What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Work continues at a slowish pace as I keep being interrupted by callers wanting me to try out or invest in the American stock exchange.
The Martin Marina AEW amphibious flying boat has three cut-down C-130 wheels to prevent it from becoming a tail sitter. I still haven't decided on a paint scheme. Just painting various parts different colours avoiding the fuselage doors which have a bit of detailing on them.
The Convair Trans-Oceanic jet powered flying boat has had a new roof section / upper deck
applied and bump/radome towards the lower rear of the fuselage ( former nose wheel bay of the C-97). Lots of filler needed on this build!
The Mystic V-tailed Br1150 Atlantic jet powered with the Valiant wings works well with the Hawkeye rotodome radar which will be added later.
There's still a lot to do before I can say that they are finished. I think when I have finally finished the Marina the rest won't be too far behind.

[McColm]

This build is based on two drawings of the Consolidated's Trans-Oceanic four-engine flying boat penned in 1937. Designed to carry 54 passengers in stateroom-type accommodation.Which targeted Pam American Airways to replace their Sikorsky S-42B and Martin 130 flying boats. They went for the Boeing Model 314 Clippers instead.
I've used the Academy C-97A 1/72 kit to get the rounded cockpit and circular cross section on the Hasegawa Shinmeiwa amphibious PS/SS-2 model. Which had the resin Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk85 engines glued in place.
No doubt that there would have been adequate soundproofing to compensate for the noise of the engines.
Due to it's sheer size and lack of windows this will be Whiffed into an AEW platform. Non-rotating dome on a platform accommodating three AN/APS-20 radars for 360 degree coverage.

Part 2
There's been a design change to the wings. A pair from the Airfix Avro Vulcan now adorns the Trans-Oceanic. Engines to be decided as this now looks like one of the sketches by Beriev. The C-97 vertical tail fin is in place and a cut down plastic drinks bottle has been used for the new roof plus lower fuselage. I've used silver acrylic paint on the cockpit glazing which works well.

Part 3
I'm using the engines from the Mach2 Martin P6M-2 SeaMaster kit fitted above the Vulcan wing. They have been cut down to fit. I'll see if I can find 4 jet exhaust pipes to match. It's the largest kitbashed build so far this year.

Part 4
I've gone back to the pair of 1/48  Lockheed S-3 Viking turbofan engines and used the leftovers from the Academy C-97. This now looks more like an earlier prototype of the Beriev LL-400 or LL-600 ocean-going seaplanes. I might be able to find a pair of 1/72 S-3 Viking engines and add them as well. I'll have to rework the vertical tail fin to accept a T-tail. On the Be A-150 drawings there are air intake scoops for the 12 lift jets. This gives me an idea on what to use to fill the gaps between the fuselage and the wings. Not too sure if they intended to build the first V/STOL flying boat but the vector exhaust was to assist in take off.

[McColm]

Finally got the 1/72 Mach2 Consolidated PB2Y-3/5 Coronado delivered yesterday.
Looking at the contents there is the rough edges and frosted glazing. The fuselage halves fit together with the smallest of gaps unlike the Avro York where the gap is almost as wide as the Grand Canyon. There's a bit of flash to clean up. The propellers got broken during transit. Oddly enough the Rolls Royce Griffon engines on the Shackleton fit very well, so I'm going to them instead. Might change the tail fins as well to the Shackleton ones, replace the search radar, detailing the cockpit is a waste of time as you can't see in, but I will paint it.
I'll need a bit of research into the wing bomb bays. Should make an interesting build.

[TheChronicOne]

SOUNDS interesting!! 

I had to look up the Coronado... that's a pretty sweet plane to start from.  Reminds me of a whale. 

[McColm]

It wasn't until the first commercial jet flight that the idea of a civilian jet powered flying boat was considered as a viable option.
Convair had a stack of ideas but choose the Trans-Oceanic concept,  they used SJMcColm Engineering to build the prototype at their Rochester facilities and so work began in early 1956.
SJM Engineering raided the spare parts bin to save time and money. By August the shell had been constructed but no wings added.
The fuselage was huge so they moved it outside and erected a roof  and 3/4 side panels. There were three decks with semi-circular viewing gallery imitating the cockpit glazing. The vertical tail was from a Boeing C-97 and the elevators formed a V shape at either side..
There was a long debate on the wings, as SJM was building  " Eric the Viking" an Blohm & Voss BV222 Wiking with the Avro Vulcan wings, salvaged from RAF 201 Sqn  without any wings.
The Avro Vulcan wings was chosen but with a different engine setup. Engines over the wings towards the flaps. Work continued on, trying to find the engines was a problem.
Rolls-Royce had sketched an idea that would materialize into the Trent engine.
The first engines to be tested on the Oceanic were four RR Speys. Static tests indicated that the reheat wasn't needed but was kept on the Wiking and the new SeaMistriss pre-production aircraft.
As these two aircraft gained in popularity the workforce was decreased on the Wiking leaving a skeleton crew and new apprentices to carry out the work.
Twenty years later the Wiking took to the water for a flight test. It was only supposed to taxi, but in the hands of 'Mad' Dan Macleen he couldn't resist opening the throttles and taking her up for a spin. Eric the Viking climbed gracefully out of the river and into the blue sky. At a height of 20,000 feet the aircraft stretched it's legs for 30 minutes, until landing back in the estuary to the crowds of people that had witnessed the event..
After a full inspection cracks were found around the main spars.
SJM Engineering took the bold step to continue with the project. Convair had pulled out and there wasn't any potential buyers. With the Trent engine now available the team pressed on . By 1979 the Wiking was ready for another flight test this time with to outer RR Trent engines and two TF-33's in the inner, this time and sticking to a rehearsed plan 'Mad' Dan showed off the Wiking. The crowds were impressed but still no potential buyers stepped forward. SJM Engineering had their own flying boat airline operating out of the river Thames so Eric the Viking became part of the fleet on the long haul routes. 150 passengers enjoyed the comforts of business class luxuries with a mini bar and mini-grand piano.
Eric the Viking would never break even, but the public loved the experience.

