Geezer

Outstanding!

Thanks, I'll contact DreamK and ask. I've not found documentation that says the CAF used the Dragon Rapide, but so many different types of aircraft were used in China that it is possible a few were present, possibly as commercial aircraft. There were even a few Heinkel 111s used in China! For a list of operational CAF aircraft, go to http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1937.htm and scroll down to the bottom.

Things get really confusing when researching the Northrop Gamma 2E, which appears to have carried several different types of bomb racks to accommodate bombs of different sizes and types. Several references describe a strike on the Japanese cruiser Izumo, anchored off Shanghai, with 1,000 lb bombs that missed and hit downtown Shanghai instead. Shots below show the 2E could also carry large numbers of small 116 lb bombs.

To avoid wasting time re-inventing the wheel, though I'd ask if anybody in the WW2 threads knows anything about 1930s bombs. Research has revealed the Chinese Air Force in 1937-38 used several different families of aircraft bombs. In the days before universal bomb racks, what type of bomb rack specified in the purchase contract determined what family of bombs also had to be purchased. Aircraft purchased from US manufacturers in the early-/mid-30s used racks designed to carry bombs developed late in WW1, and used through the 1930s. At some point in the 1930s, the US introduced the family of bombs used during WW2 that most enthusiasts are familiar with. Photos clearly show aircraft purchased from the US in the mid-1930s had racks that could mount the later family of US bombs. To further muddy the waters, China obtained military aid from the Soviet Union beginning in 1937, so 1930s Soviet bombs are also part of the equation.

Thanks. Still have to map it, make skins, plus LODs. Once those are done, using your files will enable me to release it much sooner than otherwise. Winter is starting to set in, so I will soon have more time to work on the China aircraft. I'm also considering the addition of two Japanese army aircraft to the pile of stuff to be done. The pile of stuff to do includes the Mitsubishi A5M2 - the early version of the Claude used in 1937-1938. It had a number of problems - bad pilot visibility was one of them - and was redesigned to eventually become the A5M4 that most enthusiasts are familiar with.

Two more shots. Round engines forever!

Nearly finished detailing the 281. Wrench has very graciously given me permission to use his Chinese P-26 files, so this one shouldn't take long to release. Warm up your white scarf!

Another shot of the sight installation.

Got the Boeing 281 airframe done, and have been working on details. While examining photos, I realized most sim models of the P-26/Model 281 got the gunsight wrong. Its usually modeled as a telescopic sight, but photos clearly show it was a kind of sight radius rod - a hollow tube capped with inserts at both ends. Those of you who know how to shoot will recognize what looks like iron sights - similar to a rifle - with windage and elevation adjustments. One of the shots below shows a similar installation on a wrecked Hawk III.

I don't take credit for the Bf109B - guess I should have made that clearer. It is an outstanding model by Monty CZ, found in the SF downloads.

Took a break from mapping, and resumed work on a series of 1930s pilots. Shots below show test drive of Luftwaffe pilot with oxy mask - there will also be one without oxy mask.