Метательное Копье MeКo 7c - Finished pics page 7

[zenrat]

I started scratchbuilding the mast today.  It's complicated by my desire for its folding mechanism to work.
I have also started on the fiddley bits.

And you mean making a folding mast ISN'T fiddly??? 

Making a folding mast was very fiddley but is in addition to my usual definition of fiddley bits - i.e. undercarriage, wheels, undercarriage doors, arrestor hook, propellers etc as not every plane I build has a mast.
Mast is now done and I managed to keep the folding operational and not clag it up with glue or paint (yet).
I am resisting the temptation to make a sail as it would have to be removable so I could stow the mast.
I must remember to add a rudder otherwise sailing it will be tricky.
Having removed the masking from the hull windows I realised that I still need to clear the thing and so had to remask them.

[PR19_Kit]

I must remember to add a rudder otherwise sailing it will be tricky.

How about a drop keel or lee-boards too?

[zenrat]

I did think about a centreboard but visually there would be nothing to see except a slot in the bottom of the hull.
Lets just say it doesn't need to sail that close to the wind but does need, for operational reasons that will be revealed in the back story, to operate in shallow waters.

Gloss cleared today.  Decals tomorrow.

[zenrat]

MeKo 7 WIP 21-12-17 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

It could ONLY be Russian looking like that of course. 

Getting better and better.

[Tophe]

Looking good! Go on!

[TheChronicOne]

That's bada$$!!!!!!! 

[ericr]

amazing, expectedly but still ... 

[strobez]

Now that's somehow that's really starting to look like something!

[zenrat]

A touch of gloss over the decals today.  As I hoped, the traces of silvering disappeared.

[zenrat]

Coming to the end now.
I fitted the mast today (I am sure there is a proper sailing word for doing this and I am also sure that Jon will be along shortly to inform me of it  ).  It folds nicely and the boom (again - possibly not the proper sailing word) goes up and down and pivots round the mast.
I also remembered to make a rudder which is glued in place above the tail wheel.

[PR19_Kit]

It's 'STEPPING' the mast I think.

[zenrat]

A few licks of paint today and started assembling the undercarriage.

[zenrat]

Метательное Копье MeКo 7c.
Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 17 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Designed by the Метательное Копье (Javelin) Design Bureau the MeКo 7 began life as the MeКo 3, an observation and communication seaplane for the Red Fleet.  It was powered by twin Charomskiy TD-20T engines mounted in line.  The engines drove through a contra-rotating propeller and had a clutched connection between them enabling the rear engine to be de-coupled and shut down for increased endurance.  One result of this powerplant arrangement was the location of the cockpit in the lower hull.  Its closeness to the waterline, and the fact that in anything but dead calm seas waves broke over the canopy meant that the glazing was sealed, with pilot access through the body of the aircraft.  This led to the aircraft being nicknamed The Floating Coffin by its pilots.
Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 11 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
MeКo 3s were standard aboard all post war Soviet capital ships but being seaplanes were not capable of operating from the then new aircraft carriers.  The design was therefore upgraded to a carrier capable amphibian with the extent of the modifications (undercarriage, folding wings, strengthened structure, arrestor hook etc) being such that it was deemed to be a new aircraft and was thus re-categorised MeКo 7.
Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 5 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Over the years the MeКo 7 was developed into a number of specialised subtypes.  With its twin engine configuration providing excess of power with economical cruise it could lift heavy loads and then loiter about with them all day above the fleet.  This obviously made it ideal for AEW and ASW use but it was also put to another completely different purpose in the form of the MeКo 7c.
Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 2 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
The 7c (c for спецназ) was developed as a result of  cooperation between Метательное Копье and the central committee for Войска специа́льного назначе́ния (Special Purpose Military Units).  Its mission was to infiltrate and exfiltrate operatives to and from enemy coasts.  In order to achieve this a folding mast was fitted enabling the aircraft to be landed on the water out of sight of land and then sailed in, under the radar to a point where up to four fully equipped Spetsnaz could either be dropped off or picked up.  Sails and rigging were stowed inside the hull of the aircraft while folding steering gear was housed beneath a hatch situated immediately in front of the dorsal radiator intake.
Some aircraft were additionally equipped with silent electric outboard motors mounted to the retractable rudder gear.
Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 20 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
It is unknown how many examples of the MeКo 7c were built or indeed if they were ever used in anger but they certainly make for a fascinating and unusual aircraft.
Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 1 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
The Model.
Hull constructed from Airfix Grumman Duck + Academy Airacobra + Academy Mustang.
Wings from Revell Messerschmitt 110.
Canopy from Airfix Beaufighter.
Props from Airfix Mosquito + Airfix Pe 2.
Tail from Airfix Focke Wulf 190 + Airfix Pe 2.

[loupgarou]

I think I'll need a stiff drink even if it's morning here, after admiring your creation in all its completed beauty.
Congratulations!