My Fokitsubishi model is not finished but I start a new one (as plastic 1/144 is more easy than resin 1/72): Aichi E13A Jake (Minicraft 1/144), that I will transform, mainly removing struts and nose propeller, and changing tailplanes into fins on the booms/floats.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2502_e31a.jpg&hash=cd9e6390aea26524f98801bca30fcea0617efe22)
Starting to cut and glue:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2503_e31a.jpg&hash=8012053702d1dab24a1b1020fa737dd66060841c)
Continuing to cut/glue/putty. This may be the first rocket floatplane ever... ;D
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2510_e31a.jpg&hash=a5e943ca1fedec16fd498184282b590b512191e4)
Now the tailplanes became fins on the floats that became booms:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2519_e31a.jpg&hash=ab492ae56667cfed0fa00a4325e5ef07c966e7f4)
Building is almost completed:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2520_e31a.jpg&hash=f10796fdcdc912c5d8ef4302fcb5b81715a9d9c7)
Now ready for painting:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2523_e31a.jpg&hash=c827c4764a2b0265700305857f728f809b4ef1c3)
Painting the underside:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2533_e31a.jpg&hash=b5de8e61719d239004866e538b908c22983d39ef)
Painting the side above:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2550_e31a.jpg&hash=8a842abc9fa978445b4691f185f7dcde16b656c5)
Finishing may be soon.
The tiny model is finished:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2558_e31a.jpg&hash=2d74dd683f44ee0de24307e3dc05e6f711348d3e)
And from 4 different angles: the only rocket floatplane of the 1940s...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FIMG_2557_e31a_x4.jpg&hash=3162f1631b5f06d89937a12749fece6ff08f3328)
Nice! You do have some unique ideas, Tophe. :)
Thanks a lot! I thought nobody was interested... :-\
:thumbsup:
Thank you too ;)
Great idea!
TomZ
Thanks!
Maybe you could use this idea to create a rocket Comet triplex-boomer, if you want... ;D
Quote from: Tophe on February 18, 2019, 04:12:54 AM
And from 4 different angles: the only rocket floatplane of the 1940s...
Ericr, our expert about seaplanes may confirm or correct:
The Aichi E31A is the only rocket floatplane
ever! the only rocket seaplane ever!
(among jet seaplanes, all were powered by turbojets:
- floatplane: Bartini VVA-14
- flying boats: Martin P6M Seamaster, Saunders Roe SRA1, Beriev Be-10 Mallow/R-1/A-40/A-42/Be-200, KM Ekranoplan Caspian Sea Monster
- foils: Convair F2Y Sea Dart)
ah ! I only discover the thread today, sorry :
an excellent invention indeed ! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I always like to see tail fins on the floats : the few example I saw have such good looks.
and I indeed confirm that I do not know of any other rocket seaplane :
it was a missing link in the grand evolutionary scheme of things, and Tophe brought it to life.
You often do thatactually : you explore evolutionary solutions that did not leave trace in the poor, restricted, limited real world,
and in doing so you inform us oif all that could have been : thanks for that !
Quote from: ericr on February 26, 2019, 01:41:11 AM
it was a missing link in the grand evolutionary scheme of things, and Tophe brought it to life.
You often do thatactually : you explore evolutionary solutions that did not leave trace in the poor, restricted, limited real world,
and in doing so you inform us oif all that could have been : thanks for that !
:wub: Thanks a lot for these wonderful words defining the what-if spirit!
I have written an article for Le Trait d'Union magazine (French Air Britain) about French what-if aviation, and I would have mentioned your great words if it was not too late (I wrote it in early January), but thanks again to confirm the feeling I tried to explain (towards true Historians)...
Quote from: Tophe on February 26, 2019, 12:44:31 AM
The Aichi E31A is (...) the only rocket seaplane ever!
:angry: ;D Wrong! The Lokichi E38L Lightnink were also rocket seaplanes, in 1946 just after Japan won WW2:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristofmeunier.fr%2FP38_persp_B_df.jpg&hash=203e7b71b50d1551afd9686cba6d08a3a8f68a58)