Bell F-11B Airacomet

[The Big Gimper]

A request for the experts: Does anyone have detailed pictures of the P-59 upper wing which would show if there are fuel filler caps and their location?

Thanks

[The Big Gimper]

For Kit: Of course there is a Yin and a Yang so my next PR aircraft will be a clipped wing Spitfire.  

Hehe, can't wait. But HOW clipped? Maybe 15 ft span? 

541 Sqdn actually used the Speed Spitfire for a while but apparently it was useless as a PR aircraft just because the wings had been clipped and it carried almost no fuel. It looked great, so the OC used it as his personal hack. 

Hi Kit:

Just out-board of the ailerons whatever that translates into. That`s why I`ll be adding a conformal belly fuel tank (100 Gal?) to my Academy XIVc. Oops, me and my big mouth. 

Carl

[Pablo1965]

Good work! 

[kitnut617]

A request for the experts: Does anyone have detailed pictures of the P-59 upper wing which would show if there are fuel filler caps and their location?

Thanks

Does this help ---



Right out of the Ginter book 'P-59 Airacomet' by Steve Pace (Air Force Legends Number 208)

[The Big Gimper]

Perfect. Many Thanks. Item 20 it is. 

[The Big Gimper]

From the OMG I finished another MPM/Special Hobby kit without taking a hammer to it, here is the back story to the F-11B Condor and pictures of the finished product.

Enjoy,  Carl


1st Lt. I. M. Knowbody of the USAAF sat deep in thought on the hard, unforgiving PSP under the wing of HIS F-11A. The sweltering noon-time Sun of Okinawa took no prisoners. So, where did he go wrong? What did he miss? What obvious step did he forget?

The F-11A Airacomet  was his answer to the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) HQ request for a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft to provide the much needed Intel on the Japanese mainland. Lt. Knowbody, known as Dr. Frankenstein by the other maintenance officers on Okinawa could take pieces from any aircraft, re-assemble it and make it fly. This is not what HQ wanted but in the field where parts can be scarce, it was a special gift.

For reconnaissance  flights over Japan, speed was not such a requirement as was altitude. With a service ceiling of 46,000 feet, the P-59B was perfect but it need a little help. The F-11A was yet another brain child of Dr. F. His unconventional thinking has him graft on the F-5E photo nose. Cockpit was pressurized to 25,000 Ft. Flat canopy for less drag. The tweaked J-35 engines did not complain about the lack of air at those incredible heights, it was a smooth flight and the rapid climb minimizing venerability and detection. The larger F-5E main wheels did a better job of the dealing with the uneven PSP  and finally F-5E drop tanks help feed the thirsty J-35s.

He glanced straight ahead to the F-5E, his current specialty, being prepared for it's next flight over the southern islands. The high gloss PRU Blue finish for the deep blue sky, two engine reliability, large nose cavity for 2 cameras, streamline drops tanks to get you there and back and the slender wings. It was all there but the not the extra 3-6,000 feet he needed to stay above the few but deadly high altitude Ta-152H's Germany was now supplying to Japan. The F-5E and F-11A were untouchable until the Ta-152s showed up. Due to the delay of the Tachikawa Ki-94-II , Germany loaned a dozen or so Ta-152s to the IJAAF.

Now the F-11s were grounded as HQ did not want the J-35s to fall into Axis hands. So the F-5Es were used. The intercept rate of the F-5Es were over 75% if the Ta-152H received sufficient warning and was able to meet the F-5E en route. So many brave young pilots going out into the deep blue sky every day not knowing if they will be returning home in a few hours.

His head was now resting in his hands. I wish I had a Spitfire Mk. XIX he moaned. But all deliveries of the Mk. XIX were being directed directly to the RAF for the same reason. Maybe we can free up one or two for you early next year said the crumpled telegram in his left breast pocket.

If I can just get the that extra 3,000 feet, I can stay above the deadly Ta-152H, get those pictures and save thousand of lives.

What I have done? Improved the  J-35s. Clean up the lines. No airframe drag as all rivets were flush. The PRU Blue paint was a special mixture to provide a smooth finish and minimize weight. He removed all unnecessary equipment taking off another 500 Lbs.

It is looking like Levenworth was going to be his next posting. Or maybe the driver of a LST when the mainland is invaded,

With the pre-flight checks done, F-5E began to taxi out. The PSP was very uneven making the F-5E bounce and wings tips flexing up and down. With a heavy frown, Lt. Knowbody, glanced up and noticed the F-5E was taxing towards him. It was directly in front of one his grounded F-11As. He was drawn to wing tips which at that instance line up with F-11A and for a brief moment the F-11A wing span was now 16 feet wider. His eyes went wide as saucers. THAT'S IT! How could he have miss the obvious. Yes, the F-11A could not get to 50,000 feet with the current wing span but would another 16 feet give him?

Lt. Knowbody leaped up, slammed his head in the wing of the F-11A, swore profusely, ran to his office and grabbed his tape measure. He ran back out the to flight-line, measured the chord of the F-11A wing at the outboard side of the aileron. Then he ran to the F-5E, measured again. Eureka!!!  Oh, the possibilities.  Quick, quick, do the math. Do the math. Out with the slide ruler he always kept in his coveralls. 16" x 4 foot average chord = 64 Sq. Ft. Current wing area is 386 Sq. Ft. New value is 450 Sq Ft. New wing load value is ....  hee hee hee he mumbled to himself. It could work. Hee hee hee.

Then looking over to the bone yard, there sat an engine-less F-5B with a broken main spar, unused drop tanks, good landing gear. A big smile broke over his face for the first time in weeks.

3 Weeks later, the first over Japan F-11B taxied back to flightline. The pilot braked, shutdown the J-35s, threw back the canopy, the pilot raised five fingers in the air indicating be reached the predicted 50,000 foot ceiling. The photo's were awesome but more importantly, the Ta-152H tried but failed to shoot down the F-11B as it cruised safely 2,000' higher.  Given the F-11B was a new aircraft in theatre, the outer wing tips and tail were painted  yellow to assist in identification by friendly forces.

Lt. Knowbody slept through the night for the first time in 6 months.

After a few weeks and very successful results, it was officially named the Condor by HQ. The follow on A/C were the F-11C and D models. More cameras and better engines.

So here we have it folks, the absolute true story of the first USAAF jet reconnaissance aircraft of the Second World War. Believe it or not.

Stayed tuned for the next adventure of Capt. I. M. Knowbody.


Decals are from the kit, DML P-38J, Aeromaster P-51D and a F-4D - the yellow band around the canopy to hide the massive gap. 







My MPM PR XIX as a comparison.

[scooter]

 

[PR19_Kit]

Now THAT is my kind of airplane, yes sir! 

Excellent modelling and story too, I love it. 

[sideshowbob9]

Great backstory and a brilliant model! 

[GTX]

 

[Stargazer]

I didn't think one could fall in love with a plastic model... but now I'm not so sure... 

Brilliant in every way!!! 

[kitnut617]

Now that has turned out very smart Carl --- 

If it's ok with you, I'll do one of mine like that too. Maybe with a different camo or something.

[Scooterman]

killer.  plain and simple.   

[tc2324]

That is awesome. Love the scheme, gap or not..

[The Big Gimper]

Now that has turned out very smart Carl ---  

If it's ok with you, I'll do one of mine like that too. Maybe with a different camo or something.

Thank you all for the complements.

I have learned to fly along with the other giants such as Jim and his Hurricane HP PRI and Kit and his F-6H.

kitnut: You can build any P-59 you want but not the FL-1N Night Fighter.