I was just reading through the "Fairey Aircraft since 1915" Putnam book that I picked up on a "3 for £20" deal at Huddersfield, and came across the Fairey Fantome, which I'd never heard of before. A really good-looking aircraft, I think you'll agree:
It was built for the Belgian government, and a couple were sent to Russia and ended up in teh Spanish Civil War, but the RAF wasn't interested, partly because it's primary armament was a 20mm cannon firing through the engine, which wasn't in line with RAF thinking. But that got me thinking -- suppose the Fairey HAD been selected for the RAF instead of the Hawker Fury? And suppose then that it had spun off a Fantome Monoplane fighter, just as the Hurricane evolved from the Fury... perhaps you'd get an entire alternative lineage...
The drawings need to be worked on, obviously... ;-P
But top to bottom, we have the original monoplane fighter, entering service in 1937, 950HP erngine, armed with a prop boss 20mm cannon, two machine guns in nose troughs, and two more in the wings. (The wing is basically the outer portion of a Battle wing, but with the wide track gear retracting inwards, like the Fulmar).
Then you have the Merlin engine development, with a much more powerful 1640 HP Merlin 32 and four-blade propeller, armed with one cannon and two machine guns in each wing.
And the final development has and 1800 HP Griffon engine, driving a contraprop, armed with two 20mm cannon in each wing.
It woould make for quite an interesting series of WHIF models, I reckon, but finding kits to work with might be a challenge!
bestest,
M.
A bit if Fairey whiffery
Re: A bit if Fairey whiffery
Nice idea. What amazing imaginations we modellers have!
I'm a mostly full-time modeller put a part-time poster....
- DavidWomby
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Re: A bit if Fairey whiffery
That seems a very plausible evolution.
David
David
- iggie
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Re: A bit if Fairey whiffery
That's a very nice looking aircraft, and I can see the way you are thinking in terms of the natural progression
It would also be very handy if we ever have an 'Opera' themed GB
It would also be very handy if we ever have an 'Opera' themed GB
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
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Re: A bit if Fairey whiffery
Ugh! Get your coat on!iggie wrote: >
>
It would also be very handy if we ever have an 'Opera' themed GB
David
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Re: A bit if Fairey whiffery
Tee Heedwomby wrote:Ugh! Get your coat on!iggie wrote: >
>
It would also be very handy if we ever have an 'Opera' themed GB
David
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
- PaulBradley
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Re: A bit if Fairey whiffery
Interesting!
One small quibble - you might base the Fairey Monoplane Fighter wing on the P4/34 light bomber prototype, which the Fulmar was derived from - it was smaller and lighter than the Battle and might have more suitable wings.
One small quibble - you might base the Fairey Monoplane Fighter wing on the P4/34 light bomber prototype, which the Fulmar was derived from - it was smaller and lighter than the Battle and might have more suitable wings.
Paul
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За демократію і незалежний Україну
"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
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Re: A bit if Fairey whiffery
It's fun isn't it. I love all this alternate stuff and background histories.
I've done a twin engined Battle, Sea Typhoon Ib, a Seacat ( Spitfire with new wing. ) I wonder where they are now.
I've done a twin engined Battle, Sea Typhoon Ib, a Seacat ( Spitfire with new wing. ) I wonder where they are now.
So many models, so little time.