Mario Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) Hello modellers! Have managed to finish a build started in back December 2016 and would like to share it with you. It´s another Cessna O-2A Skymaster and I made it in cooperation with Luis Alfonso, since we both discovered having a soft spot for that plane. It´s my fourth 1/72 build of it, having built one Airfix in the early nineties and two Arii in 2005 and 2008. My intention was to improve the Arii kit and Luis Alfonso helped a lot in researching for the project. Most work was invested in vacuumforming a better windscreen and building a new undercarriage from brass sheet, using the Airfix kit as reference. As 1/72 kits of that type have become extremely rare and expensive, have used Arii´s civilian Cessna 337 as a basis as all versions come with two different port sides and all windows necessary for the military version. Interior detailing consisted in adding a pilot, gunsight, seat belts and a radio rack in the rear. For the propellers I used my standard technique of small nails in a brass tube, allowing installation after all paintwork is done and making the props to spin easily. The roof window was cut from clear styrene. Wing pylons were scratchbuild from styrene sheet, rocket pods are from sprue. The model has exhaust pipes from hypodermic needles and open cowl flaps from brass sheet. For the landing lights chrome foil was used. Additional panel-lines were rescribed and the the upper air intake was opened to give it some depth. After a base coat with Revell Enamel Basic, which BTW is also a formidable clean white, a preshading was applied. For the major paintwork I used for the first time acrylics only. The grey consists of a mix of Tamiya´s sky grey, medium grey and white. All decals are self-printed, even the stencils and the red stripes and circles. To seal them in I used the new Gauzy shine enhancer. Found it worked very well, sprayed as easily as my old Emsal, but appears to have a harder surface, making the wash flow more easily and isnt´t affected by decal softeners. Final assembly consisted of inserting the props, fixing wheels and antennas made from sewing yarn and a hair from a broom. Hope you like it Mario Edited July 3, 2017 by Mario 44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Very nice. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Fantastic example of an unusual subject. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchem Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Excellent ! mike 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave N Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Superb work there Mario- great subject, some very intricate detailing and a great presentation. the spinning props really add to the scene... very well done. Cheers, Dave 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi there! I'm getting the same aircraft but in 1:48 on WiP page! Well done! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Fantastic job on the Skymaster Mario, especially the transparencies and scratch built weapons and details. You reminded me I`ve still got to add a Grey one to my collection. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polo1112 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 That's really a great realisation!!! And you don't see everyday such a push-pull aircraft. Great job. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi Uncle Mario!!! Seem you are very happy after ending this one and with a huge lot of reason!!! I know this true veteran since a huge long time ago, those incarnations of the famous civil aircraft from EIDAI-GRIP / ENTEX / ARII kits are memorable since its very beggining in 1973, as the only ones for civil aircraft were the old and missing Aurora series...obviously, in the line were the spins off from the very popular Cessna 336/337 kits launched then in the form of this O-2A/B variant. I build one for first time in 1981 from the ENTEX brand, then after some years retired from the hobby started again and collected nearly all of them in many guisses, the Aurora, the sorely missed and very wished Airfix kits and even HOBBY CRAFT / IDEA models kit clones dealing with the subject, so for me those are nothing more than old friends from the dim past...now own enough. This was also a conversation theme. This build has a many pleasant time with discussion of which are the relevant details and new techniques learning, a great school, so great that mine is following in the production line and would be the very first project shared here when ended. That brand kits are now very ellusive formany and the Airfix one is so sorely missing, but without a doubt the ARII kit is a real pleasure to build and have enough room for improvement in any departament, just the kit needs a huge will to do a nice job and after some research and inspiration found in books and other sources, the result for sure won't be nothing less than a masterpiece as your nice build. Thank yiou very much for sharing and go ahead with your next project that for sure will be another sounding success as this one!!! Cheers, Luis Alfonso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 Thank you very much Smudge, Alpha Delta 210, Mitchem, Dave, frequentflyer, Russ, Polo and Nephew Luis Alfonso for the positive feedback. As always very much appreciated. Indeed would like to see more 1/72 kits of this plane available as it´s not too much shelf space consuming and there are a lot of interesting variants, for example a psywar version with leaflet dispensers or in colorful civilian markings. Was very surprised when Luis Alfonso showed me the variety of different reboxings of the kit as I only knew the Arii wich was already hard to find. Would like to see a re-release of the Airfix kit. Perhaps there is a representative reading this post... Cheers, Mario 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Hello,Mario - Well,my friend,I knew it wouldn't be long before a visit to Kempen Air Base would be on the cards! With your hallmark expertise,here's another beautifully built,detailed and finished model.This Cessna is a work of art.The extra work bestowed also sets this model apart and is an absolute credit to you.Great result! 