What, Freightdog is doing a whif conversion? Available at Coventry....

Freightdog862 · May 23, 2013, 05:05:35 AM

OK chaps after what seems a lifetime since I did one, I am cautiously optimistic that my 1/144 Stratofreighter AEW resin conversion will be ready next month for release at Coventry. Paul Lucas is beavering away on it, our first in the smaller scale but hopefully not the last. Special thanks are due to Chris Gibson for giving me access to his original references.

However, I need some help. Is 'Stratofreighter AEW' the correct name? As its not a freighter perhaps it needs a more suitable title, starting with Strato-- of course. Suggestions on a postcard, or probably better posted here please?....

Colin

Mossie · May 23, 2013, 05:33:01 AM

Stratoguard/Stratoguardian?

kitnut617 · May 23, 2013, 06:04:15 AM

In USAF service it was known as the Stratofreighter so maybe it would have been just designated a AEW-97G (or whatever the variant used was). Are you going to do that in 1/72 too Colin, that would look different in my collection

Hobbes · May 23, 2013, 06:10:18 AM

The Nimrod AEW was still called a Nimrod despite the different role to the MR version, so keeping 'Stratofreighter' wouldn't be out of the question. Or would it be called a Washington because it was derived from the B-29?

Stratowatcher $:-\$

Stratosentry

kitnut617 · May 23, 2013, 06:12:28 AM

Quote from: Hobbes on May 23, 2013, 06:10:18 AM
The Nimrod AEW was still called a Nimrod despite the different role to the MR version, so keeping 'Stratofreighter' wouldn't be out of the question. Or would it be called a Washington because it was derived from the B-29?

Stratowatcher $:-\$

Stratosentry

B-50 I think Harro, but I think Stratosentry or Stratoguard would work

PR19_Kit · May 23, 2013, 06:22:37 AM

I like Mossie's 'Stratoguardian'.

Is this the KC-97 with the cockpit in a hump on the roof?

Freightdog862 · May 23, 2013, 06:36:34 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on May 23, 2013, 06:22:37 AM
I like Mossie's 'Stratoguardian'.

Is this the KC-97 with the cockpit in a hump on the roof?

Yes Kit, thats the one.

Sorry no plans for 1/72, too big!

I like Stratoguard/guardian so far to. Chris's reference source depicts the airframe with B-29 cowlings, probably because in 1945 the prototype XC-97 had just flown with R-3350 engines, and the first 10 YC-97's were the same (with a smaller fin), but in service I would go for the R-4360 in B-50 style cowings that the Stratofreighter and Stratocruiser had.

Colin

JayBee · May 23, 2013, 07:34:46 AM

Any hints as to the expected price, Colin?

Jim

Thorvic · May 23, 2013, 07:46:28 AM

I doubt we would have used Strato in the name, after all the B-29s were named Washingtons B1 in RAF service.
Given that they would be rebuilt for a specific role i go for a name like Watchman as the Gaurdian might be associated with the Grumman Gaurdian of the early post war years.

Anyway a nice choice of subject matter Colin

G

PR19_Kit · May 23, 2013, 08:24:38 AM

OK, how about the Boeing Bolton then? Or the Boeing Bridgenorth, or even the Boeing Barnoldswick?

Freightdog862 · May 23, 2013, 08:42:36 AM

Quote from: JayBee on May 23, 2013, 07:34:46 AM
Any hints as to the expected price, Colin?

Jim

Hi Jim,

Cheap of course! Well not sure actually, no decals so do not expect it to be that high. I have not seen the full parts break yet but hopefully around the £15 mark?

Colin

Freightdog862 · May 23, 2013, 09:48:44 AM

Quote from: Thorvic on May 23, 2013, 07:46:28 AM
I doubt we would have used Strato in the name, after all the B-29s were named Washingtons B1 in RAF service.
Given that they would be rebuilt for a specific role i go for a name like Watchman as the Gaurdian might be associated with the Grumman Gaurdian of the early post war years.

Anyway a nice choice of subject matter Colin

G

Maybe the Boeing Birmingham? No not cool! Watchman better, agree Guardian might be confused with Grumman type being developed at the same time unless the Strato- prefix was used. Would it be feasable that although it was a British proposal, had it gone ahead might the US have gone for it to?

So if bombers are named after places, what are AEW aircraft named after? If you go for Greek Gods (like the Vulcan), maybe the Boeing Hyperion, the Titan God of light, meaning 'Watcher from above'? Above, I confess I just googled that!

Colin

kitbasher · May 23, 2013, 02:55:34 PM

EC-97 Stratofreighter to the USAF, Philadelphia E Mk 1 to the RAF. There's a town just down the way from Washington called Philadelphia. Both in the US and in Tyne & Wear.

NARSES2 · May 24, 2013, 12:19:05 AM

Quote from: kitbasher on May 23, 2013, 02:55:34 PM
EC-97 Stratofreighter to the USAF, Philadelphia E Mk 1 to the RAF. There's a town just down the way from Washington called Philadelphia. Both in the US and in Tyne & Wear.

Now that's a good one, like it

As an aside why is it when I try and think of a name for an aircraft they sound crass, whereas others can pick the same name and they sound ok ? Something deeply psychological there I think ?

Aside 2 - Does anyone know of a book/article/site that explains RAF/FAA naming methodology ? On the odd occasion I think I've cracked it and then a name crops up which completely invalidates my theory

Chris

PR19_Kit · May 24, 2013, 12:51:59 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on May 24, 2013, 12:19:05 AM

Aside 2 - Does anyone know of a book/article/site that explains RAF/FAA naming methodology ? On the odd occasion I think I've cracked it and then a name crops up which completely invalidates my theory

It's simple, there isn't one...........

Whatever scheme anyone in the MoD and then adopts as a 'standard', is immediately broken and the new 'standard' becomes the 'standard'. The beauty of living in WhiffWorld is we can each have our OWN 'standards'.