Scratchbuilt 1/72 Caudron PV 200

by Gabriel Stern

--------------------

 

With very simple lines that somehow resemble a Renault 4 family car (see: http://www.geocities.com/richardirl/dando.html )
The Caudron firm developed an amphibian  prototype as a two-place, twin-float, cute all-metal touring amphibian in pusher configuration, using an inverted Renault 4 cylinder inline power plant.
A few mods were made to the prototype during its life, most noticeable on the engine enclosure, according to photographic evidence.
Both positions could pilot the plane, but usually one member of the crew was in charge of making the omelettes while the other took care of the croissants.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The Plane was named Caudron P.V. 200, and that could mean “Palos Verdes”, “Provenance Villipendie” or perhaps more likely the initials of its designer, Pierre de Viscaya.
The model was made using the well known techniques that characterize the scratch-building entrepreneur, namely: get what you can from the spares bin, get an engine, wheels and prop from Aeroclub, purchase the generic vacformed floats sheet from the same provider (none of them was a match, so some cutting ’n grafting was in order); and for everything else recruit the help of the Brownies that escaped the last assault of the dreaded carpet monster.
Remember that plans and three-views constitute, more than anything else, great decorative pieces, and when possible check them against photo documentation. If the part you are checking was already made, then you can always argue that the photos are wrong too.

To follow the model scratch-building sequence, use the provided images in order to get confused, and if any apparent mishaps are spotted, assume it is you who is mistaken. If you attempt to build one of these, avoid, under any circumstances, being exposed to the varied array of experimental rays aimed to your model or your persona by modelers that switched to the dark side, like Doktor Soenke. If unsatisfied by the results, take out your glasses and grab the glass. That will make things better.
These kinds of projects are often inspired by the beautiful "BY AIR Classique" aviation-themed postcards and paper models made by "Contour Creative Studio"
(Check:
http://byairclassique.com )
There is always the question of the color when dealing with scarcely documented beasts like this one. A not very educated guess was made between these three more likely options: light blue, orange and white-silver.
Considering that this was 1932, one could say that those French do know their design, don’t they?
Thanks to Jon Noble who provided a great deal of info that contributed to the making of this model and also to the unruly crowd at the Wings of Peace forum.

Gabriel

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Gabriel Stern