discussion Wonwings Diary-a blog with a difference.

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Arado AR.96B (Avia C2)

The Small Air Force

The Arado AR.96B (Avia C2)

The Arado 96 B was the most important of the two-seater training aircraft used by the Luftwaffe, the B-1 was for primary training with the B-5 used later for fire training. Powered by the Argus As 410 A-1 12 cylinder inverted vee air-cooled engine it had a top speed of 205 mph (330 kph). Armament consisted of a single 7.92mm MG 17 machine gun mounted above the engine on the right side.

During the mid 30’s the fledgling Luftwaffe was training its pilots on biplanes. This was perfectly acceptable for primary training, but aviation technology was advancing rapidly. It was clear that for advanced fighter training something more modern was needed. The RLM issued a request for an advanced trainer that was to be powered by the 240hp Argus As10. Arado submitted their Ar96 design of which the V1 first flew in 1938. After redesign of the canopy and landing gear it was accepted by the RLM. It was somewhat lacking in power though and it was decided that the 360 hp As410 would be used instead of the As10. The Luftwaffe placed great importance on the new trainer and even though the As410 engine was not available yet Arado was instructed to start production. So the first series, Ar 96A, aircraft where powered by the As10C. The first Ar 96B machines with the As410 started coming of the lines in 1940. Although it was a very successful design Arado itself produced few Ar 96’s. Up until mid 1941 AGO produced most Ar 96’s. After 1941 The Czech company Avia took over production. It was joined by Letov in 1944. In total over 10.000 Ar 96’s where built during the war and besides the Luftwaffe, Hungary and Slovakia used them too. After the war production of the Ar 96B continued at Avia as the C.2.

The lovely shape of the Arado AR.96B seen here as the licence built Avia C2.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

The Small Air Force

The Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero ("Sparrowhawk") was a tough tri-motor aircraft that was flown with courage and skill and was a mainstay of the Regia Aeronautica during WWII.

The prototype flew on 9/2/35 powered by 3 750 hp Alpha Romeo 125 RC.34 engines. It was developed from a civil airliner and had the distinctive hump on the upper forward fuselage that housed the forward and dorsal gunner's position, earning it the nickname of "Gobbo Maledetto" (Damned Hunchback). The plane was a mix of steel tubes, light alloy wood and fabric with a high wing load that demanded long airstrips.

Maximum speed was 270 mph with a range of 1,243 miles and a service ceiling of 23,000 ft. The SM.79 was armed with a 12.7mm machine gun firing ahead through the roof of the humpback, a 12.7mm machine gun firing from the dorsal (rear) part of the hump, a 12.7 mm machine gun firing through the ventral position of the gondola and 2 7.7 mm machine guns firing from the side windows. Up to 2,750 lbs of bombs or a 17.7 in torpedo could be carried.

The first SM.79s entered service in late 1936, just in time to fly in the Spanish civil war with the Italian contingent. The SM.79I established an excellent reputation in combat during this time. In October 1939, the Regia Aeronautica began receiving the SM.79II with 1,000 hp Piaggio engines, which was the main version built. The SM.79III, of which a handful were built, had a 20mm cannon in place of the forward firing 12.7mm machine gun and did away with the ventral gondola.

In 1940, well over 1/2 of Italy's 1,000 bombers were SM.79s, which also turned out to be one of the best land based torpedo bombers of the war. The SM.79 was used to bomb Malta and, in the summer of 1942, had one its best successes against Operation Pedestal, the Royal Navy effort to relieve Malta. The SM.79II also saw extensive service in North Africa, the Balkans and the Mediterranean. After the armistice, the series III was built for use by the pro-axis Italian airforce.

The SM.79 was so popular, that Spain, Brazil, Iraq and Yugoslavia used them in their air forces. Romania also received the SM.79 and also license built the Series II using the Junkers Jumo 211 D 1,220 hp engines and used them on the Russian front through 1944, first as bombers and then as utility transports. The SM.79s that survived the war were used until the 1950's as utility transports for their air forces.

A total of approximately 1,200 were built.

Airfix Savoia Marchetti SM.79 finished in Luftwaffe colours

 

[Guest]

so now you have put all these away for the winter. what models do you have stashed away to keep you going in the cold months?

anything exciting that your really looking forward to doing?

