RAAF CA-23 MkI Funnel-Web Dec46

[trickyrich]

ok this is the last post, this was a really something just thrown together from stuff in the spares box, some of the parts must be at least 25+yo!!

Here's what I started with, link to build is here as well....http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234929820-raaf-ca-23-mki-funnel-web-dec46/



oh and some of the may projects on the go........I'm a HUGE  fan of NightFighters!



With the Allied Alliance drawing more and more equipment in the renewed conflict with the Soviets in Europe, the numbers of new and replacement from England and the US had taper off drastically for the Commonwealth countries in the Pacific. Resources and manpower they had, new equipment they didn't.

Now with the arrival of new Soviets jet powered aircraft to the skies over Burma these worn out and outdated aircraft were starting to cost valuable lives.

With newly acquired German designs, along with limited new aircraft from England and the US the local industries began to develop new aircraft for Commonwealth countries in SEA and the Pacific.

In December 45, by chance, some secret technical documents were found on redeployed Australian army servicemen returning from Europe. This gave the Australian high command a rather clever idea! Word was quickly spread that there may be some money and free booze to be made by anyone that could "provide" any further documents or equipment from old Nazi Germany. So began a rather strange phase of the war where anything not nailed down was either "acquired" or "last seen" near somebody called Bruce! They still tell the story of the German "Pocket" Battleship that mysteriously appeared, stuck in a creek just south of Townsville!!

From this activity the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) quickly got hold of both documents and examples of German jet technology. From these a series of new jet power fighter and attack aircraft were design.

One urgent requirement was for an "All Weather Heavy Fighter" urgently needed in the monsoonal conditions uncounted in Burma. This lead to the development of the CA-23 Funnel-Web, an All Weather Radar equipped Heavy Attack/Fighter, which entered service late 46.



The CA-23 was fitted with three engines, all Junkers Jumo clones, two wing mounted Jumo 012's (advance versions of the 004) producing 2300lbs thrust, and a single larger Junkers Jumo 022 (found only in acquired drawings)producing 5900lbs thrust. An unconventional layout but that produced superb power for such a large aircraft.

The aircraft was fitted with modified FuG 240 "Berlin" radar and was the first to be equipped with the newly developed Air to Air missiles based on the German Ruhrstahl X-4. Along with 4x20mm cannons in lower fuselage pod, upper turret with Quad 50cal machine guns made it a formidable all weather fighter.

The Attack version had an additional six 1000lb under wing stores points that could hold a large range of stores including torpedos and newly designed Air to Surface missiles based on the Ruhrstahl "Fritz X" and Henschel He 293 missiles.

[Tophe]

Great projects!

Am I misunderstanding or is the CA-23 a Black Widow having lost its booms? This would be accute heresy according to my standards, but I am willing to play with this idea (zwilling it and all), just confirm and I will! Thanks!

[trickyrich]

yeap the front fuselage section is from a BlackWidow (I do love those aircraft) with a bit of aussie ingenuity. 

[zenrat]

Ta-154 wings?

Like it.  Good use of scraps.

[PR19_Kit]

I sure wouldn't like to come across one of THEM on a dark night, it looks positively lethal! 

Excellent bit of cross-kitting there, and love the whole backstory too. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Beautiful!  Not only does this Frankenstein creation look plausible concerbing its proportions, I also like the all-green livery. Very simple, suit it well! 

[scooter]

As a Widow fan myself, awesome Frankensteinian monster 

[Tophe]

yeap the front fuselage section is from a BlackWidow (I do love those aircraft) with a bit of aussie ingenuity. 

The Black Widow parts were feeling bad, having lost their twin-boom basis. To cure this illness, mechanics had to turn them into a twin-fuselage plane. This way was born the CA-23T (or CA-23Z on the field) that save Australia from Soviet invasion in 1947:

[NARSES2]

Another fantastic creation

[Captain Canada]

That's really neat ! Love the engine arrangement, as well as the guns. The paint looks awesome too !

[DogfighterZen]

 Great concept and build! 

[trickyrich]

thanks for all the nice comments.

Some wanted to see a full photo of the Copperhead so while I was at it I decided to take one of this aircraft with a P-61 Black Widow as well.



sorry about he crap quality!

[kerick]

The real P-61 turned into a pretty good ground attack machine at the end of the war in Europe, as its night fighter abilities were no longer needed. Your project looks more compact and with the jets I imagine it would be faster. Excellent work!

[The Rat]

CRIKEY! 

[KiwiZac]

Oh, wow. I just don't have the words. The weathering, the design, the paint scheme...it's all just brilliantly done! What a beast!