discussion Wonwings Diary-a blog with a difference.

[Guest]

" Scientists who investigated Dr Podkletnov's work, however, said the experiment was fundamentally flawed and that negating gravity was impossible."

I love that word "impossible". The universe is impossible, but its here.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The OV-1 Mohawk.

The Small Air Force

OV-1 Mohawk

The Mohawk was developed by Grumman Aircraft as a photo observation and electronic reconnaissance aircraft for the US Marines and the US Army. Due to budgetary constraints, the Marines bowed out early in the development cycle. The first Mohawk (YAO-1) prototype flew on April 14, 1959. The OV-1 entered production in October 1959 and served the US Army in Europe, Korea, the Viet Nam War, Central and South America, Alaska, and during Desert Storm in the Middle East. The Mohawk was retired from service in September 1996. A total of 380 original OV-1 Mohawks were produced between 1957 and 1969. 133 OV-1Cs were built, the "C" designating the model which used an IR (infrared) imaging system to provide electronic reconnaissance.

Since its inception as a joint Army and Marine program, the OV-1 Mohawk had been a center of controversy. Actually the Army and Marine requirements were never compatible and compromises were made that suited neither. From the Army's viewpoint, the original design was compromised by shipboard requirements and other specific Marine specifications which had little application for an Army observation aircraft. From the Marine viewpoint, they were looking for a fixed-wing replacement for the old Cessna light observation aircraft and they did not require sophisticated sensor systems which they planned to carry on other aircraft. As it turned out, the Marines dropped out of the development program before the first prototypes were ready for flight.

Because the Mohawk was an exception to the Secretary of Defense's memorandum on weight limitations for Army aircraft and because it had inherent capabilities for armament, the Air Force had opposed its development from the beginning. There is no doubt that certain Army extremists viewed the Mohawk as the "nose of the camel within the tent of tactical air support." The Army was to suffer for their enthusiasm for years to come. The manufacturer, Grumman, did not help by publishing carefully placed brochures which showed the Mohawk in a variety of attack roles.

The Mohawk was originally designed as a visual reconnaissance aircraft with better survivability than the L-19 of Korean vintage. In addition, it was to have an integral camera system for spot photo coverage. Above all, it was to land and take off in the same distance as the L-19 which it was to supplement. It was not long, however, that "improved" versions of the Mohawk were visualized carrying sophisticated sensor systems developed by the Army surveillance agencies such as infra-red and side-looking radar. Weight, space, and power provisions had not been made for these systems in the original design. As a result, the gross weight increased and performance declined. These growth versions of the Mohawk were coming off the drawing board before the first "A" model had even been tested throughout its entire flight envelope and subsequent tests were to prove that major engineering modifications to both wing and power plants would be necessary in the latter versions. Furthermore, the addition of all this sophisticated sensor equipment not only raised the unit cost significantly but, in the view of many, watered down the Army contention that this was truly a front line low echelon aircraft.

The first Mohawk flew for the Army in 1960 as a visual observation aircraft. It was soon pressed into service in Vietnam. Its primary mission was gathering and relaying information on enemy activities. After a storm of controversy in the Pentagon, the 23d Special Warfare Aviation Detachment was deployed to Vietnam in September 1962 for the purpose of providing air surveillance in support of Republic of Vietnam forces. In addition, they were to serve as a test unit for operational evaluation conducted by the Army Concept Team in Vietnam. The 23d Special Warfare Aviation Detachment (Surveillance) was organized in July 1962 as a prototype armed aerial surveillance unit using the OV-1 Mohawk aircraft. Besides its headquarters and photo processing section, there were three flight teams, each consisting of two armed Mohawks, four pilots, and seven enlisted maintenance and armament specialists. Visual and photographic reconnaissance by this twin-turbine airplane produced a wealth of intelligence for supported units. One of the unique advantages of the Mohawk in reconnaissance was its speed to noise relationship which allowed the aircraft to get within observation distance of people on the ground without alerting them to it's presence. In one division, artillery fires directed from the air were nearly tripled by the activities of Mohawk observers. The Mohawks filled a real intelligence need for the U. S. Army advisors in the field. For the first time the advisors found themselves with a responsive tool in the form of the Mohawk under their direct operational control to fill in the many gaps in their intelligence.

