Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: KiwiZac on December 05, 2015, 01:54:28 PM
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Hi guys,
A while back a friend gave me a bunch of kits, projects and finished builds. Among them was an Academy 1/72 Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, finished in SEA and just needing decals and weapons.
Except I had an idea. For a while the RAAF used the CAC Winjeel, an indigenous trainer quite similar to the Percival Provost, as a Forward Air Control aircraft and I think there was talk of using them in Vietnam...so what if the Winjeel FAC unit did get deployed, but got the Dragonfly?
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/1C58B056-439A-4654-9244-1F9584A6471A_zpsiorwl8jp.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/1C58B056-439A-4654-9244-1F9584A6471A_zpsiorwl8jp.jpg.html)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/CA55BCAD-99C6-417D-AAF5-A74A2C94CA5C_zpssz7lon0g.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/CA55BCAD-99C6-417D-AAF5-A74A2C94CA5C_zpssz7lon0g.jpg.html)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/0C97C1F8-067F-4957-8A19-5919E1B21115_zpso9x8ltlx.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/0C97C1F8-067F-4957-8A19-5919E1B21115_zpso9x8ltlx.jpg.html)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/14BA1B4A-1216-41C6-A91F-2E63266AAC68_zps0pz9yrcc.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/14BA1B4A-1216-41C6-A91F-2E63266AAC68_zps0pz9yrcc.jpg.html)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/054F2907-E7F3-4FB1-A130-1BA53F1EBE37_zpslxgs4aah.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/054F2907-E7F3-4FB1-A130-1BA53F1EBE37_zpslxgs4aah.jpg.html)
And with a recently completed companion RAAF machine:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/530F91D5-F933-4B6D-BCB3-54CF7AA7AC62_zpsuavqrek0.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/530F91D5-F933-4B6D-BCB3-54CF7AA7AC62_zpsuavqrek0.jpg.html)
The decals are the kit stencils and the High Planes Winjeel decals. Paints are Tamiya acrylics - the very nice-looking RAF Ocean Grey and Dark Green on top with Light Grey undersides.
I hope you like it. I do!
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Very nice!
The idea behind the RAAF FAC capability has always been training and demonstration with new, more suitable aircraft to be acquired as required. Your Whiff is a no-brainer, had the decision been made to deploy the capability something like the Dragonfly likely would have been acquired. Top stuff.
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Nice! :) Totally believable.
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That's a crackerjack model there Old Bean!
Sure looks convincing! Love those 'roos!
Pure eye candy, Zac!
Brian da Basher
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Sweet!
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You are on roll Zac. Keep them coming.
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Nice one Zac - that looks great. 8)
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Thanks guys! It was essentially a repaint and repair/finish, but I'm very pleased with how it turned out. As with the F-104G, this looks right at home in RAAF colours and I think the red fin band looks really sharp on this camo.
Speaking of the squadron marking, I also shared this build on an Australian modelling site where a former 76Sqn RAAF maintenance manager - who worked on the exact FAC Winjeel I used as inspiration - had this to share about it:
As an aside, this flash was only on A85-426 for about 5 weeks before the pilots complained that down close it made for a good target for the enemy and was repainted in the lo-vis no colour version. One target we couldn't get rid of was the hi-vis roos which made it as just a big a target as the Hi-vis tail flash.
He also pointed out the panther in said marking should be facing forward :icon_sueno: I didn't even realise it was handed!!
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Nice Tweety Bird! I live in Wichita where these aircraft were built, so this is very cool.