forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => WW1 Aircraft Information/Questions => Topic started by: Flyjunkie on June 16, 2012, 07:37:00 AM
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Well, there are those in this group who know I really like the giant multi engine Bombers Germany developed during WW One. I just really like them (proof is I own all 4 variations of the Gotha by Roden and have started to build them).
Well my Research has shown me even larger Bombers then the Zeppelin Staaken that where designed and developed, even if they never got far enough along for actually flight and military use.
Well my No. #1 Behemoth of the Kaiser has the be the FORSSMANN (Mannesman or Poll) Giant Triplane. it had a 165 foot long wingspan and was to be powered by 10 Engines!!! insane how such a giant was developed less then 20 years after the Wright Brothers' first flight.
Anyway, there is currently no Model of this Giant available.. But I have been in contact with some Fellow Fans of the Forssman , who are interested in Scratch building a 1/72 scale model of the Bomber..(you can't go bigger scale because at 1/72 scale the wings are about 28 inches long).
Once the scratch built is finished, a number of us will pay for resin copies to be made...
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/484289_453479264662884_324308554_n.jpg)
Artist's rendition of the Forsmann bombing New York City , which it's rumored if it had been built- the Forssmann could have possibly done..
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255426_453481391329338_1795519309_n.jpg)
The only remains of the Forssmann, one of it's 8 foot diameter landing gear wheels.. this is on display at the Imperial War Museum..
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198284_453480797996064_1813289099_n.jpg)
to give everyone an idea of truly Gigantic the Forssmann was to be, here's a Gotha and a SE5A for reference to size, the Forssmann's wings are over twice the length of the Gotha's wings... :o
I have been asked by the Gents who plan to do the Scratch building if there are others who would be interested in purchasing a 1/72 scale replica of the Forssmann??? the more, the Merrier and it will reduce cost per person if there's a sizable number of Forssmann Fans involved....
Thanks in advance.... ;)
Dean ~~~ 8) 8)
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That is.......immense Dean!! :o
Could you imagine how big a 1:32 version would be!!
What did/would it use as it's powerplants?
Andrew
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Andrew..
they never listed what the Engines where to be in the Forssmann Giant.. a prototype was found in 1919 at the Mannesmann-Mulag-Werk in Westhoven Germany... it was never completed, unfortunately.. ;)
if WNW made a 1/32 scale model of this Behemoth, the wingspan would measure 5.16 feet..?!?!?!?!!!! :o
Immense, yes I would agree Andrew... :D
Dean ~~~ 8) 8)
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it seems I got Will Boucher , Owner and Artist of http://www.wwiaviation.com/ (http://www.wwiaviation.com/)
to draw up some beautiful pictures of the Forssman (Poll)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/598353_3405194050199_307084522_n.jpg)
this one shows the scale against a Gotha G.II and a S.E.5a..
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197743_3403469527087_271802817_n.jpg)
the Forssman in all it's Gigantic-ness.. it is a four story tall Aeroplane... :o
I am just insanely Impressed with the Forssman!!!
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Dean,
Sometime ago WWI Aero had an excellent article on the Forssman Giant. It's a great read and if you'd like I can see if I still have that issue for . I'd be more than happy to scan it for if you wish.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Dean,
Sometime ago WWI Aero had an excellent article on the Forssman Giant. It's a great read and if you'd like I can see if I still have that issue for . I'd be more than happy to scan it for if you wish.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
soo very kind and thoughtful of You Gregory!!! Yes Please i would love to get a scanned copy of the Article!!!
I have searched the Web extensively for information and while I have found some, I desire more.. :)
I just found and purchased a copy of "The German Giants" by Grosz & Haddow on Amazon.. only $40!!!! from what I have read that is the Bible of German Giant Aeroplanes of the Great War.. so am happy to be having that great tome soon in my hands... 8)
Yes Please Gregory Sir.. i would love to get scanned copy of that Article, if it is not too much trouble... :D
Thank you very much My Friend,
DEAN ~~~ 8) 8)
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Dean,
It may take a bit of time to locate,but soon as I find it I'm contact you for your home e-mail address.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Dean,
It may take a bit of time to locate,but soon as I find it I'm contact you for your home e-mail address.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
No Worries My friend, No worries.. when you have time and find it, that will be fine... :D
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6817617080_c6ef5670d2_z.jpg)
Here's a photograph of the interior framework of the "Poll Giant"....
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Looks like the inside of a covered Bridge! ;D 8)
Jim
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Man, that's going to be a massive project! I hope you plan to keep us updated on progress.
