Bell Recocuda

[Tophe]

from my P38 recce topic https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=49440.15

Hmmmmmmm.  What other cockpits would work replacing the P-38's central pod?  Hmmmmm...

Thanks for this idea.
I think there is not much thrill (nor relation to recce subject) in replacing the P-38 pod by the pod of another twin-boomer (like P-61 or SM-91) but maybe I may try with a Bell Airacuda engine pod (featuring a front glazed part)...

Alas, I had no Airacuda vector drawing according to my usual angles, so I had to draw one. And this makes a different topic in itself, as Recocuda (without gun, and more glazed parts for observers:

= link https://i.imgur.com/HqxR3Bs.jpg
Of course this is not very what*if, but the next versions will be twin-boom or asymmetric or jet or else

[Tophe]

Now let us be whifly serious, with the main asymmetric derivative:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-h.jpg

[Tophe]

I wouldn't be myself without presenting the twin-boom Recce-Airacuda version:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-i.jpg

[Tophe]

"Of course", in this family there was also a canard twin-boomer:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-j.jpg

[Tophe]

There was also a twin-fuselage (zwilling) version:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-k.jpg

[Tophe]

The twin-fuselage layout may be vertical (mistel) instead of lateral:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-m.jpg
(in this recce plane, there are many many observers, I don't know why)

[Tophe]

For the number of engines, the examples above said "2+2=3" then "2+2=4" but the right mathematics is "2+2=5", as proven by the Heinkel He-111Z:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-n.jpg

[Tophe]

Without guns the pods could be located at the rear:

= link https://i.imgur.com/repMJQy.jpg

[Tophe]

A related zwilling was available (but no order came, surprisingly):

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-p.jpg

[Tophe]

My favorite in this family is both asymmetric and twin-fuselage:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-q2.jpg

[Tophe]

My favorite in this family is both asymmetric and twin-fuselage:

I love also "both asymmetric and twin-boom":

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-s.jpg

[Tophe]

The next version of asymmetric Reco Airacuda":

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-t.jpg

[Tophe]

Of course, there was a related Twin-Recocuda:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-u.jpg

[Tophe]

next one:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-w.jpg

[Tophe]

The version 5 had an asymmetric subversion:

= link http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/Airacuda-y.jpg