[McColm]

Some cracking has appeared on the left-hand side . I think that it was dropped by one of my roommates by mistake. I will reinforce the join on both wings. The gaps are getting filled in with either spare parts or putty. I'm pleased with the progress.
I got two weeks leave in the early part of March, so I hope to finish a few of my started builds and get this one to the paint stage.

[McColm]

The parts in the Coronado Mach2
kit go together better than
previous Mach2 builds. The gaps are minimum. There's the usual roughness and flash to clean up. The windows are clear but the cockpit canopy is thick but you can make out the details inside.
The propellers will need to be replaced and turrets, so will the decals.
I haven't found the trademark front aerials yet. The instructions are as vaige as ever.
My research from  the book 'Convair Advanced Designs 1923-1962' suggests a twin engined 2,000hp Wright R-3350B. For military and commercial usage with 38 beds or 60 day passengers..
I've gone for the RR Griffon engines and changed the radome.
Well that was the plan but it now has the jet engines from the Mach2  North American
B-45 Tornado, glued over the wings. The piston engines have been removed and will get filled in.

[63cpe]

Really interesting stuff Mc Colm......hope you make good progress with the many projects early March.

Could you show us some pictures off your projects again (I know you did couple of weeks ago), but it's rather interesting work....

David

[McColm]

Sure,
Some are still in the raw stage whilst others are in the 'get a move on and finish it'.
As you can tell I'm easily distracted. What I should have is two builds on the bench and the rest put to one side.
Or concentrate on one of the larger builds.

[63cpe]

Hahaha, yeah i know what you mean....I also have to concentrate on two/three projects and put the rest aside...but as we speak count about 8 projects in varous stages. Have to admit i try to concentrate on the ones for the Soviet GB...

Keep up the great work!

David

[McColm]

Thanks,
It's the filler stage that the concentration goes as I end up using the puty on the other builds before it starts to harden.

Got some more ideas on the subject of the SaaB Erieye AEW &C. To fit a lengthened version on a Airfix BAe Nimrod , Breguet Br1150 and Lockheed P-3 Orion.

[McColm]

The 1/72 Avro Lancastrian injection moulded conversion kit by M & E Models Ref: KC002 arrived today and like any Whiffer I just had to try them out on the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW2.
Originally this was to become the Avro Carlton but as the new parts fit so well and I had my razor saw to hand they have been glued on. The rear tail cone is as per instructions, just as the Lancastrian. The front tail cone is turned 90 °'s and fits where the forward gunner/observer would be. The nose is flat to accommodate the new part and the existing parts as per Revell kit used to finish off the new model.
This gives the opportunity for alternative uses;
MkI troop/ cargo plane
MkII medium to long-range bomber
MkIII refuelling tanker
MkIV AEW & C either the Grumman E-1 or E-2 radome
MkV water bomber
MkVI Search & Rescue
MkVII long-range maritime patrol/surveillance
MkVIII turboprop
MkX civilian airline/cargo freighter
MkXX export model

As I've always wanted to build a troop transporter/civilian airliner version of the Shackleton I'll stick to the plan and just change the engines as I intend to use them on the Heller DC-6B as the Canadair South Star (got the idea from the Canadair North Star/Argonaut Class DC-4 powered by 4 x 1,760hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 622s).

[McColm]

Missed out the medivac variant, reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Not too sure if you could build a gunship similar to the AC-47. Skis could be added or flotation gear..
Alternative engines were considered for the Shackleton, not too sure whether any were fitted or tested on the Shackleton to compete with the Lockheed Neptune.

[McColm]

The 1/72 Contrail Avro York arrived today. Bought it for just under £30. I've seen them go for silly prices on eBay.
There's only one clear vacform canopy in this kit, two pieces of brown tinted perspex and white metal landing gear with resin parts.
I was going to use the Airfix Avro Lancaster BII,wings, engines and tail fins.I'll save this kit for a AEW version similar to the Wellington.

[McColm]

Missed out the medivac variant, reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Not too sure if you could build a gunship similar to the AC-47. Skis could be added or flotation gear..
Alternative engines were considered for the Shackleton, not too sure whether any were fitted or tested on the Shackleton to compete with the Lockheed Neptune.

I'm going to add some more windows to the fuselage using Micro Kistral Kleer. If all goes well I'll be using this on the Academy KB-29P to convert it into a troop transporter. The seats from the Mach2 Sud Caravelle will be used on this build. The interior detailing in the Airfix Shackleton and Revell Shackleton will be used on the Caravelle.