New WW2 Light Military Aircraft Design Contest

[Paragon]

I might be interested in designing a model or two for this. My initial interest is in the L-19 (or O-1) "Bird-Dog". But because the first production aircraft flew in 1950, I'm not sure if that plane would be eligible. Will it?

Just a little more information about me:

I have a website for my cardmodels, which I design using Photoshop (not 3D software). I try to make them relatively simple, and offer them for free. I currently have over 100 files (some instructions, some variants of models) available for download. If I do enter, I intend to make the model available for free download on my site, and it won't be incredibly detailed.

My website is www.freewebs.com/paragon19/

[RyanShort]

Paragon,

It would be great if you decided to design an L-19, but it would not be eligible for the contest as it has been defined. The WW2 era was specified. I think I should be consistent with my stated rules.

Ryan

[shrike]

Originally Posted by RyanShort

Paragon,

It would be great if you decided to design an L-19, but it would not be eligible for the contest as it has been defined. The WW2 era was specified. I think I should be consistent with my stated rules.

Ryan

Just to split hairs, you specified 1930-1950, not WW2 specifically.

"WW2" could be really vague depending on where you look.
Conventional European SEP39 to MAY45. US DEC41 to AUG45, or Asian JUL37 to SEP45?

Is that designs that were designed during those periods or served during those periods?

[RyanShort]

Originally Posted by shrike

Just to split hairs, you specified 1930-1950, not WW2 specifically.

"WW2" could be really vague depending on where you look.
Conventional European SEP39 to MAY45. US DEC41 to AUG45, or Asian JUL37 to SEP45?

Is that designs that were designed during those periods or served during those periods?

Well, because I wasn't as precise as I should have been, you win. L-19 is ok...

What I really meant was to include markings and variations such as pre-war L-birds such as the J-3 Cubs that served in the Louisiana War Maneuvers, prototypes of WW2 aircraft such as the Fiesler Storch, and aircraft that also served post-war like the L-4 and L-5 variants that served into the Korean conflict. Because of the way I defined the contest, you could also include light civilian aircraft such as Aeroncas that served in the Civil Air Patrol, the UC aircraft, etc... I was trying to make the field broad enough to interest multiple designers.

Honestly, I just hope I have more than 5 entries.

Ryan

[-Jim G]

Ryan,

I won't make all of the criteria, so I can't be a contestant in your contest, but please do let me know if an L-20 model would be of use to you or your L-bird sites.

BTW, my uncle flew as an artillery spotter in an L-4 during the campaign when the US Army crossed the Rhein. He told me that he thought he had the most powerful aircraft in the war. The Germans didn't dare shoot any artillery, or even move, while his little green plane was floating above because he could absolutely destroy them with his battery of artillery. It would take hundreds of B-17s to destroy a target

[RyanShort]

Originally Posted by -Jim G

Ryan,

I won't make all of the criteria, so I can't be a contestant in your contest, but please do let me know if an L-20 model would be of use to you or your L-bird sites.

BTW, my uncle flew as an artillery spotter in an L-4 during the campaign when the US Army crossed the Rhein. He told me that he thought he had the most powerful aircraft in the war. The Germans didn't dare shoot any artillery, or even move, while his little green plane was floating above because he could absolutely destroy them with his battery of artillery. It would take hundreds of B-17s to destroy a target

It would DEFINITELY be useful!
In my opinion, and based on the research I've seen, your uncle was absolutely right. Is he still alive? Did he leave any records or pictures?

Ryan

[-Jim G]

Ryan,

I'll PM you with my e-mail address to discuss the L-20.

Unfortunately, my uncle Ely passed on a couple of years ago, as far as I know he left no written records of his war exploits.

He did tell me a few stories that are worth repeating. One is that the best target that he ever called in was a church yard with five machine gun nests. Even 50 years after the fact he was very angry that instead of getting an artillery barrage on that target, he was ordered to clear the area - that 'his target' was being 'given' to the RAF to destroy with their Typhoons.

[RyanShort]

Bump...

By the way, anyone down San Antonio, TX way on May 10th is invited to this:



Ryan

[Don Boose]

What a great event! I wish I could be there. I've passed the info on to our son, a retired Marine CWO4 aerial navigator who lives in San Antonio and teaches aerial navigation at Randolph Field.

Don Boose
1st Cav Div Aerial Observer, Korea, 1963 (L-19s)
8 solo hours in a Piper J-3, 1959

[RyanShort]

Thanks Don! Hope he can make it out.

Ryan