Burnelli UB-20 1934 'Flying wing airliner' 1/48 scale

[Wyvern]

Can't wait for this one!

Wyvern

[billy.leliveld]

I just love it, I was always interested in the Burnelli planes, when it comes out I'll surely buy/ build it...

[whulsey]

Most of have been late 34 when the promotional stunt was done since that's a 35 Ford. Anyway a really interesting looking aircraft.

[papermodelfan]

The museum at Windsor Locks, CT had a number of interesting planes that got wrecked when a tornado came through in 1979. This may be a bit of tornado damage. Per Wikipedia, they have begun restoring it now (in 2011) and plan to bring it back completely - another great subject for a model. I have some old AeroDigests from early 1930.s with pics and 34 views of other Burnelli's, earlier than the UB-20. Here is a pic of the Loadmaster in better days.

[contourcreative]

Over the years I've noticed a growing appreciation of the lack of many 'Golden Age' subjects in any kit media form. The Wings of Peace forum was very supportive in our projects and our relationship with members there has continued to be a great help. Our sincere hope is that the Aviation's 'Golden Age' in a real 3D sense will be more accessible and represented.

Thank you for the images and the encouragement. It really does make a difference. Any further pictures of the UB 20, other than those on offer on the Internet are gratefully received. You can never have enough pictures for these!

In many ways this model is indebted to an anonymous French aviation enthusiast of the C1920's - 1940's and whose careful collection of period clippings of the Burnelli species yielded a poor quality, but useable image of the upper surfaces of the UB 20.

If you have wondered if there was any beauty within this radical design it is far more evident in this view. I have attached the tail booms and tail. (No work on the engine nacelles and underwing struts as yet).

This is one of those aircraft that is very difficult to 'see' in photographs and I was surprised at the attractive organic quality of the UB 20 from that angle. A dragonfly aspect to the design. Certainly not what you would expect from ground level.

[Don Boose]

It is a surprisingly good-looking aircraft at that angle.

Don

[contourcreative]

Originally Posted by Don Boose

It is a surprisingly good-looking aircraft at that angle.

Don

Yes. I was really surprised..my daughter thinks it looks like a fish..I think the most exciting thing about designing models is these little discoveries..Speaks volumes of the dominance of photography from the ground...

[Don Boose]

It is one of the advantages of paper modeling. You really learn a lot about the mechanism (airplane, ship, vehicle, or machine) that you are modeling. I find that this is true even when I am reading the build narratives and seeing the images of others as they build the model.

And it DOES look like a fish.

Don

[gomidefilho]

I Cant' wait for release...

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by papermodelfan

The museum at Windsor Locks, CT had a number of interesting planes that got wrecked when a tornado came through in 1979. This may be a bit of tornado damage. ]

I went thru that Tornado. I lived about 2 miles from the museum when it got wacked. The aircraft were tossed like toys. Most were damaged severely.



If you go to Google maps and click on the satellite view or Google earth, you can see this aircraft is parked outside.
coordinates here:
41.94813,-72.692607

New England Air Museum
Bradley International Airport
36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
USA


Isaac