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Showing results for tags 'Los Cofres'.
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Morning all! Here is my latest roll out. She is the third (of ten, currently) in the line of F-51s that I have either partially built, painted or planned. Apparent to everyone is that she is not a regular operational machine. She formed part of the “Los Cofres” display and demonstration team of the Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca (Guatemalan Air Force) that flew from La Aurora Airfield in the mid-1950s. She was acquired in 1954 and history seems to record that she was lost at some point in Costa Rica. The build is based around the Tamiya kit, offering me relatively easy builds so that I can get the volume through the paint shop. It is, though, a great kit and although it has some errors it is a pleasure to build. Like the previous Bolivian I dropped the flaps by using spare Airfix flaps. The challenge here was really the masking of the nose area. The contours clearly demand more than simple straight strips of tape. My method was to cut and apply each “square” separately. The colours are probably not entirely accurate. I have, however, researched as best as I can, including support from a couple of the South American/Central American aviation and modelling forums and produced what is probably a compromise. There are some things that I know to be correct – the overall natural metal (rather than the white shown in a couple of retouched photos), the lack of "dark" underside to the rear fuselage (applies the "306" at least _ have a photo, the larger version of the “FAG” lettering (see below) and the layout of the red striping and chevrons (also see below). The recent ArmyCast release for a “Los Cofres” machine (number “342”) shows differences. However, Youtube clips and various images show a different layout from theirs. I’m happy with my decision, right or wrong. See that she also had white prop tips – or at least it looks like that in the YouTube clip. You can see the larger “FAG, and the red chevrons in these shots: What did I use? Kit – Tamiya F-51D (54) Decals – Home printed serial, “FAG” and unit/team badge (thanks @timmas for drawing this). ArmyCast set for the mainwheel door lightning bolts and “squiggles”. Paints – Humbrol Hetalcote Polished Aluminium (27002), Matt blue (25), Insignia Red (153), Matt White (34), Matt Black (33), Blue (89)+(104) mix for the rudder stripes, Interior Green (226) and others. The final coat is Humbrol Satincote. Eduard canopy paint mask. Weathering/Panels – Flory Dirt, Tamiya Weathering Powders and Prismacolor Silver pencil. Here she is: I hope you like her. Martin
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