Bearcat, on floats *finished*

[sandiego89]

In early 1945, the US Navy sent out an urgent proposal to manufactures for a high performance float plane fighter that could serve as interceptor aboard battleships, cruiser and icebreakers.  An aircraft with excellent climb was needed to meet the Kamikaze threat in the Pacific, and to intercept long range Fw200 Condor flights in the Greenland area as the resurgent Atlantic front continued on....

Bearcat on Floats, 1/72, by Sandiego89

Revell Bearcat and ancient Lindberg Kingfisher.   

[kitnut617]

You don't think they would have gone like a Wildcatfish then ?

[sandiego89]

You don't think they would have gone like a Wildcatfish then ?

Perhaps, but I think less drag with a single main float would give better performance.  The wildcatfish looks very draggy with those big floats and struts. This will be more like a Rufe Or SC-1, which look a bit more sleek.   

[zenrat]

Cool.
Can't wait.

[NARSES2]

That Revel boxing is a nice little kit. I've built a couple and still have one in the "original ?" Monogram box. Looking forward to this.

[sandiego89]

work commencing. 

The Float was equipped with a small compartment aft of the strut that could accommodate one person for air/sea rescue work, or spy insertion/recovery.

Harrier T2/T4 horizontal stabilizer as central strut.

   

[Weaver]

Sweet. The Kingfisher's always tempting because you can nick the float for something else, then put it on it's wheeled gear and nobody recognises it.

[sandiego89]

Sweet. The Kingfisher's always tempting because you can nick the float for something else, then put it on it's wheeled gear and nobody recognises it.

Indeed.  It is a nice float- but a wheeled Kingfisher looks funny.

Paint on. 

[sandiego89]

While the paint dries (always a challenge for me in these one week builds), scratching up a catapult.  Evergreen styrene. 

old Curtis SC-1 test fit. 

[Weaver]

Sweet. The Kingfisher's always tempting because you can nick the float for something else, then put it on it's wheeled gear and nobody recognises it.

Indeed.  It is a nice float- but a wheeled Kingfisher looks funny.

If it's the one where the wing is moulded in one piece, tip-to-tip, and fits through holes in the fuselage, then my idea was to convert it to a braced parasol wing and call it a US equivalent of the Lysander.

[sandiego89]

Sweet. The Kingfisher's always tempting because you can nick the float for something else, then put it on it's wheeled gear and nobody recognises it.

Indeed.  It is a nice float- but a wheeled Kingfisher looks funny.

If it's the one where the wing is moulded in one piece, tip-to-tip, and fits through holes in the fuselage, then my idea was to convert it to a braced parasol wing and call it a US equivalent of the Lysander.

The Lindberg Kingfisher does have the one piece wing that slides through the fuselage (the Bearcat does also!). Actually a nice way to do a wing.   

Posed for your inspiration!

[Tophe]

Good!
My late uncle was a pilot of Bearcat, he would love this derivative I am sure.

[kerick]

That parasol wing looks very doable! Maybe some nice spatted landing gear to go with it!

[Weaver]

Sweet. The Kingfisher's always tempting because you can nick the float for something else, then put it on it's wheeled gear and nobody recognises it.

Indeed.  It is a nice float- but a wheeled Kingfisher looks funny.

If it's the one where the wing is moulded in one piece, tip-to-tip, and fits through holes in the fuselage, then my idea was to convert it to a braced parasol wing and call it a US equivalent of the Lysander.

The Lindberg Kingfisher does have the one piece wing that slides through the fuselage (the Bearcat does also!). Actually a nice way to do a wing.   

Posed for your inspiration!

Thank you - it does look like a natural, doesn't it? 

With the wing being so thick and designed as a cnatilever structure anyway, maybe you could say that it doesn't need bracing struts (like a Do.27/28) and that's its selling point compared to a Lizzie or an Hs.126.

[Scotaidh]

Thank you - it does look like a natural, doesn't it? 

With the wing being so thick and designed as a cnatilever structure anyway, maybe you could say that it doesn't need bracing struts (like a Do.27/28) and that's its selling point compared to a Lizzie or an Hs.126.
[/quote]

Plus you then have those nice big elliptical viewing ports on the lower sides - sure to be a great help in keeping an eye on the guy in the ocean whom you're supposed to rescue, so's you don't lose him in the chop.