Flying Circus Vol.III - Neglected two-seater field modifications

[Avimimus]

This one is a wishlist thread!

 

Although I also think it is just... interesting that these things existed. Personally, my highest priority would be to see a fixed forward firing gun for the F.E.2, given how frustrating it was to not have one in Rise of Flight... and after that, perhaps the Vickers-Crayford would be interesting (as would the simpler single seater F.E.2b - with the front cockpit faired over and minimal changes).

 

What do you think? I'll post a fighter thread in a bit.

Note: Flying Circus is modelled by Yugra media - Development of Flying Circus reportedly doesn't slow development of WWII projects. So these field mods wouldn't interfere with WWII products lines.

 

F.E.2

 

F.E.2b/d with fixed forward firing gun for the pilot. Some F.E.2b may have been equipped similarly. There are also reports of aircraft with two fixed forward firing guns. A fixed gun would remove a lot of frustration for players flying in the pilot's seat who are currently totally reliant on the quality of the AI gunner:

 

 

F.E.2b single seat field mod. In this case the gunner position is faired over and two fixed forward firing Lewis guns. Note: There were also more extensively modified single-seat versions with redesigned cockpits. Apparently such field modifications were relatively common:

 

 

There were more extensive single-seat conversions (although I personally like the one above - it'd be simpler to model as it could reuse the existing cockpit) and the guns are easy to access. Anyway, I'm including the pictures in the spoiler as it is interesting how many variants of the single-seat conversions existed:

Spoiler

 

F.E.2b with 1.59" Vickers Crayford (40 x 79R) cannon for the gunner. This would be a fully flexible manually reloaded 40mm cannon. This photograph is from 58 squadron in 1918:

 

 

F.E.2b with 37mm "pom pom", in a semi-rigid mounting, in addition to bombs. The photograph is from 100 squadron, 102 squadron also received similar aircraft, while others were issued to home defense squadrons. Used primarily for attacks against trains from March/April 1917 until the end of the war. I suspect this semi-automatic 37mm armed designs might count as a separate variant (given how extensive the changes are), and I doubt enough references survive - but it is still interesting:

 

 

F.E.2d had a new engine and expanded fuel capacity, but was otherwise almost identical to the F.E.2b. This should raise the speed from 147 km/h to 156 km/h (making it almost as fast as an Albatros D.II) and significantly improve the ceiling.

 

 

F.E.2b early undercarriage. This would prevent the carrying of 230lb bombs and also reduce the speed to 141 km/h. The main benefit would be making it easier for the Fokker E.III and Halberstadt D.II to catch.

 

 

R.E.8

 

R.E.8 with fixed oblique downward firing Davis Recoilless rifle loaded by the gunner. This installation was tested in combat and considered successful in spite of aiming issues.
Note: This weapon is similar to the Handley-Page O/400's Davis gun and would reuse existing programming to give us a second, more nimble, aircraft with this weapon. 

 

 

R.E.8 with cassette containing 48 rifle grenades released in sequence using a hand crank (similar concept to PTAB). Note: This was likely a one-off example.
 

Edited April 18, 2023 by Avimimus

[ST_Catchov]

I'm not mad keen on field mods to be honest but will consider them and have voted accordingly. Nice shots of the Fee though and I do look forward to her being released. One can never have enough "pushers". They are the future.

 

I am appalled however that someone has voted as "not interested in WW1"! That someone walks the Earth with that view stunned me initially but now I just feel pity and hope his/her suffering ends soon.

[Avimimus]

I just want a fixed forward firing gun on the F.E.2b/d myself... some of the others would be fun to experiment with... but having a gun for the pilot would be so much less frustrating! I'm sure it'd be a more popular plane if both the pilot and the gunner had a weapon.

 

The Vicker-Crayford 40mm cannon would give us a cannon-armed two seater (if we can't have a Voisin V / Voisin VIII / Bréguet Bre.V then it'd be something at least). That said - I think I'm more strongly drawn to that single-seat field mod which retains the original Fee cockpit. I think one of the Lewis guns is mounted to the gunner's rear stand! Interestingly, it'd probably be a little faster than the Fokker E.III and Halberstadt D.II (and have a higher roll-rate than the Fokker Eindecker - which is kind-of hilarious).

 

I kind-of feel like the R.E.8 Davis gun would make use of the existing investment in programming that weapon for the Handley-Page O/400... although I believe it may have been a one off example (albeit used in combat).

 

P.S. I originally had a question letting people vote on which field-mods/variants were most interesting to them - but the forum software kept deleting options... so I figure people may as well just add comments if they have comments/preferences. Threads like this are mainly for fun anyway.

Edited April 19, 2023 by Avimimus

[LVA_Picard]

 Flying Circus Vol.III  and yes finaly the Newport 17 and 11 . waiting fore this 1 even the highest price i buy it when available  .