What if

Hot Research Topics => Aircraft, Armor, Weapons and Ships by Topic => Topic started by: McColm on January 12, 2013, 11:43:21 AM

Title: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: McColm on January 12, 2013, 11:43:21 AM
  Whether you've got the Heller or Revell 1/72 scale kit, the chances are you've thought of the idea to whiff it.
In the 'real world' Transall did include provision for two auxiliary turbojets to be fitted on pylons under the wing for assisted take off, but were never used. Other considerations included:
Changing the Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprop engines for the Allison T56s or fitting two JT3D (TF33) jet engines on pylons.
The C-160S Ocean Patrol. A maritime patrol aircraft fitted with avionics from the  Br1150 Breguet Atlantic.
The C-160ASF an armed version of the Ocean Patrol with under wing pylons carrying the Exocet  anti-ship missile.
The C-160AAA an AEW&C, based on the radar carried on the ill-fated Nimrod AEW. The C-160AAA would have had a similar nose cone (the C-130 was also considered as a candiate).


A US Coastguard version would look stunning with T56 turboprop engines, Rotodome and the new six-bladed propellers. This could come from the Hawkeye E-2C 2000 kit as it contains the new propellers along with the Hamilton 4 bladed set. Coastguard decals would have to be sourced.
So too would a Gunship.
Skis could be fitted
or underwing inflight refueling tanks (as fitted to the C-130).
A sea plane version

Most of the C-130 versions have already been used on the 'real world' C-160 and a civil variant cargo plane is in service.

As for me, well if my C-130  Spey powered sea plane build goes to plan then the Coastguard version with skis using a Heller 1/72 kit will be the next.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: chrisonord on January 12, 2013, 11:46:11 AM
I have a stalled gunship version in the loft as it kept falling apart internally. Mine is the Heller one, and it was/is a pain to build too.
Chris
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Dizzyfugu on January 13, 2013, 11:59:53 PM
IIRC, a friend of mine planned or is planning to do an four-engined Super-Transall, with enlarged wings span, two additional orginal engines and added fuselage segments. Might never materialize due to space problems, though...  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 14, 2013, 01:12:36 AM
Wouldn't that make it into a Hercules?  ;) ;D :lol:
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Dizzyfugu on January 14, 2013, 01:52:37 AM
No, it's much bigger. The original Transall is just as large as a Herc, which looks stubby and bigger. A four-engined Transall would be a HUGE thing, unless you take it OOB and just add four Herc engines - which would be possible, too.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Mossie on January 14, 2013, 04:36:49 AM
C-161, version with a nose loading ramp:

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi72.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi176%2FMossie105%2FAircraft%2FTransallC-16102.jpg&hash=216740e4214fed7c757e1321c72f0cbf5589eacc)

Jet powered version:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi72.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi176%2FMossie105%2FAircraft%2FTransallC-161Jjetpowered.jpg&hash=a42aa36ea0613dfe618c014c3ca6b5e980cf6b69)

Good thread on Secret Projects, several versions including those mentioned, a VSTOL and an airliner variant :
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,406.0.html
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Mossie on January 14, 2013, 04:39:13 AM
An upgraded Transall would work, if the A400M never happened.  New powerplant, avionics, cockpit, maybe a stretch etc. to compete with the C-27J.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Weaver on January 14, 2013, 04:49:34 AM
A version with skis and RATO units or jet pods could be done in "French Antarctic Survey" colours or some such (no idea if the French have such a thing mind you).

You could do a super-STOL version that used the blown wing technology from the Breguet 941: 4 x engines spread out along the wing with near total coverage of the latter by the propwash, plus big multi-slotted flaps on the trailing edge.

Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: loupgarou on January 14, 2013, 05:15:22 AM
Thanks for the images and link.
I like the raised cockpit version more than the standard (RW) aircraft. :thumbsup:
And what about a military version with rear ramp AND swinging nose? A roll-on/roll-off aircraft!  :wub:
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Mossie on January 14, 2013, 05:22:19 AM
Yes, couple that with the longer fuselage of the airliner variant and I think you'd have quite a capable transporter.  Maybe a couple of extra engines, like Dizzyfugu's mate is contemplating.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: The Rat on January 14, 2013, 12:18:59 PM
There was the flying boat version built under license by Shorts, gave good service for many years. Details at this link. (http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,8553.0/highlight,calais.html)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv474%2FDaveBailey%2Fcalais06.jpg&hash=0fb5bab647fbdc96211743a83cf7bea9473f5baa)

And there was the gunship that France used, primarily in southeast Asia, details at this link. (http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal9/8301-8400/gal8311-AC-160-Bailey/00.shtm)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv474%2FDaveBailey%2FAC-1602.jpg&hash=ae8fdd96cb07a395d4eefcdc99007f1c1370d483)
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: The Rat on January 14, 2013, 02:50:03 PM
I have another of the tiny ones in the stash, thinking about an Air Cushion Landing system.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 14, 2013, 03:21:47 PM
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on January 14, 2013, 01:52:37 AM
No, it's much bigger. The original Transall is just as large as a Herc, which looks stubby and bigger. A four-engined Transall would be a HUGE thing, unless you take it OOB and just add four Herc engines - which would be possible, too.

It was a joke Thomas, thus the smileys at the end.........

Maybe about the size of a Belfast then, which IS a huge thing and it has 4 x Tynes too.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Mossie on January 15, 2013, 03:16:51 AM
Quote from: The Rat on January 14, 2013, 02:50:03 PM
I have another of the tiny ones in the stash, thinking about an Air Cushion Landing system.

