Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: The Rat on February 22, 2020, 04:52:46 AM
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The ancient Airfix kit sits on the cluttered bench, awaiting the indignities that I will thrust upon it. Here's the basic idea:
RAF Coastal Command gets the respect it deserved at the start of the war, rather than being the poor cousin to the rest of the service, as was in real life. This results in re-equipping with better aircraft than the motley collection of Avro Ansons, Vickers Vildebeests, Saro Londons, Supermarine Stranraers, and some Sunderlands, the only really capable aircraft of the bunch. While waiting for even better aircraft, it was decided to improve the Fairey battle, which had not proven worthy as a light bomber in RAF service.
Radial engine, probably a Bristol Pegasus XXII swiped from the Matchbox Vickers Wellesley. This causes a loss of about 20hp, but it obviates the need for liquid cooling, so the weight saving may even things out.
With a range of 1,000 miles versus 790, a service ceiling of 25,000ft versus 19,000, a bomb load of 1,000lbs internal or 1,500lbs external versus 360lbs, and a speed of 257mph* versus 188, this makes it far superior to the Ansons that Coastal Command were utilising.
*This was with the Merlin II, what the speed would be with the Pegasus is unknown, but I'll assume it's about the same.
Coastal Command uses it as a land-based adjunct to flying boats, with a combination of bombs and depth charges. Armament is increased with the addition of a second wing-mounted .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine gun.
Opinions?
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A great concept that might be kicked up a notch by adding floats.
Brian da Basher
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Looking forward to this. :smiley:
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I have a similar concept I'm playing with, only with the use of a later model Merlin for more power.
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A great concept that might be kicked up a notch by adding floats.
Brian da Basher
Had that in mind, but I want to keep the range and speed, floats would cut into that.
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With turret
(http://silverhawkauthor.com/images/site_graphics/Aircraft/Aircraft---Canada/Fairey-Battle-with-Cyclone-radial-engine---MIKAN-No--3586792.jpg)
Battle with Bristol Taurus
(http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Photo-07-Fairey-Battle-Taurus-II-K9331.jpg)
with Hercules
(http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Photo-08-Fairey-Battle-BS-Hercules-N2042.jpg)
Source http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2018/02/17/the-lost-battle/ (http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2018/02/17/the-lost-battle/)
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Fixed gear on that Hercules version? I'm wondering if it was a wreck, and instead of bothering to replace the gear mechanisms for the tests they just fixed it in place and streamlined them a bit.
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You're right, Mr Rat. The fixed gear version could definitely use some spats.
Why wouldn't you want the most streamlined under-carriage known to man?
Brian da Basher
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You're right, Mr Rat. The fixed gear version could definitely use some spats.
Why wouldn't you want the most streamlined under-carriage known to man?
Brian da Basher
;D
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The radial engined version was the inspiration for my DAP N-7 Wandabaa (aboriginal for Eaglehawk):
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/More%20Creations/RANN-8WandabaaII.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/ALT%20RAN%20FAA/Wandabaa_Greg_01.jpg)
Also seen here (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=3420.0) with more details.
And speaking of floats:
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/More%20Creations/Battle-FP.gif)
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What was Coastal Command's policy on single engined aircraft?
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What was Coastal Command's policy on single engined aircraft?
The Vickers Vildebeest was single-engined, and Coastal Command still had some in service.
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What was Coastal Command's policy on single engined aircraft?
The Vickers Vildebeest was single-engined, and Coastal Command still had some in service.
Fairey Swordfish, Supermarine Walrus, Blackburn Shark -----
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What was Coastal Command's policy on single engined aircraft?
The Vickers Vildebeest was single-engined, and Coastal Command still had some in service.
Fairey Swordfish, Supermarine Walrus, Blackburn Shark -----
Swordfish and Shark were RN FAA, but they certainly used the Walrus. And According to Wikipedia they did use Fairey battles, based in Iceland, presumably for recce patrols. I should have known that, because I remember now that my old reserve regiment* was involved in the rescue of the crew one that went down there, off in the rocky wilderness.
*The Royal Regiment of Canada. Regular force during the war, decimated at Dieppe. :icon_sueno:
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Dieppe is sadly not well known here. So many un-sung heroes.
They really should make a decent movie of it and spare no effort!
Brian da Basher
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Well I am waiting to see how it works out. The above Pix are great inspiration. GTX.. that DAP N-7 Wandabaa it a treat
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So I've started hacking at this, conversion to a radial engine makes the chin radiator redundant so it's been carved off.
Oil cooler may be enlarged a bit to compensate for what might be a higher running temperature. I guess next will be to
saw off the nose. But delicately, because it's probably going to be attached to something else.
