Author Topic: 1934 Crisis - Part I the Argentines (Read 7196 times)

Brian da Basher · « **on:** May 08, 2012, 06:41:27 AM »

In the early 1930s, Argentina was desperate to modernize their naval air power, but due to the Great Depression, had to do it on the cheap.

To this end, they hired many spies. One, known only as El Torpe, managed to infiltrate the Savoia-Marchetti company and spirit away plans for their famous SM-55 flying boat. What the Argentine Navy didn't know was that rare dialect of Italian called Avionese in which the plans were written. This actually worked to their advantage for when they were done buidling a flying boat from the plans, something completely new emerged, the "Balboa" (a mis-translation of Balbo, a nickname for the SM-55) which could carry 50 fully loaded troops over a long range.

The Argentine Navy ordered as many "Balboas" as could be built, which ended out being eight. These eight flying boats would become known around the world when Argentina felt obliged to land troops on the Falkland Islands to make up for being snubbed at the Henley Regatta.

More to follow...

Brian da Basher

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2012, 06:48:45 AM »

All eight "Balboas" took off on the night of April 13, 1934 and quietly landed before sunrise, four at Port Howard and the other four at Stanley. The locals, a small detatchment from the Royal Meteorological Office and all the sheep were taken completely by surprise.

Argentina could take the Falklands, but could they hold them?

to be continued...

Brian da Basher

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2012, 06:57:09 AM »

I started this project late last week and it began with two sets of 1/48 pontoons from a Piper Cub kit Jeff Fontaine was kind enough to send me a while back. I dug out the upper wing parts of a 1/72 Me-109 from the spares box and used some clear plastic to finish the wing. The fins and rudders are horiz. stabs. from a Spitfire and the rest of the tail was made from scrap plastic. The enclosed cockpit in the middle is part of a B-36 canopy. The engines were made from bits of sprue and the pylons were more odds from the spares box. Props are white metal, courtesy of Aeroclub.

The American penny gives you an idea how small this model is.

Brian da Basher

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2012, 07:00:55 AM »

Here's a few more pics of my "Balboa" which will hopefully tide everyone over until I get my next entry finished.

Brian da Basher

Empty Handed · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2012, 09:05:22 AM »

Really imaginative and something of a looker too!

apophenia · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2012, 10:19:26 AM »

Brilliant Brian! But my jaw dropped when I saw the parts you'd created it from. I'd have never guessed ... and that is at the heart of whiffery. Well done!

ed s · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2012, 10:37:37 AM »

Brilliant as always, Brian.

Ed

AGRA · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2012, 12:39:22 PM »

That is a cool looking cockpit. B-2 chic.

Alvis 3.1 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2012, 02:30:42 PM »

Awesome man!

Alvis 3.1

JP Vieira · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2012, 06:04:26 PM »

Very, very good.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2012, 06:21:50 PM »

Outstanding!

ysi_maniac · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2012, 02:59:19 AM »

How can this guy make these models with almost nothing?

Perfect :) :)

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2012, 04:47:58 AM »

Clever, and very nicely executed! (But gadfrey, thats tiny!!!)

Cliffy B · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2012, 04:42:27 AM »

Mmmmm twin boom flying boat, sexy!!!!!!

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