Search the Community

Another new name, 3D Blitz (more infos are welcome), is announcing as first kit an injected Pilatus PC-21 in 1/72nd - ref.72101. Announced nicely executed with engraved lines and decals for 3 aircraft. Source: https://www.aviationmegastore.com/en/modelling/pilatus-pc21-back-in-stock-3d-blitz-72101-116027.html https://www.super-hobby.fr/products/Pilatus-PC-21.html V.P.

Welshmodels has just released a 1/144th Pilatus PC-12 resin kit - ref. SL607R Sources: http://www.welshmodels.co.uk/SL607.html https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02vdVqLvb49iZ5zhoMDvUGMGQrzmTtEtd2LLUVc6Yo4AKBRn5zT6ojUTQTHvmjQNB8l&id=100045734448348 V.P.

Surprise release from Aztec Models a 1/72nd Pilatus PC-7 resin & 3D printed kit - ref. KAZT7201 Sources: https://aztecmodels.com/products/kazt7201-pilatus-pc-7 https://www.facebook.com/aztecmodels/posts/5351576728186204 V.P.

Hello to all! Here is my latest completed model - Pilatus PC-12/45 - that I finished as part of 'Give Piece a Chance' group build here on the forum. As I was making this model I learnt quite a lot about Pilatus PC-12 but also about the small Okavango Air Rescue team and about Okavango Delta too. Pilatus PC-12 model is quite unique on the market to this day being the only widely available single-engine airplane of such class (7-9 passengers). There are some smaller single-prop aircraft such as Piper Meridian typically with up to 6 capacity including the pilot. Beechcraft developed a Denali model which I think is the only directly comparable to PC-12. But that is not yet in production. Pilatus PC-12 is being produced for over 30 years already with over 2000 aircraft sold so looks like it is a very commercially successful airplane. And quite beautiful too! The Okavango Air Rescue team is serving Okavango Delta basin from the Maun International Airport located respectively in a Maun town which is a gateway to Okavango river delta. As I was able to understand from public sources, Okavango Air Rescue company is a not-for-profit organization being funded by patronage system and providing free rescue to its patrons visiting Okavango Delta as well as to local population. And I believe in an emergency they will rescue other tourists but for a fee. The company was founded about 15 years ago by air rescue professionals from Switzerland and now operates two Pilatus PC-12 airplanes as well as couple helicopters. I will not write Wikipedia information about the Okavango Delta. I could only say that now I've placed Botswana on my to-do travel destinations list. Not sure how soon I could be able to go there - but this red Pilatus will be reminding me about that idea. The Amodel kit is definitely not in the Eduard or Tamiya league. In particular, my kit had some mismolded areas on the fuselage bottom side. On the other hand parts fit each other okay. Even windows were transparent and well fit the openings. Externally the model looks very much like real Pilatus PC-12. For example, lower fuselage side has some noticeable shapes that were reproduced seemingly accurate (but had to be restored after treatment of mismoldings). Amodel seems appropriately catered for variations between different PC-12 configurations. Also the kit has some nice photoetch parts including super tiny static electricity dischargers. A nice touch. On the other hand some better resin or 3D printed engine exhausts could be very beneficial as plastic parts are very agricultural. I also made a good amount of scratchbuilt updates: - first and foremost I added a scratch passenger cabin with seats and medical beds - added couple minor parts to the pilots' cabin - another big update was replacement of rudimentary piece of plastic in the front wheel well with a representation of a real wheel bay - added some details into the main wheel bays - added some walling to the intake to remove the 'cave effect' - I made properly rotating propeller - lastly added wire antenna at the tail fuselage Other than that it is a out-of-box project. No aftermarket was used as none is really available. More information on my updates with pictures are available in the build thread in the GB forum Couple last points on the model - red colour is Tamiya XF-7 covered in two major runs by gloss microscale finish. Decals are Decograph printed and coming from the box. They behaved excellently! Some more close up pictures of wing tips, undercarriage and tail area with those navigation lights and static dischargers Lastly I have some special pictures for you. Firstly obviously Pilatus PC-12 next to Pilatus PC-6 Next is a pair of my business jets (or turboprops) completed so far and next I pulled together all four red-painted models that I have in collection. Someone mentioned in my build thread that Pilatus PC-12 makes a nice splash on the shelves - just wanted to show that there are luckily a bit more than just one red splash already! Thanks for watching! And happy modelling to all of you Kind regards, Dennis