(https://scontent.fymy1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/89308700_10159151784798132_6807677770097754112_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=zQkOwHwJN_cAX_KwAzD&_nc_ht=scontent.fymy1-2.fna&oh=78c067b06e13228e40e2fcc1230f6532&oe=5E806C69)
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It's always great fun carving off redundant bits, isn't it, Mr Rat?
Perhaps we'd best not ask our significant others that question but it sure looks like you're enjoying the build.
Brian da Basher
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Imagine, though, if Fairey managed to get their Monarch engines into production.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Monarch
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48016336086_0cddd31af4_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48016347083_68f315338a_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49652882907_31d01db6f0_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49652073463_db75d85524_b.jpg)
Chris
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This conversion is going to be... interesting. From the graceful outline of a RR Merlin cowling to the decidedly unattractive nose swiped from a Vickers Wellesley. On the front, hanging uncomfortably like an afterthought, will be a Bristol Pegasus XX
(https://scontent.fymy1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/90166315_10159194336273132_6299025497607110656_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=JJYxrrTTBsYAX_g-Mz8&_nc_ht=scontent.fymy1-2.fna&oh=8a7497fce0edaaceed5ba1ba4eddfe9d&oe=5E98D036)
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Brave man, rattus rattus! :-\
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No worries eh? It will buff out :)
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More putty required!
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Well if anyone's up to that sort of challenge, it's you Rat!
Brian da Basher
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What use is an old pen?
(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/90441301_10159199903658132_4038338095211347968_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_eui2=AeFwoZk2xKUoR1UmDDqj7SNKS5cGoFwExk2cWvBfDeQlRBeASEJF7WmXLDStHvxF9qEfI2MBI_-4mH4-4xlbtbeSnE5yLCKOmd9gLIHGko7MrQ&_nc_ohc=1M_VD1TLKBQAX_yoGlJ&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=3a136fc9246a8a308a812ccd47a9e8df&oe=5E9A327E)
(https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/90354309_10159199903778132_1783283018438279168_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_eui2=AeFQc2hzp-dMoA2umBbMfIjsCwfYrPgAYH4o9dMrBlTE2M8D63riLxH1EMXeje-XWQ_972HAqrIsbbD2z2w_HXmyWvuCKRbLL2KO8KPHP7Hc4w&_nc_ohc=l6b6FacYrjoAX_nNXMt&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-2.fna&oh=3a32c406818064c7e3080d303cfffb3e&oe=5E9AE11F)
(https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/90324589_10159199903923132_8451520775441088512_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_eui2=AeFjpGObF9ku2V4Ptm2uN_w0tPsGPxacf-pGhFzckDrn_ATAbj4OkTH0Z0KSThLgsiUJUOuxwbuAIx9C9KwgFvJEDOYxwNY95Pk_pZrenQfCYg&_nc_ohc=7zo6yrehw_UAX_BnU-Y&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-2.fna&oh=44ed40843ab0b6907d4619b190e56d25&oe=5E99351A)
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:smiley:
Someone should really release some conversion kits (maybe 3D printed) for the various Fairey Battle Engine Testbeds:
Wright Cyclone engine:
(https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/GTwiner098/battle-5_zpsmhl6xrst.jpg)
(https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/GTwiner098/Fairey%20Battle_03_engine%20testbed_zpsstmhny0z.jpg)
Napier Sabre:
(https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/GTwiner098/battle-6_zpsxaodtpmi.jpg)
RR Exe:
(https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/GTwiner098/Exe_zpskf0klq6c.jpg)
Fairey Monarch or Prince 4 (also see images above):
(https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/GTwiner098/battle-15_zpsyzbloamx.jpg)
Bristol Taurus:
(https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/GTwiner098/01ATFTU3_zpsb42gii1h.jpg)
Bristol Hercules:
(https://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/GTwiner/GTwiner098/hercBatt_zpsjf9ytd1f.jpg)
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:smiley: Someone should really release some conversion kits (maybe 3D printed) for the various Fairey Battle Engine Testbeds:
There certainly seems to have been a lot of them.
Which begs the question: which aircraft in history has had more test-bed derivatives that any other? Some manufacturers have used a single aircraft with which they often attached engines; Pratt and Whitney Canada used a Viscount and a B-720 for years, but those are in a different class. They were strictly used for testing new engines and their descendants. I'm talking about modifying an aircraft some way so as to find out how the whole thing behaved, from front to back, inside and out. Performance, handling, range, altitude, etc. I'll start a separate thread on this.
