)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: apophenia on December 18, 2020, 09:26:18 AM
Some interesting armament trials/mockups:

They are indeed! Also interesting is the spinner and cowling. I wonder if these were just for the wind tunnel or were such nose changes actual proposals for cleaning up the Buffalo?
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: Kelmola on December 18, 2020, 05:22:19 PM
What would be the biggest engine you could conceivably install on a Buffalo without completely borking the CoG? Later versions had problems with the weight creep so more engine power could help. Though that would cause weight to increase even more, so perhaps you would need longer wings as well ;)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 19, 2020, 01:47:23 AM
What would be the biggest engine you could conceivably install on a Buffalo without completely borking the CoG? Later versions had problems with the weight creep so more engine power could help. Though that would cause weight to increase even more, so perhaps you would need longer wings as well ;)

Depends upon how practical you wanted to be.  I'm sure you could do something wild if you wanted to do a Brewster Buffalo based race aircraft going along the lines of some of the Reno racers with outsized engines.

If wanting something for operational use in a realistic timeframe though, I would probably go with refitting a 'standard' Buffalo with a uprated version of the R-1820.  Perhaps either of the following:

Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 19, 2020, 02:03:14 AM
Speaking of racer versions, there's this great 1949 Schneider Cup Racer by Scott Kruize

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/e68/GTwiner/finn_vesi_tn.jpg)

More here (http://www.internetmodeler.com/2005/april/aviation/Schneider-4.php).
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: M.A.D on December 21, 2020, 08:39:09 AM
No such think as 'Brewster Buffalo Inspiration' GTX....evil little plane!!😩


MAD
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: finsrin on December 21, 2020, 09:36:21 AM
How about Reno Race version ?
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: perttime on December 21, 2020, 12:34:00 PM
With skis:

https://www.pienoismallit.net/galleria/malli_15896/ (https://www.pienoismallit.net/galleria/malli_15896/)

Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 22, 2020, 01:47:27 AM
How about Reno Race version ?

I like that idea.  Will give it more thought.  Meanwhile, here is one that 63cpe created a year or two ago:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7906/47023004352_73b756f1cc_z.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7806/33200113038_6421bc6d78_z.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7916/33200113488_62d94c3fd2_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 22, 2020, 02:02:12 AM
Thinking (or maybe "mad sciencing" is more appropriate :-\) about a Reno style unlimited racer version:

Wright R-1820-40 from typical F2A-3
Length: 47.76 in (1,213 mm)
Diameter: 54.25 in (1,378 mm)
Dry weight: 1,184 lb (537 kg)
Power:  1,200 hp (890 kW)
Wright R-3350 (similar to used on Rare Bear)
Length: 76.26 inches (1,937 mm)
Diameter: 55.78 inches (1,417 mm)
Dry weight: 2,670 pounds (1,210 kg)
Power:  4,500 hp (3,400 kW) with nitrous oxide injection

I dub thee "Balls to the Wall Buffalo".  May well need to extend undercarriage, give it counter rotating props to cut torque, blindfold the pilot...
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 26, 2020, 02:47:48 AM
Random idea:  Brewster Buffalo as a CAM fighter
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 26, 2020, 04:05:17 AM
How about some French Buffalos - maybe originally for operations off the Béarn in a scheme similar to this:

(https://www.naval-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Vought-V156F-marine.png)

Or perhaps in Armee de l'air colours similar to the H75s:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ZhQJWcGNj79yDRk3nnn2b7OCkhIPL2HlO5Igyt-_jk8s7pSZyyrBQVr9wlSko4Ltq_iPvqhzbBPsdsSLrMEi-HoE8DN-6dOfRAmBQmfQVC7SN4D9rZZIdx6o6YdhiQxVng)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: apophenia on December 26, 2020, 10:44:19 AM
Random idea:  Brewster Buffalo as a CAM fighter

And why not? Here is the 'Buffacat' catapult fighter.

Based on Lend-Lease Brewster 339 Buffalo, the 'Buffacats' were stripped down for their new CAM Ship role. The retractable undercarriage was removed - the main gear openings being plated over, the tailwheel bay becoming the rear catapult mounting point. In some cases, 'Buffacat' armament was reduced to the two cowl guns ... but the pudgy Brewster still had difficulty in intercepting the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor raiders.

