wunwinglow Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Having just ordered a set of Hampden vacform parts from Tigger, I started rounding up my reference material, and I've bumped up a problem I can't seem to sort out. The Torpedo carrying variants had their bomb bays modified to accept the torpedo, but there seems to be some confusion as to what was actually done. Some say, and illustrate, the bomb bay doors lowered at the rear, so they slope, while others suggest the rear ventral gunners position was shortened in height, leaving the door line unchanged, but then giving clearance for the torpedo and its tail. Looking at photos, I am inclined to think it is the latter, ie shortened gunners position, and not dropped doors. Does anyone actually KNOW what is going on here, that could put me straight? Thanks in advance!! Tim PS Long term project, I must finish the Swordfish first..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cees Broere Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Tim, I hit the same wall while researching the Hampden two years ago or my (hum, failed) Hampden. Not much info on the Hampden, I tried. Good luck, I hope you will post your project on LSP when the time comes. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Boillot Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 From the photos I have seen (give me some time to find out where they are - this is where we realise we doubly miss Dr Charles Metz ) the doors were bulging out of the standard airframe at the rear. Technically, this is also simpler to achieve as a fix on existing airframes than changing the rear section , which would entail some serious structural surgery of the fuselage frames ... Hubert PS: btw, the cowlings on the old ID molds were too small in diameter. I turned (and sent to John after I made my copies) a new master for them. But that also entails some serious surgery of the nacelles to bring them to the new diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunwinglow Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) Hubert thanks for the Heads-up about the cowlings. I'll watch out for that when I get the kit. Ref the bomb bay for torpedoes, it seems the bomb bay doors were NOT altered, and the ventral gun position WAS reduced in height. This is the best pic I have seen showing this, so beware all those drawings that show the doors sloping down tailwards!! I found a couple of discussions on www.britmodeller.com which cover this in more detail. Looking forward to Telford at the week-end! Tim Edited November 5, 2012 by wunwinglow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Hi Tim, Just surfi'n the 'net and came across these (you've probably seen most of them already anyway): (From a Britmodeller topic) (Others) HTH Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 I like that computer rendering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Pretty much the only reference I have on this machine is the Warpaint book. I don't have it handy, but it may be of help, if someone else has it. http://www.largescal....php?title=3017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian maw Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Another good reference for the Hampden is the Tornado Airwar book (number 147) http://www.wunderwaf...irWar/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Another good reference for the Hampden is the Tornado Airwar book (number 147) http://www.wunderwaf...irWar/index.htm Nice link. I have a couple of those books, and they are pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunwinglow Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Putnams book on Handley Page also has a good description of the mod as well, including the useful point that the frame aft of the bomb bay was reduced in height by 12 inches!! I can work with this.... Thanks for input, guys. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Boillot Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Well I learnt something today. I'll stick to the bomber version anyway when I build mine. All the best in your endeavours, Tim. Hubert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richdlc Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) there's also the Air Britain book 'The Hampden File' which may be of use Edited November 7, 2012 by richdlc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cees Broere Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 The problem with the Hampden is, you can have many books but still have many questions unanswered. Try looking at pic through google, there are a lot of them about the RAF Museum restoration at Cosford. If lucky I get to see the airframe myself next monday. Cees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunwinglow Posted November 7, 2012 Author Share Posted November 7, 2012 Hi Cees, yes, I agree seeing the real thing is the very best way to understand what the machine really looks like! I did visit the restoration facility at Cosford a few years ago, and work was progressing, but I foolishly only took a few photos. I will have to try and make another visit! I hope you have a great time, we saw the Sopwith Dolhin just before it went to Hendon, as well as a Me 163 being worked on. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 there's also the Air Britain book 'The Hampden File' which may be of use Yep, forgot about that one. http://www.largescaleplanes.com/reference/details.php?title=3437 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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