Oldbaldguy Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 Ahem. I discovered recently while reading highly redacted documents found in old boxes in a garage next to a Corvette with four flat tires that the development and employment of this particular airplane during the Great Unpleasantness included a very classified night interdiction version that evolved at about the same time. It met with no press but considerable success. USAF boffins rerouted the exhaust system from the engine through a series of mufflers in the area where the old turbocharger used to be, significantly reducing engine noise. In hopes of reducing prop noise, at least one was modified to use an experimental five blade propeller that was said to have been stolen from a Sea Fury parked on the ramp at Reno. Affectionally called Blunderbolts because they flew low and slow at night hoping to stumble onto a target, these airplanes sported a distinctive SEA over black paint scheme and often worked in pairs. One would carry specialized pods of parachute flares while the other had a more typical anti equipment/anti personnel load out. The airplanes carrying the flares were called either Sunderbolts or Lightningbolts because they turned the night into day so that the guy flying the armed version had some hope of actually hitting something besides a water buffalo out for an evening stroll. The jury is out as to whether these two versions of the airplane you are so ably modeling were as successful as legends tell us because none survived the war. Or at least none survived that anyone will admit. In the last few years, there have been several unconfirmed reports of at least one pair of Blunderbolts operating at night out of Area 51, working with a similarly camoed, nicely restored B-58. And a decade or so before that, an oddly painted, much modified P-47 raised eyebrows when it arrived unannounced at Oshkosh only to be immediately covered with a fumigation tent by several fit young men with crewcuts and sunglasses then flown out in the wee hours of the night before anyone could actually see it. It was said to have won several awards for authenticity, but did it? Obviously, there are no known photographs of any of these airplanes so you will have take my word for it. I would cite my sources, but I doubt you have the clearances necessary to see them, being a double foreigner and all. JeepsGunsTanks, DugyB, MikeC and 6 others 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 4 hours ago, Oldbaldguy said: Ahem. I discovered recently while reading highly redacted documents found in old boxes in a garage next to a Corvette with four flat tires that the development and employment of this particular airplane during the Great Unpleasantness included a very classified night interdiction version that evolved at about the same time. It met with no press but considerable success. USAF boffins rerouted the exhaust system from the engine through a series of mufflers in the area where the old turbocharger used to be, significantly reducing engine noise. In hopes of reducing prop noise, at least one was modified to use an experimental five blade propeller that was said to have been stolen from a Sea Fury parked on the ramp at Reno. Affectionally called Blunderbolts because they flew low and slow at night hoping to stumble onto a target, these airplanes sported a distinctive SEA over black paint scheme and often worked in pairs. One would carry specialized pods of parachute flares while the other had a more typical anti equipment/anti personnel load out. The airplanes carrying the flares were called either Sunderbolts or Lightningbolts because they turned the night into day so that the guy flying the armed version had some hope of actually hitting something besides a water buffalo out for an evening stroll. The jury is out as to whether these two versions of the airplane you are so ably modeling were as successful as legends tell us because none survived the war. Or at least none survived that anyone will admit. In the last few years, there have been several unconfirmed reports of at least one pair of Blunderbolts operating at night out of Area 51, working with a similarly camoed, nicely restored B-58. And a decade or so before that, an oddly painted, much modified P-47 raised eyebrows when it arrived unannounced at Oshkosh only to be immediately covered with a fumigation tent by several fit young men with crewcuts and sunglasses then flown out in the wee hours of the night before anyone could actually see it. It was said to have won several awards for authenticity, but did it? Obviously, there are no known photographs of any of these airplanes so you will have take my word for it. I would cite my sources, but I doubt you have the clearances necessary to see them, being a double foreigner and all. Phew……..as long as the document wasn’t discovered at Mar-a-Lago I’m good …… Lee White, Oldbaldguy and Shoggz 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alain Gadbois Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 I hope the government doesn’t discover this build! You might get a visit by some men dressed in black… Alain DugyB and MikeC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 1 hour ago, Alain Gadbois said: I hope the government doesn’t discover this build! You might get a visit by some men dressed in black… Alain Shh, keep it down there, mums the word… Alain Gadbois 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 11 Author Share Posted April 11 Ok, here’s the choice of my load out, I’m pretty limited with what I have, so here’s what I’ll use and mount up. I’m just not sure of the order or if I’ll add either another bomb or anti personal tube. Skyraider pics online show a plethora of weapons denders, BradG, patricksparks and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Rademaker Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 Terrific job on this build. I’m really looking forward to the completed Jug. I really like the way you changed the cockpit interior color from interior green (WWII) to USAF grey. Nice touch. Jim DugyB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 11 Author Share Posted April 11 2 hours ago, James Rademaker said: Terrific job on this build. I’m really looking forward to the completed Jug. I really like the way you changed the cockpit interior color from interior green (WWII) to USAF grey. Nice touch. Jim Thanks Jim, I added a bit more detail to the cockpit today and have it finally glued in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 11 Author Share Posted April 11 Almost forgot to “tag” my model, I remembered the last model I built over seven years ago I signed the interior with a Sharpie. As I glued in the cockpit it dawned on me not to forget this time too. Years ago I’d envisioned some kid playing with my model, having a grand time, maybe blowing it up with fire crackers only to find my hello, long after I’m gone… Erwin, Troy Molitor, Shoggz and 7 others 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoggz Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 This is a great thread - really enjoying it - and having just built the same beastie (albeit not an imaginary one!), I'm living it with ya'! DugyB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 12 Author Share Posted April 12 Thanks Shoggz, Fingers are crossed over here, I can see where everyone else has been before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 12 Author Share Posted April 12 (edited) A little more detail to scratch for all the attachment points for weapons and I’ll then be finished with these. I’m leaning towards adding another CBU dispenser. Stole them from my AD-1 Skyraider kit. Aiming for a realistic SAR load out which would be a great compliment to the Sandy’s and Jolly Greens. Edited April 12 by DugyB Martinnfb, Alain Gadbois, patricksparks and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 No fuel tanks on the wing tips? DugyB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 12 Author Share Posted April 12 51 minutes ago, Martinnfb said: No fuel tanks on the wing tips? I looked at that idea only to discover I’d have to perform some serious surgery. The ailerons were massive on the P-47, almost extending to the wing tip. I’ve another idea brewing though, still undecided… Martinnfb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugyB Posted April 17 Author Share Posted April 17 Have been bouncing around back and forth like a ping pong ball which now I’ve at last finished the radar and ECM mount, also as requested I’ve added some very important armour plate protection to the bottom….not that brass balls need protection, but y’all know just in case anyway… MikeC, Landrotten Highlander, wingman777 and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Amazing scratch building ! DugyB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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