B-25 COD

The Rat · December 19, 2018, 07:48:38 PM

When the US Navy sent out requests for a Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft after WWII, various manufacturers submitted designs, The eventual winner was Grumman, with a version of the venerable and carrier-proven Avenger, but a more ambitious project was attempted by North American Aviation. Noting the successful use of their B-25 bomber by the famed Doolittle raiders, they thought that the larger size and twin-engined reliability might give them an edge.

One airframe was modified from a nosewheel arrangement to a conventional (tailwheel) gear, and a two-piece cargo door added to the port side aft of the main wing. The nose was neither glass or guns, but faired over and smooth to increase speed. No changes were made to engines or control systems. Flying trials commenced with an air of overconfidence, with a relatively inexperienced pilot. His experience on the Mitchell was not suspect, as he had spent many flying hours in them for ferrying, test flying of new and refurbished airframes, and other purposes, but his initial training on aircraft such as the Harvard was well behind him, with the result that he had trouble readjusting to the landing characteristics of a tailwheel. The first three landings resulted in dizzying groundloops, and the observers, unaware of the reason, dubbed the machine the 'Bitchell". Before the embarrassed pilot could adjust to his new mount, the Navy had already decided on their choice, and the forlorn beast was used as an instructional airframe for the rest of its life.

Tophe · December 19, 2018, 11:27:44 PM

Quote from: The Rat on December 19, 2018, 07:48:38 PM
One airframe was modified from a nosewheel arrangement to a conventional (tailwheel) gear

I like this transformation, changing completely the layout!

major · December 20, 2018, 06:23:28 AM

That's really nice! Great job!

NARSES2 · December 20, 2018, 06:41:36 AM

I like that Ratty

Never thought of a tail dragger Mitchell before, but it works.

Nose reminds me of something ? Something Japanese or maybe even a Lancaster (sans turret) from some angles ?

McColm · December 20, 2018, 07:48:18 AM

Great build.

chrisonord · December 20, 2018, 08:40:41 AM

Very nice, and looks completely right too.
Chris

The Rat · December 20, 2018, 10:27:12 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on December 20, 2018, 06:41:36 AM
I like that Ratty Never thought of a tail dragger Mitchell before, but it works.

Nose reminds me of something ? Something Japanese or maybe even a Lancaster (sans turret) from some angles ?

Similar contours to a Halifax, I think.

Jesse220 · December 20, 2018, 11:27:30 AM

Impressive.

NARSES2 · December 21, 2018, 05:51:25 AM

Quote from: The Rat on December 20, 2018, 10:27:12 AM

Similar contours to a Halifax, I think.

That's it, the post War freight version

dwomby · December 21, 2018, 12:43:19 PM

That's great. It sounds a simple change but really transforms the look of the aircraft.

David

strobez · December 21, 2018, 04:33:20 PM

Wow, I like that! It's got a very clean look about it, doesn't it?

zenrat · December 22, 2018, 01:29:45 AM

Good job.

b29r · December 31, 2018, 07:48:10 AM

Very nice, Ratty! Glad to see you got this one finished. Very unique and clever approach to the Mitchell, and well thought out. But it's an old stinker of a kit, yes?

You did it right!

Best regards,
Kem

The Rat · January 01, 2019, 08:32:12 AM

Quote from: b29r on December 31, 2018, 07:48:10 AM
Very nice, Ratty! Glad to see you got this one finished. Very unique and clever approach to the Mitchell, and well thought out. But it's an old stinker of a kit, yes?

You did it right!

Best regards,
Kem

Thanks! Yes, a stinker would be one description. Terrible detail and fit, but the molds are probably almost as old as me. Glad to see that Airfix has done a new one, I might pick it up just to try a decent build. But you just have to know I'm going to whiff it somehow!