Post War, Sept 51 SA-16A Albatross

[grwebster]

This is a not-often-seen, black postwar Cruver ID labeled as USAF Search and Rescue, SA 16A, Sept 51, Property of U.S. Government.





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[richardstarr]

This is certainly the most interesting and impressive GRUMMAN flying boat.
You have the most remarkable BLACK ID Model collection. Absolutely fantastic.
I never cease to be amazed at your next collection of aircraft on display.

I forgot that I have several BLACK ID models: Heinkel 100 German fighter, Mitsubishi
Pete Japan seaplane, and North American Aviation B45 TORNADO. The NAA TORNADO is
quite large. All three are in 72nd scale.
Regards, Richard

[ALetner]

Spectacular! !! I could spend days just ogling your collection! Have you ever considered adopting a son? I am available.

[grwebster]

Richard, one of the big collecting errors I commited early on was a strict focus on WW2 IDs, disregarding post war issues until I realized my stupidity. I passed on many early opportunities {Harris must have sold them on to Bryan so they found the best home in the end.}

Guys, There is something amiss in the above photos- just wanted to see if some one would catch it.

No one has so far. Look again.

[richardstarr]

I guess the fact that the Japan Kawanishi Mavis flying boat ID is in
the picture, and that the label says POST WAR.
Perhaps this is the clue.
GR, you got one SUPER DUPER collection. Thanks for the pictures.
I have only the MONOGRAM ALBATROSS, and HASEGAWA MAVIS.
You got some GREAT PLANES.
Richard

[grwebster]

good guess but, no, it is not about wartime or postwar.

[BWBrown]

Well, I don't see anything anomalous about the SA-16, but one could argue that the strange built-up kit model hanging above it is out of place. Sherlock Holmes I'm not, so I guess you're gonna have to tell us, GR!

-- Bryan

[grwebster]

"the strange built-up kit model hanging above it "?

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK



This, of course, is a Martin M-130 China Clipper pressed into service in WW2, as was the Being 314 Clipper. Alas, neither was the subject of an ID model. BUT, it is not a kit painted black but a solid, very close reproduction of what a M-130 would have looked like in ID form.

Here is the story, when I noticed that my Kawanishi Mavis {restored 20 some odd years ago by Doug Emmons and featured in TPN} started to melt again, I was saddened to lose a rare item.

But while reading the interesting thread started with a post by Edward Papazian about his ID collection and helping Classic Aircraft make molds
see
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=650

I got to thinking that perhaps they could make me a complete and finished ID model of the Mavis which they normally sell fully painted as a desk Model. I contacted Charles Fleming contactus@aircraftmodels.com and asked if he wanted to do it.
Here is the result.The master mold was made from an original Cruver ID model of the Mavis so this model is as close to the real one as you could get.



Then I inquired about their desk model of the Martin M-130 and asked him to make one up as an ID model, not a desk model. Very nicely done. BTW he is doing the Boeing Clipper as an ID too.

[grwebster]

I should add that Byran Brown has graciously made quite a few beautiful replacement parts for some of my ID models: tails for the York, wings for the Coronado and PBY Catalina, etc... which always go bad eventually, but he doesn't do a fuselage for the Mavis. The wing I have from the melting one was restored by Doug using metal struts and is not melting, just no fuselage for it. Perhaps I should ask Charles to make just the fuselage? I should do that.

[BWBrown]

The military did make a true recognition training model of the Boeing 314. It was part of the "schoolboy" wood program of 1942. Here are some pictures of mine. Since the plans and templates still exist, it would be possible to make your own modern example. -- Bryan

And here it is compared to the BV-222. The Boeing 314 was a BIG plane!