Quote from: kerick on October 02, 2024, 04:19:43 PMIt would carry a lot more wiz bang stuff!

That's the intent, at least with the AU-2.  I've got three bombs and something like twelve HVAR rockets from the Revell Corsair kit, but I'm thinking I may do some Mk-82s or -83s, or maybe some Mk-20 Rockeyes for the AU-2.  Not sure what I'm going to do with the F2G, maybe a couple of AIM-9Bs?  Or maybe just clean.

I wonder about maybe designing a new nose section for the Bearcat and fitting an Allison T40 turboprop.  That thing could develop between 5,100 and 7,200hp supposedly, though it was a bit on the troublesome side.  Would make a heck of a fast aircraft though!  Maybe even an Allison T56 (from the E-2 Hawkeye), though the power output would be significantly less from an early T56.

The T40 with its gearbox would probably weigh about 700lb more than the R-2800, but considering that it would deliver more than double the horsepower I'd say that's quite acceptable.

Quote from: perttime on October 02, 2024, 09:32:17 AMThere's already a Sabrecat (Bearcat with Sabre engine) or two here. A turbine engine could be cool on a Bearcat if there is one that fits and balances about right.
A Bearcat with a Wright R-3350 engine is (was?) one of my favorite racers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_Bear

At least one Sabrecat is from me, and it's looking pretty good:


1:72 Grumman Sabrecat Mk. II; aircraft "C-3M/JZ931 of 800 NAS, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm; Trimcomalee, May 1945 (Whif/Kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on October 04, 2024, 12:35:43 AMAt least one Sabrecat is from me, and it's looking pretty good:

And mine has been 'in build' for AGES! 

Ah, yes, that was the other one! A FROG-kit-based build, IIRC. 

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on October 04, 2024, 02:58:45 AMAh, yes, that was the other one! A FROG-kit-based build, IIRC. 

It was, yes, and still is, just not got past the 2nd PSR stage.

Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 04, 2024, 04:50:07 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on October 04, 2024, 02:58:45 AMAh, yes, that was the other one! A FROG-kit-based build, IIRC. 

It was, yes, and still is, just not got past the 2nd PSR stage.

 

One observation for folks doing a Napier Sabre Bearcat, the Sabre VA is ten inches shorter than
the R-2800-30W and is 200 pounds lighter, without cooling system and associated bits of course.
Which means that, technically, it would fit within the same envelope as the R-2800-30W and the
aircraft would have the same overall length.

Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 01, 2024, 03:38:53 PMI've got a French made 1/72 conversion kit for a Super Corsair somewhere in The Loft. Can remember who did it but it always struck me as a good job. I should get on to it!

Special Hobby do a 1/72 kit. I've built one, it's a nice kit, and have another in the stash 

I just dug my F2G conversion out of the loft, and it was apparently produced by IPMS France!

There's a few vacform bits, including most of the fuselage, a resin engine front, some more resin bits and pieces and also some injection moulded do-dads as well as FOUR canopies!

I'll need a Hasegawa F4U-7 kit for the rest, presumably the wings and tailplanes etc. to actually do it, but I have  an M'box one of that variant too.............

Quote from: NARSES2 on October 05, 2024, 05:45:21 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on October 01, 2024, 03:38:53 PMI've got a French made 1/72 conversion kit for a Super Corsair somewhere in The Loft. Can remember who did it but it always struck me as a good job. I should get on to it!

Special Hobby do a 1/72 kit. I've built one, it's a nice kit, and have another in the stash 

Those and the 1/48 version have been OOP for a while so i believe you'll have to dig deep to find one selling for a reasonable price. I did get lucky and managed to find them on Ebay and buy an example in both scales after a few years of looking for them.
Does seem like a very nice kit with the only problem being the short blades of the props. Not very noticeable and seems like there are no correct ones out on the market at the moment so, if one wants them corrected, some work is needed.

I think the Bearcat will get an Allison T40 turboprop, with twin contra-rotating propellers and a completely new nose to match.  Not quite sure how I want to make that nose yet.  Obviously my 3D printer and some CAD software will be involved, but my biggest debate is whether to go for a tapered "big spinner" design like the A2D Skyshark, or a more E-2 style arrangement with a big air intake.  Not sure on armament yet, other than four 20mm Mk-12 cannon.

The AU-2 will get a modified cockpit for improved visibility (a spare A-4M canopy I believe), and I intend to fit 500lb bombs and HVAR rockets from the Revell Corsair kit.  Fixed armament will be four 20mm Mk-12 cannon in the wings, and I may either add a pair of M3 .50 caliber MGs in the wings or in underwing pods.  We shall see.  I do have a couple of leftover fuel tanks from a Sea Harrier that look just about the right size for some twin .50cal gunpods, so I might go that route.  Also considering printing a Bat glide bomb to go under the centerline.

The T40 is way too big for a Bearcat. You cannot view this attachment.

Lengthwise I know I'll have to extend the nose quite a bit.  But I think it might work.  If not I'll think of something else.

The T40 was HUGE - basically two engines combined with a massive gearbox. Requires quite a big hull, see the Douglas A2D!