Petlyakov Pe-8

[zenrat]

For your precision target elimination needs, call on the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria.

Pe-8 Start 03-04-2026 01 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Pe-8 Start 03-04-2026 02 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[DeeBob]

This looks exciting! Australian seperatists?

[buzzbomb]

Interest choice of subject. I can forsee a bit of Zenrat Industries magic on the colour scheme.

[kerick]

Primitive drone designs?

[zenrat]

This looks exciting! Australian seperatists?

In the timeline in question Australian federation did not happen on Jan 1st 1901.  Victoria became independent of the British Empire and in 1919 the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria was born.
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=38109.msg621561#msg621561

During WW2 PDRV forces used either indigenously produced or Soviet supplied equipment.  It was not unknown for captured nazi equipment to be provided for "field assessment"

PDRV forces took part in Operation Downfall fighting alongside Allied Forces.

[Weaver]

Now I've got visions of a TB-3 Zveno carrying two Shvestov-engined Boomerang dive-bombers under it's wings...

[kerick]

The PE-8 with Allison engines? Spare part resupply from USSR might be difficult.

[zenrat]

The PE-8 with Allison engines? Spare part resupply from USSR might be difficult.

Not after VE day.  Black Sea, Dardanelles, Suez, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and then round the bottom of Australia keeping a weather eye on the Sky Pirates of the Nullarbor Coast.

[zenrat]

The PE-8 with Allison engines? Spare part resupply from USSR might be difficult.

Not after VE day.  Black Sea, Dardanelles, Suez, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and then round the bottom of Australia keeping a weather eye on the Sky Pirates of the Nullarbor Coast.

Or by air over the Western Himalayas (The Other Hump) to Bombay and thence by sea.


I have finally started snipping and gluing plastic.  Unusually this kit starts not with the cockpit and fuselage interior but with the engine nacelles.  Two of which contain defensive gun positions.

[DeeBob]

...engine nacelles.  Two of which contain defensive gun positions.

Had to Google another view to see those, they are a novelty!

The soviets sure produced some interesting airframes!

[zenrat]

...engine nacelles.  Two of which contain defensive gun positions.

Had to Google another view to see those, they are a novelty!

The soviets sure produced some interesting airframes!

Even in 1/72 the gunners don't look very comfortable.  Although, given they are sitting in front of a radiator cooling both engines on that wing they could probably have at least been warm.

[PR19_Kit]

I have finally started snipping and gluing plastic.  Unusually this kit starts not with the cockpit and fuselage interior but with the engine nacelles.  Two of which contain defensive gun positions.

I wonder if Barnes Wallis saw those when one of them flew Molotov to London in 1942. Maybe that gave him the idea for similar but unmanned turrets on the Windsor? The timing works quite well.

[NARSES2]

I have finally started snipping and gluing plastic.  Unusually this kit starts not with the cockpit and fuselage interior but with the engine nacelles.  Two of which contain defensive gun positions.

It's almost a throwback to some German WWI bombers.

[buzzbomb]

Looking forward to seeing if my minds eye of what is going on matches what is actually happening

[zenrat]

I've not glued much yet Bri.  Lots of painting interior colours and figures before I do.

Given the number of transparencies on this build i'm glad I have the forethought to buy a masking set.