Biplanes and rigged aircraft

[zak]

I have just undercoated the Goshawk.
I started this Pegasus Curtis Sparrowhawk a while ago.
Pegasus biplane kits are very basic, no struts.
I forgot to take a picture of this before the build, but here is one of their Roland Kits, see what you get.The last photo is the Sparrowhawk being worked on.
The struts and arrester hook were scratch built.
They were used from Airships and as the hook was so reliable many had their undercarriage removed.

[chriswil42]

That's different.

[zak]

I will have to set the Sparrowhawk aside, even after two coats of decal film the transfers still broke up.
I forgot to scan them, I will now need to source some more.

[cph64]

Are you building a dirigible to put it under?

[zak]

Are you building a dirigible to put it under?

I don't think so, but now you have put the idea there?
No, definitely not!

[Bigkev]

Are you building a dirigible to put it under?

Hi Chris,
if Zak was to build the two carrier Airships ( Macon and Akron) he would need to buy next door to fit them in.
They were both rigid airships not dirigible.
Perhaps photos of the two airships displayed with the Sparrowhawk is more feasible.
Bigkev

[zak]

Thanks Kevin, useful information.
A bit more detail:
Akron and Macon were designed as airborne aircraft carriers, which could launch and recover heavier-than-air planes for use in both reconnaissance and self-defence.
The ships were equipped with hangars, approximately 75′ long x 60′ wide x 16′ high, which could stow and service up to five aircraft in flight. Aircraft were launched and retrieved by means of a trapeze, and could enter and exit the hangar though a large T-shaped opening at the bottom of the hull.
The capacity to embark and deploy fixed-wing aircraft was the essential element of Akron and Macon's ability to serve as naval scouts. Airplanes greatly increased the range and area over which the airship could search for the enemy, but also addressed the airship's own inherent weakness; its vulnerability to attack. The giant airships made large, slow targets which were highly vulnerable to destruction by an enemy's planes.
Although the Navy originally envisioned the airships as scouting vessels which carried airplanes for fighter defence, over time the Navy eventually realized that the vulnerable airship itself was best employed in the background, out of sight of the enemy; the airship's function would be to carry scouting planes within range of the enemy. As naval airship doctrine eventually developed, rather than the airplane extending the scouting range of the airship, it was the airship which extended the scouting range of the airplane.

[Bigkev]

Very interesting Zak.
I knew that they were intended as carriers for the the Sparrow hawk's but not the hangar sizes mentioned. Thanks for the info.
Cheers,
Bigkev

[chriswil42]

Very intersting indeed. I never knew of this use of an airship. Incedible to say the least.

[Haddock]

You have to admire the ingenuity of the engineers but even more so, the courage of the aircrew
who were expected to fly these things.
Haddock.

[zak]

Goshawk just about complete.
Just a couple of bits to paint and then a coat of varnish.

[chriswil42]

An excellent model Dave. The backdrop adds to the photos  - must try that.

[zak]

An excellent model Dave. The backdrop adds to the photos  - must try that.

I saw what Kevin had done and thought the same.

[Haddock]

Nice!

[MSea]

Great idea will steal that - hohohho