Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Alvis 3.1 on October 23, 2014, 02:35:32 PM
-
With the re-emergence of Germany in the early 1930s as an expansionistic power, various countries courted the Nazi regime in an attempt to drive a wedge between themselves and their perceived rivals. One of these countries was Japan.
Unfortunately for the militarists in the Japanese government, Hitler's bunch wasn't interested in sharing much with the Japanese, and began making serious demands to have their former Pacific possessions returned. When things came to a head in China , the Japanese did a quick reassessment of the situation, replaced some key individuals in cabinet, and began making new friends in the area. One of the more unexpected ones was Australia.
Things had been tense between Australia and Japan in the years after WW 1. Seeing Japan as a serious threat, successive Australian governments had clamoured for military assistance from the UK, but were often left holding the short end of the stick. Realising that Germany posed a threat to Australian interests as well as their own, with increasing trouble from Stalins' Soviet Union as well, Japanese delegates began to make inroads with the politicians in Australia, forming an alliance of convenience that grew into one of interdependence. Japan had manufacturing ability, Australia had the resources, and Britain was still climbing out of the depression and was facing an emergent European war, one which they desperately needed Australian forces to fight. If the Mother Country was going to ignore their defence, then the Australians felt it only best to look for help much closer.
Kawanishi had been building trolley cars and railway gear for several years in Australia before WW 2 broke out. Having formed a good working relationship with the Australian manufacturers, a bold idea was put forward by the board of directors at Kawanishi: Build one of our designs under licence and it will help us both in the long run, you for defence today, us for a long term manufacturing partnership. Seizing the chance, Australia began to produce the CAC CA-19 "Thunderstruck"
Too late for service in the Battle of Britain, "Thunderstrucks" began entering service in mid-1943, in time for the sweep across Africa and into the south of Europe, across the Aegean into Greece and up through the Balkans into the heart of the Nazi regime. They also served in the pacific along side the Wildcats and hellcats of the USN, fighting the Russian forces along the coast, and far into the interior, liberating Manchuria and Northern China from Stalin's madness. This model represents a later mark, the Mk II B, which sported a blown Spitfire like canopy, increased engine power, additional wing guns, and underwing stations. The RAAF planes fighting in the PNE Theatre were distinctive in their markings, as all red was removed to prevent being mistaken for a plane sporting the red star of the Soviet Air Force.
This example was flown by P/O George "Geordie" McGruder as part of the liberation of Vladivostok. He was credited with 31 3/5 kills during that operation.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/100_4165_zpsffbbf7d6.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/100_4165_zpsffbbf7d6.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/100_4160_zps5d5b7fe6.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/100_4160_zps5d5b7fe6.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/100_4159_zps9e580973.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/100_4159_zps9e580973.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/100_4163_zpsdfc46be5.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/100_4163_zpsdfc46be5.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/100_4164_zps4ce0773c.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/100_4164_zps4ce0773c.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/100_4161_zps2a7d233b.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/100_4161_zps2a7d233b.jpg.html)
Here's another creation from the insane mind of Mark Two, one of my co-workers. It's an old kit in 1/32 scale of the "George", "slightly" reworked to make it more Australian. It's confused a few customers at the hobby shop, most thinking it's some sort of Tempest...
Alvis 3.1
-
That is Whiffing brilliant!!! Thoroughly, completely and insanely brilliant!! :D 8) 8)
Didn't the seriously talented AC/DC sing this birds praises??? ;D ;D ;D
-
Oh that is devilishly tricky :-*
-
Gorgeous! Its almost unrecognizable until you point out what it is - but it certainly looks the business! Great back-story, too.
Chuck
-
:)
-
He added the prop from a P-47, windscreen and canopy from a Spitfire, and extended the gun barrels, otherwise, it's pretty much a stock "George". It's one of the planes they made that doesn't look "Japanese" to my eye, it's a lot beefier than your typical Mitsubishi or Nakajima product.
Al
-
I kept thinking there was an Fw-190 hidden under all of that. Thanks for the clarification. ;)
-
It's one of the planes they made that doesn't look "Japanese" to my eye, it's a lot beefier than your typical Mitsubishi or Nakajima product.
I agree. Photos such as that below reinforce the view:
(http://www.j-aircraft.com/captured/capturedfrom/TAIC/TAICS7/ap-taic7-2.jpg)
-
:)
-
Terrific, aside from the magnificent AC/DC riff running through my head as I read the story, the construction and painting are first rate.
-
NICE! first thought p-47 with different engine.
-
NICE! first thought p-47 with different engine.
Same here: you beat me to it by about 10 seconds!
That's a lovely job: well done to Mark Two!
-
It's one of the planes they made that doesn't look "Japanese" to my eye, it's a lot beefier than your typical Mitsubishi or Nakajima product.
I agree. Photos such as that below reinforce the view:
([url]http://www.j-aircraft.com/captured/capturedfrom/TAIC/TAICS7/ap-taic7-2.jpg[/url])
Oh, yeah, when the USAAF took a couple "Thunderstrucks" to test them. I always wonder why they put that less-effective style canopy on them?
:)
Alvis 3.1
-
You really wouldn't think that a few minor changes like that would completely camouflage the origins like that, but man it really does.
Makes me start thinking of other ways to trick the eyes like that, using a few distinct but minor changes. A lot of possibilities
-
He added the prop from a P-47, windscreen and canopy from a Spitfire, and extended the gun barrels, otherwise, it's pretty much a stock "George".
Wonderful mix! Thanks! (and congratulations, of course)
-
You really wouldn't think that a few minor changes like that would completely camouflage the origins like that, but man it really does.
Makes me start thinking of other ways to trick the eyes like that, using a few distinct but minor changes. A lot of possibilities
Plus brilliant, tricky, and all the rest of comments.
Cool kitbashing and finish 8)
-
Absolutely gorgeous!
one very small thing though (cringing at the thought of being called a rivet counter) had Japan been an ally the roundels would still have the red dots in the middle.
-
Ah but if fighting against Soviet Russia, removing red from the markings would make sense to avoid any possible confusion, same reason really for the allied far east markings 8)
-
Absolutely gorgeous!
one very small thing though (cringing at the thought of being called a rivet counter) had Japan been an ally the roundels would still have the red dots in the middle.
Absolutely correct, and when they were deployed anywhere against the Germans or Italians, standard RAF type roundels with the red in them were used. After a few accidental "blue on blue" incidents when combatting the USSR, the red was removed to avoid confusion. The IJN/IJAAF forces added bars to the side of their markings when fighting along side Commonwealth and US units to avoid being shot at, but kept the red roundel. When this proved to still not be sufficiently distinctive, they began adding black and yellow stripes on the wings and fuselage, often known as "Japanese Hornet" markings.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/japaneseroundelalt_zps4895011b.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/japaneseroundelalt_zps4895011b.jpg.html)
Here's a Ki-84 done in that scheme, excuse the lousy photoshop job.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/Alvis3_1/Ki84WhatIf_zps20ab0eab.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Alvis3_1/media/Ki84WhatIf_zps20ab0eab.jpg.html)
Alvis 3.1
-
There's a whole scenario here waiting to be told...
-
love it
-
Musically, I like this variation...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk)
Alvis 3.1