Think this could be a Fujimi kit ?

 

[Guest]

As tiger said the future knows no bounds but far from anti grav drives what about an inertia less drive i remember a series of books from e.e smith that used this form of propulsion and i found the theory fascinating as the amount of power then used to move an object was incredibly less than one having the mass to weight (inertia ) ratio

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Airship Industries Skyship 500

The Small Air Force

Airship Industries Skyship 500

In 1984 Airship Industries managed a major marketing coup with the inclusion of their Skyship 500 series airship in the James Bond Film, "A View to a Kill". The original story coming from a short story by Ian Flemming was adapted and also took on the use of Airships by the later Bond Novellist John Gardener in "Role of Honour" . At the time Airship Industries were producing a fleet of ships which were recognisable over many capitals of the world offering tours, or advertising sponsorship deals. As all Bond films have included the most current technology, this included the lighter than air interest.

In the film the first introduction to lighter than air travel is when the, Villan Max Zorin, made an appearance in airship used as a "mobile" HQ and conference suite, in a planned but currently nonexistent Skyship 6000. A mock up model had been made showing a larger Skyship 500 with a double decked gondola and four ducted propulsion units.This was shown floating over San Fransico Bay, and cleverly disposing of a conference passenger. The ship was similar to the designs at the time of a larger skyship 5000 and the envelope and shape of the gondola can be seen as almost direct copies of the designs. The ship was mocked up in green Zorin Industries livery.This was an initial taster for choice of travel made by the Villan the later inclusion of anairship in the the climax of the film on the Golden Gate Bridge.

For the finale, the ship in question was in fact a very real Skyship 500 registration G-B1HN which at the time was operating a promotional tour of Los Angels and had played a major part of the opening ceremony of the 1984 Olympic Games. For that the ship has WELCOME painted across the side of the hull. During the 1984 season, the ship was in predominantly green and red livery of Fuji Film sponsorship. As the film was set around California, the Bond Production Team were also able to utilize the ship and shots of the ship over San Francisco and famous land marks.

The ship was adapted with a similar livery, bearing the factitious Company of "Zorin Industries" and various smaller scale yet perfectly working models of the ship were used at various stages.

In the film, the ship is used as an escape vehicle for Max Zorin and his assistants. The escape airship was hidden inside a portable contractors office (portacabin) where the top extension collapsed down. This allowed escapees to enter the office door, and dramatically press a few buttons, and the roof of the building would collapse open, allowing the envelope to inflate through the top.

In real life, however this is not possible as an inflation can take up to 24 hours, however with the benefit of Pinewood magic, this inflation takes approximalty 2 minutes. It does, however provide a striking effect showing the fin structure and also an excellent vectoring of the engines as the "ship" provides a VTOL takeoff out of the cabin.

A very good action sequence takes place with the ship used as a kidnap vehicle where our hero James Bond dramatically grabs the bow mooring lines, and is carried off over the San Francisco skyline, narrowly missing some of the buildings.

The final sequence takes place on the Golden Gate Bridge where James Bond manages to curtail the villains get away by tying the mooring lines to the superstructure. During this time a very convincing Skyship 500 show a ship in almost in view during the whole sequence. However this is of course a very impressive mock up.

The demise of the ship is, like almost every airship in movie history, by the explosion. The clumsy use of dynamite which was dropped as the ship is cut free from it's moorings. The ending had to be dramatic and be careful not to totally discredit the fledgling industry who was always trying to move away from this historical stigma. The special effects are impressive and is true to a modern airship design with the gondola and not the envelope of gas exploding. This of course showing that the inert helium being safe as the envelope is deflated.