Based on the Herbert Ringlstetter 'Hurricat' profile.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 27, 2020, 02:41:31 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: Frank3k on December 27, 2020, 05:05:19 AM
I keep thinking of a Brewster Buffalo with an Allison J33 or a Derwent in a Buffalo. With the exhaust through a cutout in the lower tail (like the Yak-15) or through bifurcated exhausts like the Sea Hawk.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 28, 2020, 02:49:53 AM
Oh,  I do like that idea.

Appropriate nose art would be a barrel with flames shooting out the end and the pilot straddling it.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: Frank3k on December 28, 2020, 08:19:17 AM
I just tried it and the J33 is too big. A BMW003 or Jumo 004 would fit, so would the Rolls-Royce Welland from a Meteor. I can imagine a Finnish Buffalo with a "borrowed" German engine, shortly after the war.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: elmayerle on December 28, 2020, 12:31:45 PM
I can imagine a Finnish Buffalo with a "borrowed" German engine, shortly after the war.
Possibly from one or more interned German fighters?  Perhaps some that sought refuge with the Finns rather than surrender to any of the main combatants.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 29, 2020, 01:48:54 AM
Another option might be a motorjet such as from the Caproni Campini N.1
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: Frank3k on December 29, 2020, 03:18:40 AM
The motorjet from the Caproni Campini N.1 was huge. I guess it could be modified to work with a radial, but I think Evan's idea might work better. Plus it would match what the Russians were doing across the border.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: perttime on December 29, 2020, 12:13:46 PM
I can imagine a Finnish Buffalo with a "borrowed" German engine, shortly after the war.
Possibly from one or more interned German fighters?  Perhaps some that sought refuge with the Finns rather than surrender to any of the main combatants.
In the Real World, Finland had an adequate supply of Db 605 ... and of Bf 109 airframes. Luftwaffe had Fw 190 in Finland. Some of their engines could have been left behind.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 30, 2020, 02:24:59 AM
German Engine Options:

Wright R-1820-40
from typical F2A-3

Length: 47.76 in (1,213 mm)
Diameter: 54.25 in (1,378 mm)
Dry weight: 1,184 lb (537 kg)
Power:  1,200 hp (890 kW)
BMW 801 D-2
as used on Fw-190A-8

Length: 79 in (2,006 mm)
Diameter: 51 in (1,290 mm)
Dry weight: 2,231 lb (1,012 kg)
Power:  1,677 hp  (1,250 kW)
BMW 003A-2

Length: 143 in (3600 mm)
Diameter: 27.2 in (690 mm)
Dry weight: 1,375 lb (623.7 kg)
Thrust:  1,760 lbf (7.8 kN)
Jumo 004B

Length: 152 in (3860 mm)
Diameter: 32 in (810 mm)
Dry weight: 1,585 lb (719 kg)
Thrust: 1,980 lbf (8.8 kN) 

Interestingly, when you do the maths, you will see that the more powerful engines aren't always the best choice since the power:weight ratios actually get worse.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: jcf on December 31, 2020, 10:24:10 AM
Re-engined with R-1830, DC-3A/C-47A type cowling.

The GR-1820G107 was a commercial/export version setup for a turbosupercharger and roughly
equivalent to the R-1820-65 used on the B-17B/C/D/E/F. The "civil" versions had a 100hp lower
power rating than the military versions, however there is reason to believe that wasn't actually
true. The R-1820-93 that was used on some B-17F was a 1,350hp engine.

The turbosupercharger installation on the B-24 might be a guide to adding one to a Buffalo:
(http://enginehistory.org/Installations/B-24.jpg)

Of course you'd have to fit it into this:
(https://conceptbunny.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/F2A_Buffalo.gif)
 ;D
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 01, 2021, 01:39:40 AM
Would it give any advantages though?
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: jcf on January 01, 2021, 01:52:16 AM
Would it give any advantages though?

