Blohm & Voss BV222 Wiking

[McColm]

The Blohm & Voss Wiking (Viking) was one of a few aircraft of it's era to be powered with six engines.
Originally intended as a luxury passenger flying boat for the North and South Atlantic routes. Delays in construction using metal alloys and the war in Europe pushed the maiden flight back to 7 September 1940
First fitted with radial shifting to diesel engines, only 13 were built used by the Luftwaffe as transports in North Africa and the Mediterranean theatres. Updated versions carried armaments carrying out long range maritime surveillance and U-boat co-operation tasks.
The Allies found them an inviting target due to their slow speed.
Captured aircraft were flown by the Americans and the British Royal Air Force.
Consolidated used the Viking for research for the Tradewind. Whereas the 201 Squadron RAF flew theirs until 1947 before being scrapped.
You can still buy the Revell 1/72 kit which has options for the V8 and V2. Without the guns the V1 troop transport can be built. For extra detailing the upper deck behind the cockpit can be removed.
Airmodel also in 1/72 produced a vacform kit .
CMK provides a beaching cradle and there's a metal alternative.

[McColm]

Taking the design one step further Convair proposed a twin hull design and trials with a test model were undertaken down at their San Diego facility during the 1950s.
I on the other hand I'm kitbashing the Revell kit with the wings and engines from a Airfix Avro Vulcan B2- 'Eric the Viking'. I might change the jet exhaust pipes with those from the Freightdog range. I could use the floats from the kit or use sponsons to house the main landing gear.
Choosing a suitable paint scheme is proving a challenge, something similar to the Martin Mars. I've even thought of the Shorts Mayo as a launch platform for the Mach2 WB-57F without the twin auxiliary jet engines attached to the wings. This model has been altered to accommodate a commercial passenger pod behind the cockpit . This is for those passengers wishing to see the curvature of the Earth and other duties.
Another variant uses two of the vacform Airmodels. The Wiking with the wings from the Northrop YB-49 kit. I'm thinking of using the engines from the AMT X/YB-35 instead of those supplied by Airmodel.
Other Whiffers have used internal lights to emphasize the interior details, although the cargo doors can be left in the opened position if required.

[Tophe]

The Blohm & Voss Wiking (Viking) was one of a few aircraft of it's era to be powered with six engines.

I am surprised because there were many 6-engined types of airplanes in those days on my planet (location: when you enter the solar system, it is the one just after the psychiatric asylum)...

[McColm]

The Blohm & Voss Wiking (Viking) was one of a few aircraft of it's era to be powered with six engines.

I am surprised because there were many 6-engined types of airplanes in those days on my planet (location: when you enter the solar system, it is the one just after the psychiatric asylum)...

Okay it was the only 6 engined flying boat used during World War II.
I can see the potential for the Airmodel kit to be converted into a gunship.