The model Skyship 500 fabric shimmers in the sun.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Explaining helicopters to the public,new facility at Pigeon Forge.

HELICOPTER HEADQUARTERS LIFTS OFF IN PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 2006) Helicopter Headquarters, an $8 million attraction designed to showcase the development of helicopters and to encourage visitors to experience wingless flight, has opened on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.

"Whether or not you're ever going to fly in one, helicopters are familiar to everyone and Helicopter Headquarters explains this aspect of aviation very well. It's a solid addition to the many family-oriented

attractions in Pigeon Forge.

Portions of the attraction are interactive, including three custom-made flight simulators and a green-screen experience through which visitors can get a DVD souvenir that shows them piloting a helicopter or diving from one.

Helicopter-style flight has intrigued man for centuries, a fact verified by display of a full-scale model of Leonardo da Vinci's concept for a helicopter, taken from a 15th-century sketch.

Other displays recognize pioneers in helicopter flight and pay tribute to helicopters' military uses. Also on display are theatrical posters from movies such as "Lost Command", "Rambo III", and "Team America", a replica of a supersonic military helicopter that was the "star" of the "Airwolf" TV show, and a mock-up helicopter shell used in the movie "Terminator3: Rise of the Machines".

One artifact that drew attention from the day Helicopter Headquarters opened is a prototype for a Sky Commuter hovercraft, believed to be the

only survivor of about 10 that were made in the 1980s.

In addition to its role as a visitor attraction, Helicopter Headquarters has space for special functions, convention gatherings, and other

events.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The British Aerospace Hawk.

The Small Air Force

British Aerospace Hawk

Royal Air Force: 176 x T Mk.1, delivered 1976 to 1981

Finland: 57 x Mk.57, delivered 1980 - 1993

Kenya: 12 x Mk.52, delivered 1980 - 1981

Indonesia: 20 x Mk.53, delivered 1980 - 1984 8 x Mk.109, delivered 1996

32 x Mk.209, delivered 1996 and 1998/99

US Navy: 174 x T-45 Goshawk, assembled by Boeing in St. Louis, deliveries started in 1988

Zimbabwe: 13 x Mk.60 and Mk.60A, delivered 1982 and 1992

Dubai: 9 x Mk.61, delivered 1983 - 1988

Abu Dhabi: 20 x Mk.63A and Mk.63C, delivered in 1984/85 and 1994

18 x Mk.102, delivered 1993

Kuwait: 12 x Mk.64, delivered 1986

Saudi Arabia: 50 x Mk.65, delivered 1987/88 (30) and 1997

Switzerland: 20 x Mk.66, delivered 1989 - 1991

South Korea: 20 x Mk.67, delivered 1992 -1993

Oman: 4 x Mk. 103, delivered 1993

4 x Mk.203, delivered 1993

Malaysia: 10 x Mk.108, delivered 1993/94

18 x Mk.208, delivered 1994/95

Canada (Bombardier NFTC): 18 x Mk.115, deliveries in 2000

Australia: 33 x Mk.127, deliveries in 2000/2001

 

[Guest]

very nice hawk there Barry. i have to say i love the bright oranges, reds and yellows you put on your models when you are not doing them in war-time colours.i think you should lay all these models out and take a big photo (or a few smaller ones and splice them together)

would love to see how large this collection is as reading and seeing them piece by piece does not give a good scale to the size of it.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The SEPECAT Jaguar

SEPECAT Jaguar

Role: Strike/Attack

Builder: SEPECAT (Dassault/British Aerospace cooperation)

Variants: A, B (T.Mk2, T.Mk4), E, S (GR.Mk1, GR.Mk3), IS, IT, IM.

