Fairey Battle Mk6 "Flying Gravedigger"

Devilfish · February 06, 2012, 11:14:48 PM

In 1943, it was felt that, with the coming invasion of Europe planned, a plane capable of providing effective close ground support was needed.

The Hawker Typhoon, while proving to be an excellent ground attack fighter, could only carry so much weaponry, and wasn't able to loiter as long as was hoped for.
Fairey put forward a plan to modify their existing Battle airframe, of which there were plenty now relegated to training roles, into a dedicated ground support/anti-tank aircraft.

To provide more power, in order to be able to carry bigger loads and also to provide more speed, the new Rolls Royce Griffon was fitted, along with the latest 5 blade propeller. Extra radiators were fitted due to the engines larger size, but also as the aircraft's role was envisaged as entailing a lot of loitering.

The inboard bomb-bay was retained for 250lb HE bombs, while the outer was converted to carry the Vickers 40mm cannon, equipped with 40 rounds per gun.

The outer wings were strengthened to carry 8 rocket rails.

The rear gunner also doubled as an observer to confirm any kills made on tanks and installations.

On June 6th 1944, Battle Mk6's were in the forefront of the invasion, clearing beach defences.
Ground troops came to know them as the "flying gravediggers" due to their habit of leaving rather large holes in the ground where the enemy had been.

Battle VI's where flown by several sqns, including 113, as this machine is shown, complete with D-Day invasion stripes.

Here, seen alongside a Battle 1, for comparison

tigercat · February 06, 2012, 11:20:10 PM

very nice

AeroplaneDriver · February 06, 2012, 11:33:39 PM

Love it!

PR19_Kit · February 07, 2012, 12:17:56 AM

Excellent stuff, our own 'kitbasher' will just LOVE that!

Devilfish · February 07, 2012, 01:10:42 AM

Thankyou all

Just thought I'd add, the stripes aren't meant to look like I'm crap at masking...which I am, but rather like hastily applied on the night of the 5th June....

rickshaw · February 07, 2012, 01:18:24 AM

Excellent! You earn a Kangaroo stamp for that one!

NARSES2 · February 07, 2012, 01:43:22 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 07, 2012, 12:17:56 AM
Excellent stuff, our own 'kitbasher' will just LOVE that!

Indeed he will as do I

Quote from: Devilfish on February 07, 2012, 01:10:42 AM
Thankyou all

Just thought I'd add, the stripes aren't meant to look like I'm crap at masking...which I am, but rather like hastily applied on the night of the 5th June....

As indeed many of them were and some were done with battered old brooms

MilitaryAircraft101 · February 07, 2012, 01:55:50 AM

Great job Sea-Dwelling Satan...

Looking forward to seeing more whiffy creations!

Devilfish · February 07, 2012, 03:05:11 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on February 07, 2012, 01:43:22 AM

As indeed many of them were and some were done with battered old brooms

So I'm lead to believe....

Quote from: MilitaryAircraft101 on February 07, 2012, 01:55:50 AM
Great job Sea-Dwelling Satan... Looking forward to seeing more whiffy creations!

Thank you. Your wish is my command....2 more on the desk as we speak....

kitbasher · February 07, 2012, 12:31:15 PM

Ouch! One of those would do you some harm if it started shooting at you!! Mean stuff - well done.
The Fairey Battle - a much maligned aircraft. The Airfix Fairey Battle - a much maligned kit. But great whif potential I feel - and when you think of the various engine test-bed configurations that actually flew - how easily they could be inspiration for Battle whifs. A radial-engined, torpedo-carrying alternative to the Albacore anyone? A Battle Mk 7 with a shortened fuselage and a Sabre engine?

lancer · February 07, 2012, 01:46:53 PM

Oh that is bloody brilliant!!!!

buzzer · February 07, 2012, 02:31:44 PM

i like that

bet it would have been more than capable of packing a punch with them wing guns!

pyro-manic · February 07, 2012, 04:55:16 PM

I've been pondering almost exactly the same thing recently - a pair of S guns in the wing bomb bays (guns in the inners, ammunition in the outers), RPs and a Bristol Hercules radial engine. Needless to say, I like your Griffon-powered version a lot.

Ed S · February 07, 2012, 05:13:33 PM

Great use of a Battle. It definitely looks the part. The new longer nose looks better too. It seems to "balance" the look of the airplane.

Ed

Devilfish · February 07, 2012, 11:22:43 PM

Quote from: pyro-manic on February 07, 2012, 04:55:16 PM
a pair of S guns in the wing bomb bays (guns in the inners, ammunition in the outers),

I must admit, that was my first thought, but the landing lights would have to be removed and faired in, and I thought they might actually be useful, so I left them. The Hurricane IID only carried I believe 12 rounds per gun, so to make this a more useful loiter aircraft I gave the bays bulges to accomodate larger ammo drums with 40 rounds per gun. That way the aircraft still has a useable bomb load too.