What airframe is this? It looks like it would be an interesting twin to model.
Thanks,
Mike

Looks like a Shorts Skyvan variant

It's a Shorts 330.
At first sight, similiar to the Shorts Skyvan, but a totally different plane. Bigger than the Skyvan, and uses different engines. The Skyvan uses Garrett TPE331 series engines, while the 330 and 360 use PWC PT6A series engines.
The 330 is a cargo/passenger plane with an aft cargo ramp , the 360 is basically a stretched 330 with a normal cruciform tail, and no cargo ramp.

More info and pics here: http://www.air-and-space.com/Shorts%...0330%20360.htm

What's got me confused is the retracts going out to the side, instead of tucking up into the wheelpants ( what possible aerodynamic or practical advantage would that provide?), the twin tail appears that the horizontal stabilizer is equidistant from top or bottom of vertical stabilizers, the bubble cockpit glass, and (maybe an optical illusion) the rear of the plane appears to taper to a point, not the usual "shoe box".
BTW, I truely appriciate all the help.
Mike

Now that you mention it, I'm not so sure anymore that it is a Shorts...

For one thing, if you look at the cockpit windows, you can see that they are totally different from the ones on your picture.
the other thing is, having worked on the 330 on a few occasions, I know that the retracts on the 330 don't work like that. they just get pulled up into the wheel pants.
I'll have to do some more research....

I think I got it now : Antonov AN-38 : http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1260860/M

THANKS! I just couldn't get the Shorts out of my head...tunnel vision. You nailed it with the AN-38'
Thanks again
Mike

Actually is a Polish derivative of the Antonov AN-28. This aircraft is an PZL-Mielec M-28 B1R Bryza. The original M-28 was fixed gear just like the AN-28. However, they added retractable gear in 2003. Hope this helps.

You are right... PZL m-28 bm-r. Does anyone know why the retracts would swing out, instead of up into wheelpants? I can't see where there would be any aewro-dynamic advantage, but engineers usually have reasons for what they do.
Mike

Flight tests of the retractable proved the novel undercarriage arrangement and showed slightly improved performances, particularly endurance.

Whats with the gear?[X(] There's no reason to have them retract(?) like that. They are still creating as much drag as if they were left in the verticle position! Plus, they have taken a few steps back because of the added weight of the retract mechanisms!

It seems the Polish Navy uses a maritime version of this plane for submarine hunting. The story behind the strange gear retraction has to do with the gear not blocking the radar.

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/243739/

Jesse

Jessie,
Thanks for the update and link. I'm going to model this plane with about 100" wing span, but I know that I'm going to get questioned about the gear so I like to have a plausable answer. It will probably take at least a year due to current projects, but I'll ost a photo or two when I get it going.
Thanks again
Mike Kosatka