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This is getting more interesting. But for goodness sakes, with that engine please don't put floats on it ;)
GTX's brief overview on the various test beds just highlights that even after withdrawal as a front line aircraft, the Battle provided excellent service. Over the years I have read with interest if there was a new engine.. stick in on a Battle to test it seemed to be the way it went.
Surprised they did not try the Whittle Turbine on it (That might get somebody thinking ;) )
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This is getting more interesting. But for goodness sakes, with that engine please don't put floats on it ;)
GTX's brief overview on the various test beds just highlights that even after withdrawal as a front line aircraft, the Battle provided excellent service. Over the years I have read with interest if there was a new engine.. stick in on a Battle to test it seemed to be the way it went.
Surprised they did not try the Whittle Turbine on it (That might get somebody thinking ;) )
Perhaps test a Trent turboprop in it before sticking two of them in a Meteor? Or some of the other early turboprops?
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Surprised they did not try the Whittle Turbine on it (That might get somebody thinking ;) )
An article in Air-Britain's AeroMilitaria revealed they had something else in mind, an Avro Anson ----- someone doing research at Kew (UK National Archives) stumble across the file while looking for something else. There was a couple of drawings published with the article showing the engine was to be installed mid fuselage (in the cabin) with a nose air intake and a duct that snaked around the pilot's position to the front of the engine, and bifurcated exhaust. These were shown in two exit locations.
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Puttying and sanding done, lick of paint to show any flaws - looking okay.
(https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/91528898_10159251451968132_4504636230612287488_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=uRlcG4GeKrAAX_to8mY&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-2.fna&oh=cff3b75e55a2b271a40c7e09ed878c0c&oe=5EA924EB)
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Looking good, Rat!
Brian da Basher
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Developing very nicely, there.
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:smiley:
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Close to being together, soon the painting will begin. Haven't had a lot of success in that area lately, disasters abound. Oh well, press on.
You'll notice that the decal sheet also includes Belgian markings. So now I have to poke through the stash to see where they might come in handy. Maybe the 'Composante air' could have used a Bristol Type 170 post-war? I also have another Vickers Wellesley. Hmmm...
(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92319994_10159279648458132_4228609544470659072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=IWNcm2XheRcAX_4fjVg&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.xx&oh=3bef6fcfd93a5981ec5ab1628b927a69&oe=5EAF1064)
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All of a sudden it looks like a Blackburn Skua on 'roids
Really interesting shape
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All of a sudden it looks like a Blackburn Skua on 'roids...
It does, doesn't it? Very interested to see how this turns out :smiley:
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All of a sudden it looks like a Blackburn Skua on 'roids
Really interesting shape
It's got a dash of Vultee to it too.
Brian da Basher
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One of the annoying things about this model is the bomb bays in the wings. If you assemble them open, with the supplied bombs, the bombs actually hang down so far that it would be plainly obvious to any observer that the doors would not be able to close. So I've made it with them closed, but the fit is terrible, the doors are too wonky to look smooth, and there are big gaps. Might rip them out and try making my own. Also might try reworking the bombs to make them fit.
Back story will have 12 Squadron moved to Coastal Command, that way I can just stick with the kit decals. It re-equipped with Battles in 1938, so the timeline for that doesn't need to change.
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@The Rat - why not make it without the bomb bay doors on your panniers? Call it an expedient move during war time operations that it was necessary to remove the doors in order to accommodate larger stores. Something that might have/could have been done in order to carry the larger ASW weapons needed to kill submarines with stronger hulls.
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@The Rat - why not make it without the bomb bay doors
STOP DESTROYING MY MASOCHISM! ;D ;D ;D
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coming along nicely.
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Ahhh, the somewhat "agricultural" fit of some of the earlier kit offerings !
Like Jeff said, the option of semi recessed housings would work, it worked for the Skua.
Depth Charges were somewhat beefier than bombs in some cases. This would allow for a Bigger weapon. We all know that bigger is better ;)
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Removed the masking. Touched up the fuselage areas where there was a little bit of bleed under the tape, now I'll have to spend about a year or so scraping the edges of all those windows and touching up them. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
Couldn't find the instruction sheet, so I did the camo pattern just any old way. And of course, after it was done I found the instructions. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: Not repainting.
(https://scontent.fybz2-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/93526465_10159328332788132_6488716864288456704_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=u8JBxSF4eb4AX9FdSZE&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz2-2.fna&oh=6ef2ef4727150f3e0a88b0316e66deb0&oe=5EBDB22B)
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Inspired so far Mr. Rat 8) 8) 8) 8)
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Sharp looking Coastal Command scheme Rat san!
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:smiley: