AP-5 Marlin, Gunship, VP-40, off Vietnam, operating from USS Currituck (AV-7)
1/72 Marlin, Minicraft/Hasegawa, 1972 boxing.
by Sandiego89
During 1965 under Operation Market Time, the maritime effort to stem the flow of resources into South Vietnam, leaders were looking for a more effective platform to detect and interdict small vessels in the coastal regions and the Mekong Delta lowlands. Long endurance for the long, but often boring patrols, but with good firepower, and the ability to operate at night when Viet Cong sampans frequently operated, was essential. The insertion and recovery of Seal/UDT teams into sensitive areas far up the Mekong was also a less advertised part of the mission. The Marlin seaplane, on the verge of retirement, was seen as an attractive platform, and with mobile basing from seaplane tenders could vary their operating locatons, and be free of large land bases.
The Marlin already had the ability to carry door guns, bombs and rockets, but a bit more firepower was needed and the repair Depot at Naval Air Station North Island converted Marlins with forwarding and side-firing armament, and special sensors. The aircraft operated from Sea Plane tenders and from Sangley Point, Philippines. The squadrons soon gained a formidable reputation rekindling the spirit of the famous "Black Cat" Catalina squadrons of WWII.
Anyone whiffed a Marlin yet?
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/reacGD.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/kZ5vJl.jpg)
Sizable aircraft, 1/72 Harrier for scale.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/PxF2c2.jpg)
That Marlin could certainly carry a big 'ole gun, or three......................... :o
Looks like fun!
Not the Marlin but it's sister Mariner. Using the 1/72 Mach2 kit with turbofaned engines from a A-10A, sponsors from the MH-53E and E-1 radome on the Hawkeye base stand, scratch built ESM wingtip pods.
I think I called this the Marnia AEW.
(https://i.imgur.com/Fro2BLq.jpeg)
When I was making my WW2 USMC Douglas R4D-6A gunship, I was wondering about using flying boat gunships as part of the backstory. If you're at Iwo Jima or Okinawa, it would make sense to have a persistent gunship capability present before any local airstrips were captured. A Marlin would do the job nicely.
Can't wait to see a Marlin bulging with the gear you port over from the AC-119.
Quote from: comrade harps on November 06, 2021, 12:55:30 AM
When I was making my WW2 USMC Douglas R4D-6A gunship, I was wondering about using flying boat gunships as part of the backstory. If you're at Iwo Jima or Okinawa, it would make sense to have a persistent gunship capability present before any local airstrips were captured. A Marlin would do the job nicely.
The Marlin is a post-WWII design, wartime would be a PBM
Mariner.
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on November 06, 2021, 02:01:43 PM
Quote from: comrade harps on November 06, 2021, 12:55:30 AM
When I was making my WW2 USMC Douglas R4D-6A gunship, I was wondering about using flying boat gunships as part of the backstory. If you're at Iwo Jima or Okinawa, it would make sense to have a persistent gunship capability present before any local airstrips were captured. A Marlin would do the job nicely.
The Marlin is a post-WWII design, wartime would be a PBM Mariner.
:banghead: A Mariner, then! ;)
I whiffed a crappy VEB Plasticart BE-6 into a British late WWII patrol bomber - and with all the additional guns (most from a Matchbox Privateer) it would have made a suitable entry to this GB, too:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/18496108775_0789f3cefe_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ubroKa)
1:72 Supermarine Stalwart GR.1, aircraft MT982/'(FV-)Z' of RAF No. 205 Squadron, Malacca/Nicobar Islands (Ceylon), Summer 1945 (Whif/VEB Plasticart Be-6 conversion) (https://flic.kr/p/ubroKa) by Dizzyfugu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/), on Flickr
That looks remarkably like an updated Mariner too. :thumbsup:
Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 07, 2021, 04:39:44 AM
That looks remarkably like an updated Mariner too. :thumbsup:
Same thought here.
On a suggestive note, I'd mount a Privateer nose turret on it.
Work commenced
20mm cheek cannon fairings.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/HSUBTy.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/1Oed3j.jpg)
Additional side-firing cannon hole drilled aft of the port side door.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/t1zm7B.jpg)
rather sparse tail observer station. By this time in service the Marlin tail guns had been removed, but that is boring....
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/Jt7grs.jpg)
A gunship needs tail guns to keep the opponents heads down after it has passed over them.
Is there any internal structure in these other than the cockpit? Mine will be an amphibian so i'll need space inside to build wheel housings.
Quote from: zenrat on November 12, 2021, 04:59:14 PM
A gunship needs tail guns to keep the opponents heads down after it has passed over them.
Is there any internal structure in these other than the cockpit? Mine will be an amphibian so i'll need space inside to build wheel housings.
No zenrat, no internal structure at all except the cockpit floor and the small bulkhead behind the cockpit. You can see these pieces still on the sprue above the cockpit in the below pictures. The fuselage itself is rather flimsy and a bit warped, going to be a tough glue job; imagine it will stiffen up a bit once the wing is joined, but not confidence-inspiring. No other bulkheads, floor or tail observer/gunner compartment detail.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/Scugke.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/NRp9w9.jpg)
This looks so interesting. Keep it up!
Don't go overboard on the cockpit details as you can't see much when the canopy is fitted and painted.
I used a different landing gear set up from the RW on the sister model.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZFlruEW.jpeg)
Big flying boats are always interesting. I am curious to see your developments.
Quote from: sandiego89 on November 05, 2021, 02:51:49 PM
Anyone whiffed a Marlin yet?
;)
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=37003.msg838740#msg838740 (https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=37003.msg838740#msg838740)
(https://i.imgur.com/NJAYMNQ.jpg)
Thanks for the info Dave.
Looks like some internal reinforcement is in order.
Thanks for the feedback and pictures everyone.
Scratching up some frames and flooring- those miniguns gotta sit on something!
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/MD5mnK.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/Tt8YSX.jpg)
Good work Dave.
Are you going to enlarge the windows?
Quote from: zenrat on November 13, 2021, 05:03:45 PM
Good work Dave.
Are you going to enlarge the windows?
Should I? The round windows are actually slightly larger than the 4 square windows used on the AC-119 for the 7.62 mini-guns. I am not sure big open windows are the best for a seaplane. The larger, low, rectangles on the AC-119 are for the 20mm miniguns.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/PZb3SG.jpg)
You can try adding extra plating around the windows.
Quote from: zenrat on November 12, 2021, 04:59:14 PM
Is there any internal structure in these other than the cockpit? Mine will be an amphibian so i'll need space inside to build wheel housings.
Rather than externally mounted like the US-2?
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/e1/df/9de1dfe89a4db8f279fb996776369e9b.jpg)
(https://cdn.airplane-pictures.net/images/uploaded-images/2013/6/24/298966.jpg)
I used the C-130 landing gear on the Mach2 Martin SeaMaster and a pair of MH-53 sponsors on the Martin Mariner.
You could go down the Be-200 route.
Love it ! Flying boats are my favourite, and something this unique is just icing on the cake !
Quote from: sandiego89 on November 14, 2021, 08:01:22 AM
Quote from: zenrat on November 13, 2021, 05:03:45 PM
...Are you going to enlarge the windows?
Should I? The round windows are actually slightly larger than the 4 square windows used on the AC-119 for the 7.62 mini-guns. I am not sure big open windows are the best for a seaplane. The larger, low, rectangles on the AC-119 are for the 20mm miniguns...
I suppose they are going to be shooting at a target the aircraft is circling, not at attacking fighters so they don't need to be scanning the sky for targets.
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on November 14, 2021, 12:12:23 PM
Quote from: zenrat on November 12, 2021, 04:59:14 PM
Is there any internal structure in these other than the cockpit? Mine will be an amphibian so i'll need space inside to build wheel housings.
Rather than externally mounted like the US-2?...
I'm using SAC white metal Catalina legs so i'll essentially copy that installation.
NOT invasion stripes. Trying some colors on my test mule S-2.
And I think she needs a bit of extra oomph.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/tLdWIM.jpg)
Quote from: sandiego89 on November 26, 2021, 02:54:53 PM
And I think she needs a bit of extra oomph.
Darts should do it, maybe Pythons if more grunt is needed. ;)
Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 26, 2021, 03:02:10 PM
Quote from: sandiego89 on November 26, 2021, 02:54:53 PM
And I think she needs a bit of extra oomph.
Darts should do it, maybe Pythons if more grunt is needed. ;)
What about a pair of Rolls-Royce Tynes or Nenes?
For the oomph, I am going to go with the J-85 booster jet as was installed on the AC-119K "Stinger" version of the AC-119 and some firefighting C-119s. Recall reading a C-119 pilot comment that while not a total game changer, the added thrust was always welcome, and made a takeoff crash less certain if a main engine was lost.
RATO bottles (usually, but incorrectly, referred to as JATO) will also be provided.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/va74t4.jpg)
almost hate to put dark colors on such a striking aircraft, but fits the theme
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/YuGsYe.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/mVP90W.jpg)
I just had a silly thought, a Tu-2ish 'hedgehog' gazillion MGs installation in the nacelle bombays. ;D
(https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/PPSh-Fire-Hedgehog-2.jpg)
... or maybe a dozen 5.56 mini-guns. :wacko:
Always felt sorry for the poor so and so's who have to reload those things :unsure:
very slow progress, scratching up a tail turret.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/dAbACe.jpg)
P-5 Marlin, Gunship, VP-40. Normally attached to the seaplane tender USS Currituck (AV-7) operating off Vietnam for Operation Market Time, depicted during a 250-hour inspection at Sangley Point, Philippines.
1/72 Marlin, Minicraft/Hasegawa
by Sandiego89
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/h4ESJh.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/Q3vWuO.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/dt19BD.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/N3ABCC.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/zM1oHa.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/wzTQDc.jpg)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/922/DIbyiQ.jpg)
That looks great! Well done!
SWEET! :wub: :thumbsup:
Looks the part, nicely done :thumbsup:
Fantastic! Looks really good, well done.
Looks very good indeed!
TomZ
Big ugly seaplane. Nice one Dave.
:thumbsup:
Cool. And huge. :thumbsup:
Great work :thumbsup:
Oh my that does look good :bow: