Author Topic: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter  (Read 17364 times)

Offline tc2324

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Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« on: January 09, 2012, 08:03:00 AM »
So the premise is...., what if the RAF wanted their own version of a heavily armed bomber escort? The idea being that they transmit a `signal`, not too obvious, to lure the Luftwaffe night fighters close to them to be engaged by either themselves or Mosquito night fighters working in tandum?

Ok, so the backstory will need a little more work but first I needed an aircraft that was heavily armed, up gunned and had the range.

Back to my old friend, the Privateer.



Been working on this for a few days and so far have done some work on the cockpit and sprayed the main fuselage parts black.





Some bad memories are starting to flood back to me with this kit, Massive trench line in the waist gun panel so that was dealt with first.





Wait for that to dry and then smooth off later.

Next was the need to answer how this aircraft would deal with upward firing weaponary a used by the Luftwaffe night fighters towards the second half of the war.



The kean eyed amoung you will notice that the ball turret mount is upside down. Yep, thats right, the turret is gonna be where the bomb aimer would sit. That way he can train his guns down and slightly forward which is where the ideal German night fighter attack would commence allowing for deflection.

Next I needed to cut a hole just behind where the bomb bays are so that I can fit a barbette with two .50 cals which is controlled by an gunner looking downwards through a glass dome towards the rear.



Much to do, so little time.
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Offline finsrin

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2012, 10:01:41 AM »
Privateer is right for premiss you are building to.  Good job, like what I see, keep posting progress.  Going to discard use of bomb bay for bombing and use it for observation or guns?
Bill

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2012, 10:36:51 AM »
I really like your ideas, tc and my hat's off to you for those very well thought out modifications.  I'll be watching with great interest!

Brian da Basher

Offline John Howling Mouse

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2012, 11:01:03 AM »
Cool.   ;)
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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2012, 12:00:32 PM »
Would have been nice if you were able to source a proper ball turret from a B-17 or B-24 for your project.  Still a great idea and looking forward to seeing the finished model. 
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Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2012, 07:31:57 AM »
Not too much done on this so far what with other builds going on, but did work on the underside turret, making sure that it was a nice tight fit with no gaps.

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Offline Doom!

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2012, 12:12:49 PM »
Looks like this is gonna be good!  :)
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Offline JP Vieira

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2012, 02:23:25 AM »
Looking forward to see this one: keep it up!

Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2012, 08:26:33 AM »
Got back to work on this build tonight. Suddenly all the little irritations about this kit came flooding back........., :o

.......... nose and tail sections just don`t fit well.............,



........ and don`t get me started on the wings............,



...... plus there is the added joy of the 3 piece cockpit canopy.........,



But I suppose it comes down to the question, am I enjoying myself?

The answer is simple..., yes!  (And thank god for filler) ;)

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Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2012, 06:32:46 AM »
So tonight I got the paints and brushes out and cracked on with the camo. Got a few bits that need to be re touched, but I tend to find thats the case with most brush painted models.

The wings are not glued in, just set in place as part of the mock up. (Also note the gaps. I have never ever had a straight forward perfect fit of the wings to fuselage on this kit and I can only assume it is a design fault with the mould).

Hopefully, I can give this American aircraft an RAF Bomber Command look and feel.



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Offline McGreig

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2012, 10:04:17 AM »
Irritations or not, this is coming along really well. And it's inspired me to acquire my own Privateer from the Modelzone sale ( not necessarily a good thing, given the current glacial pace of my building - - -)

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2012, 10:14:17 AM »
 Boy howdy, thats some gaps! The Privateer is a long time favorite, and this sounds like a very neat idea. Are you going with the
 standard .50 calibre mgs, or maybe throwing in some 20mm? ( Dare I suggest a pair of 40 mms in the waist blisters?) Looking
 forward to the progress and finish regardless.

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2012, 04:53:28 PM »
Looking great...the scheme looks a winner!
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Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2012, 09:54:28 PM »
Great work as always TC!
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Offline finsrin

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2012, 10:17:31 AM »
This is another cool original idea, being a 4-engine bomber turned into heavily armed night fighter.  Used in roll of surprise enemy night fighter killer.  Of course can be used in normal defensive roll too.  Looking forward to seeing it finished.  So many super ideas/concepts on this forum.
Bill

Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #15 on: January 21, 2012, 07:05:22 AM »
Thanks for all the nice comments guys.

Spent the last couple of days fixing the wing fit issue, added the filler, smoothed off and then painted the area. Sorted!

Tonight I started work on the turrets and while I was waiting for them to dry I added a few RAF markings. I think it looks `at home` in them.