Performance at altitude, very important when countering Red Skull’s Zeppelins.
 :icon_fsm:
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 01, 2021, 02:03:26 AM
Oh I realise that and indeed suggested somewhat similar back in Reply # 4.  I was referring more to the R1820 vs R1830 change.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 01, 2021, 02:11:07 AM
Ski equipped version:

(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/77c2ddca-052d-3175-e96c-3d47aafd5e31-jpg.272958/)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 01, 2021, 02:30:29 AM
A subtle whiff might be to have an Ilmavoimat one fitted with a Bramo 323 instead of the R1820.  Would be no increase in performance but still...
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: jcf on January 02, 2021, 08:44:44 AM
Oh I realise that and indeed suggested somewhat similar back in Reply # 4.  I was referring more to the R1820 vs R1830 change.

The length difference between the two types is primarily forward of the mounting flange,
and over half of it is the deeper reduction gear housing on the R-1830. The accessory
sections on the rear of the engines aren’t too much different in length and those bits can
be rearranged as necessary.

Realistically the cowling length would only increase by an amount equivalent to the added
cylinder bank. The cowlings of the Cyclone/R-1820 engined DC-3 vs. those of the Pratt &
Whitney Twin-Wasp/R-1830 powered DC-3A is a good guide to the changes.

Ditto the R-1830 vs. R-1820 powered versions of Curtiss P-36/H-75.
 
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 03, 2021, 01:18:04 AM
I don't see what advantage a R-1830 powered Buffalo would have over a R-1820 powered version unless one was after commonality with other platforms perhaps.  Looking briefly at them, you see the following:

Wright R-1820-40
from typical F2A-3

Length: 47.76 in (1,213 mm)
Diameter: 54.25 in (1,378 mm)
Dry weight: 1,184 lb (537 kg)
Power:  1,200 hp (890 kW)
Pratt & Whitney R-1830-76
from Grumman F4F-3 as approximate equivalent

Length: 59.06 in (1,500 mm)
Diameter: 48.03 in (1,220 mm)
Dry weight: 1,250 lb (567 kg)
Power: 1,200 hp (890 kW)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: Story on March 02, 2021, 02:34:55 AM


Performance at altitude, very important when countering Red Skull’s Zeppelins.
 :icon_fsm:

[lazy salute] Hail HYDRA[/lazy salute]. You aware of this entire genre? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Skies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Skies)

How about some dazzle camo, circa 1940?
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/ac-usn22/f-types/f2a-cam.htm (https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/ac-usn22/f-types/f2a-cam.htm)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on March 02, 2021, 02:37:48 AM
You were saying:

(https://www.scalemates.com/albums/img/9/8/6/177986-11164-11-pristine.jpg)

More (https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=11164&p=albums&album=22960)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: ChernayaAkula on March 02, 2021, 08:51:24 AM
Erm.... "interesting" choice of colours for Navy use, but the scheme is cool.  :smiley: Colours could work as well, depending on the environment.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 04, 2021, 02:39:25 AM
(https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/attachments/158310_original-jpg.649060/)
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: Geoff on December 04, 2021, 06:52:49 AM
Flown to Malta from USS Wasp
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: finsrin on December 04, 2021, 08:05:07 AM
How about a late Spitfire 5-blade prop ?
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: Story on December 04, 2021, 09:49:09 AM
You were saying:

What's that, Willie Wonka's personal fighter?

That's funny because it looks like variations of chocolate colors.


I'll show myself out now.
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 08, 2022, 02:48:39 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/e68/GTwiner/Allison-Buffalo.gif)

By Jemiba over on SecretProjects

Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: apophenia on July 08, 2022, 06:21:22 AM
By Jemiba over on SecretProjects

Jens is not the only one guilty of Allison-powered Brewsters ...  ;D

-- https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg109109#msg109109
Title: Re: Brewster Buffalo Ideas and Inspiration
Post by: GTX_Admin on July 09, 2022, 01:42:27 AM
By Jemiba over on SecretProjects

Jens is not the only one guilty of Allison-powered Brewsters ...  ;D

-- https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=351.msg109109#msg109109

Indeed - I forgot that one. :smiley: