Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => U.S. Enters WWII Early (1940) GB => Topic started by: Acree on October 16, 2019, 08:38:25 AM

Title: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: Acree on October 16, 2019, 08:38:25 AM

Here is a PB-2A of No. 43 Squadron, SAAF (see Robomog's entry above for justification!)  Just a very quick profile.  Enjoy!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48905786393_129f66fba1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hvCWrF)PB-2A SAAF (https://flic.kr/p/2hvCWrF) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr

Title: Re: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: Robomog on October 16, 2019, 01:00:02 PM

That looks really good, that might just have swung me back to desert camouflage on the P26

Aaaah decisions, decisions !!   ;)

Mog
>^-.-^<

Title: Re: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: GTX_Admin on October 16, 2019, 06:48:12 PM

 :smiley:

Title: Re: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: elmayerle on October 17, 2019, 11:27:36 AM

Nice, but I wonder if the PB-2A's might be refitted with Allison V1710 engines, along the lines of what Bell did to the XA-11A Allison testbed, to give them a more modern and capable engine?

Title: Re: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: Acree on October 17, 2019, 12:45:17 PM

Of course such a thing is possible, but with the Allison weighing 40% more than the Conqueror, I'm not sure a V-1710-powered PB-2 would be practical as a combat aircraft.  Moreover, with only about 30 PB-2As available, the development and conversion work would probably not be worth the effort and delay.  Still - would be cool-looking!

Another possibility would be a Twin Wasp version as proposed by Consolidated for the P-33. 

Title: Re: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: elmayerle on October 17, 2019, 08:33:48 PM

Development of the basic conversion was already on the XA-11A which served as the first flying testbed for the Allison engine; 'twas also the first major contract awarded to Bell Aircraft.

Title: Re: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: taiidantomcat on October 18, 2019, 04:32:25 AM

That is one unique looking bird!  :o

Title: Re: PB-2A SAAF
Post by: jcf on October 20, 2019, 04:54:35 AM

I agree that a V-1710 on a PB-2A makes little sense, the increase in weight would
seriously reduce it's usable fuel and munitions load making the increase in power
a wash.
Perhaps instead Curtiss pulls its finger out and solves the problems with the Conqueror?

Of course, Curtiss pulling its finger out is one of the great What-If?s of history.  ;D