"Are you sure this is a GOOD idea ?" ( For Rob ) by neiwil

Poser • Aviation • posted on Nov 22, 2012

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Description

Desperate times called for desperate measures. The greatest threat to Britain’s ability to continue the war lay in the Atlantic where the U-Boat attacks on convoys were a cause for serious concern throughout 1941. Some means had to be found to combat the long range German Condor aircraft that were used to locate convoys and call in U-Boats, as well as undertaking bombing themselves. Catapult Armed Merchant ships were introduced in the spring of 1941. These were fitted with a launch rail from which Hurricats – catapult launched Hurricanes -could be given a rocket assisted take off whilst in mid ocean. Apart the hazards inherent in such a procedure there was the problem of recovering the pilot after he completed his task of defending the convoy. There was no way of recovering the aircraft to these merchant ships – these were single use planes. The pilot was expected to ditch in the sea and hope to be picked up by one of the convoy escorts. On the 3rd August 1941 Flight Lieutenant Everett from No. 804 Squadron launched from HMS Maplin and shot down the first German aircraft by this method. He ditched in the sea and just managed to escape from his aircraft as it sank immediately – and was picked up by a destroyer. I do like to make life 'easy'...I did the 'Hurricat' texture for my Hurricane, and then thought 'it would look good on a catapult'...so I built one...and it didn't! I couldn't get an angle I liked without a ship in view...so I built a ship, well, sort of, what you see in the image is all there is of it.I may add some more 'bits and bobs' (then again I may not) This is a Get Well card for Rob, sorry to hear you're under the weather mate, look after yourself and get well soon.. Thanks to Anthony Appleyard who's 'man in a boilersuit' dons his 'souwester' to crew the ship. Huge thanks to Tryphon who's excellent RAF gear goes into action again...

Comments (15)

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kjer_99

2:44PM | Thu, 22 November 2012

I have heard about this, but never thought it was a particularly good idea. But then, desperate times bring desperate measures. Excellent portrayal. Actually, a model of an armed merchant ship sounds like an excellent idea--for what it's worth. Not many models of them out there in CG Land and our destroyer models have to have something to do. Seriously consider it. Please.

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android65mar

3:26PM | Thu, 22 November 2012

Fantastic render, some steel you must have to get catapulted on of those things!

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Maxidyne

4:26PM | Thu, 22 November 2012

I have never seen Huricanes used like this before so it's a new one on me. They really must have been desperate times and hats off to pilots like Flight Lieutenant Everett for their bravery. Shocking to think they had to trust their survival to chance of being spotted and picked up. Well done on the image mate and all the model making!

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flavia49

4:27PM | Thu, 22 November 2012

stunning work

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jac204

4:30PM | Thu, 22 November 2012

As always, great recreation of war history.

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steelrazer

5:11PM | Thu, 22 November 2012

Totally cool, Neil! Terrific stormy seas and the ship is serviceable for sure...and yeah, I definitely would be questioning the reasonableness of this venture.

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UVDan

12:54AM | Fri, 23 November 2012

Superb! I love that angry water!

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debbielove

9:32AM | Fri, 23 November 2012

Thanks mate! Love it, and knowing you, more 'bits' will be added! lol These were some of the unsung heroes of the war,, For a short time the 'Condors' sunk more even than the U-boats! Surprised huh? I was.. The options open to the Hurricat pilot was either the one you mentioned, OR fly (or try) to the nearest land point! Canada, Newfoundland, or Ireland.. Iceland maybe.. Not really much fun either way! Thanks again mate.. Throats better but still feeling like a cow pat! lol Rob :-)

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BardCoennius

10:41PM | Fri, 23 November 2012

I get cold just looking at this.

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Briney

10:53PM | Fri, 23 November 2012

I can hear the intercom on the Condor now... "Alaarrm!! Jager! Jager!" and everyone bumping about like idiots... Big surprise that would be! They even put floats on a Spitfire once...??? Sacrilege!

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