1/72 Bristol Belmont MK.I used for High Altitude Meteorological Duties

[The Big Gimper]

One more before I take a holiday break.

This is the Bristol Belmont MK.I, a dedicated high altitude meteorological aircraft. It is based on the Bristol 138 but this version is powered by PW-R2800 known for its fuel economy and good for high altitude performance.

A 2nd seat was installed for the meteorologist. External scoops were added to collect air samples.









Dirty little secret: I had another engine in mind but I messed up the cuts so badly, I could not install it. 

So I scrambled to find a substitute and good fortune looked upon me and I found F8F front end fit almost seamlessly. I added sheet bulkheads to both the 138 and the F8F  to get a large surface area for mounting the F8F cowling. 


Fast forward a year. It's done. Yeah!!!!













If anyone says: Umm, Carl, I think you installed the R2800 engine upside down. I'll punch you in the nose. BTW I did. 

Bill of Materials:
Frog Bristol 138
Academy Tempest V Landing Gear Bays and LG. Warning: stay away from the Tempest V Landing Gear. Uber weak. I broke them twice. I had to add several sections of wire to keep it from collapsing.
Trumpeter H-5 Tail Gunner Glass
Wheels from the spares box. I think are for a P-47.
Academy P-47 propeller
Paint is Tamiya Spray Bombs.
AeroMaster Firefly MK.1 decals Circa 1946

[KiwiZac]

Very different but very cool! Nicely done.

[PR19_Kit]

AND it has long wings too! 

[zenrat]

Nice.

[The Big Gimper]

AND it has long wings too! 

Thanks.  But remember Kit I'm going back to building "normal" airplanes. 

[NARSES2]

I really do like that. In some aspects it looks a bit like a Spearfish and then you come to the cockpit and go 

Are the wings from the Bristol 138 ? If s it must be the colour scheme that makes them look much more "modern"

[PR19_Kit]

All of it apart from the engine is from a 138, isn't it? See the pics earlier in the thread.

[NARSES2]

All of it apart from the engine is from a 138, isn't it? See the pics earlier in the thread.

That's what I think but they do look very late 40's rather than mid 30's to me.

[The Big Gimper]

All of it apart from the engine is from a 138, isn't it? See the pics earlier in the thread.

That's what I think but they do look very late 40's rather than mid 30's to me.

It is 90% 138.  The extended cockpit, engine and LG are the non-138 bits.

That is why I used 1946 markings. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Way cool! 

[andrewj]

Nice concept and execution , very well modelled, I like the engine , could pass for a Centaurus.

Andrew

[Captain Canada]

Ugly ! Cool tho. It`s huge too ! Love the colour and the canopy.

[Librarian]

I also can't seem to help liking it....and I'd never heard of, or seen, a Bristol 138 before There's something to this longspan addiction .

[The Big Gimper]

I like it too.  I have more two kits in the stash. I think once you remove the chin radiator and fixed landing gear, it is a pretty aircraft.

Thanks for the compliments.

[NARSES2]

Ugly ! Cool tho. It`s huge too ! Love the colour and the canopy.

No way, but each to his own    I think it's quite attractive actually, apart from the canopy, which actually does remind me of an angular version of a Spearfish one. Lovely colour scheme and change the canopy and tail feathers and you've got a very 1946 aircraft

May have to pick up an old 138 kit, I've never built one