Linke-Hofman R II possible scratch build 1/48

Rowan Broadbent · 9 December 2005, 05:27 AM

I have been toying with the idea of having a go at this.

For those who are none the wiser, the RII was a "Giant" designed around a scaled up (and I do mean up!) standard two seater configuration. giving a machine with a single 22' 7.5" prop driven by four Mercedes D IVa engines geared together in a nose engine room. Wing span was 138' 4" and length 66'8" - 34.6" and 16.6" in 1/48 scale.

The only info I have is in Haddow and Grosz's wonderful book. I doubt that there is a better reference, but does anyone know of any articles in Magazines?

Whilst the size is a bit daunting, the construction should be fairly simple (!!?) as the fuselage was a box cross section and the engines are all buried in the nose. Does anyone know if this has been attempted before?

Rowan

Rowan Broadbent · 10 December 2005, 04:13 AM

Ah well - I shall have to plough a lonely furrow and surprise the world in a couple of years time (at least!).

It did occur that if others were interested in having a go at this one then pooled resources might be useful for preparing the plans, gathering data, sharing vacformed bits for the nose area in particular (if one is going to do one, you might as well do three or four) and possibly even sharing the cost of some bespoke photo etch (for the wheels and suspension in particular) and maybe getting Mr Digmyer (sp?) to run off a batch of massive propellors!

I've never heard of a cooperative scratch build along these lines but with the wonders of the worldwidewibblywobblyweb it could be quite easy to coordinate? and would provide a ready-made support network to maintain flagging enthusiasm!

Rowan

PeterL · 10 December 2005, 04:25 AM

I recall a Windsock article and drawing very much in line with your description. It is difficult to imagine there being another of similar configuration.

joegertler · 10 December 2005, 07:43 AM

Hello Rowan. I might have one small additional bit to add. As you mention, the drawings in "The German Giants" are quite good. as are all the specifications and measurements. You will note that the first drawing in that set shows details of the engine installation and pilot's seat. In the book, they cut off the rest of that drawing and did not show it. (at least in MY edition). That drawing comes from an old German publication and was part of a 16 1/2 long foldout drawing. (and there are indications the drawing may have had yet another foldout to make it even longer. Some of the Dwgs from "Der Motorwagen were over three feet long)Typical of the types of foldouts that were in "der Motorwagen" but I don't know for sure. The rest of the drawing showed cross-views at various fuselage stations. I will attach an image of that below. Additionally, the page with the main set of drawings (Front, Top, side, & stations is in my collection of German aero historian Otto Kruger's archives) in a large folded plate of these same drawings in blue-line on cream colored paper in large size of 15 x 21 1/2 inches. Here is the part of fold-out drawings that were left out in My edition of "The German Giants." Not much help-but another piece of the puzzle for you...

Rowan Broadbent · 10 December 2005, 09:42 AM

I noticed, of course, that the first drawing was cut off just past the cockpit but I assumed (ah, that word again!) that that was the drawings full extent.

The drawing you attached is pure gold for the project and the fold out you mention could really get things moving. Is there any chance of a copy? I do not have bottomless pockets, but would be willing to pay a "reasonable" sum for one.

Does anyone out there have the earlier edition of the giants book with the larger drawing? I could be willing to exchange for my later copy plus a sweetener of some sort (how would a battered Harleyford book on von Richthofen do, for instance?), or maybe they could let me have a decent copy of the plan in exchange for something else of interest?

Thanks for your post, Joe, looking forward to hearing more?

Rowan

joegertler · 10 December 2005, 10:20 AM

Rowan. I would be happy to send you high res scans of the larger dwgs, You can make them any size you want with sharp image. You could take the scans and have them printed out large size. I find that one of the best (and very affordable) places to do this is to find out what shop is printing out large blueprints for home plans, to make copies for architects & builders. Most large copies they print out-from a good digital scan-run from 3-$10 each.
PM me your regular email address. Make sure your email can handle large files. I think a couple of these are in tif files (so you can convert them to any form or size you want) that are fairly large..

Rowan Broadbent · 10 December 2005, 10:28 AM

PM on the way!

Rowan