In the years following the end of WW2 numerous ex-military aircraft from various sources found their way into private hands in the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria. Zenrat Industries, having created the concept of the Executive Transport Aircraft in the 1920s were keen to snap up a wide selection of aircraft at bargain basement prices (it helped that the contract to sell off surplus had been granted to Zenrat Trading, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zenrat Industries). Before being handed over to their new owners aircraft went through a process of being demilitarised (by Zenrat Industries) before being inspected and certified as suitable for civilian use (by Javelin Engineering, a wholly owned subsidiary of guess who...).
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4288/35459808722_cd2f252660_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/W2sMJs)Caproni Ca 311 014 (https://flic.kr/p/W2sMJs) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Zenrat Industries operated four Caproni Ca 311s as Executive Props, all with the same basic modifications. The dorsal turret was removed and the retractable ventral gunners position faired in. Bomb racks were removed and bomb doors sealed closed. Seats for six passengers and one cabin crew were fitted and a bulkhead was added at the rear of the cabin beyond which was a small galley.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4133/35627793095_05b8b5872f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WhiKCK)Caproni Ca 311 009 (https://flic.kr/p/WhiKCK) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
On three of the four machines the wing root mounted 7.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns were removed. The fourth aircraft (Miss Direction, registration V-ZRAT pictured below) however is rumoured to have retained these guns in direct contravention to Government regulations relating to civilian ownership of weapons. It is also alleged that V-ZRAT's had hidden ventral hatches which, along with the bomb doors not actually being sealed gave access to what might be called "smuggling compartments" beneath the cabin floor. What is definite is that Miss Deception never bore the large underwing registration marks that all civil aircraft of the time were required to carry to aid in identification from the ground. It may also be only coincidence that her colour scheme varied from the rest of the Zenrat Industries fleet by having more of the undersides painted in a darker shade of blue. As shade which would have been hard to make out against a night sky.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4289/35459809552_e3687d4c47_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/W2sMYL)Caproni Ca 311 003 (https://flic.kr/p/W2sMYL) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Could these deviations from fleet specification have been related to reported ties between Zenrat Industries and the Secret State Police? Could there even have been links with the SeStaPo's mysterious Extraordinary Action department whose existence is still denied to this very day? I can get no official answers to these questions but one thing is certain, I will keep looking for answers until the black rotodynes come for me.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4266/35459809212_98aae5b131_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/W2sMSU)Caproni Ca 311 008 (https://flic.kr/p/W2sMSU) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
The kit is an Italeri Ca 311 with the dorsal turret faired over and the ventral gunners position painted over. I scratchbuilt a new floor and rear bulkhead and added seats from an Airfix Ford Trimotor. Pilot is I think form the same source.
With a bit of experimentation I discovered it was just about possible to assemble the kit without the windows in place, paint, decal & clear it, glue in the side windows and the slide in the floor. This avoided having to mask all those windows - a job I dislike immensely. Paint is Vallejo air colour Mediterranean Blue & Azure and decals are home made.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4126/35627792135_e993c0e83d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WhiKmc)Caproni Ca 311 011 (https://flic.kr/p/WhiKmc) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr
Looks great. Beautiful color scheme.
TomZ
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: looks great and plausible
Beautiful and bizarre idea| :thumbsup:
And very good paint job.
You'd have to explain how a Caproni ended up in Victoria. :o
But if Zenrat Industries had a "reliable" source of surplus italian aircraft, what about an amphibianized Cant Z 501 ? ;D
Magic stuff there, love the model AND the backstory too. :thumbsup: :bow:
Thanks folks.
I have yet to write the WW2 era history of the PDRV but rest assured I will find a way to explain the presence of aircraft of all nations in Australia.
Although sometimes you have to forget plausibility and just do what feels and looks right.
WOW!! :o
That is one really pretty looking aircraft! She looks like she would have been nice to flown in, plenty of windows to look out!
That is a lovely build, well done! :bow:
Stunning :wub:. I'll 'Whiffie' it in a mo, if it hasn't already happened. Just love those colours (have I said that before?) ;D.
Excellent! A beautiful model and an intriguing back story. ♥
Come out really well mate :thumbsup:
I love your model, peaceful and beautiful... :wub: :thumbsup: :bow:
This is great work! love it! :wub:
David
Gawd that's pretty - you have excellent taste in aircraft and paint! :wub: :thumbsup:
Well, not being my favorite type of airplane, this sure looks good! :thumbsup: I really admire the masking work done, just perfect.. :bow:
Lovely! I like the rather murky colors! :thumbsup:
Beautiful Ca 311 :thumbsup:
Hotte
I like the colours. Home made decals?
That looks really good - a great paint job. :thumbsup:
Thanks folks. Yes Big G, home made decals.
Gorgeous. Looks great in that scheme...and such a neat looking aeroplane ! Would defo be a great view for the passengers !
:cheers:
Thanks Cap'n.
Very sweet build of your Caproni, and the backstory is well done, and a bit mysterious. Neat work and painting, esp. all those canopy frames :blink: Love the Morris, too ;D
Ruggedly handsome whilst feminine delicate, is how I would describe it if I were an eloquent chap.
:drink:
Quote from: b29r on August 18, 2015, 06:31:26 AM
Neat work and painting, esp. all those canopy frames :blink:
Absolutely, I made a right pigs ear of mine. These on the other hand are the silk purse :thumbsup:
Stop it Chris you're making me blush.
Wonderful, superbe, bravissimo not only this one but the entire fleet beaujump, sm81, and the BEST the Caproni.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
You take all my votes on whiffies 2017
Manuel
Thank you Manuel.
I'm currently working on an addition to the fleet - a Mitsubishi Ki-46iii fast courier.
lovely build - great colours