Ok as mentioned in the previous "Funnel-Web" post, this was my very first GB subject....which helped create the monster!
This was just a simple colour scheme change, but ended up being quite a bit more involved that the other total scratch built project!
The basis for this build was a Pro Resin (I love working with resin) 1/72 XP-58 Chain Lightning with some after market decals.
So first the story (it goes along side the one for the Funnel-Web)...
US supplies of new aircraft were slowing down due to the deteriorating conditions in Europe with the escalations of hostilities with the former Allied partner Russia. The Australian government wanted a new long range attack aircraft to counter the Soviet advance into the SEA region following the withdrawal of the Japanese Imperial army from Burma and Thailand.
With the push of Soviet forces into India in early 46, from the Middle East, it became very clear that they would not stop there. Alliance forces quickly drew up a plan to try and stop any possible advance into SEA through a “choke point” between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal on the border of Burma.
Alliance ground forces in SEA immediately started positioning themselves in Thailand and Malaya while airbases in Thailand, Malaya and Sumatra were quickly brought into service.
It was quickly realised by the High Command that their equipment was no longer up to the standard of the newer and more numerous Soviets aircraft. Alliance aircraft were in short supply, with most supplies flowing either into Europe or into the East China Sea to support the conflict with Japan.
New aircraft were either not being available or in very limited supply, which required the Australian government to place great stock on indigenously developed aircraft. This resulted in old and new designs from England, the US, and newly acquired German design being developed for RAAF and RNZAF service in SEA. These designs were given to the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC), which started the process of sorting out all the newly acquired material to find what would suitable for the conditions in SEA and what could be developed quickly.
One of the designs acquired under this new program was the Lockheed XP-58 which was original developed as a heavy Long Range Bomber Escort Fighter. After the program was cancelled rather than scaping it was given to the Australian Government in July 45 along will other projects as a good will gesture. The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) chose this project over others for further development as a replacement for the aging A20 Boston/Havoc’s and to replace Beaufighters and Mosquito’s lost in service.
CA-58 Mk II Copperhead
The sole XP-58 shipped to the CAC factory in Avalon, Victoria in September 45 where development was continued at a fast pace. Small changes were made to the overall design were made and a more powerful locally developed version of the Allison V-3420 engine, the V-3420-B, made under license, was fitted.
This resulted in an aircraft with superb handling characteristics both as a heavy escort fighter and ground attack aircraft. It was in the role of a Ground Attack/Anti Shipping aircraft it excelled with good low level speed and stability, plus it packed a big punch with a choice or heavy cannons and machine guns fitted in an interchangeable nose and in two powered turrets, plus and large range of under wing stores.
It still kept the original design for a crew of two, Pilot up the front and a Weapons Operator/Navigator in the rear section.
The aircraft was rushed into service after an accelerated development program late March 46 under the designation of CA-58, owing to it Lockheed roots. With the Mark I being an Heavy/Escort Fighter, the Mark II being the, and the Mark IIb entering service a few months later as an Anti-Shipping version.
The Mark I was a Long Range Heavy Escort Fighter designed for bomber escort duties and was fitted with the 3000HP Allison V-3420-B engine. Its main consisted of; 4x20mm cannons and 2x50cal machine guns in the nose, with remote controlled upper and lower turrets each fitted with 2x50cal machine guns. The Mark I was designed primarily as a long range heavy escort fighter, but in the SEA conflict it found itself up against much smaller and more manoeuvrable conventional and later jet fighters. As a result of this the Mark I was not produced in any large numbers and many were converted to the Anti-Shipping MkIIb variant.
The Mark II was the Ground Attack version and was fitted with additional under wing stores points and went into service May 46. The engine was upgraded to the new 3400HP V-3420-C5LA, this engine was more suited to the humid conditions of SEA and provided increased take off weights and reliability. Armament consisted of; 4x37mm LV Cannons and 2x50cal machine guns in the nose, with remote controlled upper and lower turrets each fitted with 2x50cal machine guns. In addition it had six underwing stores points that could hold a large range of stores which could include torpedos, plus the additional ability to mount 4x5””rockets under each wing. Aircrews quickly found the Mark II to be an excellent handling aircraft with performance to match. With a top speed in excess of 500mph and a range of 2700NM, it proved to be ideally suited for air operations over the Bay of Bengal.
The Mark IIb was a development of the MkII and was primarily design as an Anti-Shipping version with the main change being the removal of the Quad 37mm cannons and the fitment of a single 75mm cannon. This proved to be devastating on small to medium sized ships and was quickly entered into service with the American forces in the China Sea.
The aircraft was given the name Copperhead, which was a native snake commonly found in central inland Victoria.
here is the link to the build.
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234929627-raaf-ca-58-mk-ii-copperhead-may46/