That I like to see. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Dizzyfugu on January 15, 2013, 08:00:17 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 14, 2013, 03:21:47 PM
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on January 14, 2013, 01:52:37 AM
No, it's much bigger. The original Transall is just as large as a Herc, which looks stubby and bigger. A four-engined Transall would be a HUGE thing, unless you take it OOB and just add four Herc engines - which would be possible, too.

It was a joke Thomas, thus the smileys at the end.........

Maybe about the size of a Belfast then, which IS a huge thing and it has 4 x Tynes too.


The Transall is deceiving, since it only has two engines. When you do not have a Herc as direct comparison, you'd easily say the Herc was considerably bigger - but both airframes are about the same size. So, there's at least a grit of truth and relevance to your argument. ;)
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Jay-Jay on January 15, 2013, 03:24:03 PM
Seeing a C-160 along a C-130 during a French Air Force Base Open Day, I confirm that a C-160 is a big tall girl, as big as a C-130 and that is surprising.
a 4 engines C-160 or a jet engines C-160 would have been HUGE indeed  ;D
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: McColm on January 16, 2013, 08:59:57 AM
I've got a pair of C-130 wings from my Bristol Superfreighter Project that I scraped. Although the Superfeighter does look like a smaller version of the C-161, so I might be able to salvage some parts.
Looks like I'm going to buy the Revel kit after all.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: ericr on January 18, 2013, 08:06:34 AM
Quote from: The Rat on January 14, 2013, 12:18:59 PM
There was the flying boat version built under license by Shorts, gave good service for many years. Details at this link. (http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,8553.0/highlight,calais.html)


beautiful! that would deserve a 1/72 version!

and also, why not, a C-130 transplantation of the flying boat idea.

Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 18, 2013, 09:24:27 AM
Quote from: ericr on January 18, 2013, 08:06:34 AM

and also, why not, a C-130 transplantation of the flying boat idea.


That's been mentioned more than once here, maybe under the C-130 topic? Of course Lockheed planned to do it themselves too but never got around to building the full size version, spoilsports!
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: ericr on January 18, 2013, 10:15:33 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 18, 2013, 09:24:27 AM
Quote from: ericr on January 18, 2013, 08:06:34 AM

and also, why not, a C-130 transplantation of the flying boat idea.


That's been mentioned more than once here, maybe under the C-130 topic? Of course Lockheed planned to do it themselves too but never got around to building the full size version, spoilsports!

the floatplane version has existed at least in images and simulators, though ...
(and I comitted a red model of it some time ago)

Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: McColm on January 18, 2013, 11:13:16 AM
One of my long term projects is to use the Airfix 1/72 C-130E/H/K from my stash a long with the wing/engines from a Airfix 1/72 BAe Nimrod. The bolt-on hull comes from a Playfix Be-6.
Having shelved my plan for a float plane Lockheed C-69/L-749 Constellation, I could use the 1/48 floats on my 1/72 Heller C-160 kit instead. Replace the turboprop engines with over the wing CFMs on pylons or TF-33s.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 18, 2013, 11:47:14 AM
Quote from: ericr on January 18, 2013, 10:15:33 AM
the floatplane version has existed at least in images and simulators, though ...
(and I comitted a red model of it some time ago)

What I meant by '....building the full size version....' was that Lockheed DID build large scale R/C models of the project, and they were pretty darn big too, wll over 10 ft wing span!
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: McColm on January 18, 2013, 05:55:55 PM
Something to do with a firm in Australia that were going to manufacture the conversion kits.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: McColm on January 27, 2013, 11:38:31 PM
There's an alternative design, add the wings and engines from a Airfix BAe Nimrod and give it a T-tail. So it looks similar to the Armstrong Whitworth HS.802.
Or go for a radical tilt wing V/STOL.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: AS.12 on January 29, 2013, 01:16:47 AM
Courtesy of the Flight Archive http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%201799.html (http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%201799.html), the 100-seat civil Transall proposal. 

Redesigned tail section and an air-stair aft of the sponson, looks rather pretty. 

No further information in the main text.  I've searched for several years but have never found any other images or references to this project.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Foccurs.lineum.org.uk%2Fpublic%2Fscanned%2FTransall_Airliner_Flight_1965_1799.JPEG&hash=b0e5522f7e6b049db89a72f702d3718ad9591b69)

As I write this in January 2013, ATR have just announced that they are to develop a new 90-seat twin-turboprop airliner.  48 years late...
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: Mossie on January 29, 2013, 03:04:03 AM
Here's a couple from the Secret Projects thread I posted earlier:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,406.0.html

Another view of the model:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi72.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi176%2FMossie105%2FAircraft%2FTransallC-160Airliner01.jpg&hash=72af638803aefa12bc02830615a8967cbc694f2a)

General Arrangement:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi72.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi176%2FMossie105%2FAircraft%2FTransallC-160Airliner02.jpg&hash=e3eede3598aab6346811a9e00467646f7773261f)
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: AS.12 on January 29, 2013, 04:46:02 AM
Quote from: Mossie on January 29, 2013, 03:04:03 AM
Here's a couple from the Secret Projects thread I posted earlier:

Fantastic, thanks Mossie!  I cannot see the images at SP, seems to take weeks to be approved as a member, so I appreciate the previews.

What a gorgeous airliner.
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: McColm on November 26, 2020, 12:27:15 PM
Thanks for the info,  I don't know how I missed this  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Transall C-160, conversions that never made it into service
Post by: McColm on January 19, 2025, 02:25:09 PM
I think that I can build something that looks like the C-161 using the Heller kit and the vacform ALT-98 Carvair  front part from another build.