Bristol Heracles

[RAFF-35]

This might be quite late in the competition to think about starting a new build, but I was just thinking that to my mind non of our builds have captured the "D-Day on steroids" type invasion that "X-Day" was supposed to be. So I started thinking of all the landing craft and amphibious vehicles used during D-Day, but I couldn't really think how to make a DUKW look any different for X-Day compared to D-Day for example.
Then I started reading up on Operation Downfall for inspiration on what Hobrt's Funnies may look like for X-Day. I realised that the Japanese attacks on the landing fleet would be devastating  and that the Allies would need air logistics (similar to the Berlin Airlift) to support the ground invasion.... So here we are, I'm going to use an Airfix Superfreighter, but I'm still waiting for it to turn up in the post. I also plan on making an airborne Hobart's Funny to go inside the Heracles alongside a Willys Jeep perhaps? 

[RAFF-35]

The Heracles was developed by Bristol during the midpoint of the Second World War, having attracted official attention from the British Air Ministry. They sought the development of a rugged aircraft capable of carrying various cargoes, including a 3-ton truck, and able to use unimproved airstrips. Various changes to the design were made to accommodate their requirements, including stretching the nose of the original design to accommodate a Morris Quad FAT plus its artillery piece. Its first flight was in December 1945. The military version became known as the Heracles and the civil version was called the Freighter.

During the opening stages of Operation Downfall,  Allied losses during the amphibious landings were incredibly high. The Japanese fully anticipated the invasion plan for X-Day as part of their Operation Ketsugō, and effectively set up shore batteries,  sea mines and deployed kamikaze attacks using aircraft, speed boats and divers on troop transport ships and other non armoured support vessels. Over 400 Allied ships had been sunk and the forces that were able to land on Kyūshū were minuscule. They were constantly under attack from the Japanese, and Kamidaiko tanks caused mayhem by rolling in to the poorly organized Allied camps and detonating.
Support from the sea was lacking due to the high naval losses already experienced. The only option then was resupply by air. The Hamilcar and Horsa gliders used during D-Day were all non-flightworthy so more would need to be ordered. The venerable C-47 was able to air-drop some supplies, but for things like artillery pieces and support trucks etc, only the Heracles could do the job. Especially beneficial in this situation was its STOL ability as there weren't many suitable areas for landing strips under allied control. Importantly,  after unloading the supplies, Heracles's would then be loaded up with medevac patients to be taken away for treatment.