 

[wonwinglo]

No RJ,those were a batch of models that underwent extensive restoration over the past 18 months many of which still need photographing,these are much older models from my collection that have been carefully stored in zip seal bags with a bit of air blown into them,that way they rest in a box,the air cushions them,dont worry we will not run short of subjects ! the only limiting factor is nice blue sky backgrounds,today was dry but useless for photography.

Anyway hope that you are enjoying them,then these will be put away.

Plenty of new kits to build up,building a 1=48th Westland Lysander at the moment from the old Hawk offering,not bad for its age.

so now you have put all these away for the winter. what models do you have stashed away to keep you going in the cold months?anything exciting that your really looking forward to doing?

 

[Guest]

I think these restored old kits look absolutely brilliant and hark back to the heydays of plastic kits that we will never see again.

 

[wonwinglo]

You hit the nail bang on the head Richard,and it is great to have been there in those pioneering years of model kits,when we look back at what has been achieved in terms of finesse and detail in recent years,this has all stemmed from those early efforts by companies like Airfix.

By placing these pictures here,it in itself is a reminder of what was produced in such prolific numbers back then even.

Dont forget that the pictures are mirrored on Scale-models.net also.

I think these restored old kits look absolutely brilliant and hark back to the heydays of plastic kits that we will never see again.

 

[Guest]

thats a good idea Barry. No posts in the middle to interrupt.

...got a bit of catching up to do though.lol

 

[Guest]

You hit the nail bang on the head Richard,and it is great to have been there in those pioneering years of model kits,when we look back at what has been achieved in terms of finesse and detail in recent years,this has all stemmed from those early efforts by companies like Airfix.By placing these pictures here,it in itself is a reminder of what was produced in such prolific numbers back then even.

Dont forget that the pictures are mirrored on Scale-models.net also.

I have followed these postings with a sense of wonder ! Most of those planes i built when i was a youngster but I never painted them it was "Got my pocket money off to the newsagents (they had the whole range of Airfix and Frog kits) and back home with my latest treasure" The rest of the day it would be glue and sticky hands ! Then to come downstairs into the living room and show everyone my latest creation I also memorised most of the info from the sleeve so i could explain to my parents the history and types ( bless them they allways listened intently and encouraged my passion) Once when i had some Birthday money I made The trip to the shop and bought the ultimate Plane a English Electric Lightning unfortunately I didnt have enough money for the glue as well so i took it home examined the contents with a sense of awe then Badgering the hell out of mum to by me some glue she eventually had enough and departed the house ! One hour later she returned with a tube of Bostick which I thought wow there is enough to build lots of kits with that !Off i disappeared upstairs where i found the Bostick to be anything but easy to use ! eventually after a couple of hours and lots and lots of bostick the lightning sat on my bedroom window sill resplendant in decals and Wow it was silver plastic so it looked real After about half an hour in the sun the whole bloody thing fell apart I was devastated!!! The glue just didnt work !! Mum was " never mind you can get some more glue on Saturday" I watched the models degradation over the next 4 days Eventually consigning it to the bin. I didnt buy another lightning kit for a further 30 years So you see the memories that these articles bring up ! Long may you continue Barry:dan1:

 

[Guest]

Every picture you post Barry triggers off memories such as Nigels in one of us. We all have a wealth of stories such as that to draw on and remind us of what we have done and where we have been.

The archive you are creating is an invaluable resource to us all.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Rata I-16 Russian fighter aircraft

The Small Air Force

The Rata I-16

The Polikarpov I-16 prototype flew for the first time on New Years Eve day, 1933. There were only a small number of the original I-16's built, five of which participated in the 1935 May Day fly-past over Red Square in Moscow. These were the first low-wing, single seat fighters with retractable landing gear, to enter into service anywhere in the world. Originally, the aircraft were built with American Wright Cyclone engines, but they were soon substituted with Russian engines built under license. Because of the new style of this plane, many pilots initially found it difficult to fly.

Therefore, several two seat advanced trainers were built. A few airplanes were built with enclosed canopies, different gun configurations, skis for landing on the ice and snow, and many other variations. Most countries' air forces underestimated the abilities of the I-16, because of it's stubby appearance. It quickly gained respect and the name Rata (rat) as it fired 1,800 rounds per minute and flew 70 mph faster than most fighters of that time.

