Radial Hurricane, a tribute to Maverick

[ysi_maniac]

I will try to make something in this line.

Could the engine be a Taurus instead of a Hercules?
I know it is less powerful but similar power than early Merlin powered versions.

What do you think?

[ysi_maniac]

I need some help here.

I am thinking in an alternative history in which allied, after assessing german campagn in Poland and gathering good intelligence info, decide to attack Germany from french border in late november 1939. To accomplish this offensive, they need antitank aircrafts. But time is short and the RAF decides a quick and dirty, but prudent solution: Radial Hurricanes equpped with Bristol Taurus engines in order to save Merlins and Hercules for Spitfires and Bombers. So my question:

Armament?
Two Hispano Suiza 20mm guns would be enough?, four needed?
Is 20mm enough? Any British 30mm for that time? Molins 40mm in 1939?
4 60lb rockets?, 8 needed?, available in 1939?

[Brian da Basher]

I think there were Hispano cannons available in 1939 as well as Bofors. I'd go for 37 m.m. although 20 might work given how light early W.W. II German tanks were compared to later Tigers.

They did have rockets in 1939 (they actually go back to W.W. I) but I'm not sure when the 60 lb. ones were developed.

I hope that was at least mildly helpful...

Brian da Basher

[The Rat]

At first read the idea seemed heretical, but that picture looks so natural that there are some real possibilities here. The first thing that struck me was the US Navy's penchant for radial engines over in-lines, and the idea of an American carrier version sprang to mind.

[Maverick]

Carlos,

First up, thank you for the build, very much appreciated.

Regarding weapons, Mk IIC (the four cannon Hurri) routinely flew in the Desert War with two cannons removed as a weight saving measure and used as a ground attack platform.  Later of course, there was the Vickers / Rolls-Royce 40mm weapons that were podded on the IID, specifically for tank busting.

One consideration is of course that tank armour plate is usually thinner on the upper surfaces so less punch is needed as such.

Regards,

Mav

[NARSES2]

The British used rockets in the AA role during 1940 - one of a couple of the Z batteries was down the road to where I live.

As for using them in a GA role. The Hurricane was the first Allied aircraft to use rockets in a GA role. The idea was first mooted in  October 41, tested on a Hurricane in Feb 42 and first used in anger on 2/09/43.

[upnorth]

Looks like you have an interesting Hurri project forming up Ysi.

I'll be watching for it in the WIP section.

[Weaver]

The British used rockets in the AA role during 1940 - one of a couple of the Z batteries was down the road to where I live.

My dad was in the RA during WWII and he served on Z-rocket batteries for a while, before going on to gun-directing radar. He recalled one occasion where they fired their salvo at an incoming raid (without much effect, as usual) and then about an hour later, an RA Brigadier came storming up in a staff car. Apparently, his AA gun battery was stationed on the other side of the Thames, and the spent rocket tubes had come crashing down all across it... not a happy bunny......

[kitnut617]

My dad was in the RA during WWII and he served on Z-rocket batteries for a while, before going on to gun-directing radar. He recalled one occasion where they fired their salvo at an incoming raid (without much effect, as usual) and then about an hour later, an RA Brigadier came storming up in a staff car. Apparently, his AA gun battery was stationed on the other side of the Thames, and the spent rocket tubes had come crashing down all across it... not a happy bunny......

I have always wondered about how many casualties there were from spent rounds cascading down from the air battles over Southern England or elsewhere come to think of it.  The times my Dad came home after doing some building surveying with some old cartridge cases, 20mm, .5's or .303's in his pocket

[NARSES2]

My dad was in the RA during WWII and he served on Z-rocket batteries for a while, before going on to gun-directing radar. He recalled one occasion where they fired their salvo at an incoming raid (without much effect, as usual) and then about an hour later, an RA Brigadier came storming up in a staff car. Apparently, his AA gun battery was stationed on the other side of the Thames, and the spent rocket tubes had come crashing down all across it... not a happy bunny......

I have always wondered about how many casualties there were from spent rounds cascading down from the air battles over Southern England or elsewhere come to think of it.  The times my Dad came home after doing some building surveying with some old cartridge cases, 20mm, .5's or .303's in his pocket

I don't think that the Z batteries actually hit anything ?

As for shrapnel etc the stories my dad told about coming out of the pictures during a raid and having to shelter from red hot 3.7 inch shrapnel - and then being interupted by a copper who wanted to know "what Jack was doing in that doorway "  This was in Croydon by the way.

When in Central London you can see the damage that shrapnel and bomb fragments did on every street - just look at the scars on the walls and statues

The good old days eh ?

[ysi_maniac]

Hi Mav, JHM and IHG

After reading this thread http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,21022.0.html I have to ask for approval for this modification:

Some historians think that the reason for the so called 'False War' was that Germany had exhausted its reserve of fuel during Poland campaign. So, had France and UK attacked Germany during winter 1939-40 they could easily won WWII  . I think there were, in fact, a ground operation performed by frech army that penetrated some km in Germany with no oposition.

If I want my model to participate in this fictional operation, I have to change a little the scheme, or ...
Mav be too kind and produce adequate profile

[Maverick]

Carlos,

I'm happy to do another for you.  What specifics do you need?

Regards,

Mav

[Leigh]

You could add a rear turret and have it compete with a Skua in an ugly contest.

[ysi_maniac]

What specifics do you need?

Hi Mav,
Look at the pic. The undersides scheme will be like this Spitfire: black and white wings and aluminium the rest. Uper surfaces are OK in your profile, but the tail band should be deleted.

Thanks a lot,
Carlos

[Maverick]

Okies Carlos,

Here you go.

Regards,

Mav