Hi All, I'll be joining this GB with at least this model: Another Pilatus for me, yeah. First look into box contents: Not much news... Typical Amodel short run plastic (see more pics below), some photoetch and paint masks. Decal is nicely printed by Decograph - should work flawlessly. The box has the only one variant - so yes - it will carry Botswana registration of an airplane used by Okavango Air Rescue company. I think these guys fly two PC-12s and some other air transport as well. Close up of the sprues: Typical, a bit agricultural Amodel/Sova kit. Reasonable amount of flesh. Some harsh surfaces from inside. No cabin interior provided so I need to decide if I go a tough way of making full interior from scratch or ignore the problem and make a simpler and quicker project... I'll pause here until 11th January and make use of the time to gather more materials and decide on the cabin stretchers and seats. Cheers, Dennis

Kovozávody Prostějov (KP) is to release new tools 1/72nd and 1/48th Pilatus PC-9 kits. Source: https://www.modelarovo.cz/pilatus-pc-9a-b-m-1-72-kovozavody-prostejov/ The release from the 1/72nd kits is expected in late May 2024. I like the words "Royal Scale" for the 1/48th scale kits, expected (maybe) in Q3 2024. I also like the idea of a 1/48th PC-9 kit but to be honest the average quality of KP's latest productions is hardly encouraging. Time will tell. - ref. KPM0468 - Pilatus PC-9M - Over Europe https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/pilatus-pc-9m-over-europe/ - ref. KPM0469 - Pilatus PC-9M - Other services https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/pilatus-pc-9m-other-services/ - ref. KPM470 - Pilatus PC-9/B - Part.1 https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/pilatus-pc-9-part-1/ - ref. KPM0471 - Pilatus PC-9 - Part.2 https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/pilatus-pc-9-part-2/ V.P.

There's a 1/48th Pilatus PC-7 kit in the pipe line. It is reported to be the first complete model project from Christoph Wolfsberger - Wolf 3D Resin Parts Parts https://www.facebook.com/groups/1197542940849474 Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/215551215532252?multi_permalinks=1697732647314094&hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen To be followed V.P.

Scratchaeronautics is back with 1/48th Pilatus PC-21 kits ! Sources: https://www.facebook.com/jbeginesmanzorro/posts/pfbid02XTdpHAAfnd3uHS3Uyat1nLu8GCpL8b35qCc5U6Acdm3bVCwfdA6iFsRXqd2gQAZWl https://www.facebook.com/jbeginesmanzorro/posts/pfbid02HPckXb9ZAmETy6ANEBiWinVWAL4RzXr7k6X4wCEGuW13SHJLY2qwZqSUKceEJm83l https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255528574726?hash=item3b7eb09f06:g:73AAAOSwfLtiMeYH https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255513041561?hash=item3b7dc39a99:g:h8YAAOSwwIxiMyqJ Also https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=jbeginesmanzorro&set=a.10159870569486382 V.P.

Hello to all! here my last work... an Air America PC-6 C/H2 from Roden (one of the most challenging kit that I ever faced). I converted the base kit to a "no car doors version" adding a new and corrected vacuformed windshield. Pilatus_15 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_100 by Valerio, su Flickr I also used some aftermarkets like Quickboost propeller, corrected nose and exhaust, Eduard photoetched set and Wolf3Dresin.com main wheels and tail wheel 3D resin parts. Many other parts has been scratchbuilt or made by turned brass. The model has been completely riveted with Archer positive rivets. Pilatus_130 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_132 by Valerio, su Flickr Decals from Mike Grant's, except for the registration marks painted using home made plottered masks. Hope you'll enjoy! Pilatus_END 1 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 19 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 18 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 6 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 4 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 17 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 20 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 5 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 16 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 14 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 15 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 13 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 12 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 11 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 10 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 9 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 8 by Valerio, su Flickr Pilatus_END 7 by Valerio, su Flickr Cheers from Rome!

Ozmods http://www.ozmods-kits.com/ has just released a new tool 1/72nd Pilatus PC-9 kit - ref. OMKIT 7201. The kit comes with injected plastic and clear parts, resin parts and decals for both Roulettes and Thai Air Force aerobatics teams. In-box review: http://forum.aussiemodeller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=8786 V.P.

