Stirling

[Captain Canada]

Hi there,
  My name is Toad and I build CDN what-ifs. This one is gonna be a long range anti shipping bird, done in those lovely colours that the Mossie was with the Banff Strike Wing.

   Here's the prelim on the Centaurus conversion.



Notice the new leading edge opening for the oil cooler/ air intake or whatever it was on the wing of the Sea Fury. Does it look big enough for two Cents ? Or should I enlarge it ? Maybe cut another hole on each side of the nacelles ?

[Daryl J.]

From the viewpoint of an ignoramus, it looks good.  Much bigger and the area behind the cowling would look over done.     But that's just my opinion.  B)


Any Stirling whiffer is great.    Airfix kit perchance?


Daryl J.

[Captain Canada]

Yup, she's Airfix.

Thanks to BdB for the kit !

 

[Allan]

Good one Toad,
I'm going to keep my eye on this thread for sure

Allan in Canberra

[The Rat]

Carrying torpedos perchance?! I've realised that shallow bomb bay is tailor made for that sort of ordnance now you mention what you're up to. I suspect a lot of whiffers just had one of those D'OH! moments!  

I built the Airfix Stirling over 30 years ago, and that fuselage can be a bugger. It's so long and skinny that there can be a pronounced twist to it, they should have molded it differently.

[Captain Canada]

Ya, the bomb bay is pefect for that ! And I thought the little wing would be great for the low level environment, and the big Centaurus for those high speed dashes when they swoop in for the kill !

 

[John Howling Mouse]

Can't wait to see further progress on this one, Captain.

 

[Mossie]

I like the idea Cap!  The Striling is one of the great neglected aircraft of WWII, not improved much in it's lifetime, forgotten over the Lancs & Halifaxes & neglected in kit form too, Airfix's is an oldie but a goodie.

I agree, that short thick wing would be good for lower level anti-shipping ops.  Maybe lose the front turret with a Mk.V style nose, better for observation & bomb aiming?  Or simply fair the turret, leaving the lower bob aimers position?  Many Coastal Command bombers had this kind of modification.  Magna do a Mk.V conversion, but it's a little on the pricey side:
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=MAG7284

Here's some pics:


Stirling Mk.V


Stirling with glazed fairing over forward turret position.

[Captain Canada]

Thanks again, guys ! I had no idea about that Mk. V ! Cool ! I do have a plan for the nose........

[dogsbody]

Wouldn't you want to keep the nose turret, for flak supression?

Will it be armed with bombs or torpedos?

If equipped with radar, will you fit it with an H2S type blister under the rear fuselage, or with twin under-wing blisters, as fitted to the late model Sunderlands?

[Brian da Basher]

Cap'n I'm pleased as punch to see you've started the build already! I am watching your mods with great interest! I can't wait to see how she turns out!

Brian da Basher

[Captain Canada]

Wow, good questions, Dogsbody !

I was thinking that the underwing rockets would take out the flak....but maybe you're right about having guns in the nose ! I'll have to look into that.

I was thinking of a ventral H2S set up, as I plan on modifying the bomb bays anyway.

BdB...stay tuned, updates coming up !

[Captain Canada]

Underwing bomb bays covered. The space is needed for cooling/ air or something for the Centaurus, as well as extra fuel.

[Sentinel Chicken]

You might consider an underfuselage tray of cannons like some Liberators used in the antisubmarine role in the Atlantic.

[Captain Canada]

Might work....I was also looking for pics of the RAF Fortresses with the big cannon. Anybody got a good link ?