1/72 DFS Kranich - Jet/Recon/Transport GB

[A4K]

User name: A4K
Name: Evan
Category: 2, Intermediate

Subject: DFS Kranich (Crane) II, unknown unit, Russian front.

Kit: AZ Model
Scale: 1/72
Accessories: TBD, limited modification/ scratchbuilding.

A slightly unusual entry, but that's the appeal of it. According to 'The World's Vintage Sailplanes 1908-45' by Martin Simons, some DFS Kranich gliders 'had their rear cockpit gutted to make room for a cargo of ammunition or tank fuel. It is reported that some Kranichs prepared in this way were used to bring supplies to the beleaguered troops on the Eastern Front'

If anyone has any details on the layout or technique of securing such loads, I would appreciate it, also the extent to which the rear cockpit was gutted (all flight controls?)

Cheers!
Evan

 

[Wurger]

Very interesting subject Evan.

 

[A4K]

Dzieki Wojtku, for the comment and stickying the thread!

 

[Wurger]

You'r welcome and no problemo Pal.

 

[meatloaf109]

Very unusual, great choice!

 

[Wayne Little]

Another unusual subject...look forward to it..

 

[ccheese]

Hmmm.... A glider ! Interesting !

Charles

 

[T Bolt]

That is an unusual one Evan. Will be interesting.

 

[Rogi]

What a nice glider excellent choice

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Not seen this one before. Good choice Even.

 

[rochie]

good stuff Evan, like it !

 

[A4K]

Thanks guys!

Most parts are off the sprues, being cleaned up. First pics up soon.

 

[woody]

Cool choice Evan.

 

[tigerdriver]

very interesting, a new one on me i confess

 

[A4K]

Cheers guys!

Since found this on the net:

'At least on one occasion, probably some time in 1941, Kranichs were used to transport petrol to surrounded Panzers in Russia. The tanks did have some fuel, but needed more to break out. The load, 500 lb (50gal) was carried in the rear seat position. The towplanes were JU 87B Stukas. The towing speed was about 100mph. The Kranichs released some distance from the tanks. The Stukas went on to attack the enemy. The Kranichs approached silently to land in a marked field beside a wood in which the tanks were hidden. The tank crews then refuelled their tanks and demolished the Kranichs with explosives. The Kranich pilots escaped on foot. Eighty Kranichs were prepared for possible use in the planned invasion of Britain.'

I presume the fuel would have been transported in jerry cans. At 20L per can, 50 gallons works out to approx. 9.5 jerry cans - playing around with measurements to find the most practical method of stowing 9 jerry cans in such a confined space (taking into account practicality of loading/unloading quickly)

The limited Cockpit info is annoyingly conflicting, all sources varying. Trying to nut out the most accurate version.

First pic:
Injected parts being cleaned up. (Quite hard plastic, not as easy to sand as most kits)

 

[Airframes]

Good one Evan, should make an attractive, and 'out of the ordinary' model.

 

[A4K]

Cheers Terry!

I reckon we need a 'glider/ trainer/ station hack' build some time to give these types a look in...

 

[Wayne Little]

sounds good to me!

 

[A4K]

Cheers Wayne!
If others are interested too, I'll post the idea in the next round of subject suggestions. Alot of great types there that don't fit the build categories...

 

[Wurger]