WI Panic Coastal Patrol Plane?

Welcome back to the principality of Ruralia. The year is 1938 and the panic fighter prototype is performing well during test flights.

Now the Ruralia Coast Guard is asking for a replacement for coastal patrol. They are currently flying a “tired” flock of fabric-covered floatplanes and flying boats.
Ruralia is not big enough to afford a full-fledged naval, so relies on RCG to patrol its rugged coastline. The key word is “rugged!” The coastal mountain range drops abruptly into the sea. Fjords, rocky ridges, islands and reefs dot the coastline. There are only three ports with rail connections to the interior plateau, but dozens of fishing villages dot the coastline. Only the capital city has a concrete runway (1,500 metres long). The other two cities have 1 km grass airstrips. Most of the fishing villages can only be reached by boat or floatplane. Most fishing villages have boat ramps, but large cranes are rare and dock space is cramped. Bonus points if wings fold to “overnight” on cramped fishing wharves.
All the local snow and ice favour monoplanes with the fewest possible exposed wires and struts.
RCG are busy during peacetime, but worry about an increasingly fascist neighbour. RCG missions include: fisheries patrols, customs, immigration, smuggling, search and rescue, etc. Because of the varied missions, RCG boats often carry federal police, customs agents, immigration agents, narcotics agents or nurses. RAF, RCG and RFP are often cross-trained to do each others’ jobs.

You are a mid-level engineer working for the Ruralia Air Force or national aircraft factory. You are limited to engines, weapons, materials and manufacturing techniques available in 1938. Engines are limited to 1,000 horsepower and ideally are interchangeable with other aircraft in the Ruralian Air Force Fleet.
Similarly, RCG needs to out-gun the .303 Lewis LMGs carried by the best smugglers.
RCG and RAF officers often debate whether the new inshore patrol plane should be able to carry a 1,600 pound torpedo?
For example: a Ruralian boat factory recently added Duramolded canoes to its catalogue, while a Ruralian textile mill has recently spun its first spool of Nylon 6 thread.
The only non-historical anomalies are 2018-vintage aerodynamics and engineering knowledge. For example: a magical telephone allows you to consult with retired engineer Burt Rutan.
 
Last edited:
As an amphibian the Walrus is a good choice. Foe offensive capability how about the Swordfish. foe those area where a grass strip is not close enough the use the float plan version out of the fiords and small harbors.
 
Noordyn Norseman is perfect for Ruralian Federal Police patrols in the semi-arid, inland plateau.
The more parts commonality the better.

We wonder if Norseman landing gear stubs would accept Browning .59 caliber HMGs ala. Westland Lysander?

Could float struts be modified to carry a 1,600 pound torpedo?
Could wings fold to “overnight” on cramped fishing wharves?
 
Last edited:
———————————————————————————————-

The OP contemplated Supermarine’s venerable Walrus (1934) flying-boat, but decided that all its struts and strings made it look antiquated.
Then he contemplated its (1,000 hp., Bristol Pegasus-powered) younger brother: Sea Otter (1938). Sea Otter is a more handsome airplane, but still has those antiquated struts and strings.

Then the OP regarded the Seagull (1948), and while it looked “modern”, the Ruralian Treasury declined his suggestion.

So if the Ruralian Coast Guard still wants to buy/licence flying-boats from Vickers-Supermarine, they need a Sea Otter hull and engine surmounted by a monoplane wing vastly simpler than the (1948) Seagull’s. If they simplify folding, the wing may have an exposed strut or two.
 
Last edited:

TruthfulPanda

Gone Fishin'
You are picking a service aircraft on aesthetics ... ?!?
Maybe think about it as quaint in a hardcore oldschool way ...
 
How about an enlarged Grumman Goose? OTL, they had a couple of .30 caliber machine guns, and could carry bombs. (the export patrol version). Make it a little larger, give it bigger engines (two 450 hp seems a little anemic) and you have something that could probably sling a torpedo if need be as well. And they have the advantage of being amphibians.
 
For land based patrol planes how about some second hand B-18s from the US? Good range, easy to fly, good for hunting submarines if the crews are properly trained.
 
Bellanca 77-320 1934

Fabric, wood and steel tube, prime candidate for Duramold conversion
bella77-320.jpg


Some were operated by Columbia.

These were twin R-1820 engine conversions of the earlier Aircruiser that were popular for cargo hauling for decades in Canada after the FAA killed the market for single engine wooden planes in the USA for passenger service
 
Those twins look great for the NEXT Ruralian Air Force requirement: a medium-range patrol bomber.

