Sombold So 344 Orlik 1:33 scale

[OSTOJA]

SOMBOLD SO-344 - very unusual and interesting design. Good luck.

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by OSTOJA

SOMBOLD SO-344 - very unusual and interesting design. Good luck.

Yes, it is an unusual concept. I tend to build less known aircraft and aircraft concepts.


Thanks


Isaac

[Isaac]

This concept aircraft carried an in flight separable nose warhead. Not sure how exactly you would separate in high speed flight ( internal rocket motor with explosive bolt? ), but for the build purpose, it fits on the aircraft nose.

The part is a an ellipsoid cross section when you look at it from the side. It comes with 4 fins that were presumably movable and allowed for some steering? Not sure who or how would have steered this projectile?

Anyhow, the build is simple.

Here are the pics



Only suggestion is to use pins as locators for the internal frames that will support the fin pins.




I do not see the design staying in place when attached to the aircraft nose, but will probably add some retaining pins later on.






The kit comes with the shark mouth look, or you may select the plain nose. Either way, remember this is only a concept and was never built.


Enjoying this build


Isaac

[Isaac]

This aircraft has a stubby nose that fits inside the detachable war head. Same type of construction. It will fit to the fuselage later on.

There are two options that transition to the fuselage. Honestly, I do not see the difference in form or function. I kept it simple and got a good fit.












Isaac

[Isaac]

Simple and straight forward.

Here are the parts so far.






Isaac

[Isaac]

There are few parts in this stubby plane. The most important thing is to allign the wing supporting internal frames with the skin cut outs. I simply located the internal frames and then inserted two wood sticks to hold in place. Then glue on the inside. When dry, the sticks are removed.



Once done, add the rest of the sections fore and aft.


I made an error that would be obvious later. I should have inserted the cockpit section as the fuselage narrows as you go aft. So the cockpit will be built in sections and inside components added.



Isaac

[Isaac]

Here are the parts built.







Next is the cockpit


Isaac

[OSTOJA]

SOMBOLD looks more interesting, getting close to the end.

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by OSTOJA

SOMBOLD looks more interesting, getting close to the end.

Actually, building the aircraft is the easy part. The hard part is all the schleppers and ground carts.........


Isaac

[Isaac]

As I noted earlier, I should have built the cockpit first and then slip it into the proper fuselage sections. Since the body narrows toward the end, it had to be slipped thru the front. However, as can be seen, I built the fuselage to the aft section just short of the last one. This way, I had to build the cockpit in pieces and then slip them in place. This however, was easy and probably simpler for me.

I cut the forward cockpit wall, and glued it in place inside. Then, the rest was slipped in from the back the glued in place. The rear wall was not glued at this time.





I built the rudder pedals, but that was a waste of effort. It is impossible to see anything forward of the instrument panel. Probably little of the interior can be seen due to the limited angles to the cockpit interior.




Next I installed the instrument panel and then the side panels and stick. Add the throttle and other levers. I did not add the gun sight at this time as it would be damaged during assembly. It is added later.






The pilot seat is next. Same story here. Very little will be visible. So some of the tiny levers on either side of the seat are a waste of effort as well.





Lots of work in this space.

But, making progress!

Isaac