Saga of the Curtiss XBTC-2

Prototype/design models. Desk models contracted by or made in house by aircraft manufacturing firms. Makers of these types of models include Topping, Precise etc...

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Saga of the Curtiss XBTC-2

Postby sandmanoverhaul » Fri Apr 14, 2017 8:14 pm

Hope everyone has a nice holiday coming up.

In 1947 there was a competition to replace the Curtiss Helldiver. Companies that forwarded proposals were Martin, Fleetwings, Douglas and Curtiss. The Mauler was produced by Martin first, then the Douglas sample, Fleetwings and Curtiss brought up the rear with the XBTC-2. The Mauler and the Skyraider fought hard and ultimately the Skyraider won out. Both the Fleetwings and Curtiss entries were denied. The problems for Curtiss started with the constant headaches that the Helldiver provided the Navy and Curtiss had to focus way too much energy creating those fixes. This left little engineering capability and their entry was just a Johnny Come Lately. Two were produced and extensively tested a Pax River. Both had significant design differences. The first was more on the lines of the Skyraider but with a large contra-rotating dual prop assembly from Aeroproducts. It also featured a large prop spinner. The second, the dash 2, had enormous wing inner panels at the wing roots and a more pedestrian Curtiss style contra-rotating prop assembly. The Skyraider had squared of wings and stab and was by most accounts an attractive design. The two Curtiss samples had curvy outlines on the tail empennage but on the wings, very angular. It was if the teacher simply said that, "Time has run out, turn in your test!"

So, not too many of these models were produced. This is certainly the only one I have ever seen. It was purchased by a client to acquire an original Curtiss metal stand. The airplane was almost thrown away with its add wing and the tail assemblies broken off. After some dedicated research, the model was ID as one of a prototype. This changes things if the model depicted a true airplane. Just finished casting new parts onto the model and carefully sculpting the shapes to match the 3-view plan. Picture show the process so far.Now the model should be ready for paint a details.

Tom Sanders
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Re: Saga of the Curtiss XBTC-2

Postby sandmanoverhaul » Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:49 pm

Quick update on the Curtiss XBTC-2. It has its first round of paint and will dry for a few days. Then wet-sand and another coat of color. When dry new decals and then a clear coat to protect the finish. I also will pay some attention to reduce the size and mass of the prop hubs. They will get satin black and hopefully some Curtiss decals. The canopy is masked off until all the paint work is finished. It currently sits on a temporary stand to cure all weekend.

Tom
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Re: Saga of the Curtiss XBTC-2

Postby sandmanoverhaul » Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:49 pm

Here is the last chapter in the Curtiss XBTC-2 Saga

Here are a pair of photos to show the before and after. Due to the rough condition in which the model was in and the surgery needed to repair the model, the agreed to paint the model as tested by the Navy. As luck would have it the only arae that the chrome was in good condition was on the canopy. I chose to leave the chrome and add the framework using Bare-Metal Foil (tm) painted with the same blue as the model. I then clear-coated everything to protect the finish. The model also has a polished prop assembly to highlight that they were produced by Curtiss-Wright. It will head back to its owner shortly to be fitted onto its newly polished Curtiss stand.

Regards,
Tom Sanders
Sandman Overhaul
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