After an exhaustive search in Google, I’ve found a great site about the Revell of Germany 1/72 He-177A-5… if you want to know how to paint the cockpit details and many other things about finishing this stunning kit, go to http://www.pmf.at/He177A5.html
It’s a nice overall build, with some very ambitious detailing, but I can’t help thinking some of the attention to detail’s a bit lacking. For example, the edges of the cut-away engine bay, and the mold lines still evident on the yellow “I wonder what they do?” boxes on top of the engine. Which leads me to wondering… wasn’t the Greif powered by two engines per nacelle? I’ve just been looking at some pics of the engine nacelle covers, and they pivot along the top centre line of the nacelle, coming up in a gull-wing fashion.
I can’t remember what attracted me to the He 177, but I’m sure I’ve found more reference on it than that site. I was thinking of buying one the other day, before common sense got the better of me, and I realised the state of my current stash!
I think I read somewhere that they suffered badly from mid-air fires - it was in the engine bay, and something to do with the twin engines driving the single prop. I’d like to find out more on the subject, as well as the kit. Must have another go at google this afternoon while I’m off.
Well - that’s somewhat impressive. I’ve been scouting Hannants for bits & pieces, and you can get a wheel well set, engine set and exterior set, plus a vac canopy and a few other bits that would make for a VERY impressive “Griffon”. The exterior set includes dropped flaps and a complete bomb bay, which looks absolutely stunning, just from the drawings on their site. I’m even more tempted now.
I can’t remember the exact lay out but I think that is two engines in that nacelle, with the bottoms of each tilted out ward.
I dunno either, but I’ve really got the bug now… I want one!
The He177 did have 2 engines per nacelle didn’t work to good (liked to catch on fire a lot)I read somewhere that the operational losses were higher due to problems with the plane than to enemy action. I’m personally gonna wait for the 1/48th scale release(If I can afford it)!
Alright, I’ll see if I can elaborate on the engine arrangement:
The He 177 was powered by four in-line engines (I forget exactly how many cylinders each, but think V-12. Or something.) Now, from the front, the cylinder banks look something like this-
V V
The crankshafts are at the bottom points of the Vs. The crankshafts are connected to the prop. Now, each engine in the He 177 was tilted like so:
.I I.
such that the inner cylinder banks were somewhat parallel. The crankshafts (still at the bottom of the tilted Vs, at the periods) were then combined into one:
I.I
Then I’m pretty sure the whole thing was flipped upside down. The problem of fires arose from the fact that each far cylinder bank had it’s own exhause pipe, but the two center banks shared a single large exhause pipe. In a running motor oil tends to liquify and collect at the bottom of the engine- right on top of a superheated exhaust pipe. The rest, as he say, is history.
I’m pretty sure this is mostly correct. I hope I was able to shed a bit of light on this.
A 1/48 He 177 has been released, and there is a review floating around the internet about it. Try a search.
It’s what’s known as a W config engine.
VW and Audi use a similar design on some of their top end designs such as the Pheaton.
The problems with the Geif centered around the common crankcase, which was prone to failure, and oil leaks, either as a result of crank case failure or general wear and tear leading to engine fires.
These problems were pretty much sorted by the time the A5 appeared, and the aircraft was apparently much liked by crews, for its speed and handling characteristics.
As for the Revell kit, I bought one on returning to modelling that now serves as a test hack for paint jobs, but can’t help but think I really ought to do another, especially with the CMK dropped flap set, and a set of Owl decals.
Interesting site, though, I’m with Mike on the attention to detail, however still better than I could manage.
Karl
Probably better than I could manage too though! I’m working on it when my other hobby (mountain biking) and repairs to the house permit.
Those CMK sets look the dog’s don’t they? If I got the lot, the kit would be heading towards £70, without decals, so it would be pretty important that I didn’t screw it up!
Mike I’m not sure I’d chuck all that resin at the one kit, the landing gear would probably collapse!!!
Did you see the Eduard PE set for the He177 as well? That’s a whole lot of PE.
Karl
I hear you don’t use a whole lot of it, though, especially in the cockpit. The kit does a pretty good job of representing that area. It’s a good lookin’ kit, I tell you what.
When I get my kit, though, I might be tempted to get the resin engine detail, just to show off the He 177’s most distiguishing feature. (No, not bursting into flame!)
heh… a nice diorama of a burning crank case!
I tend to go a bit berserk when I get a new kit & get all the updates for it that I can. I then proceed to have terrible difficulty in cramming them all into the fuselage! I’d be very tempted to go the “whole hog” on this one nonetheless though, as it’s a big kit & it would look fantastic with all the additions in place [:D]
Thanks to all for the erudite descriptions of the engine configuration. It certainly explains why they had all those fires. It’s a wonder any of them survived if that’s the case. I can’t imagine many WWII aero-engines NOT leaking some amount of oil and/or fuel. B-24s used to swim in the damn stuff, if references are to be believed![:0]
heh - Just bought the Grief & ALL the CMK updates… watch this space for when she arrives. I’ll do some pics of the resin bits to whet your appetites.
Now… must look into the Eduard PE set… (Gets credit card ready) [:D]