SEA > TYPE IX
Fa330 gyro kite (Uboat IXD/IXD2)
GlennCauley:
Hi all,
It's been a very long time since I posted here, and my current project is Uboat-related.
I am building a 1/16 version of a Focke-Achgelis Fa330 Bachstelze, which was carried by a few IXD or IXD2 boats.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mncMnFbuBSzKfTQN7
With me being me, I want to make a nice base, ideally a section of deck with a launch platform.
I found a period video of Fa330 assembly and launch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NtI-KS45xk
It is difficult to piece together what goes where on the deck.
Then I found a 3D rendering that is supposedly an IXD2 deck, with what looks like a launch platform -- see attached pic.
I also found boxart of a 1:400 uboat with Fa330 showing a much simpler tower configuration -- see other pic.
Does anyone have actual pictures or references of what an IXD/IXD2 tower with Fa330 launch platform looks like?
I do not know if the 3D rendered image is based in reality, or if the model kit boxart is more realistic.
Any help is appreciated!
Glenn Cauley
Canada
SG:
Hi Glenn, welcome back!
There's a very nice video which is available on youtube showing the FA330 being assembled and launched from a U-boat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NtI-KS45xk.
If the link doesnt work just look for: " Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 Bachstelze deployed from a U-boat (c1942) " on youtube. I sense you're already familiar with this video.
Analyzing the footage at 0.56, 1:29 and 2:05 mins, it looks like the platform was secured to the after watertight containers on the wintergarden deck, they were part of 3 dedicated (2 vertical and 1 fore horizontal) containers for the Fa330 on the after top wintergarden deck. The AA MGs are dismounted. The Fa-330 is secured to the platform with two lateral lines plus a wiring securing the flying gyro to the U-boat and possibly providing telephone or radio connection. The platform itself looks to be made of a rectangular metal frame encasing fenestrated planking. It looks different from the other platforms mounted onto Turm 0's appearing in the few pictures available on the net.
In these pics the platform looks very basic with 4 tubular pillars extending from the after portion of the top wintergarden railing. Will hunt for pictures showing the actual platform (was it wooden planked or planked and covered with metal netting just like the platform showed in the top picture in the following page https://panssarivaunut.blogspot.com/2018/02/focke-achgelis-fa-330-wagtail.html, i don't know). I'll search for more pics.
I hypotize there were different styles of the gyro platform. The pics probably show the experimental platforms, they are mounted on a training U-boat, likely in a fixed position. The platform in the video looks like it could be removed and assembled in case the gyro help was needed. It'd make sense.
It's a great project, am sure you'll execute it with your inimitable, excellent style. Am looking forward to see the WIP pics, let us know.
Cheers,
SG
addendum: Glenn, i have just noticed that you had already seen the video. I had read your post too hurriedly and missed that. Apologies
GlennCauley:
Thanks so much, SG ;D
Every bit helps, especially clear pics of the platform.
Some other questions about dimensions:
1. What is the approximate diameter of the wintergarten circular top railing?
2. What might be the diameter of the top rail?
3. What might be the diameter of the vertical stanchion rails?
Why am I asking?
I want to replicate a section of the wintergarten railing and attach a launch platform to it.
SG:
Hi Glenn,
knowing that U852 was equipped with the gyro helped me to find pictures of that boat and i was kinda lucky: the pics show what the top aft end of the boat upper wintergarden looked like. The gyro pad and the 3 watertight containers for the Fa330 can be identified. Does the second (boat commissioning) pic show (?) a folded gyro platform at the after edge of the upper wintergarden? Am not sure it can be it, but looks very similar to the platform seen in the video at 0:55 and 1:27.
https://u.cubeupload.com/SGm/U852wreck.jpg
https://u.cubeupload.com/SGm/U852.jpg
Looking among the pics of batch U 847-U 852 I found a closeup of U848 under attack clearly showing the platform:
https://u.cubeupload.com/SGm/U848underattack.jpg
We can therefore assume that the boats from that batch were equipped with the Fa330. The gyro platform (-addendum: by gyro platform i mean the launch pad-) dimensions and rectangular shape match with the pad seen in the video and looks smaller than the other launch pads seen in the pictures showing the Turm 0 type IXs. The pictured operative boats sport the mounted AA guns coexisting with the gyro platform, differently from the video. It's probably like that the guns were dismounted when the Fa330 was in use, to make room on the crowded wintergarden. You would probably want to consider this aspect in your build. My advice is to try and hunt for pictures of boats belonging to the batch U847-U852. Am not sure whether batch 853-858 was equipped with the gyro/sported the platform or not. The pics of those boats i have don't show that part of the tower. I wasnt lucky with the U 177-U 182 series either, but i'll keep up my pic hunt. Will go through all the issues of Uboot im focus i have, am afraid it will take time.
I dont know if you can download the pics i posted from cubeupload, in case you can't I'd send them via email. I am sending you a private message for some measures of the Italeri Maiale.
Cheers,
SG
GlennCauley:
In looking at the pics (thank you), I think we are look at two VERY different boats which had Fa330. The boat in your reply above seems to have a much larger upper platform with integrated launch pad on risers.
The video of the Fa330 assembly & launching seems to show a boat with a much smaller upper platform with a 'tacked on' launch pad.
(Per pic below)
It's the tower below that I am wondering about the dimensions of the tower railings... approximate diameter, etc.
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