Cute Lil Killer

[sotoolslinger]

Stolen directly from Proditer See his cool I-16 entry in the Spanish Civil War GB
By 1941 it was obvious that Brewster was on it's way out as a supplier of aircraft to the US. However, the Combined Commonwealth Allies were in desperate need of a fighter that could fly against the increasing incursions by Japanese Zeros. Brewster was approached with the proposition that they build a high speed version of the Buffalo. The requirements were that it be as manuverable as the original but with a climb rate and speed to match the up with the Zero.


To power this new bird Toolslinger Engine Works of The Republic of Texas was given the contract to develop a radial powerplant. TEW had not made a radial engine since the 1920's. In typical fashion they took the best ideas of modern powerplants and refined them into an outstanding engine. The 14 cylinder, 2 row ,sleeve valve engine was equipped with a 2 stage, 2 speed supercharger. It produced 1880 horsepower.


Brewster with their new factory in Darwin began with the basic design of the Buffalo. They strenthened, lightened, and restressed the airframe to accept the new engine and other modern features.  The wings were designed from the outset to be wet and have self sealing tanks. They were also built to mount 6 light machine guns and large amounts of ammo. The original landing gear was retained but beefed up to withstand rough airfields.



Such modern features as reflector gunsight, a much larger prop, and blown canopy were incorporated........
To be continued

[Eddie M.]

Sweet!!!

[sotoolslinger]

Thanks bubba been working on her today , new pics in a little while

[Scooterman]

RIGHT ON RON!!!

[Green Dragon]

Nice looking plane Toolslinger, I really like little'uns with giant engines! Is that a B-25 cowling with all those exhast vents?

Paul Harrison

[Roger the Cabin Boy]

The pilot is only wearing pink boxer shorts?  Is that because it's totally tropical?   

[sotoolslinger]

Hey it's freakin hot in the tropics I was actually kinda pissed cause the standing figure is actually a Brit in shorts while the only sitting pilot figure is a Yank in full uniform.
That is ,in fact a B-25 cowling. It suprised me when it fit so well. All the exhaust vents are just gravy. They add visual interest and I get by the deafening noise problem by making it a sleeve valve engine (whispering death)
I have actually had this kit for several years. I really had no idea what to do with it . I only got it cause they were clearancing this Tami kit. Normally like 35 bucks I think I paid 9. 
Then when I saw what Proditer was doing with his i-16 I was inspired. I must say Tamiya are nice little kits.

[sotoolslinger]

Officially designated CAC-Brewster M-340 Badger the aircraft was universally called Hummingbird.



It's sleeve valve engine was one of the quietest ever put on a fighter and it's excellent manuverability, high climb rate and long range made it highly feared by the Japanese who called it the silent killer.
The "Hummer" was also very well armed. New Zealand Armaments corporation developed a new light machine gun to arm the bird. They took the .416 Rigby rifle round and necked it down to fire a .375 caliber 330 grain projectile at nearly 3000 fps. This allowed the little plane to carry 6 guns with 570 rounds per gun.

[sequoiaranger]

I like what you have done to the Buffalo. I'll stay tuned to this project!

I have done something similar (added better and longer engine to a standard Buffalo) and called it the Bison, but I have never been very satisfied with it (pic link below). I have a "Phoenix" re-make in mind that will lengthen it a bit in the tail, (a turtleback P-47 will match up perfectly) and add a bit of wing. Mine will be Dutch, NEIAF.

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=1193

Re-make possibilities:

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3043

Yours looks better.        

[sotoolslinger]

Thanks Treeranger I would like to see that second one built. That is a slick looking AC. I thought about stretching mine also . I also thought seriously about changing the wings out but I didn't want to scavenge anything from the stash and after I added the extra shnozz I thought it looked pretty good so she stays as is. You did give me an idea for a new build though.......
I wonder how that nose would fit on a Helldiver fuselage? A one man canopy ,bunch o guns.....hmmmmmm

[Cliffy B]

Re-make possibilities:

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=3043

I thought that was a single seat SB2C Helldiver at first until I read what you used.  I wonder how a fighter version of a Helldiver would perform? 

[John Howling Mouse]

Great model in progress, Ron!  Just seeing your latest cool idea has inspired me to get back to the bench.   

[sotoolslinger]

Thanks Baz I know you can't tell from the pic but this is paint started. Light blue

[royabulgaf]

In am intrigued by your Phoenix project Bison.  If you are looking for other thoughts and ideas, check out "Brewster A-32".  It's slightly more advanced than the Bermuda. 

BTW, did Brewster have any post-Buffalo fighter designs?

[sotoolslinger]

That is Sequoiaranger's project I am about to start a Helldiver one man fighter though. I don't know if Brewster ever designed another fighter again. But I do know they built other companie's fighters during the late war.