Cheers,
Chris
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Looks like the inside of a covered Bridge! ;D 8)
Jim
Yes it does Look like the inside of a covered bridge.. that was meant to Fly... ;D ;D
Man, that's going to be a massive project! I hope you plan to keep us updated on progress.
Cheers,
Chris
I shall Chris.. waiting to hear if Scrap builder #2 is going to get in on it with us... Scrap builder #1 is all ready to go, but really wants #2 involved so that the resulting model will be as realistic and perfect as we can possibly get it... ;)
I am offering my services as Humble Lackie to Both Gents.. (i can't scrape build for shit, but I am offering assistance as needed).
Should know by this coming weekend who's in and who's not... Then i will enlighten everyone as to who's who with this special project.... ;)
Dean ~~~ 8) 8)
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O.K. Update for 6/20/2012 :
The Project has officially begun and we have the extremely talented Aviation Artist Michael Backus working on it.. ;D ;D
Michael is well known for his beautiful and inspiring Paintings of WW I aeroplanes.. please check out his online studio for the caliber of his Artistic works...:
www.backusstudio.com (http://www.backusstudio.com)
Michael will make the Forssmann in a 1/72 scale, for us Modelers .. and a 1/144 scale for "Wings of War" players.. who desire complete control of the game board with this monster's 13 inch wingspan in that scale... ;)
This is going to be Great and with Michael's artistic talents, we will get a wonderful Resin Model made of this Behemoth..
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Dean,
Any rough idea of the per-unit cost of the 1/72 and the 1/144 scale yet. By the way I'm still searching for the issue of WW I Aero with the Forssman article in it.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Very interesting subject... while I don´t have interest in 1:72 scale, I might consider something bigger... ;D
Would it be possible to share the available information (photos, articles, etc)with us, all the other interested? Thanks.
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I have that issue, too (probably in the attic right now)--love the cover painting!
Here's a little snippet of it I had floating around in my WWI folder.
A monster plane in any scale!
It had a bit part in Indiana Jones and the Attack of the Hawkmen (although it was redesigned with scalloped trailing edges...more batlike and thus suited to the evil Hun). Neat to see it flying!
Best, Lyle
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I have no idea about pre-unit cost of the 1/72 and 1/144 scales of the Forssmann Gregory.. at this early date we must wait until Michael completes the Model, which is going to take time as we try and locate all available information regarding the Poll's design. We want to have the resulting model as accurate to the design as possible.
Is this the Issue Gregory??? Michael found it available on Ebay, so i purchased it for $20.. ;)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/24/!BtZN!hw!2k~$(KGrHqMH-DEEvn,0WYz3BL7zcEFt1w~~_12.JPG)
sure Jose I will start posting all links to online information about the Forssmann Giant.
Yes Lyle, I found the link to the Indiana Jones episode where he deals with the Frossmann..:
http://indianajones.wikia.com/wiki/Pohl_Giant_Triplane (http://indianajones.wikia.com/wiki/Pohl_Giant_Triplane)
Very entertaining Indeedy.. (even with the artistic liberty of changing the wing structure.. ;))
we progress along slowly, but I assure everyone the end result will be SOOOOOOO WORTH IT.. ;D
(then we'll all "harass" WNW to offer the 5.16 foot long wingspan 1/32 scale model of it.. ;D )
Dean ~~ 8) 8)
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Dean,
That's it my friend and congratulation on your Ebay purchase . A physical copy of the magazine beats the scan copy any day. I really looking forward to watching this project progress. The resulting model should be nothing less than awesome to say the least.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Progress report from Michael, the basic Fuselage and wings are completed.. we are trying to locate more information and available Photos to "fine Tune" the Details of the wings and fuselage along with the Struts and engine.. Next Michael will work on the Landing gear and it's details, then will move towards the rigging and the camo job...
(https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/548512_3764303219157_1242327263_n.jpg)
any feedback is welcomed and i will forward it to Michael... Who keeps telling me how much fun he is having with this... :)
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This Forssman design reminds me of a similar French airplane design... the Bleriot LXVII. :)
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Update for July 3rd.. Michael has about completed the "prototype" for the Forssmann a few more details and such and He will be ready to send a File to a Service Bureau for a price quote on the "Proto Model"... :o ;D ;D
I like the Human figures for a perspective on how Gigantic this beast would have been.... ;)
(https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/480487_3791202011610_1447619608_n.jpg)
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No updates about the Triplane?
ermeio
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Man O Man! That is one crazy looking beast!
A future WNW release? haha
BVB
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Man O Man! That is one crazy looking beast!
A future WNW release? haha
BVB
Yes, but they have to wait until TVAL finishes building the replica.