Does She Need A Ring?

[Brian da Basher]

Here's my latest "airplane from a drop-tank" project. She's almost done, but I'm trying to decide if she looks better with or without a Townend ring over the engine. Let me know what you think!

Here's shot one with the Townend ring.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

Here's shot two with the ring:

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The fuse is a left over drop-tank and the wings are left over from some 1/144 scale kit. I fashioned new ailerons for them from scrap to bring them more up to scale. The headrest is 1/4 of another drop-tank, the horiz stabs are swiped from spares and the rudder was cut from a plastic bread-bag clip. the spats were cut from sheet plastic.

Shot one, no Townend ring:

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The engine came from a 1/72 Academy F-4 Wildcat (that I have Top-Secret plans for) and the exhaust collector ring from spare parts. The exhausts and little mufflers are actually the landing gear struts left over from a 1/72 He-100. I've yet to attach the prop blades as you can see. Those little fairings on the upper decking and under the wings will eventually hold .30 machine guns.

Anyway, let me know what you think. Should I go with the Townend ring or without? I'm hoping to make up my mind by tomorrow afternoon as I want to get her finished this weekend. Let me know what you think.

Last shot, no ring:

Brian da Basher

[Jschmus]

I voted for the ring, but it looks cool either way.  It's got a serious "Crimson Skies" vibe to it.

[Shasper]

The ring makes it look 1000% cooler (like another thing I know ), plus it has an added aerodynamic effect on directing air flow about the engine, aiding in cooling it.


Shas B)

[Sisko]

I voted for no ring. I reckon it captures that pre war look better without it.

Just my opinion. Either way it looks cool. B)    

[Captain Canada]

Geez.....for a minute there I thought you were asking our advice as to wether or not to ask you gf to marry you !]



No ring...the ring is to big and clunky. Looks faster w/o the ring.

Very neat, btw !

 

[Chap]

I also voted for no ring, much sleeker without it.

~Steve

[John Howling Mouse]

My highly uninformed opinion:  I would recess the cylinders so they don't stick out as far and use a smaller diameter ring to cover them.

P.S. Why did they name this feature of an airplane after a member of The Who?

 

[BlackOps]

I like the ring, but I like JHM's suggestion of making it smaller.

[Leigh]

Being brutally kicked out by my wife after twelve years I had to vote no ring!

[Supertom]

Brian, you'd better hope your girlfriend doesn't see this post!  

PS Go with the ring.

[Maverick]

I voted Nyet on the ring.  Looks way cooler a bit like the PT-19?? i think it was called....  Either way, got a real 30s vibe to it.

Mav

[elmayerle]

Go with the ring, but make it as tightly cowled as possible.