Fairchild AU-23 Peacemaker (DW72033) 1:72 Dora Wings via Albion Alloys Toward the end of the Vietnam War the US instigated a project to provide the South Vietnamese Air Force with a cheap, light combat aircraft that could provide fire support for troops in engagement as well as take on missions on its own, whilst being able to operate from short, poorly prepared runways in the middle of nowhere. At the time Fairchild were license-producing the Pilatus Porter, and it was one of the contenders, along with another very similar-looking aircraft, the Helio Stallion. Both types were utilised after conversion to include external stores mounting points, including four wing pylons and a sideways firing 3-barrelled version of the 20mm Vulcan cannon. They were converted in small numbers as the AU-23 Peacemaker, powered by a 625hp turbo prop engine, and went into service to prove their worth in combat evaluation, flown by US and Vietnamese personnel in roughly equal measure. They were found to be lacking in power, leaving them vulnerable to ground fire for longer, even once the heavy ordnance had been unloaded on the enemy, a tactic that is known as a zoom climb. The fact the aircraft had no armour to protect the crew or vital systems was also a problem, and anything larger than rifle-fire could cause serious damage or take down the aircraft. The evaluation also exposed weakness in the aircraft’s structure that was possibly due to its new equipment or the more aggressive flying that comes with combat, and that caused groundings and the eventual decision to withdraw them from service, as they were not suitable for combat without extensive upgrades to all the systems and airframe strengthening. They were consigned to storage in Arizona for a period, after which they were sold to the Thai Air Force for border patrol and counter-insurgency operations where the likelihood of large calibre incoming fire and evasive manoeuvring was very slight. Some Pilatus built aircraft were assigned to Air America in the 1960s, the covert airline run and funded by the CIA, and they proved very useful getting into and out of short, poorly prepared and remote airstrips that were common in Vietnam and the surrounding countries at the time. One aircraft was later repainted in the blue and white livery of Air America to star in the film of the same name. The Kit Originally release under the BPK (Big Plane Kits) brand in 2017, the model had new parts added shortly after, then has appeared in a few boxings under BPK and Dora Wings badges with different decals. This new boxing marks the third outing as the Peacemaker, and arrives in a small top-opening box that contains four sprues of grey styrene, a clear sprue, a small bag of resin parts, a sheet of Photo-Etch (PE), decal sheet and the A4 portrait form instruction booklet that is printed in colour, and has decal profiles on the rear pages. Detail is good, although a little flash is to be found on a few parts, but it’s nothing that won’t scrape off in a few seconds. One or two short lengths of the panel lines have also degraded over time, most noticeably on the wings, and will need to be rescribed if it concerns you. Construction begins with the interior, starting with the flat floor section that has three single rows of seats on each side, supported by two sets of PE frames on each side of the walkway. The six passenger seats are made up from the cushion and backrest parts, and the two pilots’ seats are different, having raised sides and a high back that implies the presence of protective armour. They are also made from a square base and the winged back part. The pilots have rudders and control columns inserted into holes in the floor, and a two-part instrument panel with decal depicting the dials is built and mounted on a tubular support with two arms that locate under each end of the flat portion of the panel and fix into the floor on two pins. To close the fuselage, the two halves are prepared by adding a grill into the cockpit sidewall area, side windows and portholes behind the side doorways. A bulkhead is inserted behind the floor, and a pair of pillars are placed inside the halves behind the cockpit but in front of the side doors, then the halves are joined together, adding the tail-wheel, two PE fairings and a PE mudguard with stirrup around the wheel. You may have noticed that the fuselage halves stop short of the nose, which is a separate assembly that is itself made from two halves, utilising the resin parts to create the intake and frontal cowling, plus the exhaust shroud and the pipe itself that slots into the rear of the groove down the port side of the assembly. This variant has a three-blade prop that has the tip of the spinner moulded-in, and is completed by adding the back-plate and mating that to the nose, although it’s probably best left until final assembly after painting. The completed nose is fitted in place later. The upper wing is full-span and incorporates a short section of the roof, adding wingtip fairings and the lower wing halves, which also have separate control surfaces with ribbing moulded-in. The elevators are also single span top and bottom, fitting oversized tips and the flying surface to the rear, then detailing it with PE actuator, two trim-tab actuators, and straps on the wingtips. The wing is installed over the cockpit area, adding a pair of PE rails to the inner end of the flaps, and a pair of PE strakes on each leading edge near the root. The clear double-doors are inserted into their cut-outs in the side of the fuselage, fitting the windscreen, which extends into the roof in a manner that’s called panoramic in the motoring world. Small PE parts are added to the doors, and a hatch is glued over the port side window of the cockpit, which is best done after painting, using Klear/Future to adhere it to the window after the masking is removed. The elevator isn’t shown being joined to the flat section of the rear fuselage, but is simply shown in place, having a pair of small appliqué parts added on either side of the fin, which is made of two halves, plus the rudder panel, plugging into the fuselage by the usual slot and tab method. It also has a PE actuator, and all the flying surfaces can be posed deflected if you wish, adding extra interest to your model. A C-shaped PE towel-rail antenna, plus four more styrene parts and a clear light are added to the roof, while the wings are covered in PE access panels near the spar line, most of which are circular, plus rings near the tips. Under the wings several more PE hinges and other small parts are fitted, adding a PE deflector and antenna in front of the tail-wheel at the same stage. The main wheels are made from two halves plus an outer hub, and a PE brake assembly on the rear, through which the axle will pass. The main struts have two tiny PE parts fitted, and are linked together by a shallow V-shaped support, which attaches to the underside of the fuselage on pegs, the struts locating on the sides. The wings are supported by a pair of diagonal struts that link the bottom of the fuselage to the bracket that is moulded into the lower wing, adding PE tie-down loops further outboard. While the model is inverted, a pair of foot steps are attached under the side doors, with another L-shaped part under the starboard double-door and a blade antenna to the rear of the engine cowling. There are weapons included on the sprues that are appropriate for some of the decal options, which includes the choice of a pair of two-part fuel tanks that fit on pylons under the wings, or rocket pods that are made from two halves plus end caps with details moulded-in, and a separate pylon adapter. A set of two flat pods are left on the sprues for use in other boxings. Markings There are four decal options on the small sheet, two in different camouflage schemes, two as Air America airframes, one of which was a film star. From the box you can build one of the following: (B/n 42093) Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok, January 2018 (S/n N360F) of Air America at Bangkok Airport, late 1960s (B/n 238) Air America Livery, from the film of the same name (S/n 72-1307) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida USA during 1972 Decals are by Dora Wings’ usual partner, DecoGraph, which is a guarantee of good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin matt carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Conclusion This kit should build up into a creditable replica of the Peacemaker, with a variety of operators depicted on the decal sheet. The inclusion of a movie star also appeals. Highly recommended. Available in the UK in all good model shops. Review sample courtesy of

