Long range Anti-Submarine Coastal Command patrol aircraft

Bungle · February 02, 2011, 05:36:28 AM

Oh yes juices following.

My thoughts are something to replace the Short Sunderland and the B-24 Liberator in 1946/47. The U-Boat threat still in its ascendancy and the Channel still a no go zone for Allied shipping. The invasion of France has been put off to 1947 following the initial success of the American led progress through Italy and the Balkans.

So what am I looking at ? an early Shackleton possibly but no to easy. A Neptune - no must have four engines me thinks. Something big with a Nimrod style bombay and a cannon turret up front, wingtip fuel tanks, maybe an upper turret, long extended tail for MAD all in 1/72..... oh yes I think I've found it. Haven't go a name for it yet but I think my little contribution will be an ASW version of one of these....

Now what shall I call it.... ?

Taiidantomcat · February 02, 2011, 09:14:53 AM

Sweet, not a common type you seen in plastic

Maverick · February 02, 2011, 04:40:53 PM

I did this simple artwork conversion back in '08.

Regards,

Mav

Bungle · February 03, 2011, 01:29:12 PM

Thanks Maverick - sorry hadn't seen that before so my apologies if I'm plegerising your ideas. I think my one's going to be in RAF Coastal Command colours (maybe with invasion stripes - nice bit of Zebra would look good),

Well opened the box and it's a big b*gger ! Looks like this one won't end up on the shelf - far too big ! Probably make, bake and bin.

Anyway here's my thoughts on the proposed Short Seascale, Short Stornoway, Short Swanage - still looking for names. Anyway blacked out windows will be filled in, two top turrets a la B-29, a front turret depending if I can find something suitable. I'm going to open up the Bomb bay nice and big. Going to add a MAD tail probably made out of balsa wood.

I guess this kit also makes up the C-97 hence the rear cargo bay - should I leave this open ? Would be of any use on a patrol aircraft (maybe rolling out depth charges ??). If anyone has the instructions to C-97 any chance of a scan ? there are seveal unused pieces in this kit which I guess go on the military version - would be nice to know where to go.

Right then where's the saw ?.....

Bungle · February 03, 2011, 01:32:50 PM

Oops.... photo missed off the rear end. As you can see large cargo hole,

Daryl J. · February 03, 2011, 09:55:03 PM

Oh yeah!

This is gonna be good.

Captain Canada · February 03, 2011, 10:38:45 PM

Oh yeah...this is going to be good for sure ! Never noticed it before you posted that pic, but this thing is just dying for a big bomb bay ! Brilliant idea.

Bungle · February 06, 2011, 04:34:44 AM

Work has started and the sawing has begun. Decided not to cut the Bomb bay doors off fully but instead scored along the top edge on the inside and eased the doors into an open position.

Added thin strips of Florist wire to begin the internal ribbing on the inner doors. Also blanked the windows I'm going to fill later.

Managed to get a set of plans from the Academy website for the KC-97 tanker and those are not cargo doors but the refuelling bay section. In the B-377 this just a blank piece of fuselage. So cargo doors idea scratched.

scooter · February 06, 2011, 07:56:14 AM

Quote from: Bungle on February 06, 2011, 04:34:44 AM
Managed to get a set of plans from the Academy website for the KC-97 tanker and those are not cargo doors but the refuelling bay section. In the B-377 this just a blank piece of fuselage. So cargo doors idea scratched.

Unless you want to torture yourself and scratchbuild the cargo doors

Captain Canada · February 06, 2011, 08:15:41 AM

Is it going to be in-flight or on the ground ? The cargo doors would be a moot point if she were flying, I guess....on the other hand, if it were some sort of auxilliary weapons bay...flares or depth charges maybe ?

Anyway, thatnks for the update and keep 'em coming !

scooter · February 06, 2011, 09:03:09 AM

Quote from: Captain Canada on February 06, 2011, 08:15:41 AM
Is it going to be in-flight or on the ground ? The cargo doors would be a moot point if she were flying, I guess....on the other hand, if it were some sort of auxilliary weapons bay...flares or depth charges maybe ?

Anyway, thatnks for the update and keep 'em coming !

Sonobouy dispenser.

Spey_Phantom · February 06, 2011, 09:41:50 AM

i like what you are doing to the C-97, cant wait to see it finished

Taiidantomcat · February 06, 2011, 10:02:10 AM

Very nice!

Gondor · February 06, 2011, 11:14:44 AM

That's no cargo door opening, its where the clear part goes for the Boom Operator of the KC-97L goes.

Gondor

Tuck · February 07, 2011, 10:57:40 AM

Quote from: Captain Canada on February 06, 2011, 08:15:41 AM
Is it going to be in-flight or on the ground ? The cargo doors would be a moot point if she were flying, I guess....on the other hand, if it were some sort of auxilliary weapons bay...flares or depth charges maybe ?

Anyway, thatnks for the update and keep 'em coming !

Ooooh! A flying plane with roll-out cylindrical depth charges like on a ship Destroyer....now that would be different!