The Spanish Republicans received 475 I-16's from Russia, and even locally built some of their own. Polikarpov I-16's fought against the Japanese over China and Manchuria while armed with airborne rockets The I-16 fought for Spain, China, was instrumental to the Soviets success during the 'Winter War' against Finland, and fought bravely in Operation Barbarossa launched by the Germans in 1941. During this war with Germany, the Polikarpov I-16 began to be outclassed. Therefore, the Soviet fighters would sometimes deliberately ram their planes into the opposing German fighters and bombers, risking their planes and their own lives for the defense of their Motherland.

The Fighter Factory's airworthy Polikarpov I-16, White #28, was found in Karelia in 1991. The data plates recovered at the wreck site reveal that this I-16 was produced at the Gorky Aircraft Plant #21 in late 1939. The fabric found among the wreckage showed the paint scheme of the Red Army Air Force of 1941, which were black spots over dark green. This airplane flew with the 155th Fighter Squadron and likely crashed in 1941- 42.

The tiny Russian Rata i-16 made by Revell.

 

[wonwinglo]

And that is exactly what it is Richard,an archive of models past and present,in fact there is probably nothing quite like it on the internet ? well if there is then I cannot find it ? my aim from the beginning was to present good quality images of these old models,you will notice that in many cases they still have the dust on them and the occasional missing tailwheel etc ! but this in my mind only adds to the authenticity,the only reason that the models survived ( 8 house moves in fact ) was that they have been carefully packed in that time mostly in the blown riplock bags which seems to have worked.

It gives me the greatest of pleasure to share them amongst my friends here,so sit tight there are plenty more yet to enjoy.

Nigels story about the Bostik reminded me that when these kits first came out there was not much polystyrene cement in the shops,unsuspecting shopkeepers would see you a tube of balsa cement,which had exactly the same effect as poor Nigels Bostik,ie they fell to bits!

So let the images continue of times past,to remind us of summer days in the garden making model airfields next to dads best lettuce patch,when the airfield raid had finished there was sure carnage with craters on the runway,and a few damaged aircraft to repair,if it had not been for Airfix and Revell,Aurora and Monogram all of this would not have been possible,it took me months to carve up a couple of wooden Spitfires,as opposed to building a small fleet of kit examples.

Every picture you post Barry triggers off memories such as Nigels in one of us. We all have a wealth of stories such as that to draw on and remind us of what we have done and where we have been.The archive you are creating is an invaluable resource to us all.

 

[Guest]

I remember making an Airfix Heinkel. I can't remember the specific mark but it was a twin engines job and had two flying bombs under the wings. The camoflage was mottled along the fuselage and this was when I was still in early teens so all I had was my brush and paint.

I remember sitting in my grandma's front room with the sun beating in while she dozed in her rocking chair half watching the cricket while I stippled the olive green patches. It took me over an hour each side but I was so chuffed with the result I couldn't stop smiling at it.

Memories such as that moment are what makes us and Barry's photo's generate such powerfull reminders of them in all of us.

Wonderfull stuff!

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The RE8 World War One Recce biplane

The Small Air Force

The RE8 World War One aircraft-A real classic fondly remembered

Who Was Harry Tate?

Real name Ronald Hutchison, Harry Tate was an established music hall performer over five decades.

His catchphrases passed into the language with the best known,

"Goodbye-ee", inspiring one of the war's most popular songs. And the expressions "How's your father?"

and "....I don't think!" have faint echos even eightyfive years later. Aged 69 and still touring the music halls Harry Tate was killed by a German bomb in 1940.

Contrary to the widely held view that the RFC was tardy in replacing the much maligned BE-2 proposals to do so were in place as early as the autumn of 1915, a bare two months after Max Immelman's first victory with the Fokker EI. The proposals retained all the qualities then thought desirable in an observation machine and gave full consideration to the provision of the effective defensive armament so manifestly lacking in the BE-2.

The replacement which emerged in the summer of 1916 was the Royal Aircraft Factory RE-8. So often said to offer little improvement the RE-8 was, despite undeniable faults, superior in every respect to it's predecessor. Respectable by 1916 standards overall performance was broadly comparable to contemporary German "C" types and the 103mph top speed the equal of some opposing scouts. But the operational necessity of flying a lazy eight at a constant altitude above a fixed point in hostile airspace, and all whilst facing an enemy capable to the last of enforcing local air superiority almost at will, renders any such comparison meaningless. Dubbed "Harry Tate" by it's intimates the RE-8 became Britain's most widely used two seater still equipping fifteen RAF squadrons at the armistice. Conceived even before the full height of the Fokker scourge it may be said that it laboured too long. But for that no blame can attach to an aeroplane perhaps undeserving of it's poor reputation.