Operators: United Kingdom, France, India, Oman, Nigeria, Ecuador

The Jaguar has a long sleek fuselage and two engines. It is used in the reconnaissance, advanced training, close air support, maritime attack as well as in the strike and interdiction role.

Jaguar A is the original prototype and the French single-seat attack version. Jaguar E is the French tandem two-seat trainer variant with dual controls. Both are equipped with French Adour Mk 102 engines.

Jaguar S designated GR.Mk1 by the Royal Air Force is the British equivalent of the Jaguar A with a laser in the nose. The Jaguar B is the RAF's advanced trainer designated T.Mk2 and has a more advanced full suite nav/attack system. Both are equipped with the more powerful Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk 104 turbofans. GR.Mk1A is an upgraded GR.Mk1 aircraft with the nav/attack system from the T.Mk2 and self defense systems, which were also added to the T.Mk2A upgrade. Reconnainssance aircraft are equipped with a centre-line pod housing five cameras and an IR linescan. The GR.Mk.3 and T.Mk.4 is the latest and probably last upgrade of RAF GR.1s and T.2s respectively. The upgrade program include new cockpit displays, helmet-mounted sights, the ability to carry the new Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) and other system improvements to further extend the life of the aircraft well into the next century.

All export Jaguar Internationals are based on the RAF's Jaguar B/S airframe. Export customers are Ecuador, India, Nigeria and Oman. India is the biggest Jaguar operator today, with Jaguar is IS strike , IT trainer and IM maritime strike aircraft. The latter have the Agave radar in a reprofiled nose and are armed with BAe Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles.

The Desert Pink was specially mixed by Humbrol overnight to ensure that modellers could reproduce the correct finish,it was all hands on deck to get the aircraft completed for service,ATC Cadets assisted in the operation.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Gloster G.A.5 (Javelin)

The Small Air Force

Gloster G.A.5 (Javelin)

The Javelin began with a 1947 Air Ministry requirement for a high-performance night fighter that led to orders for prototypes under specification F.44/46 of two of the competing designs, the Gloster GA.5 and the De Havilland DH.110 which was also under consideration for the Royal Navy When it appeared that the Gloster design would be ready sooner and would be simpler and cheaper to build, the de Havilland submission was rejected; though the company was to continue development as a private venture that eventually resulted in the De Havilland Sea Vixen. The aircraft had a distinctive appearance, its broad delta wings surmounted by a huge finned T-Tail. The F.44/46 specification subsequently became F.4/48 related to an "operational requirement" OR.227.

The GA.5 first flew on the 26th November 1951 flown by test pilot Bill Waterman (two months after the prototype DH.110 took to the air), and protracted fight testing took place until 1956, when the first 14 production machines were delivered, designated F(AW) Mk.1, development and improvements continued, leading to small production runs of different models of the aircraft throughout the year.

By the end of 1956, the Javelin was up to a FAW.7 variant, which was the first to actually meet the specifications of the original Air Ministry requirement, and which was to become the definitive version of the aircraft (most of which were later altered to the FAW.9 standard). Indeed, the Javelin was evolving so quickly that deliveries of the FAW.8 began before FAW.7 production had ended. As a result, the final 80 FAW.7 aircraft went straight from the factory into storage, eventually flying after being remanufactured as FAW.9s. A total of 427 were produced in all variants, plus seven prototypes.

This rare surviving model was built from the Hawk kit some 50 years ago,it had no undercarriage and was very basic but represents the early Javelin form very well,no restoration has been undertaken she is exactly as first built.

The Gloster G.A.5

 

[Guest]

So whats the connection with this and the Vulcan?,,,,,there must be one!

When i glimsed this, i instantly thought it was a Vulcan variant.

 

[wonwinglo]

Well Tiger,during the fifties the delta wing evolution was taking place,check out the Boulton Paul BP.111,Fairey Delta 2 ( later modified to have a new mini Concorde wing planform) and the little Avro 707 ( a mini Vulcan) and the Gloster Javelin all weather fighter, all of these machines paved the way for their big brothers yet to come,the mighty Avro Vulcan and the much loved Concorde.

