Maybe? Republic A-39 Thunderclap

[Acree]

I haven't built a model in about 4 years due to real-world events (including a cross-country move).  My small stash is still packed up.  But, I have inherited a Revell 1/72 A-10, and I've long dreamed of back-dating an A-10 to a late-WWII attacker.  So, I MIGHT be in on this one, IF I can find everything I need.  Most challenging is the powerplant.  I'd like to replace the A-10's twin turbofans with twin piston engines, but the only candidate I can find in my stash so far to donate it's engines is a Wellington X.  I'd like to use American engines, and shopped for an A-26 or similar to donate engines/nacelles, but everything I found had prohibitive pricing.  I'll keep looking/planning and make a decision shortly. Anybody have any thoughts on the idea?

Chuck

[Kerick]

Well, the real A-10 is about the size of a B-25 so that might help. Put some honk’n big P-61 engines on it. Someone did a Meteor converted to the Reaper with engines moved from the wings to the rear fuselage and multiple 20mm in the nose. Kind of backward to what you’re thinking but the armament might be useful. Or for a tank buster something bigger would be required. 37mm or 40mm?

[Acree]

The Beech XA-38 Grizzly packed a 75mm (like the B-25G/H) plus 6 x.50s.  I was thinking the A-39 would have been a competitor to the Grizzly, so I was thinking of a similar armament.  The T15E1 75mm gun could easily fit into the space of the GAU-8 and additional guns (.50 cal) can be in the place of the A/R receptacle and/or wing roots.  Maybe 20mm instead of .50s. 

For powerplant, I am waffling back and forth between putting them in the same place as the turbofans (but extended away from the fuselage for prop clearance) or putting them on the wings over the landing gear pods of the A-10. 

I am also waffling about replacing the twin verticals with a single fin/rudder. 

[Old Wombat]

For powerplant, I am waffling back and forth between putting them in the same place as the turbofans (but extended away from the fuselage for prop clearance) or putting them on the wings over the landing gear pods of the A-10. 

I am also waffling about replacing the twin verticals with a single fin/rudder.

Might I suggest putting 2 x BIG radials (at least 18-cylinder, twin-row ... larger if possible) preferably with mid-mounted nacelles where the A-10's main gear is (keep the A-10 wings); keep the twin tail; put a bulge under the nose for the nose gear (&, possibly, some of the gubbins' for the 75mm) ... Don't forget to keep the wheels protruding from under the nacelles & nose for "safer" emergency landings.

[Kerick]

For powerplant, I am waffling back and forth between putting them in the same place as the turbofans (but extended away from the fuselage for prop clearance) or putting them on the wings over the landing gear pods of the A-10. 

I am also waffling about replacing the twin verticals with a single fin/rudder.

Might I suggest putting 2 x BIG radials (at least 18-cylinder, twin-row ... larger if possible) preferably with mid-mounted nacelles where the A-10's main gear is (keep the A-10 wings); keep the twin tail; put a bulge under the nose for the nose gear (&, possibly, some of the gubbins' for the 75mm) ... Don't forget to keep the wheels protruding from under the nacelles & nose for "safer" emergency landings.

That sounds cool. I would definitely keep the twin tail but maybe make them oval in shape to keep with the times. This has my gears turning but I already have an entry and little time to work on it!
I’m thinking about the wing location. With the gun and engines forward of the wings you might want to move them forward or lengthen the fuselage behind the wings to make it more balanced. The A-10 has that flying plus sign look from below. The Soviets called it the Iron Cross.

[GTX_Admin]

Dare I suggest:

[Acree]

Here are some rough sketches of my thinking so far.  Option D would be the easiest, from a building perspective, since it keeps the A-10's original wing position - the rest require moving the wing forward.  All four use the A-10's turbofan nacelles as the basis for the prop engine nacelles, and I'm dubious about that, although I was surprised to find that the resin R-2600's I found in my spares bin fit inside perfectly! 

Thoughts?

[Kerick]

Boy, howdy! That A-10 tail dragger would get some peoples hair to stand on end! All of those look good.

[Mig Eater]

Version A gets my vote, I think it will look a bit cramped if you kept the engines in the original location.

[Kerick]

Here’s the radial engine cowlings I made by cutting an A-10 engine in half.

https://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=10166.msg204420#msg204420

[Acree]

Thanks Kerick!  I remember your whopper-chopper build (now that you remind me).  I plan something similar with the A-10 cowls, though I'd like to make them longer (just for aesthetics/aerodynamics).  Unfortunately, Revell decided to make the nacelles in so many pieces, it's going to challenge my rusty skills. 

[apophenia]

Now this is going to be fun to watch ... no matter which layout you choose!