Quote from: Raider4 on 09 January 2021, 08:56:28 AM
Yeah, don't think I'd like to be the one manning that under-fuselage MG station.

The retractable dustbin - that inspires confidence!

My grandad was the dorsal gunner in a Bristol Bocage. It was originally intended as a counter to the bf110. The 2 375lb bomb points weren't added until 1942.

Quote from: Last Hussar on 09 January 2021, 10:23:56 AM
My grandad was the dorsal gunner in a Bristol Bocage. It was originally intended as a counter to the bf110. The 2 375lb bomb points weren't added until 1942.

I see yet another Blenhiem/Beaufort varation then.

Quote from: Steve J on 08 January 2021, 10:19:32 PM
Good idea Steve and could be used as a light or medium bomber too .

If the enemy has only rifles, almost anything can serve as a bomber.

Quote from: fred. on 09 January 2021, 08:47:09 AM
Wow! What a plane   

Not seen this before, and from a quick wiki visit, discover it is a lot later than I would have have guessed mid to late 1930s, only just being replaced before WWII.

That Heyford is a keeper - perhaps a little large, but scope to upgrade with underwing rockets or a gun position on the low wing centre-section.
For a proper Heath-Robinson look, convert the engines to pusher propellors, or double up push-pull drive.


We (British) deployed an awful lot of outdated crap to defend the colonies.
Maybe less apparent with the army where rifled didn't change a lot and several battalions of native infantry would be a lot more effective than a platoon in trucks.

It really started to show when a modern enemy (The Japanese in this case) show up with a modern airforce and navy.

QuoteFor a proper Heath-Robinson look, convert the engines to pusher propellors, or double up push-pull drive.

Stop it! Far too many good ideas for a poor weak soul such as myself to resist

The DeHavilland Rapide was used as a bomber by the Iraqi air force:
http://www.morvalearth.co.uk/Inch_High_Club/Inch_High_Iraq41/Iraq41_Iraqi_Air_Force.htm

armed with "2 fixed forward firing .303" machine guns and another in a dorsal position and bomb racks for 8 x 20 lb bombs"

Mark

Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 09 January 2021, 11:53:56 AM
That Heyford is a keeper - perhaps a little large, but scope to upgrade with underwing rockets or a gun position on the low wing centre-section.

Underwing rockets! That would not end well. Though with those and pusher engines, it may be able to go in reverse. 

Also it's cloth covered QED

For a slightly more modern look you could go for the Handley Page Harrow, awesome bomber being capable of carrying a single huge 2000lb bomb in 1937:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_H.P.54_Harrow

although I allus prefered the Bristol Bombay, as it could also be used as a troop transport, a truly modern dual-purpose plane:  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Bombay

Mark

Pah! Neither of those have enough wings!

Quote from: fsn on 09 January 2021, 05:19:33 PM
Pah! Neither of those have enough wings!

Ah ha! The Royal Naval Air Service has something especially suited for your needs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caproni_Ca.4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caproni_Ca.4#/media/File:Caproni_Ca.42-Royal_Naval_Air_Service.jpg 

That's more like it!

Quote from: fsn on 09 January 2021, 05:19:33 PM
Pah! Neither of those have enough wings!

Wouldn't it be brilliant to play an air combat game with these planes ?

Shhh! Shhh! SHHHHHH!  You know you'll set me off!

Especially with some French offerings ...

Amiot 143


Farman F220


Leo 451 (AKA Hampden with the tail on upside down)

The first two look as through the French tempted their Predreadnought designers out of retirement for some Aviation giggles.

Quote from: fsn on 09 January 2021, 10:29:20 PM
Shhh! Shhh! SHHHHHH!  You know you'll set me off!

Especially with some French offerings ...

Amiot 143


Farman F220

Don't let looks decieve you TOO much 

Both the Amiot 143 and Farman F220 were still in front line service in 1940....The F223 version of the Farman bomber was the first allied aircraft to bomb Berlin 

Quote from: sultanbev on 09 January 2021, 05:29:55 PM
Ah ha! The Royal Naval Air Service has something especially suited for your needs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caproni_Ca.4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caproni_Ca.4#/media/File:Caproni_Ca.42-Royal_Naval_Air_Service.jpg 

What he says - but the Ca.60 - come on now - it is actually a flying hotel!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caproni_Ca.60

Or the Soviet TB-3 - with it's own integral fighter support - a flying aircraft carrier
https://www.rbth.com/science-and-tech/328919-gigantic-aircraft-of-russia

A worthy chgallenge for you Steve 

Blimey Mark, both of those are completely bonkers! Certainly very tempting though, with the former making for a great airborne/sea borne invasion scenario .