Twin-boom flying boat known as "Erne"

solidmodeler · April 24, 2009, 06:50:20 PM

My second model built from drawings by What-If member SSgt Baloo. http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,22060.30.html

The "Erne" is a unique design for a flying boat, but reminiscent of something from Star Trek maybe(?).

Jschmus · April 24, 2009, 06:53:20 PM

With the engines and empennage, it's clearly a WIG craft, but without them, it's got a distinctively Romulan cast to it.

The Rat · April 24, 2009, 08:09:37 PM

Oooooooh MAN! I wish I could work with balsa like that.

lenny100 · April 24, 2009, 08:13:59 PM

Yet another masterpice in the makeing

John Howling Mouse · April 24, 2009, 08:22:24 PM

Yep, early Romulan Bird of Prey. Will be interesting to watch you shape it into a WIG craft from Earth, though.

The Rat · April 24, 2009, 08:30:22 PM

Quote from: solidmodeler on April 24, 2009, 06:50:20 PM

Who sits in that little tiny Muskoka chair? (Adirondack chair to Americans)

GTX · April 25, 2009, 11:02:34 AM

Why not do it as a Romulan WIG, pre-spaceflight days?

Regards,

Greg

Aircav · April 25, 2009, 12:10:28 PM

Looks more like Beech than Balsa, great bit of work though

The Rat · April 25, 2009, 12:49:18 PM

Quote from: Aircav on April 25, 2009, 12:10:28 PM
Looks more like Beech than Balsa, great bit of work though

Wahtever, I'm lousy at anything close to carpentry. Right now I've got to put a new front door on the house, there may be lot's of blood, swearing, and a divorce in the offing.

solidmodeler · April 26, 2009, 06:31:55 AM

Ok, it's a Romulan WIG. Yesterday, I found similar (but not so spacey) WIG designs on secretprojects.co.uk. Some had the same ducted fans and winglets. Thanks for those observations.

I've been thinking some of my aircraft will be assigned to the nation of Antarctica. After the poles thaw out this century, they'll need a coast guard and a defense force possibly. Anybody have a good idea for a roundel? My first thought included a compass rose.

solidmodeler · April 26, 2009, 06:34:50 AM

By the way, the material used is basswood (maybe another name outside of USA). Harder than balsa, but fairly easy to carve.

Tophe · April 26, 2009, 07:19:35 AM

Great!

PR19_Kit · April 26, 2009, 04:42:16 PM

Quote from: solidmodeler on April 26, 2009, 06:34:50 AM
By the way, the material used is basswood (maybe another name outside of USA). Harder than balsa, but fairly easy to carve.

Maybe obeche in the UK?

I know as much about wood as I know about brain surgery though.......

solidmodeler · April 26, 2009, 06:04:02 PM

Hi PR19. I had a look online (wikipedia). Basswood is known as Lime in the UK and Linden elsewhere in Europe. Balsa, though softer can actually be more difficult to carve with good results, being too soft and coarse-grained. That's ok though, I don't know what to do with that stuff known as styrene, thinking "Evergreen" was a just type of tree.

BlackOps · April 26, 2009, 06:57:10 PM

Another beautiful start! These really are a pleasure to watch.