Fairey Great Barracuda

[Glenn Gilbertson]

The Air Ministry, London December 1939:
Air Marshal: "The Lysander, Battle and Blenheim are hopeless. We need a fast light bomber for close army support that can also dive-bomb."
Man from the Treasury: "The war is costing a fortune, so, apart from being cheap to build and operate, we should like this aircraft to also be able to carry out maritime patrol carrying torpedoes, depth charges or bombs, be adaptable for carriers, carry the odd passenger and be suitable for use throughout the Empire. Twin-engined safety and defensive armament would be desirable. We could call it the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, or MRCA for short. Did I mention that it should be cheap?"
Committee: "Oh, Dear"
Fairey Aircraft salesman: "Fortunately, we have just such a project. Forget the Napier Sabre, push development of our P.24 Monarch engine instead - we should get 3,000 HP out of it, and it is a double engine - either half can be shut down to extend range. Then our Barracuda can be built, as we wished, with the Monarch instead of the treasury's favourite Merlin -  the RAF version can have fixed wings to reduce weight, the FAA version folding wings and arrestor hook. Offensive load 2,000 lb, two forward-firing 0.303" Brownings in each wing and twin 0.303" flexible mounting for rear defense. It will do everything that the RAF, FAA and treasury want. Just order quickly and turn over the production lines earmarked for Battle, Blenheim and Lysander to us. We could also grant the USA a license to build the aircraft and engine and then they would have a proper combat aircraft as well."
Committee: "Hurrah, we'll order thousands - it will be the best-loved and most famous warplane ever built!"
Fairey Aircraft shareholders: "Hurrah, we'll be rich!"

An ancient 1/72 Novo Barracuda was retrieved from the loft. A Monarch/Battle test-bed photo was sized to show the cowling appearance:

Heller Tempest V provided a radiator, a chin fitting was required to leave space for a torpedo.Contra-props from Airfix Hurricane II leftovers. Interior detailing from scraps:

No doubt the exhausts would have been cleaned up real life, but the test-bed arrangement looked splendidly brutal:

Wing pylons and bombs from the Airfix Hurricane II. Fuselage bomb from spares store, with plastic rod bomb cradle to swing bomb clear of radiator when dive-bombing.
Fairey Great Barracuda 62 sqn RAF Malaya January 1942:










 

[Maverick]

Looks all kinds of nasty Glenn.  Super job, especially considering the base kit!!

Mav

[Brian da Basher]

That's some oputstanding work, Glenn! I really like how you paid attention to the little details like the bombs and the lower rows of exhausts and the way cool shark's mouth decal that completes this beautiful model with pizzaz! I am astounded by your talent and creativity!

Brian da Basher

[Mike Wren]

love those exhausts!  great job & backstory

[kitnut617]

  Awesome work Glenn! 

[Spey_Phantom]

"...you got down, down, down, down on my knies and, oh..... Barracuda!" - Heart 

love that song, just as much i love this aircraft, nice work 

[GTX]

Whiffing community: Hurrah!!! Looks Great!

Regards,

Greg

[Ed S]

Looks great.  But it seems to me it would be better with spats?

Ed

[lancer]

Superb work Glenn. Very nicely done.

[McGreig]

That's some outstanding work, Glenn! I really like how you paid attention to the little details like the bombs and the lower rows of exhausts

What he said. Bizzarely convincing (and I like the backstory)

[nev]

That sharkmouth is inspired 

[ysi_maniac]

^^^^ and history and manufactured are inspired too

[Captain Canada]

Can't see much of it but it sure looks good from what I can see lol

[kitnut617]

Can't see much of it but it sure looks good from what I can see lol

Yeah!, the PB scam at work there Todd

[The Rat]

HOLYCRAPHOWDIDIMISSTHISONE! That is simply incredible.