Douglas B-18 would be doubly attractive if the Ruralian national airplane was bidding on DC-2 or DC-3 airliners at the same time.
 
Last edited:

CalBear

Moderator
Donor
Monthly Donor
Welcome back to the principality of Ruralia. The year is 1938 and the panic fighter prototype is performing well during test flights.

Now the Ruralia Coast Guard is asking for a replacement for coastal patrol. They are currently flying a “tired” flock of fabric-covered floatplanes and flying boats.
Ruralia is not big enough to afford a full-fledged naval, so relies on RCG to patrol its rugged coastline. The key word is “rugged!” The coastal mountain range drops abruptly into the sea. Fjords, rocky ridges, islands and reefs dot the coastline. There are only three ports with rail connections to the interior plateau, but dozens of fishing villages dot the coastline. Only the capital city has a concrete runway (1,500 metres long). The other two cities have 1 km grass airstrips. Most of the fishing villages can only be reached by boat or floatplane. Most fishing villages have boat ramps, but large cranes are rare and dock space is cramped. Bonus points if wings fold to “overnight” on cramped fishing wharves.
All the local snow and ice favour monoplanes with the fewest possible exposed wires and struts.
RCG are busy during peacetime, but worry about an increasingly fascist neighbour. RCG missions include: fisheries patrols, customs, immigration, smuggling, search and rescue, etc. Because of the varied missions, RCG boats often carry federal police, customs agents, immigration agents, narcotics agents or nurses. RAF, RCG and RFP are often cross-trained to do each others’ jobs.

You are a mid-level engineer working for the Ruralia Air Force or national aircraft factory. You are limited to engines, weapons, materials and manufacturing techniques available in 1938. Engines are limited to 1,000 horsepower and ideally are interchangeable with other aircraft in the Ruralian Air Force Fleet.
Similarly, RCG needs to out-gun the .303 Lewis LMGs carried by the best smugglers.
RCG and RAF officers often debate whether the new inshore patrol plane should be able to carry a 1,600 pound torpedo?
For example: a Ruralian boat factory recently added Duramolded canoes to its catalogue, while a Ruralian textile mill has recently spun its first spool of Nylon 6 thread.
The only non-historical anomalies are 2018-vintage aerodynamics and engineering knowledge. For example: a magical telephone allows you to consult with retired engineer Burt Rutan.
What fighter is being built? Engine?
 
The Ruralian Air Force ordered Gregor FDM-2 monoplane fighters via Canadian Car and Foundry. OTL engineer Michael Gregor designed it then CCF built the prototype and is assisting the Ruralian national aircraft factory to establish a production line.
The Gregor Monoplane is a development of the Michael Gregor FDB-1 biplane. It’s most unusual feature is the propeller extending from the top lip of the engine cowling. The radial cowling wraps tightly around a Pratt & Whitney R-1820 engine. A scoop under the left side directs fresh air to the oil-cooler, while a similar bump under the right side conceals the nosewheel.
Fuselage cross-section quickly tapers to the Wankel (inflated triangle) of the Messerschmitt 262. The single pilot sits under a bubble canopy.
The cantilever low wing has a Schumann planform with a curved leading edge and straight trailing edge. Aspect ratio is 8 to 1 and ribs are only 12% deep. Drooped outboard leading edges keep ailerons functioning well into the stall. Wide-set main wheels retract inwards to hide in the centre fuselage.
Tail surfaces are also Schumann planform with fabric-covered control surfaces.

The primary armament is a 20 X 110 mm motor-kanon firing through the propeller hub. Secondary armament includes a Browning .50 caliber machine gun in each wing. The two inboard bomb racks are plumbed for drop tanks, while the outer pair of bomb racks can carry light bombs or rockets.
Construction includes: a bit of sheet aluminum
and some steel tubing, but most of the exterior is Duramolded plywood. Control surfaces are still fabric-covered.
 
Last edited:
RCG contemplated Grumman’s Goose but concluded that two small engines was silly.
RCG requirements more closely match an upgraded Grumman Duck ..... more like the post-war Columbia XJl monoplane.
 
Coastal patrol with the ability to use torpedoes? No problem. The amphibian version of this little beauty with the prototype's original 900hp R-1830-64 engines. With a 4000lb bombload it can also serve as a medium bomber so the country gets two roles filled for the price of one.

PBY-XP3Y-1_prototype_NAN7-61.jpg
 
Last edited:
Top