Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Aero-space => Topic started by: Jeffry Fontaine on June 12, 2016, 11:59:38 AM
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Now that two of us have a model kit of the Fairey Albacore* it might be time for a topic devoted to this aircraft that was intended to replace the Fairey Swordfish but wound up complementing that aircraft instead of replacing it.
Wikipedia Fairey Albacore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Albacore)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Fairey_Albacore_ExCC.jpg/300px-Fairey_Albacore_ExCC.jpg) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Albacore)
(Image source: Wikipedia Fairey Albacore (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fairey_Albacore_ExCC.jpg)
*Yes, GTX, you are that other modeler :)
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Tundra tires, a large pannier.
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How about USN or RAN?
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Maybe a float plane version?
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Maybe a float plane version?
didn't that exist in the Real Word? maybe not ...
but I did one :
(http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y435/ericr63/hyd/albacore-s_zps6p0pyddf.jpg)
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The Albacore on floats might be a winner if it were in civil markings and working the bush in Canada and Alaska.
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The Albacore on floats might be a winner if it were in civil markings and working the bush in Canada and Alaska.
Agreed.
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The Applecore was designed as a wheeled aircraft, the first prototype was fitted with floats
for test purposes in 1940, checking suitability for the catapult role. Performance was poor,
the floats were 'dirty' (excessively draggy) while taxiing, tended to throw water up into the
engine cowling and prone to porposing. In the air it was heavy on the controls and had some
stability issues. The float notion was not pursued.
If you want a float/amphib version I'd cross it with a Grumman Duck. :icon_fsm:
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Slowly making my way through Friedman's British Cruisers and a number of mentions have been made of the perceived importance of floatplane torpedo bombers, dive bombers, fighters and spotting aircraft. The problem was treaties and finances restricted the numbers of carriers available so station forces, a mix of heavy, light and older trade protection cruisers, were required to carry sufficient aircraft to provide a viable strike, reconnaissance and fighter cover, hence floatplane versions of many carrier and land based types were developed as well as some specific types, i.e. the Seafox.
This was primarily intended for the Far East as the battle fleets were stationed at home and in the Mediterranean with mainly cruisers in SEA, which would be required to scout and delay any Japanese offensive until heavy forces could be pivoted from the Mediterranean and aircraft, even in the absence of carriers would be vital for this. For example the HMS York, like Exeter and the Counties, had a heavy catapult amidships, but was also intended to have a light catapult forward over B turret for a fighter, scout or spotter type. The idea was scout cruisers would use their aircraft to find the Japanese, while the eight heavy cruisers would carry strike aircraft to directly attack Japanese forces and fighters to defend themselves.
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The Applecore was designed as a wheeled aircraft, the first prototype was fitted with floats
for test purposes in 1940, checking suitability for the catapult role. Performance was poor,
the floats were 'dirty' (excessively draggy) while taxiing, tended to throw water up into the
engine cowling and prone to porposing. In the air it was heavy on the controls and had some
stability issues. The float notion was not pursued.
If you want a float/amphib version I'd cross it with a Grumman Duck. :icon_fsm:
Thanks for the information Jon, The Duck might actually be a practical solution if the float section is long enough to make it appear that it could possibly support the Albacore at rest. Plus it has the wing floats so maybe it is time to source one of those old Duck kits.
I looked at the float from the Monogram Kingfisher for a quick check fit and quickly realized it would take two of those floats to make it look functional and the result would be a bit too narrow in beam to be practical.
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Well, I was speaking in terms of design rather than cross-kitting as the Applecore was larger
and heavier than the Duck, so the float from a 1/48 (or 1/72) Duck would need to be lengthened
and widened.
Also the old ITC/Glencoe is actually closer to 1/50th scale. ;D
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Of course there are other options for a central float layout aside from mounted on struts or faired in ala the Duck,
mounted on a large pylon/trunk like these two SARO concepts is a possibility:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/BTS/i-pHzH6Tq/0/5de4c864/O/P1037_01.png)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/BTS/i-dB39VSp/0/90f9fcbc/O/P1039_01.png)
... or take a walk into the strange like these two: ;D
(https://photos.smugmug.com/BTS/i-RRFNHN6/0/6f03d4f2/O/P1036_01.png)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/BTS/i-t9tXKK8/0/b880638b/O/P1050_01.png)
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beautiful seaplanes! I never saw them before
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The Applecore was designed as a wheeled aircraft, the first prototype was fitted with floats
for test purposes in 1940, checking suitability for the catapult role. Performance was poor,
the floats were 'dirty' (excessively draggy) while taxiing, tended to throw water up into the
engine cowling and prone to porposing. In the air it was heavy on the controls and had some
stability issues. The float notion was not pursued.
If you want a float/amphib version I'd cross it with a Grumman Duck. :icon_fsm:
This (https://books.google.com/books?id=tgfACwAAQBAJ&pg=PT191&lpg=PT191&dq=albacore+float+plane&source=bl&ots=X0bzG6zV_d&sig=CoCbPqs0bXg5Qr_zZUyKPjhwsd8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz69Ht67bNAhULNSYKHSS5D1wQ6AEIIzAB) also says that the design of the floats also prevented Albacore floatplane from being used as a torpedo bomber.
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I was traveling down the rabbit hole that is the internet and came across the CMK resin conversion for the Tamiya 1:48th scale Fairey Swordfish MkIII (https://www.cmkkits.com/en/detail-sets-accessories/swordfish-mk-iii/). This conversion which consists of a rather ugly radome shape that is attached to the underside of the fuselage and additional parts for the torpedo sight and replacement tail planes. Far too many extra pieces for what I need so that got me to thinking about an Albacore that would have a radar installed on the wing, something like the AN/APS-4 pod. That way the Albacore could carry a weapon on the fuselage stores station or a fuel tank to extend range. Just something to pass along for anyone that has an interest in an Albacore what-if/what could have been project.
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Luftwaffe version either in maritime markings or with yellow undersides as a captured version.
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an Albacore that would have a radar installed on the wing, something like the AN/APS-4 pod. T
That would be a subtle whiff forcing those who saw it to run to their references to check if it were real or not. :smiley:
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an Albacore that would have a radar installed on the wing, something like the AN/APS-4 pod. T
That would be a subtle whiff forcing those who saw it to run to their references to check if it were real or not. :smiley:
Exactly.
IRL, it would appear that the Albacore had no such modifications applied to the aircraft during service, unlike the Swordfish. Even the earlier radar systems with the Yagi style antennas mounted outboard on the wings might be a good what-if/what could have been. :)
Was disappointed to see that the CMK floatplane conversion for the Swordfish has been discontinued or currently OOP. Maybe a good deal can be found for the Tamiya Swordfish kit with the floats.
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an Albacore that would have a radar installed on the wing, something like the AN/APS-4 pod. T
That would be a subtle whiff forcing those who saw it to run to their references to check if it were real or not. :smiley:
Exactly.
IRL, it would appear that the Albacore had no such modifications applied to the aircraft during service, unlike the Swordfish. Even the earlier radar systems with the Yagi style antennas mounted outboard on the wings might be a good what-if/what could have been. :)
Was disappointed to see that the CMK floatplane conversion for the Swordfish has been discontinued or currently OOP. Maybe a good deal can be found for the Tamiya Swordfish kit with the floats.
Well, there was this Fairey nightfighter aircraft, got the conversion for this in the stash too.