Orlik "So 344" 1/33

[eatcrow2]

Orlik "So 344" 1/33...

History... Although originally designed as a parasite escort fighter, engineer Heinz Sombold altered the design in January 1944 to a "bomber box buster". Usually, American heavy bombers flew in a tight combat box formation, to give better defensive fire capabilities. The Sombold 344 had an ejectable explosive nose section (filled with 500 kg (1100 lbs) of explosives), which was fitted with stabilizing fins and a proximity fuse. The detachable nose section was to be released into the bomber box formation, thus doing maximum damage to as many bombers as possible. The So 344 was carried to combat by a specially converted bomber, then it was released to fly on its own, powered by a single Walter 509 rocket engine. After the attack, enough rocket engine propellent was retained to escape and land on the built-in landing skid. Armament consisted of two MG machine guns in the attack version, and two MG machine guns and one MK cannon for the fighter version. A 1/5 scale model for aerodynamic tests existed when the works where the So 344 was being produced was abandoned in early 1945.

Description..
7 pages of diagrams.... 8 pages of parts.. written instructions in Polish, with English instruction on the Orlik web site in a few weeks time..

Designer...
Bartlomiej Kolek

My impression of the kit...
Like the other Orlik kits I have, the graphics are first rate. The diagrams alone I think would be enough, even if you did not have the instructions.. As it always seems as if never pay attention to the instructions anyway, for me they would probably be ignored..

What I was surprised of, and really think is cool.. is the fact that you really have 4 really detailed models in one. The plane.. the carriage/trolly for the plane to sit on... small tractor for towing.. fuel trolly with fuel bladders and equipment. Should build up into a nice diorama if one wanted to display this in a number of different ways.

Over all, I think this is a great kit.. and should be an interesting build if I ever tackle it. Received my copy from the Papermodel Store.

[eatcrow2]

Here are the diagrams....

[eatcrow2]

Here are the parts........

[Johnny]

Strange aircraft!!
I'm looking forward to follow your build Peter!!

[Gil]

Hi Peter,

Reminds me of something out of DC Comics back in the 1950's. "Sacre Bleu, the Bosch is throwing a secret weapon at us!" All in all, a nice selection and finding ground handling equipment as part of the kit is surprising. I'll be following this build with pleasure...,

Best regards,
+Gil

[dansls1]

Very strange plane indeed - this should be fun to watch

[boosed]

A very unusual aircraft. Not my particular dish of tea, but I'm glad Orlik is making such a unique creation available and I will certainly enjoy watching you build it.

Don

[eatcrow2]

It will be awhile before I start this........ I want to start on the "Ansaldo A.1 Balilla" first as the next aircraft build....

[boosed]

I must admit that the Balilla is of greater interest to me, but I still look forward to the So 344 (which looks like something from a Smilin' Jack or Flying Aces adventure). Don