Now on its 5th rebuild here is my original Airfix RE8,she has long since lost the famous 'Paddy Bird From Ceylon' decals supplied with this early kit,to small hands the struts could present a real challenge to get just right with very little if any locating marks or indents.

First released in 1957 the RE8 was one of the very earliest Airfix kits and one third of a trio depicting aircraft displayed at the Imperial War Museum South Lambeth. Along with it's companions, the Sopwith Camel and Bristol F2Bl Fighter, the RE8 has been a staple of the Airfix catalogue ever since. Reissued many times with different packaging and alternative decals the plastic remains unchanged and was for a long time even the same colour. Crude by today's standards a real jewel can be made from this venerable kit .

 

[Guest]

I remember making an Airfix Heinkel. I can't remember the specific mark but it was a twin engines job and had two flying bombs under the wings. The camoflage was mottled along the fuselage and this was when I was still in early teens so all I had was my brush and paint.I remember sitting in my grandma's front room with the sun beating in while she dozed in her rocking chair half watching the cricket while I stippled the olive green patches. It took me over an hour each side but I was so chuffed with the result I couldn't stop smiling at it.

Memories such as that moment are what makes us and Barry's photo's generate such powerfull reminders of them in all of us.

Wonderfull stuff!

I have since found out that it was a Heinkel 177 (There's one on Fleabay!)

 

[Guest]

Richad there is a brand new 1/48 HE177 out now it looks superb

 

[Guest]

That must be huge. Who makes it?

 

[Guest]

A company called MPM I have seen one and its really rally good

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Northrop F-89 Scorpion jet fighter

The Small Air Force

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was designed as an all weather interceptor and first flew in 1948. It served as part of the North American Air Defense Command. The F-89 was radar equipped and able to locate and intercept enemy aircraft in all weather conditions. Unique wingtip tanks on the F-89D carried folding-fin aerial rockets in the front portion and fuel in the rear portion. The tanks on the F-89J carry only fuel.

The F-89 was the first fighter interceptor equipped to carry air to air nuclear missiles. These missiles, designated MB-1 Genies, were first test fired on July 19, 1957. A total of 1,050 F-89's were built, of which 350 were modified to this role and were designated F-89J's.

The aircraft on display at Castle Air Museum started life as an F-89D which served with the Alaskan Air Command. In 1957, it was modified to a "J" version and served with the Air Defense Command. In 1960, it was transferred to the Air National Guard, serving in Wisconsin and finally Iowa. On its wings, you will see two Genie air to air nuclear missiles that were carried by the "J" version Scorpion. The F-89 was retired from active Air Force service in 1959 and from Air National Guard service in 1969.

The sleek lines of the Scorpion are captured her in this re-enaction

Built from a 1960's kit I believe it was Lindbergh ?

Note the Air Force 'Buzz Number' common in the sixties on all U.S.A.F aircraft,Buzz referring to intercom.

One of the most heavily armed fighter aircraft, the F-89 was the backbone of the North American Air Defense Command for more than 17 years.

The F-89 was the first multi-seat, all-weather jet interceptor. It was the first aircraft designed to carry an all-rocket armament and the first to carry the Hughes Falcon air-to-air guided missile.

Northrop was awarded a contract May 3, 1946, to build two prototypes designated XP-89. The XP-89 rolled out of its California plant in the summer of 1948.

After a number of taxiing and brake tests were performed, the XP-89 was moved to the high desert north of Los Angeles known as Muroc Dry Lake (later Edwards Air Force Base). It was at this time it was re-designated as F-89, classifying it as a fighter.

The air and ground crews at Muroc remarked that it looked like a scorpion ready to strike. The name stuck and was later officially recognized by the Air Force.

The F-89 made its maiden flight Aug. 16, 1948, with the first production model being accepted Sept. 28, 1950. At the time of its production, the F-89 had an advanced radar system enabling the crew to track and engage hostile bombers in any weather.

