Madhatter Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 (edited) This GB is missing one element - a Gunship! So I will attempt to fill that void with this - The 1/72 Italeri AC-119K Gunship This kit is pretty old by today's standards, but it seems alright to me with it's raised panel lines etc. It even comes with a replacement sprue for it's one major fault - the tail booms. When I got it, I was looking through the contents and couldn't work out why there was another sprue in there with the same parts already there. It wasn't until I was looking at some online that I realised why there was 2. For those who don't know, there is a fin on the bottom side of the booms and on the original kit release, only one side of each boom had that fin, so it was very lop sided. Italeri have remedied that and now include the replacement sprue inside. Very nice of them So, obligatory sprue shots now: Original kit parts for the tail booms: Replacement booms: So as you can see - not many parts, but enough to make it interesting I mentioned earlier that it has raised lines and the answer to the impending question is "No" - I am not going to re-scribe the entire kit. I am not skilled enough ( ) with a scriber to do that. however, one night with some major Dutch courage in me, I might think about it, but that's probably when I should be hiding the scriber away I shall be making a start on it tomorrow night Till then MH Edited November 1, 2015 by snapper_city 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 (edited) I think you'll find the original kit had finned underbooms. The ones without are the replacement parts. I remember slicing them off building the transport version. Both are absolute beauts of kits - that go together really nicely. I really enjoyed building mine. Edited October 3, 2015 by theplasticsurgeon 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight_Flyer Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I have the Italeri B-57G and the raised panel lines don't look too bad to me. Either way I think your model will turn out looking good. Don't know much about this plane and keep thinking of Air America probably because of that movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 I think you'll find the original kit had finned underbooms. The ones without are the replacement parts. I remember slicing them off building the transport version. Both are absolute beauts of kits - that go together really nicely. I really enjoyed building mine. not quite sure what you meant - the original kit parts (2nd from the bottom) show finned bottoms - albeit only one sided, where-as the very bottom pics show both sides as having the fins. Anyway, yours came out nicely! You don't see too many of these on the boards. It's a shame you can't get better detailed guns though - the kit ones are somewhat ....lack-luster in their appearance. Still, they'll be hidden away inside, so not much point putting too much emphasis on them. I found a few good pictures online of the insides of these and it seems Italeri did alright with the detail supplied Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 You have made me very happy building this. I have one in the stash that I can't wait to throw together. Looking forward to seeing it come together. I have the Italeri B-57G and the raised panel lines don't look too bad to me. Either way I think your model will turn out looking good. Don't know much about this plane and keep thinking of Air America probably because of that movie. The film Air America had a C-123 Provider. Roden do one in 1:72 which I have. It also comes with Air America decals. not quite sure what you meant - the original kit parts (2nd from the bottom) show finned bottoms - albeit only one sided, where-as the very bottom pics show both sides as having the fins. Anyway, yours came out nicely! You don't see too many of these on the boards. It's a shame you can't get better detailed guns though - the kit ones are somewhat ....lack-luster in their appearance. Still, they'll be hidden away inside, so not much point putting too much emphasis on them. I found a few good pictures online of the insides of these and it seems Italeri did alright with the detail supplied The under fins are for the AC-119. The without are for the C-119 cargo version that Italeri also makes. As for the guns Quickboost makes resin Miniguns. I'm 99% sure I have seen some M-61 Vulcans out there also but I can't remember who at the moment. I'll comment again if I remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Found the M-61 Vulcan. This could be interesting to put together in 1:72. Going to order some for my Stinger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish 251 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Note that the kit nosewheel doors are incorrect for any version of the C-119. With gear down, the open doors are a lot shorter than depicted by the kit parts. If you google for images of the AC-119K you'll see the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philp Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 I have put together one of the M-61 Vulcans and it was a royal pain but then I don't work with PE so was a learning experience. Though trying to do a 2nd one would make me cringe. Good choice as I love gunships. Have this one and the AC-47 kit in the stash. Need to get a couple of the AC-130s also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 I have built a few miniguns in 1:35 which are the same. 16 parts not even an inch long. My only advice is don't worry about being neat with the CA glue. Build it, let it dry then scratch the dried residue off the metal with a scalpel blade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 I bought the 1/32 set of barrels for the M60 and none of the bits actually fitted into the holes - so it was a complete waste of money for me Anyway, very small update. I have begun painting. I really love Alaclad's duralinuminum (spelt wrong but I don't have the bottle handy to get it right) as a colour. spent some time drilling out the little holes in the frame for the rear doors and the metallics are done: That's it for now. I shall update again soon thanks for looking MH 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 1:32 M60 barrel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 sorry - no - I meant the 6 barreled machine gun - M134D. It was for my Gunship helicopter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 Ok cool. I have built a few 1:35 RB models brass miniguns. They are definitely too big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 (edited) I have been slugging away at this and before I knew it, I had it all buttoned up and not taken any photos of the interior work I'd done!, opps..... Never mind - you can barely see it as it is now. Since taking the below pictures, I have added the nose and wings. Its really looking like a AC119 now. I had no buy paint for it today and of course, the paint shop didn't have the correct colours, so I have custom made some as close to what it looks like in pictures (I hope) Lots of big seams to fix up like this one: that's it for now thanks for looking MH Edited October 6, 2015 by Madhatter 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) All the parts are now pretty much attached and it's on with masking the windows etc ready for painting. Really starting to look like an AC-119 now thanks for looking MH Edited October 9, 2015 by Madhatter 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Looking mean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 got the black laid down and I am super happy with how that's come out. I used the Mr Surfacer 1500 Black rattle can for the job and I have to say - it is the best rattle can I have ever used. Super smooth and effective - I highly recommend it to anyone to use either for a base coat or an actual colour. The only down side is it's expensive ($18.00au a can- approx 8-10 pounds) but so worth it! The only other thing is that black is extremely hard to photograph properly \\ Once this thunderstorm has passed and it stops raining heavily, I will take it to the shed ready to start the top of it Thanks for looking MH 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 The black looks great. I'm really enjoying this build. It is making me want to build mine. One day I will have the space and time. Looking forward to the top side colours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 thanks mate. Yeah, I'm quite enjoying it too Got the pre-shading done: ' I'm not terribly into pre-shading - more post if I need to, but I wanted to try this technique out to see if it makes any difference. So far it does, but that remains to be seen once the top colours go on MH 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Love this aircraft, and you are doing a cracking job of building yours. The black gave a fantastic finish, I am looking forward to seeing how the pre-shading works. Craig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Looks great so-far, might have to dig mine out too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 well, the top colours are now on and it's a case of a few small touch ups and it'll be ready for the clear coat, decals and weathering (limited) thanks for looking! MH 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Very impressive, I had his kit when it first came out, never got round to finishing it, ended up in plastic heaven 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter96 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Very lovely stuff on display here! The 'Nam Gunships all really looked the part. Thanks for sharing with us. Chris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Looks so good in that camo.. must resist getting mine out! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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