Ha-137

[sideshowbob9]

Was planning on mating a Tempest fuselage to a F4U wing to create a "developed" Blohm und Voss Ha-137 dive-bomber (the components are going spare). Just wondering if there isn't a better fuselage donor to be had?

[apophenia]

ssb9: since the Ha-137 had a rather slab-sided fuselage and other Blohm & Voss types had circular sections, I'd say that the Tempest is a good compromise. Maybe swap horizontal tail surfaces? (Hawker tails are pretty distinctive.)

[jcf]

That depends on which layout you use as the basis for the developed variant, round engine or inline.
Personally, I find the beard radiator V3 an unattractive candidate. 


A Yak fuselage might work for this:

[NARSES2]

Always liked the 137 (got 2 in the stash and one built) so it will be interesting to see your developed model build.

I wonder what a 2 seater would have looked like ? Maybe if B&V had been given time to rework the design to fit into the then current Luftwaffe thinking. Would have still in all probability been stiched up by the politics but interesting never the less

[sideshowbob9]

I do like the look of the V3 but I think the supply of R-R Kestrels may dry up after 1939! 

Was planning on using a BMW 801 as a logical extension of the BMW 132 but I may fit-check a DB-605 to see what it looks like.

I see this model as kinda encroaching on Fw-190F/G territory but I gotta admit, I like the two-seater idea. If this works, I may get a PM 2-seat Sea Fury for it.... maybe as a floatplane scout.

Cheers for the feedback guys.

[Mossie]

He-112 fuselage?  Same engine, similar shaped fuselage.

[The Wooksta!]

No, fuselage cross section is completely different.  A Supermarine 224 is closer, slab sided and the wings are similar too.  Rareplanes did one.

Actually, apart from a more powerful engine (Jumo 211?) and an enclosed canopy, I'd stick with the design as it is.  It's ideal for ops from rough strips.  Don't forget the success of the Hs 123 on the Eastern Front.

[Mossie]

The cross section doesn't matter for a developed version, it's just a tad wider that's all.  You could definately add a bit of width into a later derivative design.

[sideshowbob9]

I had given thought to an annular Jumo 211 off of a Ta-154.

[The Wooksta!]

Use an Fw 190D (the old Lindberg or Airfix ones) for the fuselage.  The engine is already blended in and it's got that slab sided look you need.  You may need to alter the depth but that should be easy enough.

I'd also use a Hobbyboss F4U Corsair for the wing - it's one piece and the plastic is thick but quite soft, so it'll take some punishment whilst sanding.

Lose the trousered u/c and go for spats (BdB will love you!) or the unspatted Stuka u/c.

[sideshowbob9]

Got a Testors F4U for the task. Since it's thick enough, I think I'll go with a retractable undercarriage. It won't be paralleling the Stuka's career too closely (though earlier variants would) as I see this as a much revised, late-war variant. The equivalent of the difference between a Fw-190A and a Ta-152 perhaps.

Got a Tempest with the Sabre and wings already lobbed off for another project so I think I'll stick with that. I'll probably stick with the Tempest's vertical tail as its not too disimilar but I have some P-39 horizontal tails to use as they are pretty close to the Ha-137's and available.

It will have a BMW 801 as I'm saving the annular Jumo for an IAR-80something I'm planning (I have a spare F4U fuse. all of a sudden).  

I'm also planning on using another F4U wing in combination with a Fw-190G to create a hybrid between the Boulton Paul P.103, which is fairly Focke-like and the P.105 with the inverted gull wing. Does anybody have any suggestions on that one?

Edit: Oh and while I'm here, does anyone have any ideas for a wingless F4D Skyray?

[The Wooksta!]

If it's a Matchbox Tempest fuselage, I'd glady swap it for a Heller fuselage (I have several spare).  I can throw in some Jumo 213s as a sweetener.

A retractable u/c?  Given Richard Vogt's love of simplicity, I'd go with something like a Stormovik, with partly exposed wheels or possibly a Bristol 133 (see below).  That wing won't have much space to fit a wheel well.

A 190 as a basis for a P103/105?  Possibly too small, bearing in mind that the latter were being designed around a Bristol Centaurus which is a lot larger than a BMW 801.  PM Sea Fury might be a better bet.

Bristol 133:

[sideshowbob9]

I'm afraid it's an Academy Tempest.

I like the u/c on the 133. The Seversky P-35 and Saab B.17 have something similar that I may be able to use. Food for thought. Cheers.