Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on October 09, 2014, 06:08:24 AM
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The British Purchasing Commission was rightly thrilled with North American's NA-73X prototype, but a shortage of unobtanium, which was a critical component in both Allison and Merlin engine crankshaft timing rocker joints, put availability of these famous engines in jeopardy. Huge teams of scientists, metallurgists and chemists tackled the problem on both sides of the Atlantic to no avail.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/threechemistsBW.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/threechemistsBW.jpg.html)
Fortunately, the new Packard Chumpion 18 twin-row radial engine used commonasdirtium in its crankshaft timing rocker joints and production of the 15.83 jigawatt powerplant was assured in the new Packard Packing Works in Park City. North American went back to the drawing board. Thus the P-51R (R for radial) Stopgap was born.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0001.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0001.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0002.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0002.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0003.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0003.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0004.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0004.jpg.html)
The wicked fast and incredibly powerful new fighter outperformed even the most optimistic estimates during flight trials and both the R.A.F. and the U.S. Army Air Force placed large orders.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0005.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0005.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0006.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0006.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0007.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0007.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0008.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0008.jpg.html)
This would prove fortunate indeed. Not because the P-51R would win the air war, but because it helped win the propaganda war.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/keepemflyingbuywarbondsposter.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/keepemflyingbuywarbondsposter.jpg.html)
The famous "Keep 'em Flying!" poster would cause record levels of war bond sales and arms production. Today no museum worthy of the name fails to have one of these iconic works in its collection.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0009.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0009.jpg.html)
The poster featured the P-51R Stopgap flown by Lt. Col. Clarence Clearance, C.O. of the 235th Fighter Group based at Whatley Manor, Wiltshire. While this unit failed to ever see combat due to maintenance issues, its contribution to the inevitable Allied victory is incalculable.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0010.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_0010.jpg.html)
No P-51Rs remain airworthy today and only a handful of airframes are left, but the famous poster is still seen on T-shirts and on college dorm room walls worldwide.
Brian da Basher
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I must now do a two seat, floatplane version with folding wings for the USN!!! Thanks for the idea!!!!!!! 8)
Great build too :)
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This all started innocently enough with the P-51 kit from the 1/72 Accurate Miniatures Air Combat Legends P-40/P-51 Bonus Pack kit.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P-40%20Soviet%20Slammer/acm1020.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P-40%20Soviet%20Slammer/acm1020.jpg.html)
Isn't that box art something? Really hits you where you live, don't it?
The P-51 kit is pretty basic, but one can make a very respectable model out of it. One with patience, talent & skill that is. Mine, well it has wings and a propeller. Speaking of wings, this P-51 kit is an oddball because it has elements of both a P-51 Mustang and an A-36 Apache in it. Most is pure Mustang, but the wing armament is four large holes which to me mean 20 m.m. cannons, typically found on the A-36. If one was masochistic enough to scratch dive brakes in 1/72, they could end up with a believable Apache out of it.
Right off the bat, I knew this one wasn't going to be OOB by a long shot. First off, I had to get rid of that ugly, drag-inducing belly scoop.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_intake_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_intake_01.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_intake_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_intake_02.jpg.html)
Yikes! Just look at that gaping hole! Fortunately, some card stock came to the rescue.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_intake_03.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_intake_03.jpg.html)
Next, time to amputate the now useless Packard Merlin. What good would it be with defective crankshaft timing rocker joints anyway? Mr Razor-saw, front and center!
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_nose.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_chopped_nose.jpg.html)
Now, what to replace it with? An Amiot cowl & prop looked nice and a spare engine shaved down a little was a decent fit.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_new_E_C_P.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_new_E_C_P.jpg.html)
Wow that prop really looks winky! No help found in the bag of loose props, so I need to dress this one up a little. I found some styrene nubs that looked a little like counter-weights if you've had a few too many martinis and I added a new prop tip made from sprue.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_new_prop_dressed.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_new_prop_dressed.jpg.html)
Looks passable with a little paint.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_new_prop_painted.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_new_prop_painted.jpg.html)
Speaking of paint, here's the P-51R Stopgap all painted up, before decals. It was brush-painted by hand with acrylics, Model Masters OD and Dark Ghost Gray mostly. Poly-Scale Soviet Green was substituted for zinc chromate on the inside of the cowl.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_01.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_02.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_03.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_03.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_04.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_04.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_05.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_05.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_06.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_prog_paint_06.jpg.html)
Decals were leftovers from the decal dungeon. Those neat 1943 red-surround stars-and-bars come from a diminishing sheet by Eagle Strike.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_00_upper.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_00_upper.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_00_under.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_00_under.jpg.html)
Oh hey, did I mention that this kit comes with all the bells and whistles? No, not really, but there was a stand.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_00_x_stand.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51R_00_x_stand.jpg.html)
And here's a few shots of the P-51R Stopgap on that stand. You can practically feel the propwash, can't you?