Hello, I wanted to enter this build in the GB, but for some reason I started a bit late and then realized I hadn't even opened a thread! This is a subject I really love and only recently I found the appropriate kit to use with the decals I bought at least ten years ago. Not the best option, since I think the more recent BPK kit seems way easier to build and more detailed, though I didn't want to run into any self inflicted issues using a different kit than those originally intended by the decal designer: I reckon it will be tricky enough just following the instructions! So, here is the basic set, more images wil follow up to the current progress. Thanks for looking!

Hi all After to have finish my two build in course, I decided to start an another build This time I choosed the Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter I choose this aircraft because one my collegue goes parachuting and I proposed to him to build the plane that he use in his passion. The good news is that Heller propose a box of this aircraft at 1/48 scale. But at the open box, despite the marking, we find the roden kit. Not a problem, another manufacturer do the same things. But I prefere that we don't put on the box "fabriqué en France" (manufactured in France). End of the little parenthesis For the scheme, I finded some photos on ailiners.net website. The aircraft is the follow <AIRLINERS.NET IMAGE REMOVED. PLEASE ONLY POST URLS TO THEIR SITE> The first test fit show some little difficulties like wing not straight, engraved not at the good place on a half fuselage, alingment problems on upper and lower wings parts etc etc The surface on wing and fuselage is not smooth. All these problem can be fixed but will ask some time

Found in the Weibo from one of the most talentuous Trumpy Boss Chinese illustrator, Yiming Zhang: a Pilatus PC-21! The next Hobby Boss secret project after the 1/48th Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano ( http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234948314-148-embraer-emb-314-super-tucano-by-hobby-boss-released-avm-usaf-conversion-set/ ) ? To be followed. Source: http://tw.weibo.com/3168929860/3931960680189033 V.P.

JFR Team Neufgrange has just re-edited the FSC Dujin 1/72nd Pilatus B-4 (also known as the PC-11 in the Pilatus numbering sequence) resin kit. Two boxing - ref. : FSC 805 & FSC 805BC Source: https://www.jfrteam-neufgrange.fr/pages/maquettes-fsc/fsc-dujin/pilatus-b-4.html V.P.

FSC Dujin hes just released a 1/72nd Pilatus P.2 resin kit - ref. FSC034 Source: http://www.jfrteam-neufgrange.fr/pages/maquettes-fsc/fsc-dujin/pilatus-p-2.html V.P.

Heritage Aviation is to release soon a 1/72nd Pilatus PC-12 resin kit - ref. Source: http://www.kitsforcash.com/latest-news-2-w.asp V.P.

Anáhuac Models from Mexico has just released anew tool 1/48th Pilatus PC-7 resin kit. Sources: http://modelismomexico.com/anahuac-models.html http://www.scalemates.com/products/product.php?id=335584µ Set 1 Set 2 µ Injected canopy! V.P.

I thought I'd just try present this model the best I can, and leave the knowledge of its quriks to my WIP thread here. I learned a few things during this project, so I'm happy. The paint scheme is "Reece Flight, Australian, later 1st Aviation Regiment, Army Air Force, Vietnam, 1969", according to Roden.

FSC Raven has just released two boxing (ALAT & civil) from a new tool 1/72nd Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter resin kit. Sources: http://www.jfrteam-neufgrange.fr/pages/maquettes-fsc/fsc-raven/pilatus-pc-6-turbo-porter-alat.html http://www.jfrteam-neufgrange.fr/pages/maquettes-fsc/fsc-raven/pilatus-pc-6-turbo-porter-civil.html V.P.

Pilatus PC-7 of The Royal Netherlands Air Force, pics thanks to Alex.

Irish Air Corps PC-9M pics from murfv