Water Bomber/ Air Tankers alternative aircraft projects

McColm · December 27, 2015, 11:02:39 AM

Was the Avro Lancaster or Lancastrian ever used in this role?

Mossie · December 28, 2015, 02:00:47 AM

Quote from: Mossie on November 24, 2014, 02:39:27 AM

Has the Lanc been mentioned? KB976/CF-AMD, it received a new paintjob and it's conversion was started, but for whatever reason never went into service. I think it's still preserved.

Nearly. A Lanc was converted, but never used. Depends on the source as to whether the conversion was fully completed or not.

zenrat · December 28, 2015, 02:21:49 AM

Now that does look nice in that colour scheme. What colour were the upper surfaces of the wings?

Forget I asked. I found a pic which won't link properly.
They were grey with yellow tips and the tops of the horizontal stabilisers were yellow.

McColm · December 28, 2015, 08:47:46 AM

Got the Airfix BII and have ordered the resin RR Merlin VI engines. The yellow and grey paint scheme looks good.

Gondor · December 28, 2015, 10:28:24 AM

Quote from: McColm on December 28, 2015, 08:47:46 AM
Got the Airfix BII and have ordered the resin RR Merlin VI engines. The yellow and grey paint scheme looks good.

Why do you need the engines when the aircraft flew with the engines covered?

Gondor

McColm · December 28, 2015, 10:55:30 AM

To be different!

Mossie · December 28, 2015, 12:32:14 PM

As an aside, there's a chunk of a website dedicated to KB976. She had quite a history.
http://www.timefadesaway.co.uk/strathallan/kb976/kb_976_intro.html

zenrat · December 29, 2015, 12:09:16 AM

Did a quick scan and that looks very interesting. I'll read it in depth later.
Thanks Mossie.

Gondor · December 29, 2015, 03:37:31 AM

Quote from: McColm on December 28, 2015, 10:55:30 AM
To be different!

Sorry, got confused a little. Do you mean that your putting Universal Cowling's on the Lancaster similar to the Lancaster Mk VI and the Lincoln?

Gondor

McColm · December 29, 2015, 11:49:34 AM

No,
Replacing the Bristol Hercules engines with what I thought looked like RR Griffons without the contra-rotating propellers.
It's the Merlin Mk85 .

Gondor · December 29, 2015, 01:38:17 PM

Quote from: McColm on December 29, 2015, 11:49:34 AM
No,
Replacing the Bristol Hercules engines with what I thought looked like RR Griffons without the contra-rotating propellers.
It's the Merlin Mk85 .

Those are called Universal Cowling's and were used with the Lancaster Mk VI and on the Lincoln as I said. The front of them is different from the Griffin cowling of similar shape as well.

Gondor

kitnut617 · December 29, 2015, 04:41:12 PM

Quote from: Gondor on December 29, 2015, 01:38:17 PM
Quote from: McColm on December 29, 2015, 11:49:34 AM
No,
Replacing the Bristol Hercules engines with what I thought looked like RR Griffons without the contra-rotating propellers.
It's the Merlin Mk85 .

Those are called Universal Cowling's and were used with the Lancaster Mk VI and on the Lincoln as I said. The front of them is different from the Griffin cowling of similar shape as well.

Gondor

Canadair North Stars had them too

McColm · September 14, 2016, 06:47:08 AM

Quote from: Mossie on October 24, 2014, 06:39:01 AM
Blohm & Voss Bv.222. It's often said that two were flown in the US. Lets say they survived, they'd make wonderful water bombers.

Just been reading an article in the magazine 'Aeroplane October 2016' about the Martin Mars the giant US fire-bomber pages 26-33.
The Blohm & Voss Bv.222 would look great in the Coulson flying tankers colour scheme.
I would change the engines or even change the wings.