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Baltimore props.


stevehnz

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I've just bought a Frog/Novo Baltimore kit & reading about it on line leads me to believe the props are a bit sub par, so, would some Quickboost B-25 props do the job, I'm thinking so seeings as they were both R-2600 powered & both appear to have HS props but I've not found anything to give me a model or size for the Baltimore?

Steve.

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Apart from the old Profile, the only book I know of that deals specifically with the Baltimore is a Greek publication by Finatec in 1999 called "Baltimore: The Martin A-30 Baltimore Mk.III/IV/V in the Greek Air Force" (only in Greek).  It has some drawings by Mihael Solanakis, which seem to be largely redrawn from tech manuals: according to them (p.10), the diameter of the props is 3.685m, which apparently equates to about 0.1" less than 13' 1".  My initial impression is that they look pointier than B-25 props.

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The complete kit is a bit sub-par, only look at the engines...  I bought some resin Cyclones almost 20 years ago to tart it up when the Frog was the only game in town - and before I found the Solanakis booklet at the AvBookshop (mine had a couple of translation sheets in it). The Solanakis booklet is essential if you can find it. If the drawings in it are half way near reality, the only thing the Frog shares with the original is the name. I'm known for liking old kits and not thrashing on them purely because they're old, but that Baltimore simply deserves it. The Cyclones still gather dust...

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31 minutes ago, Seahawk said:

My initial impression is that they look pointier than B-25 props

I guess I can always adjust the tip profile if need be. I'd rather have bought an Azur/Spec Hobby kit but I've had no luck finding one at a price I'd pay then this appeared locally for not silly money, by the time I add bits & pieces, I probably would have been better off stumping up for one of the more modern kits. :unsure: But hey, where is the challenge in that? :D

Steve.

Edited by stevehnz
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Heres a Hamilton Standard list

http://www.enginehistory.org/Propellers/HamStd/hamstd.shtml

I think you'd be best going for Catalina or Boston props

Resin Catalina props are too 'paddle' shaped, but some Cat kits, eg the Revell one, has the better profile to what you want

 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/QB72006

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According to the USAAF propellers manual I have:

Martin Baltimore all versions (R2600-13 and -29 engine)

prop diameter: 12ft 1in,

blade p/n: 23E50-473-635A-12,

governor p/n: 4G8-G15G/23G

 

exact match were props installed on OA-10 (USAAF version of the Catalina) and on RB-24A (recon version of the Liberator).

Edited by Pameinos
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1 hour ago, Black Knight said:

Heres a Hamilton Standard list

http://www.enginehistory.org/Propellers/HamStd/hamstd.shtml

I think you'd be best going for Catalina or Boston props

Resin Catalina props are too 'paddle' shaped, but some Cat kits, eg the Revell one, has the better profile to what you want

 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/QB72006

The Airfix C-47 kit comes with 2 sets of props, one less paddle-bladed than the other.  Have a look to see whether they would fit the bill.

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There is another book worth looking for:

https://www.scalemates.com/books/book.php?id=111282

Italian-English text, as usual for the Ali d'Italia series.

 

It is also worth having a look at the CMPR web page, that shows pages from an old CMPR Notiziario (Newsletter):

http://www.cmpr.it/baltimore/baltimore.htm

This one is all in Italian, but contains several images that may be of help.

 

Claudio

 

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Thanks @Giorgio N & @dogsbody, those refs will be helpful, the kit arrived yesterday, nicely molded in a light tan plastic, the fuselage halves at least fit well as does the nose transparency, the engine nacelles to the wing on the other hand appears less than stellar, some work here needed & I think some resin engines & props will definitely enhance the beast, they were kinda prominent, as will some scratch building under the clear bits to give some approximations of an interior, in general, I don't see too much to cringe about but that could well change the deeper I dig. :)

Steve.

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19 hours ago, stevehnz said:

Thanks @Giorgio N & @dogsbody, those refs will be helpful, the kit arrived yesterday, nicely molded in a light tan plastic, the fuselage halves at least fit well as does the nose transparency, the engine nacelles to the wing on the other hand appears less than stellar, some work here needed & I think some resin engines & props will definitely enhance the beast, they were kinda prominent, as will some scratch building under the clear bits to give some approximations of an interior, in general, I don't see too much to cringe about but that could well change the deeper I dig. :)

Steve.

In addition to the QB 72006 PBY props mentioned above, QB also makes a set of B-25 HS props, 72010. I think I have both of these   sets and can check to see if the diameter is the same 12' 1" that you need- the blade shapes are very close to what was on the Baltimore and can easily be re-shaped. Either set has nicer hubs than come with the kit props. QB also makes R2600 engines 72030, but I don't think the crankcase shape is correct for any R2600. Hope this helps. I'll try to get into my QB sets this week end and get back to you.

 

I also found an excellent color photo that has a closeup of the prop blade profile and hub- scroll down to see the photo.

 

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/99281-Project-Martin-A-30-Baltimore/page12

 

Mike

Edited by 72modeler
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Looking forward to seeing this one progress.  The canopy seems too shallow and the rake of the windscreen and how it blends into the canopy looks wrong to me.  Is that a real thing and, if so, would it bother you at all?

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I'll be looking to use some Falcon canopies on this, it is supposed to improve this aspect some. Looking at photos of the actual aircraft, they did have a very raked windscreen but perhaps not quite as much as the kit.

Steve.

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