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_01.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_01.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_05.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_05.jpg.html)
I had a lot of fun on this project which took me three days to build. Don't get me wrong, while this kit is pretty simple, it builds up nice and no putty was needed. I did use a little white glue around the canopy, but that's it.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_03.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_03.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_04.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_04.jpg.html)
I hope you enjoyed the P-51R and reading a little more forgotten history.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_02.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_02.jpg.html)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_06.jpg) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Bri2k/media/P%2051R%20Stopgap/P-51_on_stand_06.jpg.html)
Brian da Basher
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I'll admit, this looks awesome.
Good job streamlining the rest of the fuselage.
The Radial engine makes for quite a drastic change for the Mustang!
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Awesome job, Brian; complete with your usual enjoyable back story. On a slightly more serious note, the four holes were for the 4x.50 cal. machine guns the P-51B/C carried; it wasn't until the redesign for the P-51D that they went to six machine guns there. The real problem with unobtanium is that it's refined from costemfortune ore which is expensive to obtain.
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Thank god for stop-gaps!!! Love your Pony'R'!!! 8) 8)
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Looks great!
Cheers,
Logan
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Inline to radial conversion is smooth. Don't look tacked on. You have touch for such bashing :)
While doing that, a bit F6F appearance snuck in.
So thatz story behind P-51R, hmmmm...
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Wonderful transformation! :-* :-* :-*
(of course I am going to play with the profile of it, and my Corel Draw software... ;) )
Thanks!
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:)
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Super!
Alvis 3.1
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Lovely radial Mustang - excellent execution!
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Wonderful transformation! :-* :-* :-*
(of course I am going to play with the profile of it, and my Corel Draw software... ;) )
Thanks!
And here is the P-51R family... (I may reveal it, as the work of Brian - without being killed yet it seems - proves it is no more top-secret):
(http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/r_P-51TR8_aca.JPG)
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- Good morning, Mr Policeman! No, no of course I was not revealing our best fighters design to the enemy! This was a fantasy joke with egg-planes as final funny goal, see below... hehehe... so no need to shoot me down, uh?
- Bang, you're dead!
(http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/r_P-51TR8_acb.JPG)
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Some I did ages ago:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/More%20Creations/51cormh.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/More%20Creations/51cord.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/More%20Creations/51cor.jpg)
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The real problem with unobtanium is that it's refined from costemfortune ore which is expensive to obtain.
Not to mention that the raw costemfortune ore is often contaminated by Administratium (http://profron.net/fun/Administratium.html)... ;)
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And that write-up is spot on! We're going through something like that right now at work.
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Hello? Am I still on Earth? No, it seems I am in Heaven in the clouds, with this wonderful P-51R model (of Brian) that cannot "exist" down there, so... here Above I may reveal the next step in the Mustang radial family: the liquid-cooled radials that were top-top-secret...
(http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/r_P-51TR8_acc.JPG)
(Thanks again Brian for the inspiration...)
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You have an outstanding talent for extrapolating and improving on designs, Tophe and I'm glad I could inspire you.
It'd be fun to see what kind of concepts we'd get discussing ideas.
Brian da Basher
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Outstanding work BdaB! Your imagination is inspirational.. :)
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hmmm radial hurricane?
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hmmm radial hurricane?
If memory serves me correctly, Hawker studied at least one such variant.
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hmmm radial hurricane?
I know of at least two…which you can even get in kit form:
(http://s1.scalemates.com/products/img/8/2/2/163822-12192.jpg?nr=72167&company=omega%20models&name=hawker%20hurricane%20ii)
(http://s1.scalemates.com/products/img/8/2/0/163820-12192.jpg?nr=72162&company=omega%20models&name=hawker%20hurricane%20mk.iic)
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Those Hurricanes just look wrong :o, especially the Russian radial powered version, looks like it's got a Lagg cowling too!! ???
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Those Hurricanes just look wrong :o, especially the Russian radial powered version, looks like it's got a Lagg cowling too!! ???
nah they look very right they look like mono winged gladiators to me
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nah they look very right
I agree... the goal is not yet to win the war but to have fun playing with famous silhouettes...
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Heh, where to begin, Mr. Basher? Great concept, nicely rendered, whimsical yet thoughful backstory. It's all here! Not to mention I have now learned that A.M. marketed such 1:72 kits (never even saw that before). Good job all around!
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This project has given me an inspiration for a much more powerful project of my own! It will be a SBD Dauntless with a F-4U-4 engine and cowling.. :)
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Dear Brian, this is just wonderful: not only you enjoy us very much with this wonderful P-51R but you give also lots of inspiration to many ones to produce even more crazy things... Thanks again! ;)
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For some reason, this project suggests an ultimate racing F-82 with a pair of R4360s upfront.
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For some reason, this project suggests an ultimate racing F-82 with a pair of R4360s upfront.
Yes - it does.