😉👍 All the very best,Paul. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) Hi Paul! Thank you very much for your kind words. As always very much appreciated! Seems that my projects take longer and longer each time. No idea if it´s perfectionism or simply age! Have a nice Saturday my friend! Mario Edited February 25, 2017 by Mario 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celt Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Well tidy mun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) 6 hours ago, Mario said: Hi Paul! Thank you very much for your kind words. As always very much appreciated! Seems that my projects take longer and longer each time. No idea if it´s perfectionism or simply age! Have a nice Saturday my friend! Mario HEY: ITS EXPERTISE!!! As you are testing a huge lot of tricks, hints and tips, old and new; and many new paint combinations and finishing materials than before...and adding more fuel to the fire, obviously a little more research and talk with other people dealing with the same trouble and kits...you see???..... jajaja Edited February 26, 2017 by Luis Alfonso 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 15 hours ago, Mario said: Thank you very much Smudge, Alpha Delta 210, Mitchem, Dave, frequentflyer, Russ, Polo and Nephew Luis Alfonso for the positive feedback. As always very much appreciated. Indeed would like to see more 1/72 kits of this plane available as it´s not too much shelf space consuming and there are a lot of interesting variants, for example a psywar version with leaflet dispensers or in colorful civilian markings. Was very surprised when Luis Alfonso showed me the variety of different reboxings of the kit as I only knew the Arii wich was already hard to find. Would like to see a re-release of the Airfix kit. Perhaps there is a representative reading this post... Cheers, Mario OR maybe Jan from KP/AZ thinking of ots worth to add another one with many variants for the benefit of lovers of Cessna aircraft and civil planes...or Great Wall thinking in 1/72 subjects...but well, I think we will be very happy with Airfix oldie with new versions... Cheers!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 23 hours ago, Mario said: Hi Paul! Thank you very much for your kind words. As always very much appreciated! Seems that my projects take longer and longer each time. No idea if it´s perfectionism or simply age! Have a nice Saturday my friend! Mario Hello,Mario - You're more than welcome.Looking at that great model, I'll choose the diplomatic route and go for your perfectionism! 😇 🍻😉👍 All the very best,Paul. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 19 hours ago, Luis Alfonso said: HEY: ITS EXPERTISE!!! As you are testing a huge lot of tricks, hints and tips, old and new; and many new paint combinations and finishing materials than before...and adding more fuel to the fire, obviously a little more research and talk with other people dealing with the same trouble and kits...you see???..... jajaja Thank you for your brilliant analysis. Forgot that "other people" who is without doubt guilty for slower pace but more modelling fun on the way. Nevertheless hope the little Cessna will write aviation history as the first finished over the pond build with two results! 1 hour ago, mcdonnell said: Hello,Mario - You're more than welcome.Looking at that great model, I'll choose the diplomatic route and go for your perfectionism! 😇 🍻😉👍 All the very best,Paul. I thank you for your politeness, Paul! In fact that is the reason why I joined Britmodeller! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Excellent build and the turning propellers adds a lot of realism. Good team work, well done ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 Thank you very much, Bernd! I´m quite optimistic to see a second Cessna very soon. Cheers, Mario 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 That's a beauty Mario,great build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Very nice results! Cheers J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reini78 Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 awesome work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 Thank you very much, Steve, Jerzy and Reini78! Cheers, Mario Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Superb Cessna! Great work on such a small plane, and you even vac-formed the transparencies?! Top marks for attempting that, even with the hi-tech equipment you are using! Are you using as well a candle Mk II, or a gas cooker burner Mk V? Brilliant job and congrats! JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted February 28, 2017 Author Share Posted February 28, 2017 (edited) 6 hours ago, jean said: Superb Cessna! Great work on such a small plane, and you even vac-formed the transparencies?! Top marks for attempting that, even with the hi-tech equipment you are using! Are you using as well a candle Mk II, or a gas cooker burner Mk V? Brilliant job and congrats! JR Hi Jean! Thank you for your interest in my Cessna and vacuumformer! The vacuumformer is a high tech device from the Mr Q skunk works laboratories. Heat source comes from the kitchen stove and suction from the vacuum cleaner. Only investments were the wing nuts. The roof window of the Cessna is from a box containing razor blades as I have discovered that this material reacts with plastic cement for a better bond. Greetings to the hippos! Mario Edited February 28, 2017 by Mario 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now