Budd Conestoga II

[63cpe]

What if the Budd Conestoga had a second chance and was re-engined with R-2800 or even R-3360's? The possibilities are numerous... even an jet engined version is a possibility.

Now the RB-1 Conestoga was underpowered and like hard to manoeuvre. The Budd had many innovative features now standard in military transports: an electrically operated 10 × 8 foot (3.0 × 2.4 m) ramp at the aft end of the cargo area under the upswept tail, a loading ramp at truck-bed height. which meant cargo could be easy an quick loaded/unloaded and a manually operated two-ton (1814 kg) hoist for unloading trucks and a one-ton winch for pulling cargo up the ramp were also provided in the cargo area.

So, what if development continued and made it into a second version.  The second version would be a tad larger, definetely more powerfull and better to manoeuvre. The original Conestoga was developed in the early fourties and during WW2 many military transports were being developed like the C-82/ C-119, C-74/C-124 and C-54. During this same time more powerfull engines came available so it's logical to make up an improved version of the innovative RB-1, the Conestoga II.

Anyway my facination for the Budd Conestoga is there for some years now and not really waning. Tried to purchase the resin Anigrand kit on evilbay, went for too much to another bidder. So there we are: Me desperately seeking for this kit, but no opportunities. Until I was recently able to get me a spare Martin SP-5b. I started fiddling with it and checked the front fuselage for fit of derelict Heller Transall and presto! 

This is what I saw:
PXL_20221122_114931489 (2) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

With some adjustments to the nose, there could be a snubnosed Budd Conestoga in it.

Here the collection of parts to show the current (starting) situation:
PXL_20221122_072252186 (2) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

Wings will be made of the outer wings of the SP-5b. The engines are to be put on front of two CL-215 nacelles.
Vertical tail will probably made of the SP-5b horizontal tails and horizontal tails will be made of 1/48 Me-109 wings. There is still a choice for the engines. R-2800 from the CL-215 or R-3360 from the SP-5b. In red the to be reclaimed parts from the SP-5:
PXL_20221122_072252186 (4) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

The SP-5 was in a sorry state:
PXL_20221122_072338809 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

All painted parts will be cleaned first and repainted once assembled.

Now the question for the moderators: is this valid for the logistics GB?

Kind regards,
David aka 63cpe

[loupgarou]

An ambitious surgery job. I am looking forwardto the developments. 

[63cpe]

"artist" impression:

PXL_20221122_114931489 (6) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

@ Loupgarou: it'll be quite some cut-'n-shut job..followed by some PSR...

David aka 63cpe

[kerick]

I would keep the seaplane hull and add the Heller parts on top of that. Using the SP-5 cockpit as planned. But I'm crazy like that.
I say carry on and keep us posted with many pics!!

[Tophe]

interesting...

[Old Wombat]

I kinda like(d?) the bulbous nose, it has character.

Interesting build. I'll be watching!

[zenrat]

I kinda like(d?) the bulbous nose, it has character.

Interesting build. I'll be watching!

Second that.

[63cpe]

Mayor surgery is done:

PXL_20221129_113126863 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

Test fit how the forward fuselage of the Marlin is a fit to the (lower) Transall fuselage:
PXL_20221129_113051328 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

While contemplating about the engines I figured: why not use B-36 jet pods, just like the XC-123 A. This is how it looks like:
PXL_20221129_133056276 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr
PXL_20221129_133103853 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

Nosecone needs to be carved (Balsa?) and the outer wing floats will be removed.

David aka 63cpe

[Gondor]

Very interesting so far. Which brand of putty do you use, I want to buy shares in that company! 

Gondor

[jcf]

"artist" impression:

PXL_20221122_114931489 (6) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

@ Loupgarou: it'll be quite some cut-'n-shut job..followed by some PSR...

David aka 63cpe

Brother from another mother. 

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[NARSES2]

I really am liking the look of this   

[PR19_Kit]

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Hmmm, yes. I've got a kit of one of those............................somewhere............

[63cpe]

Right..Time for an update.

The cockpit has been repainted ( took ages to dry) and put in the Marlin fuselage part. Meanwhile the fuselage of the Transall was glued, loading ramp parts were cobbled up and put in place. Nosegear parts ( from airfix C-130) was glued in. Finally the Marlin fuselage part was glued over the nosegear and in the Transall fuselage.

Now I knew there would be a huge gap between the Marlin fuselage and the Transall fuselage, On both sides it's about 7 milimeters at it's maximum. So a cover was made from 1mm styrene strips.
PXL_20221229_211528517 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

Oh, the wheel fairings was shortened by 1 cm in front of th front wheels. It's where the APU is in the Transall and just looks to modern for an aircraft in the late 1940-ies. The maingear will consist of Airfix He-177 struts and Constellation maingear wheels (1 strut will be put on one wheel)
PXL_20221229_214535622 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr
PXL_20221229_211538635.MP by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

OK are you ready for a mayor putty job? There we go
PXL_20221229_214453474 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr
PXL_20221229_214446400 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

And with it's canopy in place ( not yet glued).
PXL_20221229_214520000 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr
PXL_20221229_214526050 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

I'm pretty much pleased with the progress made and the putty job. Although it's vast in area, it's not a thick layer and it seems to make a nice contoured fuselage. Later the Tail will be replace by horizontal tailplane from a Hughes H-4.

Cheers,
David aka 63CPE

[Tophe]

Congratulations for this piece of hard work...

[Captain Canada]

This is absolutely wild ! Love it.