Long range planes were in vogue in different countries at
the time when the record fever was burning high.
This elegant monoplane was designed by Alessandro Marchetti
aiming to conquer the endurance and distance records.
First flown in 1928, the unusually configured machine
demonstrated that the potential was there to intent the planned feat. The S.64
was in a way a sort of motor-glider, with a large wing area and minimal extras,
capable of accommodating a crew of three in a small pod blended with the wing,
on top of which the engine –a Fiat A 22T- was enclosed inside a streamlined
gondola. Construction was mostly of wood –even the wings were covered in
plywood- and the struts were metal.
It conquered the distance and endurance records in closed
circuit and later, in a flight to Brazil, in straight distance.
In 1929 a second machine, the S.64 bis, with minor
modifications, re-conquered the records that by then were in the hands of France and Germany. None of the machines
survived long
The model:
The usual stuff plus the experimental addition of the
fuselage pod and engine gondola made of Fimo, a malleable plastic that you
“bake” in the kitchen oven. Both parts were hand modeled, “baked”and then
sanded, drilled, carved and glued. The
in-process photos will clarify doubts or generate more. If the last is the case
I am not at home.
The engine is an adaptation of an Engine & Things resin
product, the propeller blades came from a cannibalized Aeroclub Models item and
wheels came also from that source.
Struts are from Strutz.-metal- and Contrail –plastic-.
The wheel spats were an adaptation of parts coming from one
of the wonderful Khee-Kha vac kits –Thanks, Lars!
I enjoyed tons with this model, especially eating the pasta.
Thanks to Fabrizio D’Isanto, Jim Schubert and all the
modelers that helped with information and advice.
A perfect reference for this build is Paolo Miana's
"L'ala di gabbiano con la finezza di uno Stradivario" "Seagull
wing with the finesse of a Stradivarius"
Mr. Miana can be reached
at
www.avioebooks.com
And now the model:
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