The lift to weight ratio,the centre of gravity latitude,the structural advantages were all part of the delta wing concept pioneered by these early classic jets,can I recommend 'British Experimental Turbojet aircraft' by Barry Jones to further enhance reading on this fascinating period of development in British aviation.

As modellers,we can reproduce in miniature any period we want to,and above all retrace the history behind these pioneering concepts.

So whats the connection with this and the Vulcan?,,,,,there must be one!When i glimsed this, i instantly thought it was a Vulcan variant.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Macchi C.202 Folgore

The Small Air Force

Macchi C202 Folgore

(The most important italian fighter of WWII, the folgore was derived from the Saetta with the installation of a Daimler Benz DB 601 12 cylinders inline engine. Power Plant: 1-1175hp D.B. 601 A-1. Dimensions: Wing Span: 34.8'; Length: 29'. Maximum Speed: 600 km/h at 5500 m. Armament: 2x12.7mm + (optional) 2x7.7mm)

Virtually unknown outside Italy, the C.202 Folgore was the best fighter airplane fielded in significant numbers by the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force or RA) during World War II. This airplane demonstrated that Italy could design and build fighter aircraft to world-class standards. Aeronautica Macchi S. p. A. designed and built the Folgore (Lightning), which was based on an earlier Macchi design powered by a radial engine, the C.200 Saeta (Thunderbolt). To create the Folgore, Macchi's chief of design, Mario Castoldi, adapted the Saeta airframe to the German Daimler-Benz DB 601 liquid-cooled engine. Italy was a significant air-faring nation during the mid-1930s but its aviation industry began to lag late in the decade, particularly in engine development. No indigenous, in-line powerplant of sufficient power was available when the war started so early in 1940 Macchi had to import the German engine as a private venture. The results were impressive. Flat out, the Folgore was almost 97 kph (60 mph) faster than the Saeta's speed of 502 kph (312 mph).

The C.202 first flew in August 1940 and the RA initially deployed the aircraft during the summer of 1941 to the 1° Stormo C.T. for conversion training. By November, this unit had transferred to Libya and engaged British forces shortly before the British blockaded Tobruk. Although it was available too late to affect the outcome in North Africa, the new Macchi C.202 proved clearly superior to both the American Curtiss P-40 and the British Hawker Hurricane. The Italian fighter outperformed all opponents except Supermarine Spitfires and North American P-51 Mustangs. Folgore pilots lauded the fighter's finger-light handling and superb agility.

When supplies of DB 601 engines ran out, Alfa Romeo began building a copy, under license, called the R. A. 1000 R. C. 41 Monsonie (Monsoon) but initial production was slow. The need for airplanes was urgent so for a time, Macchi built the outdated C.200 alongside the C.202 but by late 1942, Folgores outnumbered all other fighter airplanes in the Regia Aeronautica. Folgore production totaled about 1,500 airplanes, built from 1941 to 1943. Macchi built fewer than 400 but the Breda and S. A. I. Ambrosini firms manufactured the balance.

Chief designer Castoldi employed a unique method of counteracting the torque and P-factor (propeller factor) generated by the engine. These aerodynamic phenomena often cause airplanes to swing on take off, sometimes uncontrollably. Castoldi made the left wing 21 cm (8 3/8 in) longer than the right wing. The larger wing created more lift which tended to roll the fighter right, opposing and thereby counteracting the torque and P-factor.

The Germans operated the C.202 in limited numbers and after 1943 it appeared in the small Allied Co-Belligerent Air Force that operated continuously against the Axis from the Italian Armistice to V-E Day. Postwar Folgores, modified to accept the more powerful DB 605 engine and redesignated C.205 Veltros, last served in the Egyptian Air Force in 1949.

