Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: ericr on April 02, 2014, 04:03:32 AM

Title: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: ericr on April 02, 2014, 04:03:32 AM

this time I thought of a backing story! (usually I wouldn't know what story to invent, because the things I do are a bit abstract, but this time I have something, although short, but plausible, kind of ...)

Budget cuts are severe, all over the world, and in every activity domain, including defence : aircraft carriers are a luxury, and alternatives have to be explored, while still maintaining missions, in this case : air presence at sea.
The french Aéronavale therefore studies floatplanization of its aero-fleet, and here are small scale (1/400) representations of floatplanized Super Etendards (single, central float) and Rafales (twin-floats, one with the prototype sturdy mounts, the other with a more refined strut assembly). As a complement, a Panther helicopter also wears pontoons.

(http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y435/ericr63/hyd/P3230163s_zpsfd5b1000.jpg)

(http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y435/ericr63/hyd/P3230162s_zps12427e29.jpg)

(http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y435/ericr63/hyd/minus400-s_zps8947d05d.jpg)


the original kits come from the Heller 1/400 Charles de Gaule,
and floats from 1/350 Ar196 and Fairey III, as well as japanese floatplanes.

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: Volkodav on April 02, 2014, 04:20:56 AM

 :)

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: Tophe on April 02, 2014, 06:06:10 AM

Wow! Thanks a lot to the budget cuts! (keeping more money in our pockets and providing us with these very beautiful supersonic seaplanes)...

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: FAAMAN on April 02, 2014, 11:19:02 AM

 8) ;) ;D

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: upnorth on April 02, 2014, 12:40:01 PM

Very cool.  :)

It makes me wand to buy an F Resin 1/144 Dassault Falcon biz jet and stick it on floats.

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: ericr on April 02, 2014, 02:30:59 PM

Quote from: upnorth on April 02, 2014, 12:40:01 PM

Very cool.  :)

It makes me wand to buy an F Resin 1/144 Dassault Falcon biz jet and stick it on floats.

thanks !

you mean, like this Falcon 20? :

(http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y435/ericr63/hyd/falcon20-s_zps4d434684.jpg)

(http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y435/ericr63/hyd/img_7447_zpsc999f066.jpg)

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: Tophe on April 03, 2014, 12:36:32 AM

Great concept and perfect built! I imagine the big boss landing in a Polynesia atoll with vahiné welcome... (for the week-end)

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: elmayerle on April 03, 2014, 08:42:05 AM

Quote from: upnorth on April 02, 2014, 12:40:01 PM

Very cool.  :)

It makes me wand to buy an F Resin 1/144 Dassault Falcon biz jet and stick it on floats.

Not *that* far-fetched.  There was a report, some 30 years ago, in Aviation Convention News of some rich Saudis approaching Edo about putting floats under a Yak-40.

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: Brian da Basher on April 07, 2014, 05:08:30 AM

These are all wonderful little gems, but I especially like your Falcon 20, eric!

The shiny red scheme really adds to the sleek look and adding floats was sheer genius!

Brian da Basher

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: ericr on April 07, 2014, 07:32:31 PM

Thanks !

this was done from the Mach 2 kit of an Aéronavale Falcon, with side window for observers to look at the sea

Title: Re: Aéronavale jet floatplanes
Post by: Tophe on April 08, 2014, 10:47:31 PM

Quote from: ericr on April 07, 2014, 07:32:31 PM

with side window for observers to look at the sea

I had not noticed, thanks for directing the second look, appreciating even more...