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Offline Logan Hartke

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #16 on: January 21, 2012, 11:59:05 AM »
I'm sorry, this is a Whif forum.  You'll need to leave.  That looks far too real.   ;)

Cheers,

Logan

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #17 on: January 21, 2012, 12:05:48 PM »
I'm sorry, this is a Whif forum.  You'll need to leave.  That looks far too real.   ;)

Cheers,

Logan

Actually it isn't a pure whiff forum- we welcome all forms of modeller here.  He still has to hand over the model though... ;)
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Offline JP Vieira

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #18 on: January 21, 2012, 05:47:30 PM »
Looking very good. :)

Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #19 on: January 22, 2012, 07:51:31 AM »
Thanks guys, My resignation from the forum will be fourth coming once I`m past my 90th birthday. (Only another 49 years to go lads....)  ;D

  Todays update,

......most of the turrets are now in place with only the nose and bottom turret to be put in. I also dealt with the issue of head on attacks, (or if this aircraft was lucky enough to find itself behind an enemy aircraft), by adding a couple of 20mm cannon fixed in the upper nose section.



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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #20 on: January 22, 2012, 08:46:35 AM »
Thanks guys, My resignation from the forum will be fourth coming once I`m past my 90th birthday. (Only another 49 years to go lads....)  ;D

Oh don't think you getting released that early!
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2012, 09:20:37 AM »
I really like the modified nose with the added cannon. Deadly!

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Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #22 on: January 23, 2012, 08:06:34 AM »
Last update of this weekends work. Pretty much complete now with the front turret now in place. A bit ugly, but seen worse.

The `lumps and bumps` were added. The props are in place for the purpose of the photos and still need some work. The underside .50 cal barbette is in place, (in the down position), and the operators dome attached just behind to the rear.

Need to do a few touch ups and add some matt varnish after attaching a few more decals.



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Offline tsrjoe

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #23 on: January 23, 2012, 09:33:04 AM »
Really sharp modelling, looks plausible too, brill  8)

Offline elmayerle

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #24 on: January 23, 2012, 11:23:14 AM »
Damn, that looks nice!!  And highly plausible, too.

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #25 on: January 23, 2012, 11:57:30 AM »
That is a great model!  :-*
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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2012, 04:51:56 PM »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Cliffy B

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #27 on: January 24, 2012, 09:00:22 AM »
Fantastic!!!  Might even make a few JMNs have to stop and think for a minute  ;D
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Offline finsrin

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #28 on: January 24, 2012, 03:27:02 PM »
Great concept to great model.  Thanks for sharing !

Offline Weaver

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #29 on: January 25, 2012, 01:30:04 AM »
Lovely Job TC!  :-*

Have to admit that I've had my heart in my mouth since you ran with my "upside-down nose" suggestion, 'cos it was just a plucked-out-of-the-air idea and I was dreading it not working for some unforseen reason. The end result look cracking though!
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Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #30 on: January 25, 2012, 12:35:15 PM »
Very impressive!  The upside down nose turret certainly changes the appearance without too much effort. 
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #31 on: January 26, 2012, 05:50:54 AM »
Lovely Job TC!  :-*

Have to admit that I've had my heart in my mouth since you ran with my "upside-down nose" suggestion, 'cos it was just a plucked-out-of-the-air idea and I was dreading it not working for some unforseen reason. The end result look cracking though!


Happy you came up with it as I was scratching my head with the problem. As always sometimes you end up over thinking a problem with the simple solution slapping you in the face. Haven`t forgotten your help and will be credited in due course..... ;)

Pretty much calling this one done now. Added some `top secret` black box antenna to the vertical tail and forward fuselage.

A couple of touch up`s needed that I noticed tonight and then, this weekend, I`ll get some better daylight pictures done with the backstory.





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Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #32 on: January 26, 2012, 11:40:04 AM »
Really great! cool tarmac print too  8)
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Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #33 on: January 27, 2012, 04:02:21 AM »
Looks like a million bucks and 100% absolutely plausable, tc! A crackerjack build!!!

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Offline finsrin

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #34 on: January 27, 2012, 09:59:53 AM »
Rotating the nose and engine cowlings and paint set it apart as its own particular type aircraft.   8)

Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #35 on: January 27, 2012, 06:29:37 PM »
Again, thank you for the coments. :)

Rotating the nose and engine cowlings and paint set it apart as its own particular type aircraft.   8)

Rotated the nose turret, but the rotated engines were actually done by Consolidated as standard to the Privateer, so I can`t take credit for that one I`m afraid.
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Offline finsrin

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #36 on: January 27, 2012, 07:22:46 PM »
Engine cowlings - thatz right.  Seen many a B-24 picture, it went right by me.  You learnt me something.
Bill

Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #37 on: January 28, 2012, 10:08:28 PM »
Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 `Siren`

By 1943 the RAF`s bomber command were sustaining heavy loses over Germany from enemy night fighters. While these losses were considered acceptable, Air Chief Marshall Harris ordered a review and subsequently an investigation board into how the RAF could counter this threat.

