_frequentflyer_ Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Hi there, Alex here! I love to share with you my WIP of Cessna O-2A "Oscar Deuce" by Testors in 1/48. Started on October 15th 2016, I supposed to get a simple project after a well elaborated Hughes OH-6A earlier, but it wasn't! It's still taking a lot of time indeed! I collected a lot of pics and read some theads here and there before starting. During first check, the kit was quite attractive but basic. Some aftermarket items were a must. First of all about decals. The unusual "don't shoot" livery by Draw Decals was an exciting option at first, but after a long search on the web, I was quite sure it was a "fancy" livery, not on real life during Vietnam war. A second and good choice was given by Caracal decals by the sheet dedicated to O-2s. Above a picture of starting point..... Second step: opening door & baggage door... Some cockpit glasses were closed.... End part 1 Alex 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossofiron1971 Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 This one is going to be interesting!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Next step: internal covering. I checked a lot of pics again. Some aircraft had covering plain, other ones instead stitched on diamond pattern motif. I did the second choice by styrene and then painted with vinyl glue thinned in water to give a 'folds sensation' To be continued.. Alex 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastikschrottler Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Cool project. Will be following this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Starting cabin floor. Kit floor was undersized, definitely. It was time to get a new one by a sheet styrene, thickness 0,4mm... Kit seats were much more similar to the civil version (C337) than the military ones. I got mine from an old Esci C172, giving a simplified upholstery (green Humbrol 155) and their chassis as well (green Testors 1734E) Floor details: - landing gear emergency hand pump, - fire extinguisher, - inspection manholes, - avionics rack cable manholes (rear) - first aid kit Final touch: - a map, - lower seat belts (tan Humbrol 121), - binoculars (later removed) End part 3 Alex 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Instrument panel. Wrong size again, I've replaced it with a new one by styrene. Following original drawing, I got instruments in same position (or around so) to real aircraft, by Airscale etched/decals set... Cloche (the only one parts taken in the kit for interior!) and panel in flat black... Pedals as well. Pictures said they are fixed on the back of the panel, not on the floor! To be continued... Alex 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Avionics rack and rear juction box.... I've seen a lot of models here and there, on forums and magazine (e.g. FSM March 2016), unfortunately their configuration was not confirmed. By Google Images and some Vietnam veterans forums, I checked an almost right setting. So that shelves were secured to fuselage with just two vertical struts Dry checkes by Patafix Airscale PE48 etched set... Before struts balance Painted but before wires & cable Alex 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) Nice work, a few pics here of the O-2 in Vietnam: http://366th-tfw.net/index4.html Jari Edited January 3, 2017 by Finn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid de Koning Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Nice work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 1 hour ago, Finn said: Nice work, a few pics here of the O-2 in Vietnam: http://366th-tfw.net/index4.html Jari Jari, thanks a lot! They are useful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 New details.... some gaps were closed Many checkes between fuselage and wing were required... Then I got a perfect match Inside details according to photos collected M-16 was coming from a Tarmac crew set Then ceiling details. Documentation was a must again! A common mistake on O-2 was to fix upper seat belts on the back of the seat. They are fixed on the ceiling instead! (see two etched plates near the window) Do you like this unusual twin pistons engine aircraft? Alex 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossofiron1971 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Fantastic work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 A display a/c but some interesting pics here:: https://travelforaircraft.wordpress.com/2013/08/07/kudy-jay-write/ Jari 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Great work on a most unusual subject! Martian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 6, 2017 Author Share Posted January 6, 2017 Thanks all, suggestions are welcome! Starting painting interiors by Testors 1734E Alex 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 This is an excellent project Alex! Thanks heaps for sharing. I really like the detail you're adding and creating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 6, 2017 Author Share Posted January 6, 2017 Thanks a lot! Those photos were taken in November. Now I'm much later with some very interesting upgradings! 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 Building and painting in progress... Inside covering by green Humbrol 88 Rear bulkhead by styrene was add as well The avionics rack did fit properly! Then starting avionic wires and cables... 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 Hi all, wires & cables were ready on late November... A part of them were going down on a manhole close to the rack (see earlier) Next episode will be about the engine! Yes, on December I decided to build Continental IO-360 starting with very few parts from my storage! Stay tuned, Alex 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Excellent work! Martian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 Folks, In the next pictures I'll show you the engine section. Twin piston engines aircraft could be a quite unfashionable subject, USAF livery in basic grey color does not give more attraction as well. So that I decided to give more details building the front Continental IO-360 engine starting by two old Esci Cessna C172 parts (to set up a SIX pistons propeller). First of all I got the firewall bulkhead and internal structure according photos collected earlier... .... then I started the engine itself Documentation is a must! To be continued... Cheers! Alex 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Wow. Great build so far. I have one of these with the same decal sheet. Watching with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger331 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Great build……really looking forward to seeing more of this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 Hi again, I left you on Saturday with engine section. Main parts from rod and plain of styrene plus some others taken from my personal store. More photos to follow..... Engine requested some dry fitting for check. All was fine... More wires and cables were requested to cylinders later.... Keep in touch 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Fantastic! I love your work on the engine plumbing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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