The F-89 helped the Air Defense Command to protect our skies during the period when Soviet intercontinental bombers first became a threat. The Scorpion never fired a shot in anger, but it was a major deterrent against attack during the Cold War in the 1950s. The aircraft on display is a F-89H, but for the purist the wing tanks are incorrect and are from a F-89J.

This F-89H was delivered to the Air Force April 6, 1956, and flew its entire service life with the 3320th Technical Training Wing, Amarillo AFB, Texas, until its retirement in August 1959.

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Curtiss Shrike U.S.Army attack aircraft

The Small Air Force

The Curtiss Shrike

The Curtiss Shrike was developed in 1930, due to the desire of the United States Army Air Force for a new attack aircraft. The A-8 version consisted of 13 aircraft in which three different engines were tested, none of which was adequate to ensure high performance. A later version, the A12, using a more powerful radial engine, performed better. The Shrike was something of a hybrid, incorporating new developments such as automatic leading edge slats, trailing edge flaps, metal skin for most surfaces, a three blade propeller and an internal bomb bay, while at the same time retaining flying wires, fixed landing gear, and an open cockpit and crew area . Of the 13 A-8 versions built, 11 saw active service in the mid 1930's, and then later were relegated to second echelon duty. Although never utilized in a combat role with the USAAF, 10 A-12 aircraft were shipped to China in 1936, and reassembled at Hangchow. The Chinese were so impressed with the possibilities of the aircraft that they ordered 10 more. All of these 20 aircraft were designated for the attack mission, and saw action when the Japanese attacked China in 1937. Few if any survived the opening year of the war.

Rareplanes early Vac-Form of the Curtiss Shrike airplane

 

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-The Fieseler FI.156 Storch observation aircraft.

The Small Air Force

The Fieseler FI.156 Storch

Officially, the Fi-156 Fieseler Storch began in 1935 as Gerhard Fieseler's answer to an air ministry specification for a general purpose airplane that could take off and land in an extremely short distance. Fieseler's chief designer, Reinhold Mewes, decided for ease of maintenance that the airplane should be completely conventional in its construction, and so utilized a steel tubing and fabric fuselage with wooden wings. The engine was the then-common Argus As 10C inverted V-8 aircooled 240-hp model. Aerodynamically Mewes decided to go to the other extreme and use the most advanced techniques available to produce the ultimate in slow speed performance. Accordingly, the big 46-foot wing a had full-length fixed slats (projected movable slats never materialized), Fowler-type flaps that increased wing area by 18 percent, and ailerons that drooped with the flaps when they were extended past 20 degrees.

To keep up with the tremendous demand for the Storch, production was boosted by retooling the Morane-Saulnier plant in occupied France for the Storch. The Morane-built airplanes were modified and the wings were redesigned to use aluminum. After the war, the airplane was so popular for towing gliders that Morane produced a post-war model with a radial engine and strengthened fuselage.

The Fieseler Fi156 Storch was a remarkable STOL plane first flown in 1936 and extensively used by German forces in World War II. It was used for reconnaissance, liaison, communication, ambulance and as VIP transport for high ranking officers.

The Storch was equiped with full length fixed wing slats and large flaps. In addition to the flaps the ailerons could be droped, too, to maximize lift. This made the Storch a true slow flyer. The full-flaps minimum speed was 51 km/h (32 mph) only while maximum speed was limited to 175 km/h (109 mph). The normal range at a cruising speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) was about 385 km (240 miles).

For hard landings there was a spindly but strong undercarriage. With a take-off distance of 65 m (213 ft) and a landing distance of only 20 m (61 ft) the Stoch could land and take-off nearly everywhere.

The Storch was widely used even after WWII but finally became obsolete with the development of helicopters.

A total of more than 2.500 aircrafts of all variants has been produced.

Because of the large number and production in different factories in Germany, France, Czechoclovakia and Romania there were some different versions of the Storch.

The STOL capabilities of the Storch know no equal,any road is a runway,and any clearing an airfield.

The long spindly undercarriage oleo struts absorb all of the shock.

Only three lengths of the aircraft are needed to land a Storch,in a wind component once the tail is high she is flying and away in a few feet.

Model is the Airfix Fieseler Storch,they take some looking after being very frail and easily get damaged,if you build one then make a special box to put her in safely.