Help needed choosing which ICM Stearman kit and engine combo to represent the one in The English Patient

[iamjohnsname]

Hi all,

 

I'm getting more and more confused by the variations in real Stearmans, not to mention ICM's kits.

 

I want to reproduce the Stearman featured in the movie The English Patient, which by all accounts is a PT-17 - but it clearly has a nine cylinder radial, like the PT-13s. But the PT-13 radial in the ICM kit is a much smaller engine than the one on the model in the film.

 

ICM's kit 32050 is a PT-17 which shows a nine cylinder radial on the box... but sure enough, the kit itself only has a seven cylinder engine.

 

There are a heap of variants listed on the Stearman's Wikipedia page and I am wondering if maybe the one in the filme is actually an NS, with a Wright R-790 Whirlwind engine? 

 

In which case, I could presumably buy either ICM kit and stick one of these beauties from Lukgraph on the front?

 

As a sidenote, I know that the planned ICM 32053 would be an "English Patient" pack, featuring both the Tiger and the Stearman, and should ICM resmue production, I will 100% purchase that kit (and anything else I can get a hold of from them to support their business). But given the uncertainty around that, I would like to have a go myself in the meantime.

 

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[MikeC]

Interesting question.  I've not seen the film, so I really don't have much to go on.  Could it be a re-engine with a Wasp Junior similar to this one?  https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1375545?  I've been looking at doing this conversion recently, and the more I look at it, the more I think I'm doing a feasibility study that will say "not easily possible".  It's not just a case of sticking another engine on the front, the whole nose forward of the cabane struts is different.

 

Incidentally, I looked up the registration G-AFEA: it belongs (or belonged) to a Percvival Vega Gull.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2022 by MikeC

[Bradleygolding]

Hi There,

I have seen the movie and think it's a P&W450. Which is a fairly standard conversion in Stearman land. It has a CSU and spinner, which again kind of implies P&W. Don't know which Stearman they used.

 

Steve

[Dennis7423]

For what it's worth, I spoke with the folks at ICM via Facebook Messenger the other day, and they are currently back at work.

 

 - Dennis S.

    Thornton, CO USA

[Kenneth]

Definitely a P&W R-985 Wasp Junior…

[iamjohnsname]

Thanks everyone! Great news all round. I’m super pleased to hear that ICM are back at work again; I hope that means they are all safe and sound - despite everything. 
 

I thought it might be a Pratt and Whitney or maybe a Wright R-790 Whirlwind, which the U.S. Navy stuck on the front of their Stearmans. Luckily Lukgraph make a beautiful 1/32 R-790 which I’ve ordered along with the ICM PT-13 kit and will have to figure out how to mount it on the front. With any luck it will look close enough to the Pratt and Whitney for my eye. I’ll have a look now to see if anyone sells P&Ws in 1/32 as well, just in case. 
 

As for the conversion, you’re right, Mike. The one in the movie has an entirely exposed framework forward of the cabane struts, so I’m going to have to figure out a way to either 3D print the structure or perhaps get creative with some brass rod. I’m sure it’s achievable, even though I will feel terrible sanding back the front end of such a beautiful aeroplane!

 

Finally, it gives me some pleasure to learn that the real G-AFEA was a Percival Gull. That’s another beautiful machine and, thanks to the lovely Dora Wings kit (yet another Ukrainian company!) was the model that got me back into this hobby after a 20+ year hiatus.

[JimRice]

The Navy used the Wright R-790 (200hp) on the N3N.  They had seven cylinder Continentals W-670 (220hp) or Lycoming R-680 (225hp) engines on the N2S series. 

 

It has been a bit since I watched The English Patient but pretty sure I was a Pratt & Whitney R-985 (450hp).  

[iamjohnsname]

Thanks Jim, I will keep trying to find one.

[Avenger2614]

If you go on the Hannant's website, ICM lists a future release in which they box both the Stearman and Tiger Moth as an "English Patient" boxing.

[iamjohnsname]

13 hours ago, Avenger2614 said:

If you go on the Hannant's website, ICM lists a future release in which they box both the Stearman and Tiger Moth as an "English Patient" boxing.

Yes, it’s been listed as a future release for many many months now, and given the state of things in Ukraine could still be months more before it’s ready. So I thought I’d give it a go on my own in the meantime. But when it’s released I’ll definitely pick it up. No such thing as too many Tigers or Stearmans.