DONE +++ 1:72 Gotha Go 146 (license-built Ki-46 in Luftwaffe service), mid 1940

[Dizzyfugu]

This sounds odd but is a serious whif: Germany actually considered license production of the fast Ki-46, but it never materialized. But we can change that in the course of this GB...  

Airfix Dinah kit could be the basis, and I have to see if an engine upgrade with DB 601s is possible? Parts are there, from a Bf 110 wreck (actually two, but each only yields one engine...)

[Captain Canada]

Oh.....good idea ! I might steal that one 

[JasonW]

I read somewhere that the Germans had difficulty negotiating the production license with the Japanese. I had this one on my list as well just not for this GB.

Also thought the Ki-45 would look good in German or even Italian markings.

More on the Luftwaffe attempts to get Ki-46 manufacture license here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/01/1252226/-Mitsubishi-Ki-46-III-Dinah-pride-of-the-Japanese-Army-Air-Force-wanted-by-the-Luftwaffe

[Dizzyfugu]

Rats... found the two DB 601s (from two Matchbox kits), but it turned out that one of these consists of two left halves.  No idea how this happened, or where the right halves ended up? Weird. Anyway, I still keep the DB 601 conversionn in mind, because I doubt that Germany would have produced a Japanese radial engine. The Gnome-Rhône would become available later, after the BoB, and I am not certain if Jumos with annular radiator would not be too bulky? Would negate the need for wing-mounted radiators, though. Hmmm...

[rickshaw]

How about BMW801s?  It is comparable to the Mitsubishi Ha-102 in size but weighs twice as much.  Alternatively, there is the Bramo 323, which is comparable in power output and weight t the Ha-102.

[Dizzyfugu]

BMW 801's are too big (the Ha-102 is really small!), and IMHO also not right from a timeframe point of view - at least for me, it's whifworld, after all.
I also already checked the option of Jumos from a Ju 88, and they are too big/wide, too. In desperation I also checked the weird radial Jumos from the Frog He 219, but they are a) ugly and b) also too wide. DB601s are a bit narrow, but they would look plausible on the slender aircraft and fall into the right time frame. Gotta dig further...

[zenrat]

How about the Argus AS 410.  Half the power but would confuse people as the resulting plane would look like some kind of weird FW 189 variant.

[Hotte]

How about BMW801s?  It is comparable to the Mitsubishi Ha-102 in size but weighs twice as much.  Alternatively, there is the Bramo 323, which is comparable in power output and weight t the Ha-102.

look 
Have a photo in my archive :

Hotte

[zenrat]

Oh thats nice.

[Captain Canada]

Oh is that ever nice !

[Dizzyfugu]

I know that Ki-46 III, nice one. The tail is cool, too.

Actually, I had and have a modified Ki-46 III on my agenda, too, as a late WWII version - but it will receive DB 603s (from a Me 410) - and I keep the Me 262 tail in mind, because it might allow the installation of the machine gun barbettes with free field of fire.

This Ki-46 II here is supposed to become the earliest Luftwaffe version ("A-0"), juts in time for the BoB, so I try to stay consistent with my own story. Even found a suitable experimental paint scheme from 1939 for it! 

[rickshaw]

BMW 801's are too big (the Ha-102 is really small!), and IMHO also not right from a timeframe point of view - at least for me, it's whifworld, after all.
I also already checked the option of Jumos from a Ju 88, and they are too big/wide, too. In desperation I also checked the weird radial Jumos from the Frog He 219, but they are a) ugly and b) also too wide. DB601s are a bit narrow, but they would look plausible on the slender aircraft and fall into the right time frame. Gotta dig further...

BMW 801c:

Length: 2,006 mm (79 in)
Diameter: 1,290 mm (51 in)
Dry weight: 1,012 kg (2,226 lb)
Power output: 1,560 PS (1,539 hp, 1,147 kW) at 2,700 rpm for takeoff at sea level

Ha-102

Diameter: 1,118 mm (44.0 in)
Dry weight: 540 kg (1,190 lb)
Power output: 875 horsepower (652 kW), 2540 rpm at takeoff,
925 horsepower (690 kW), 2450 rpm at 1,800 metres (5,900 ft)

The BMW 801 is only some 4 inches greater in diameter and weighs twice as much.  However you get nearly twice the horsepower.   Haven't been able to find much on the Ha-102 though, so it isn't inconceivable as a replacement.

[Dizzyfugu]

I took the Airfix kit as benchmark for engine fit, and I guess they got the Ha-102 diameter a bit on the small side.  It would work, sure, but would need lots of putty to re-sculpt the nacelles - I guess there's 1-2mm lacking anywhere if I tried to fit BMW 801's from the Italeri Ju 188. Same goes for the Jumos.

Besides, a radial replacement would make most sense, since it's not only the engine that has to fit, but the radiator for a liquid-cooled engine has to go somewhere. Anyway, by 1939-40 I think that no German official (much like in the UK) would see a radial engine as an option for a fast/high performance aircraft. On the converted Ki-46III it makes IMHO much sense, but for the GB it's just too early for this option.

BTW: dug up a boxless Bf 110 from Airfix (not the ancient kit, more modern mould), and I hoope that this will mend the engine shortage an get this project going... 

[Dizzyfugu]

Good news here: the donation kit for the DB 601s arrived, and it looks like a simple task to integrate the engines onto the radials' stubs. Will take some surgery and putty, but will work. There's even enough space for the radiators.
I also have an idea for an exotic German paint scheme in this one, and started work on the background story. 

[Captain Canada]

Nice one. Looking forward to it. I should take a page out of your book and work out a story as I'm building or preparing to build ! I think that might be one of the secrets....