In need of some help with a build I am doing.

[chrisonord]

I am currently battling my way through building the Modelsvit Bartini- Beriev VVA-1A. I want to use the back story of the aircraft/WIG craft being put into limited production as a maritime patrol amphibious flying boat, that served for a short time with the Soviet navy before being replaced by the Beriev A-40, and was retired and stuck into various museums, until My Nicaraguan Cartel got offered a couple for much cheapness. Armament wise I have narrowed it down to a fixed forward firing NR-23 twin barreled cannon, in a fixed forward firing blister on the main fuselage.Missile wise, I have decided to arm it with KH-58 (AS-11 Kilter) missiles, with the possibility of some free fall bombs and or rockets. The main thing that I am at a standstill with is what kind of radar can I put on it as I can't put one in the nose, because of the shape and canto put one underneath also because of the shape of the craft and because it will interfere with the water dynamics. I have looked at the roof mounted disc radars as per Indian IL-38's and also the possibility of roof mounted pods, but the later to me won't look very "Soviet" to me. I have looked at all different types of radar but not found anything suitable for the task. I will put wing and tail surface sensors on also, but the main search radar is my stumbling block.
Cheers, and sorry for waffling 
Chris. 

[dwomby]

How about something above the cockpit like the Danes had on their Catalinas?



David

[chrisonord]

Cheers David, I have been thinking of something like that, but my main purpose it to try and keep it as Russian looking as possible, I have see plenty of western planes with this application but nothing Soviet/Russian.
Cheers,
Chris

[sandiego89]

I think some of the stuff put onto the soviet and indian il-38's looks plenty Soviet.  Hope those danes didn't plan on having kids 

All sorts of stuff scabbed onto this one, on the nose, underside, and on top:

[scooter]

What about a thimble dome like on the Be-12?

[Logan Hartke]

My fear about putting something above the cockpit is that it may interfere with the airflow to the top-mounted engines, but I agree that an Il-38-style roof-mounted radar may be the easiest while still looking "Soviet".

My suggestion, though, is a little different given the Bartini's weird nose. I would look at doing a high-mounted radar in the glass nose, like a combination of the Heinkel He 119 and the Beriev Be-12.





Sleeker like the He 119's propeller spinner, but with a Be-12-style radar, instead.

Cheers,

Logan

[chrisonord]

I have just found a model built by Ken Duffey on the flankers site, he has done several versions including the V/TOL version. On this model he has put a thimble dome on the lower part of the front glazing, I will have to have a look at the glazing on mine to see if I can get away with it and make it look convincing enough. If not, back to the drawing board.
Cheers for the input guys.
Chris

[McColm]

Great pictures and I hope the build goes well.

[zenrat]

This one has a pod above the fuselage...

...whereas this one (on the right) has it mounted on a mast like a ship...

...and this one could have radars in the pods on top of the vertical tails.


All from here. http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/06/ekranoplans-showcase-part-2.html

[chrisonord]

Thanks for those Zenrat, the one on the Ekranoplan looks good, but I am thinking I will have to make it on a stronger and more aerodynamic base, as the craft also flies.
Cheers,
Chris

[Weaver]

If you look at the later version with engines on the sides of the forward fuselage, the point of the nose was solid rather than glazed. That implies to me that you could fit a thimble radome on the earlier one without obscuring pilot view too much.



Image from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroenbos/12682296933

[chrisonord]

So far that is looking favourite H.
Cheers,
Chris.

[zenrat]

If you look at the later version with engines on the sides of the forward fuselage, the point of the nose was solid rather than glazed. That implies to me that you could fit a thimble radome on the earlier one without obscuring pilot view too much.



Image from here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroenbos/12682296933

That wouldn't look out of place in Star Wars VIII

[chrisonord]

In its current build state it does look very much like something from Star wars, as it is such an unconventional shape too. I am looking forward to the day I eventually finish it even though it is being hard work to build.
Cheers
Chris.

[NARSES2]

Strangely given we have been mentioning the Great A'Tuin   on another thread from certain angles that looks rather like a turtle's head   Or is my re-reading the Discworld series from the beginning again starting to effect what remains of my brain ?