WNW BARNSTORMER

[krow113]

I propose to ask members here:

What WNW kit they think would be a good one to make a period barnstormer out of ?

 I think the Bristol Fighter would be a good start , I've also already built it , the late version would be preferable:

 I have also been waiting for a Curtis Jenny from WNW as it seems a 'natural' for them as well as this proposed work.

Images to get the ball rolling:

Imagine the colors:

In flight displays would become incredible!:

This chick transferred planes in mid-flight!:

Tennis anyone!?

Anyway an idea I wanted to get down on paper so to speak.

Not a lot of the WNW kits will qualify , but it would give an opportunity for a unique model and cool display.

 

[Jeff]

Steve, first off your Brisfit is a beauty..... yeah too bad they don't make a Jenny or Canuck..... but as a what if thing, then I'd say the Brisfit for sure, and didn't some guys actually use the SE5A after  the war to fool around with a bit?  I totally agree it would be a cool subject matter and a really cool display idea...... got for it man....

[krow113]

Thanks Jeff

 

[krow113]

Yes , this will do nicely:

There even a Canadian connection as some of these came to Canada and many were still in service into the '30's.

[Clunkmeister]

Well, myself, if I were going to do a barnstormer from the 20's, I would choose a 2 seater, because in North America at least, Barnstormers would buzz the local towns, many of which had residents who had never seen an airplane in the flesh before, and then set down in a field and sell rides, followed by an "airshow" full of stunts and 'death defying' feats.

In North America, my choices would be:

1. JN-4, either the Jenny or the Canuck, both of which were widely used all over North America. Some even had a Hisso installed in place of the Curtiss V8.

2. DH-4, an barnstormer's second choice.

3. DH-9a, another barnstormer's staple.

The DH-4 and 9a were still very much in use by Government Agencies however, although they could be bought surplus, they were a step way, way beyond a Curtiss JN-4, which for quite a few years could be had brand new still in their factory crates for very little money.

The DH-4 in particular played huge in the development of the airmail system, and to a slightly lesser extent, so did the Ninak.  The Brisfit was around on this side of the pond, but my research shows it to be much less commonly used, at least in the US. There were more on a percentage basis in Canada, though.  Most likely strictly due to the DH-4 and Ninak being heavily used by the US Military. Whatever was commonly available locally in surplus sales is what you'd see.

If/When WNW gives us a DH-4, I think the floodgates will open. Barnstormers, early cabin conversions, mailplane conversions, etc.

If you want to go all Continental, it seems like the LVG C type two seaters were used as mailplanes and even the odd cabin airliner conversion.

[krow113]

Yes to the Jenny , that would be my first choice.

The Biff is just so nice looking and is a 2 seater.

Perusing the kit last night and I started eliminating the armament

A decent Canadian subject will be nice , most likely fictitious , should be fun.

[Jeff]

1 hour ago, Clunkmeister said:

Well, myself, if I were going to do a barnstormer from the 20's, I would choose a 2 seater, because in North America at least, Barnstormers would buzz the local towns, many of which had residents who had never seen an airplane in the flesh before, and then set down in a field and sell rides, followed by an "airshow" full of stunts and 'death defying' feats.

In North America, my choices would be:

1. JN-4, either the Jenny or the Canuck, both of which were widely used all over North America. Some even had a Hisso installed in place of the Curtiss V8.

2. DH-4, an barnstormer's second choice.

3. DH-9a, another barnstormer's staple.

The DH-4 and 9a were still very much in use by Government Agencies however, although they could be bought surplus, they were a step way, way beyond a Curtiss JN-4, which for quite a few years could be had brand new still in their factory crates for very little money.

The DH-4 in particular played huge in the development of the airmail system, and to a slightly lesser extent, so did the Ninak.  The Brisfit was around on this side of the pond, but my research shows it to be much less commonly used, at least in the US. There were more on a percentage basis in Canada, though.  Most likely strictly due to the DH-4 and Ninak being heavily used by the US Military. Whatever was commonly available locally in surplus sales is what you'd see.

If/When WNW gives us a DH-4, I think the floodgates will open. Barnstormers, early cabin conversions, mailplane conversions, etc.

If you want to go all Continental, it seems like the LVG C type two seaters were used as mailplanes and even the odd cabin airliner conversion.

Didn't Carl Ben Eileson barn storm in the lower 48 with a DH 4 prior to him going to Alaska? I seem to remember reading about him as a young boy in elementary school..... I think the book was called Alaska Bush Pilot................ and I saw some of his relics in the air museum in Fairbanks a few years ago................that was really cool....

[harv]

Speaking of Jenny,s, at the Spingfield airport dropping of Bev. They have this in the lobby.......harv

 

 

[Clunkmeister]

There’s an original/restored JN-4 Canuck that hits some of the local shows around here. It’s something else to see that old crate chug around. It sounds like a Model T Ford and always looks like it’s barely flying.

[GazzaS]

Didn't Ernst Udet have his own aviation company that built a few planes.  Bet we get one of those before we get a Jenny.

 

Jus' Sayin'

 

Gaz

[Clunkmeister]

You’re probably right, Gaz. WNW has openly stated that we won’t be getting a Jenny.  

And if you think about it, it’s understandable in some ways; basically a US and Canadian trainer, little to no actual combat record, and it’s a literal maze of rigging wires. People today complain about the rigging on an Albatros D.Va, and other than to us select few, the Jenny would probably sell in the several 10s of kits. 

Who knows, maybe CSM? They finally took the bull by the horns with a Nieuport 17, and what a sweet kit that is. Lukgraph would be another possibility. I LOVE their choice of subjects.

We’d see a cabin conversion LVG C series before we see a Jenny, unfortunately.