Author Topic: Spooky-style Junkers Ju52 (Read 16730 times)

KiwiZac · « **on:** March 29, 2016, 11:48:56 AM »

Not long after we held the vote to decide the GBs for the year I spotted an Italeri 1/72 Ju52 in the LHS on clearance, and thought "ah-HA!".

It may be re-engined, it may not be German....we shall see!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2016, 02:58:35 AM »

Interesting...

Weaver · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2016, 06:23:11 AM »

Oh nice one: that would do well as an AC-47 alternative/equivalent.

I have a Ford Tri-Motor gunship on my to do list...

ysi_maniac · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2016, 02:06:32 PM »

Perfect for Batle of Stalingrad. :)

dogsbody · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2016, 03:13:58 AM »

Oh yeah! With about a half dozen MG-181Z's sticking out the port side.

Chris

Spey Phantom · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2016, 11:12:11 PM »

sounds like a great idea, why didnt i think of that?

on the other hand, i cant do that one, as i sold my Heller 1/72 Ju52 a while ago.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2016, 03:10:06 AM »

Quote from: dogsbody on March 31, 2016, 03:13:58 AM

Oh yeah! With about a half dozen MG-181Z's sticking out the port side.

Chris

I think you might mean MG81Z...

I would perhaps consider a 20mm or even 37mm cannon added in - perhaps a re-use of a ground based weapon if this was a in the field conversion job. Maybe a PAK36 and/or FLAK38 with their shields etc removed...

KiwiZac · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2016, 04:05:18 AM »

All great ideas folks, but as I said up top: it may not be German....

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2016, 02:29:23 AM »

Quote from: KiwiZac on April 01, 2016, 04:05:18 AM

All great ideas folks, but as I said up top: it may not be German....

Bah!!! We may still copy it as a German idea though...

dogsbody · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2016, 05:48:58 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on April 01, 2016, 03:10:06 AM

Quote from: dogsbody on March 31, 2016, 03:13:58 AM
Oh yeah! With about a half dozen MG-181Z's sticking out the port side.

Chris

I think you might mean MG81Z...

I would perhaps consider a 20mm or even 37mm cannon added in - perhaps a re-use of a ground based weapon if this was a in the field conversion job. Maybe a PAK36 and/or FLAK38 with their shields etc removed...

Yes! MG-81Z. My bad. I really need to start re-reading my post before entering. My eyesight ain't what it used to was and my typing is worse.

Chris

KiwiZac · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2016, 05:43:06 AM »

I'm still in! I just completely forgot...unfortunately progress may not come for a week or two due to the wedding, but stay tuned.

KiwiZac · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2016, 04:44:19 PM »

I'll start it tomorrow. I promise!!!

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2016, 03:51:29 AM »

Zac,

That guy I mentioned to you in PM also offers 1:72nd scale German machine guns if you need some that would be a solution to sourcing your necessary weapons for this project.

KiwiZac · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2016, 08:11:00 AM »

Thanks Jeff! I won't be needing his services, however, as this armoury is already complete...

KiwiZac · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2016, 12:52:46 PM »

It's actually started! I've started a GB entry!

A few months back a friend brought round a bunch of kits and finished builds from his youth, and these have been a real help to my whif-type builds. Among them were an old Airfix 40mm Bofors gun (repainted here) and an AC-47 Spooky. So...

I had a bundle of .50cal MGs from an Italeri B-25 so these have been fitted into the windows and will be used for the turrets. As of coming inside for the night I've got the two repainted minigun pods and the Bofors installed on the floor, which has received a wood stain treatment:

Amazingly the Bofors on its platform fits through the side cargo door, so it all works out as a practical design. I toyed with having the door open to show this, but I think it'll be fine as is.

I think I'm also keeping the original engines as it's in keeping with my intended operator but I may proceed with a modernisation plan. I have started painting some of the control surfaces while they're on the sprue but you aren't gonna see them yet - it'll ruin the surprise!

Weaver · « **Reply #15 on:** May 01, 2016, 08:37:24 PM »

Nice one Zac.

One point: have you weighed up the prop/gun/wing clearance issues? That forward 0.50 cal seems perilously close the wing engine to me, and the one two windows behind it is pretty much lined up with the wingtip. Remember that the wings have considerable dihedral and the wing engines are canted outboard, so the rear edge of the prop arc is considerably behind the front face of the engine.

KiwiZac · « **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2016, 09:47:29 AM »

A very, very good point - there was a lot of eyeing-up and dry-fitting being done yesterday! My thinking is that the 50cals are either fixed or can only go up from the horizontal, I'm favouring fixed with a bit more of an upward angle. Almost like the ranging guns in some tanks, as well as a token assist for when the bigger ones run out or perhaps a suppressive fire role.

And if it's re-engined then maybe the prop arc will be a little further forward?......

Weaver · « **Reply #17 on:** May 02, 2016, 09:56:42 AM »

Just a thought: the dorsal gun position is behind any of the windows, but there must be internal access to it for the gunner, so you could plate it over and then cut an extra hole/holes in the side of the rear fuselage to mount some guns in a safe position further back. Don't forget to put a reinforcing plate around the hole.

I was contemplating something similar for a Ford Trimotor gunship (in the former bathroom space (which doesn't have a window) in that instance, but I eventually decided that I needed a different kit.

Kelmola · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2016, 06:34:09 AM »

Don't remember how the layout of the military version goes, but in the civilian version, immediatly aft of the port passenger door there is a structural bulkhead, with a door on the port side leading to a lavatory (from which the beam machine gun in the above illustration fires) but no passing through from there; on the starboard side aft of the aforementioned bulkhead (the lavatory is only half of the width of the plane) there is an access door, aft of which is another bulkhead with the passage to the rear cargo compartment, which is where the gunner's position was built. I'd assume the military versions did away with the lavatory and the partitioning wall between port and starboard side, so there should have been an open passage from the main cabin, and a small space where to stuff loose items or have those two beam gun positions.

KiwiZac · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2016, 09:55:09 AM »

Time for an update! The last 25hr or so was dedicated to an entry for a GB at another site but, with that done, the Junkers is back on the table!

I'm very happy with how it's going. Operator confirmed and re-engining underway...

KiwiZac · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2016, 04:37:04 AM »

I can't resist putting up another photo, such is the level of fun and pride I'm having with this build. I'm hopeful to have it finished this weekend.

finsrin · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2016, 04:58:16 AM »

Appreciate pictures - thanks.
Like the concept and seeing build progress :)

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2016, 05:43:09 AM »

Twin engined?

KiwiZac · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2016, 07:54:42 AM »

Twin engined. Still more power than the three originals.

Thanks, finsrin!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2016, 09:07:31 AM »

Loving the look f the re profiled nose.

Actually gives it somewhat of an amphibian look.


"From the Sea" Amphibious GB

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Author Topic: Spooky-style Junkers Ju52 (Read 16730 times)