Martin-Baker MB.6: A profile "bulid"

[jeremak]

I decided that my entry into this GB will be special: I'll show making profile, like it would be building of model. So also with all the stages that profilers didn't show. And I must say, that propably it will not be a "fast" thread: firstly I need to end Rumpler C.I, and do other thing in real life.
So, a begining of the backstory:
Landing of Americans in Tunisia in November 1942 and Rommel's surrender in Tripoli in December 1942 led Churchill to push his Balkan concept. Operation "Hector," Allies attack on Crete occupied measures that could be used in the planned invasion of Sicily. If this took place before Mussolini the shut king of Italy under house arrest and conducted a purge in the army, it is possible that Italy could even withdrawn from the alliance with Germany. A purely american invasion of Sicily in September 1943 turned into a four-month-battle. At that time the British occupied the Peloponnese and Athens easily, but got stuck in northern Greece. And on the eastern front, Germany freely operating their reserves were able to hit in May near Orel. Like the best of times Blitzkreig they reached the outskirts of Voronezh, where they got stuck, but despite this managed to forced to turn back the Soviet armies in the north-eastern Ukraine.
So, war need to be won in 1944: primary in Normandy. In 1943/1944 winter, war in the air have become more intense: The Allies began using the new airports in Sicily and Greece. Night RAF raids which have taken on the intensity, encountered a new obstacle: the Germans began to make into service a large number of new night-fighter: He-219. They could fight the Mosquito, which resulted in the older types of nightfighters could easily attack bombers. So, night heaven over Germany became again scene of battle, now also between nightfighters. This, and other factors showed that the British need a new fighter. One of the major candidates was Martin-Baker MB.5. Demand accelerated work on this machine, and already in February 1944 the first prototype was presented to the higher ranks. After the show of plane performance, one of officers said : "We have already single-seat fighters. Ours and americans. But the can it be a night fighter? Can it replace the Mosquito?"
reaction of Martin-Baker engineers was unusual: to save time, they simply enlarged plane that it could accommodate a second crew member and extra fuel. But how to maintain performance close to MB.5 level? In cooperation with Supermarine, they significantly modified the Grifon engine. The main change was a completely new, much more efficient supercharger, which was placed under the engine, with new, larger grip for the air in the nose. Also was changed the cooling system, which now equally cooled the engine and supercharger. Thats only the main changes introduced in addition to many smaller, such as new prop, it's gearbox, and fuel pumps. With that the new MB.6 admittedly did not have exactly the same performance as MB.5, but still, despite its considerable size, comparable only with the P-47 wasn't inferior to lesser fighters, an can fight and win in fight with german single-seaters. Rapidly built prototype was rolled out in August 1944. It still do not have installed radar in that time, which would change him in the race night fighter, but I was working on a solution to the problem of radar location ...
So, firstly: a blank lines, a little kitbash equivalent:


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[The Rat]

Ooooooh, sexy beast! 

[GTX]

Looking forward to this.

Regards,

Greg

[ChernayaAkula]

Niiiiiice! 

Is it me, or does this M.B.6 have more than a passing resemblance to the Yak-3? Well, a souped-up Yak on steroids, obviosuly.

[jeremak]

Rapidly built prototype was rolled out in August 1944. It still do not have installed radar in that time, which would change him in the race night fighter, but they was working on a solution to the problem of radar location...
... Soon, second prototype, with full electronic equipment take off. Radar, jammers, and other "EW things" were placed in wingtip tanks. MB.6 was on good way to introduction into service.

So, I made details and reflection. many more to do.


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[jeremak]

Also wing was longed to acomodate additional pair od 20mm cannons, so, production aircrafts had six cannons.

Without colours:


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... In 1944 Americans taked Sardinia and Corsica, in strategy od "encircling Italy". In June 1944, biggest amphibious invasion in that time begin: Allies sucessfully landed in Normandy. On Balkans, Commonwealth units entered Serbia, and Bulgaria, on east Soviets made a offensive on Ukraine, in hope to take romanian oil fields before western allies. At New Year of 1945 frontline goes from Antverp, through Ardennes, Vogeses to Alpes in western Europe, on Balkans form Rjeka to Belgrad, and next on Daunbe, between Allies and Soviets. War in 1945 would be long, but it will propably be a last year of this.
On balkan front served 307th Polish Nightfighter Squadron, flying in escort of Bomber Command night raids on Austria, Czechia, and Souhtern Germany. Their "Boars" (name given to frontline MB.6s) carried new nightfighter scheme: dark green/extra dark sea grey, on upper surfaces, and Night Black on others:


On British Isles was also developed new camo for daylight operations high-altittude patrols, escorts, and other operations over Germany:

EDSG/Dark Sea Grey/Medium Sea Grey.

[PR19_Kit]

Now that looks some SERIOUS business! 

Where do I get a 1/65 scale MB5 so I can build one of these though?

[Taiidantomcat]

Flawless 

[GTX]

 

[ysi_maniac]

Beautiful

[buzzbomb]

very nice.. inspiring colours as well

[Old Wombat]

That is... ...mind-bogglingly awesome!

[Arc3371]

Love it!

[GTX]

Did any of these make it to SE Asia or serve with other forces?

Regards,

Greg

[Old Wombat]

Did any of these make it to SE Asia or serve with other forces?

Regards,

Greg

You thinking RAAF, Greg?

We'd have had the CAC CA-15 Kangaroo, wouldn't we?