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I know of at least two…which you can even get in kit form:
([url]http://s1.scalemates.com/products/img/8/2/2/163822-12192.jpg?nr=72167&company=omega%20models&name=hawker%20hurricane%20ii[/url])
([url]http://s1.scalemates.com/products/img/8/2/0/163820-12192.jpg?nr=72162&company=omega%20models&name=hawker%20hurricane%20mk.iic[/url])
Yeah! got those two in the stash already, along with six other Hurricane kits Omega does (Griffon & DB engined come to mind for a couple of them, two-seaters and ski u/c, Mk.XII for the others)
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For some reason, this project suggests an ultimate racing F-82 with a pair of R4360s upfront.
Yes - it does.
Here they are... (still to be built)
(http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/r_P-51TR8_acf.JPG)
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Now that's a Whiff desperately trying to become plastic!! Awesome Tophe!! 8) 8)
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Alternatively, how about some RAF "Mustang V" aircraft with Centaurus engines? Perhaps with an earlier trial fit on a Mustang Ii/P-51B aircraft.
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Great idea! The Mk.VI should have been built when the in-line Ki-61 turned into the radial Ki-100...
(http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/r_P-51TR8_acg.JPG)
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There's only one thing to consider Tophe, the actual physical size difference between a P-51 and a Tempest or P-47/72 ---- although what you have drawn would work on a Martin Baker MB5 --- ;)
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Considering that, according to Tony Buttler's book (BSP3), the MB.4 was a Centaurus-powered sibling to the MB.5, it would be quite appropriate.
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It's been said that the MB5 was just a UK P-51, but apart from the radiator duct design similarities, the aircraft is totally different. And almost the same size as a Tempest/P-47/Hellcat, and it has the largest fin/rudder of all the piston engine fighters of the time.
I've been thinking about a 'Twin-MB5' with Centaurus engines, as a Pacific fighter.
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I've been thinking about a 'Twin-MB5' with Centaurus engines, as a Pacific fighter.
Opposite-handed props or both rotating the same direction? If you're going with opposite-handing, use the same orientation the P/F-82 used since they found the other way rather increases drag.
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I've been thinking about a 'Twin-MB5' with Centaurus engines, as a Pacific fighter.
Opposite-handed props or both rotating the same direction? If you're going with opposite-handing, use the same orientation the P/F-82 used since they found the other way rather increases drag.
Opposite-handed and five blades each. I was thinking that they would have to go the same way as the F-82 or DH Hornet --
Without hijacking Brian's thread any further --- something of interest happened while looking at various props. The prop diameter of the F-82 and Hornet are very close to being the same, and the spinners are about the same diameter too. I've had an idea for a project that would be quite subtle -- put F-82 props on a Hornet with the story De Havilland tested the Aero Products propellers. Considering that the F-51H engine and the engines in the F-82B/C/D are really Packard built versions of the Merlins installed in the Hornet, not too far fetched I think.
I've also noted the Monogram F-82 prop blades appear to be a bit undersize, they should really be closer to the prop the High Planes F-51H comes with, and with that in mind I'm trying to produce an opposite-hand prop to it
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There's only one thing to consider Tophe, the actual physical size difference between a P-51 and a Tempest or P-47/72 ---- although what you have drawn would work on a Martin Baker MB5 --- ;)
No, I don't consider realism at all ;) I am just having fun, not designing killing machines but dreams...
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Hmm, how about something really different for a radial-engine P-51, install a Wright Typhoon and keep the radiator scoop since it was a liquid-cooled radial. You might have to go with the stretched fuselage of the F-83 for weight and balance purposes since a six-row radial is going to be long.
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Hmm, how about something really different for a radial-engine P-51, install a Wright Typhoon and keep the radiator scoop since it was a liquid-cooled radial.
You might have to go with the stretched fuselage of the F-83 for weight and balance purposes since a six-row radial is going to be long.
Uh? According to Google, the Wright Typhoon is not a radial piston engine but a turboprop... Are there 2 different with the same name?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/Tophe2712/WrightTyphoon_zps25db5847.jpg)
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:-[ Whoops!! I meant Wright Tornado, the liquid-cooled 6-row, 42-cylinder radial.
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Got a book on that engine Evan, it was written while they were restoring the one that still exists. A neat idea where they could add or subtract rows to create various engines of specific size and hp. Much like the AS Deerhound
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Got a book on that engine Evan, it was written while they were restoring the one that still exists. A neat idea where they could add or subtract rows to create various engines of specific size and hp. Much like the AS Deerhound
Cool! I'll have to acquire it. What was the length and diameter? I want to see if it would reasonably fit on a P-51 airframe.
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Got a book on that engine Evan, it was written while they were restoring the one that still exists. A neat idea where they could add or subtract rows to create various engines of specific size and hp. Much like the AS Deerhound
Cool! I'll have to acquire it. What was the length and diameter? I want to see if it would reasonably fit on a P-51 airframe.
Hmm! I lent my book to a friend a while ago, but he died last year -- I'll have to see if the family have it still --- IIRC the diameter was 42" (could be wrong though) and it was designed originally to be totally enclosed in a wing foil.
This is the book"