GTX Build

[sotoolslinger]

Still trying to figure this GB thing out but this is my entry The Hawker/Grumman GT X 24 Hellstorm. A Hellcat frame with a Typhoon nose



I have a seperate build thread in current and finished projects

[GTX]

Based upon this:



Not that I admit knowing anything about this 

Regards,

Greg

[sotoolslinger]

It's based on this

It looks like this

[sotoolslinger]

And now she looks like this

Hey it's a black and white profile

[GTX]

Looking good!

Regards,

Greg

[sotoolslinger]

Hawker/Grumman GT X-24 Hellstorm MK I and II

Type: single seat carrier capable fighter
Powerplant: MK I; 24 cylinder X block supercharged,fuel injected 2500 HP inline. MK II Uprated engine with 2 stage 3 speed supercharger 2850 HP
Weight: MK I 9,340 lbs (empty) Take off 15,000 lbs MK II 9,480 lbs.(empty) Take off 13,800 lbs
Performance:MK I Max speed 428 mph Initial climb rate 4,400 ft. per minute Service ceiling 37,000 ft. Range 890 miles
                  MK II Max speed 465 mph Initial climb rate 5300 ft. per minute Service ceiling 42,000 ft Range 1480 miles
Armament:MK I 4 20 MM Cannon in wings 2 .50 cal machine guns in upper cowling Up to 2000 lbs of bombs and 10 HVAR
              MK II 4 1'' Cannon in wings 2 .60 bore machine guns in upper cowling  (no provision for bombs) Rocket armament reduced to 6 Wings plumbed for additional drop tanks

In 1940 with Hawker and Bristol already at full capacity the Grumman shadow factory was tasked with developing a new fighter to utilize the new Napier Cutlass 24 cylinder X block engine

This engine had almost caused lawsuits to be filed by Rolls Royce who considered it a direct theft of their Vulture,but Napier had so improved the design that it had little in common with the RR . The British govt also placated Rolls by giving them contracts to manufacture the engine

The govt requirements were for a 400+ mph fighter that could manuever with the advanced Axis fighters and carry at least 4 heavy cannon.Grummans design philosopy was to create a carrier capable fighter that could be safely flown by a 200 hr pilot with a high degree of survivability.

Surprisingly even with these seemingly contradictory requirements the builders succeeded remarkably well. But not without encountering significant difficulties.

Grumman basically scaled up there servicable Wildcat platform to house the massive new engine.They took good advice from Hawker on strengthening the airframe and sizing it to accept weapons just then being developed

Initial problems were encountered upon testing with severe torque response and pilots having problems with take off and landing due to the poor view over the long nose and the planes tendency to want to jerk itself to starboard and turn over upside down. The famous combat pilot Harold "Weaver" Smith was brought in to develop flight protocalls to prevent accidents. Weaver developed the side to side approach to taxiing as well as ''Crabbing" the aircraft into landings but his most important contribution was to convince the engineers to redesign the trim system to counteract the severe torque steer upon take off.

The MK I was armed with 4 20 mm cannon as well as 2 .50 cal machine guns as well as having the ability to carry a 1000 lb bomb under the fuselage and 2 500 lb bombs under the wings and carry up to 10 HVAR

With the MK II the gun armament was upgraded to the new 15 mm/.60 bore machine guns in the nose with explosive rounds and the wing cannons were replaced with 1 inch cannons

The underwing hardpoints for bombs were eliminated and the rocket armament was reduced but the wings were plumbed for additional drop tanks.Even though this version was heavier than the MK I the increased horsepower of the engine with it's 2 stage 3 speed supercharger and water methanol injection the speed and sevice ceiling increased. With drop tanks the MK II had a longer range but the increase in torque steer was never fully overcome. The MK II was never accepted for carrier service due to this problem but was such and excellent all altitude intercepter and long range escort this was not considered a fault as the govt just continued to manufacture both versions throughout the conflict using the MK I as a carrier based aircraft and ground attack/support platform and the faster higher flying and longer ranged MK II for interception and escort duties

[Ed S]

Looks good.  Lots of power and fire power.

Ed

[GTX]

Damn that came out nice!  Of all the drawings I've done recently, I must admit that would be one of the least I would have expected to be modelled - it's a tribute to your skill that you were able to do it so well!!!

Regards,

Greg

[Brian da Basher]

Toolslinger, this beauty places you firmly among the greats of What-If! The way you blended in the new engine is beyond impressive, but you went and took it to the next level with dual exhausts, a wonderfully subtly faded camo scheme and those eye-popping markings!

Absolute brilliance!

Brian da Basher

[sotoolslinger]

Thanks Greg as the actual designer I can receive no higher praise ( although everyone else still needs to tell me how cool I am) BdaB I am very pleased you like her , as much pleasure as you give everyone with your builds it is a very satisfying to create something you enjoy

[Arc3371]

An excellent build, I am amazed that you are able to get such results with the speed you are building. I must admit that I envy your skill.

[sotoolslinger]

ARC thanks this is one of those where everything comes together just right. I am still working on Mstang with your Free German markings. I hope you enjoy it as well

[Arc3371]

Oh, I am enjoying it but I am afraid that the "Green Monster" will become to obvious when I post....

[sotoolslinger]

Shoot ,having just spent an enjoyable several hours reading one of your alternate histories and who knows how long drooling on your profiles you got no reason to be jealous of an amature like myself. I just get lucky sometimes and steal everyone elses ideas

[Weaver]

Well what can I say? Fantastic model, looks great, slightly dodgy, unbelievable character in the backstory though....