Grumman Gander

[sequoiaranger]

Hmmmm. I haven't yet entered a "Group Build". But with a far-enough-off "official" deadline of April 30 I think I might be able to do it. I work very slowly. That is, my modeling time is very rare and infrequent, though I do love it.

I think I can be induced to put off my "scheduled" Aichi/Heinkel 119 project and slap together for this Group build the predecessor to the Hellcat--the Grumman "Gander"---a two-seat amphibian that will feature a Hellcat "top" and J2F Duck bottom, with suitable adjustments for making the "Hellcat" a two-seater with an open-canopy GIB gun position. Philippine markings will be used (off the old USS Langley--newly christened Independent Filipino Navy "Manila"), given to the Filipinos as part of a "proxy" navy to deter the Japanese just prior to WW II. USN discovery of the capabilities of the Zero fighter has them scrambling for some interim fighter to match it. Thus the "Gander" loses its flotation and GIB to become our premier naval carrier fighter until the "Bearcat" comes along.

Bottom photo is a mock-up with some uncharacteristically crude "PaintShopPro" magic. I think it will end up being painted more like the USNavy planes at the time, mainly "Non-Specular Blue-Gray" on top, over light gray bottom. Maybe some variation in camo (some jungle green in there somewhere). Maybe some rudder stripes. Maybe a shark's mouth. Still a concept-in-development.

[Jschmus]

This is another machine from Furashita's Fleet, no?  Looks cool!

[sequoiaranger]

>This is another machine from Furashita's Fleet, no?<

Yup!

http://www.combinedfleet.com/furashita/manila_f.htm

[GTX]

Looks a little like the Avenger derivative I did:



Regards,

Greg

[sequoiaranger]

>Looks a little like the Avenger derivative I did:<

Yes. It will. The "Hellcat" is a slightly smaller-sized aircraft than the Avenger (same engine, though). I am, though, possibly using a 1/80th scale Avenger canopy for the front and centermost part (no turret). The regular 1/72 Avenger canopy would be too big, but this one is just right. It's crude, and it has raised frame lines on the *INSIDE*, so will need some TLC to rectify (the kit company is "Model Rectifier Corporation" anyway!!).

The wing floats of the Duck look a little wimpy, so I will replace them somehow. I sold off my enormous stash of kits (which would have all kinds of possible replacements), but I may have something left from old kitbashes.

[jcf]

Yes. It will. The "Hellcat" is a slightly smaller-sized aircraft than the Avenger (same engine, though).

Hi Craig, different engines on the two Grumman birds:
Hellcat = R-2800
Avenger = R-2600

Only the first Hellcat prototype had an R-2600.

Jon

[sequoiaranger]

>Hi Craig, different engines on the two Grumman birds:
Hellcat = R-2800
Avenger = R-2600<

Ah, yes! And the Avenger had a Wright Cyclone, whereas the Hellcat had the Pratt & Whitney. My error--it was the Avenger and HellDIVER that had the same engine!

[sequoiaranger]

I think I will have to expand, width-wise, the Duck lower fuselage/float. It's kinda skinny, compared to the bottom of the Hellcat. I have some structural styrene pieces, but I would have to heat-bend them carefully to the contours of the Duck, etc.--seems a LOT of work.

Better to get two sheets of .080 or so plastic, gluing the Duck halves to them, then slapping the "plates" together and trimming. This would not only help aesthetically, but provide more "flotation" for the admittedly heavier Hellcat airframe.

I found that the 1/80 Avenger canopy is perfectly sized, but so poor in quality I will have to vac-u-form a new one. The canopy will angle down toward the back a little, following the constant-width line of the tear-drop-shaped fuselage. I'll have to scratchbuild an interior, but will keep it simple.

Luckily, "jschmus" has offered to give/trade me some larger floats. I think I will need them!

[sequoiaranger]

I guess I should not have been so naive as to think that NO ONE in BuAir would have thought of "my" upgraded-monoplane "Duck". Sure enough, when I started researching the Duck for interiors, etc., I came across info on the XJL-1 of which at least one prototype was built. I have attached a comparative drawing, and a photo.

I had thought of incorporating the neat folding-wheel arrangement of the Hu-16 Albatross (somewhat similar to the XJL-1's) as a tricycle landing gear setup, but I will stick to the tail-dragger configuration for my Gander.

[jschmus take note: your Albatross wing floats will be PERFECT, methinks!]

[sequoiaranger]

I bought some .080 sheet styrene and glued each half of the Duck fuselage to a piece. Now it is the "right" thickness to attach to the Hellcat, with trimming and PSR work, of course.

My camo might be this "bird's eye" type I fiddled with. Fun for a metal "bird" to wear.

[jcf]

Hi Craig,
we discussed the XJL-1 in May of 2008

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,17681.msg281287.html#msg281287

Jon

[Brian da Basher]

I really like the look of that camo pattern you're considering, SR! I've got a feeling your Gander is going to be quite a head-turner!

Brian da Basher

[sequoiaranger]

JonCarrfarrelly Wrote:
>we discussed the XJL-1 in May of 2008<

Sheesh! When I first saw what you wrote, I thought I must not have joined the whiffers then (very close). But I see I was actually part of that conversation AND I DON'T REMEMBER IT! 

Anyway, thank goodness YOU did!

BdB: Thanks! That camo was "inspired" by an M.C. Escher drawing I saw and thought I might make something similar. It won't be as "interlocking" as an MC Escher drawing, but I still like the idea. I enjoy making "original" camo patterns, and I came across this as I was cleaning out the rough sketches of whiffs I will NOT be making.

[sequoiaranger]

This has become much more labor-intensive than I had thought (so what else is new when whiffing?).

I put in two .080 spacers in the float pedestal and trimmed to the shape, and cut out a panel where the lower wing attached and the window was. Now that I know where the seat(s) were, I will put in a new panel with a "large" porthole in the back, and smaller ones towards the front.

The main wings have just barely enough connection to keep the dihedral and shape after I cut out the bottom of it.

I had to expand the tail of the Hellcat to match up with the tubbier tail of the float pedestal, but it will still retain that Hellcat look when it's done. The second seat area was cut too much, so I will have to backfill. Next I will attempt a simple interior, then add tabs to the fuselage parts (for strength) and assemble. (Sigh) more putty-fu than I had anticipated is in my future here, but I think the results will be worth it.

I discovered that the shape and size of the rudder on the Hellcat is the same as the Wildcat, so I can use some rudder-stripe decals for a Wildcat when the markings are ready to go on.

[Brian da Basher]

That's some very major kit surgery you've got going on there, SR! It looks like your cuts were nice and precise too!

Brian da Basher