The beautiful asthetic shape of the Macchi C202 Folgore can be seen here,Italian designers had a certain knack for getting things to look just right.

Only two of this breed now survive in museums.

 

[Guest]

Barry your jag is missing a wheel mate !!!!! is it an emergency landing jobbie or battle damage ??????

 

[wonwinglo]

It is that pilot Hoskins again ! you cannot trust him to do a touch and go without loosing a wheel,well spotted Nigel it must have fell off whilst I was filming.

Barry your jag is missing a wheel mate !!!!! is it an emergency landing jobbie or battle damage ??????

 

[Guest]

Howdy Barry,

Well, I have been going through this thread and I thought that the "inflight" pics of your models are nice. I then considered doing some of my own "inflight" photos, but then thought to myself..."the inflight photos are what makes Barrys work stand out and different from everyone else's, likewise, my "driveway shots" are unique to me and my "photographic stylings" (lol).

Anyway, I decided that you do great photo work but, your style is not my style, and vice versa, so to keep the status quo of variety, I am gonna stick with my "driveway shots" and let you rule the air supreme (lol).

Good work and maybe you can get Hoskins in a remedial flight school somewhere. Just be sure he wears his helmet and doesn't lick the windows.

Have a good day,

Greg

Ps: this is not to say I wont attempt an inflight pic sometime, changing up occassionally, is a good thing.

 

[wonwinglo]

And likewise Greg,we all seem to adopt our own styles both in our modelling and photography which is good,just like any artist you kind of develop that something different,for example I bet that I could pck out your own photography from others,it kind of works like that.

With the advent of these little digital cameras we have new horizons to explore with their exellent depth of field,hardly a day passes now without a photo session against the blue skies,when we go out I take a few models with me to find suitable backdrops for them and aim at the scale effect,it is amazing by bringing the model closer towards the camera what can be achieved.

Pilot Officer Hoskins has for the time being been grounded,following investigations into the missing wheel drama.

Actually I think with your photoshop skills you would be able to achieve some really good in flight shots.

Another good system for the winter months are simulated airfield shots using card hangars etc.

 

[Guest]

that is exaclty what i plan on doing for one of my up-comming planes barry. the exact plan in my mind a the moment is a "half-cylindrical" (how ever you spell it) hanger cut-away side view so yuo can see inside, the lights, shelves, work areas.....etc

hope it turns out as well as it looks in my head lol

 

[wonwinglo]

Sounds ideal RJ,the idea is to create an illusion of depth,look forward to seeing your efforts in this direction,creating photographs can be real fun.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The North American P-51 Racing Mustang conversions

The Small Air Force

The North American P-51D Racing Mustang

Who would have thought, back in 1944, that this escort fighter would still be flying in the year 2006 (and beyond). The Mustang was built for the highest performance with less thought for longevity.

With the hard work of warbird fanatics around the globe, about 280 P-51s still exist today with more than half still airworthy ! A few of the remaining P-51s survivors have the distinction of serving for more than 30 years with 4 different Air Forces around the world,the airplane below represents the many racing P-51 conversions that have been raced over the years,every year the Reno air races reverberate to the sound of extensively rebuilt fighter aircraft pushed to the limit to squueze that last ounce of performance,as they round those famous pylons just think of the thousands of hours of work that has gone into these airframes by enthusiasts,paintjobs that would put a luxury car to shame so highly polished that you can see your image in them like a mirror.

Take one stock Airfix P-51D Mustang kit and give it a nice coat of red paint,hand paint the chequers and turn it into something entirely different.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Piaggio 166

The Small Air Force

The Piaggio 166

(My thanks to the publicity department of the Italian Piaggio company for the write-up.)

This is my scratchbuilt balsawood model of this interesting twin pusher design,the plans were published in the 'Aviation News' pulp paper as the centrespread subject,the Italian air force markings were all hand painted.

The finish is artists Gouache water colours overpainted with Johnsons Klear.