The British had taken note of the Americans failed YB-40 project and were interested in the idea of a heavily armed gunship that would in effect perform a bomber escort role. The reason for the failure of the YB-40 is widely known, however the investigation team started to formulate plans and tactics that would give this nocturnal `gunship` an advantage over the enemy night fighters.
 
A secret project was opened codenamed Operation Weaver which was set up to look at the feasibility of such a weapons system with the first priority to find an aircraft platform that could be upgraded to a gunship specification. By chance word reached the team based at the Air Ministry of an upgraded Liberator type from the Consolidated aircraft company which was being considered for service. As standard the aircraft was already faster than the present B-17 and B-24 types as well as having the defensive armament increased.



The only problem with this new design was the lack of any kind of ventral turrets. With the arrival of the vertical firing Schräge Musik gun on German night fighters, more and more RAF bombers were being lost to this kind of attack and a deterrent had to be found.

The RAF approached Consolidated and asked for two revisions. First and foremost was the request for a remote controlled ventral barbette turret operated be a gunner lying in the prone position looking through a glass dome slightly aft of the turret. This would counter any threat from directly below and to the rear. The second request was for the front turret to be literally turned upside down so that the gunner could track and fire upon any night fighter below and ahead of the aircraft hoping for a deflection shot.

To counter any head on threat or if the gunship should ever find itself behind an enemy aircraft, two 20mm canon were fitted in a fixed position just above the front turret. Crude gun sights were installed in both the pilot and co-pilots position for aiming.



By June 1944 the first example had flown across the `pond` and landed at Boscombe for evaluation and while in principle the offensive armament performance was found to be above average, the problem arose of how to lure the German fighters to within killing range? An experienced and knowledgeable Flight Sergeant amongst the ground crew suggested that the aircraft could `leak` a weak signal that was known by the Germans. At night it would be quite hard to tell one four engined heavy from another and there fore the trap would be set. In due course the extra `black boxes` and antenna were installed and tested. (It is shortly after this tactic was written into the proposal that the nickname Siren was given to the aircraft although officially it was only known by it`s designation). The NF.4 was also fitted with the latest forward and rearward facing interception radars and in some circles is looked at as the very first AWACS platform.

By January 5th 1945 six examples had been delivered to 632 Flight based at Hemswell with the first sortie flown on the 15th of that month. 632 Flight was a mix of Mosquito NF.30 and `Sirens` with each Siren given a `guardian angel` on each flight. If an enemy aircraft was detected but was out of range, the NF.30 could be directed to intercept. Between January and May 1945 forty two enemy aircraft were claimed destroyed by 632 with the Sirens claiming nineteen and the Mosquito crews the remainder. Eight Sirens were delivered in all with five surviving by the end of May 1945. One example was lost in action with all hands but no crash site or remains have ever been found to confirm what happened. One example was lost in a landing accident after a night time cross country training flight with the loss of three crew and one example became a hangar queen within two weeks of arriving as spares became an issue. All operational NF.4`s were flown back to the United States by August 1945.



When RAF Hemswell closed down in 1967 a majority of the hulk of the hangar queen, W-Whiskey, was `rediscovered` and was soon on it`s way to storage at RAF St Athens in preparation to be delivered to the new RAF museum at Hendon. However, after an audit of space and exhibits, it was decided that the aircraft was too big and had no real historical importance compared to some of the other types vying for space.

In 1999 the question of what to do with the remains of W-Whiskey again came to the forefront. It was decided that it would be moved to RAF Cosford and restored to static condition for display.
 
The unveiling is set for 15th January 2015, exactly 70 years to the day of it`s very first, if not well known, mission.
 
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Offline ChrisF

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #38 on: January 30, 2012, 08:14:24 AM »
Nice stuff !! I particularly like the nose turret !

Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #39 on: January 30, 2012, 08:15:10 PM »
Cheers Chris.  :)

The nose turret does seem to give it some character.
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Offline ChrisF

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #40 on: January 30, 2012, 10:40:53 PM »
Yes it sets it apart nicely !

Offline Doom!

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #41 on: January 31, 2012, 01:48:21 AM »
I swear I replied to this before now...DOH!  :-[     Really nice job! :) 
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Offline tc2324

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Re: Consolidated NF.4 Y-2 Nightfighter
« Reply #42 on: February 01, 2012, 06:31:02 AM »
Thank you all.  ;)
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