_frequentflyer_ Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 (edited) This is the last member of ‘FAC trilogy’ composed of previous O-1E and O-2A shown here in the past. It’s the most unusual and less known of three, the ‘pre production’ Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star. YO-3A was a two-seat nearly silent observation and reconnaissance aircraft designed by the Lockheed Missile and Space Division for use by the US Army at night over South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Its purpose was to detect enemy activity and direct artillery fire and helicopter gunship strikes upon them. The Observer sat in the front of the cockpit and the aircraft was fitted with a downward looking Night Vision Aerial Periscope (NVAP), infra-red illuminator and a laser target designator to complete its night mission. Unarmed, silence was the only protection it carried into conflict. The bubble canopy was large to enable all round observation capability and it is hard not to notice those long, thin wings (17.3 metre wingspan) which show its glider heritage. To keep the aircraft super quiet it was fitted with a special muffled 210-horsepower Continental Model IO-360D engine that powered a slow propeller to eliminate the typical sound generated by a spinning aircraft propeller (originally it was fitted with a six bladed variable pitch propeller but in 1971 this was changed to a 3 bladed laminated constant speed wooden propeller that was just as quiet but also more efficient at higher speeds). Only eleven were built in 1969 and nine of those were operated from the summer of 1970 to 1972 in South Vietnam. In an attest to the silent design of the aircraft, none were ever shot down or even hit by enemy fire during its time of operation in the conflict and it was proven to be very successful in its role. The hard-to-find second hand kit by Legato in 1:48 was found in Slovakia last Spring. It’s a full resin kit with vacuum canopy and an useful photo etched sheet. It’s a medium quality kit (dated 2005) with poor interior details, I suppose due to lack of images at time… Camo color indications are of pure fantasy as well. Interiors are from scratch, except a revisited floor. WiP pictures taken during these ten months of working were too many to show all you here, so that I decided to get a (large) selection. Model, pilot, extinguisher and plates are painted by Testors/Humbrol enamels. The real 69-18007 is now stored at Western Museum of Flight (California), waiting for restoration. Thanks to Museum’s press office and Quiet Aircraft Association for essential help. Work started June 2018, ended early March 2019. Man hours worked h.378. Cheers, Alessandro Rome YO-3A 69-18007 at Phu Bai (Vietnam), 1970 (photo credit http://www.yo-3a.com/ ) Cockpit, port side Dry fitting - starboard side **********************************************************************************************************************************+ Edited May 4, 2019 by _frequentflyer_ 53 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Sometimes, 'WOW!' isn't enough. So: WOW-WOW! What an amazing lesson in high level model making! Sometimes I get a bit grumpy when posters stack umpteen look-alike photos on top of each other, but not this time. A fascinating and inspiring pictorial how-to! Doffing my hat in abject admiration… Kind regards, Joachim 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Absolutely amazing scratch-building, leading to an incredible final result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 wha...wha.....what scale was that! Absolutely brilliant I love it Great subject So interesting The build, the skill, the scratched items, the final finish.........so well done Cheers Bruce 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 I continued to be impressed with the ultra-high level of quality models that are being posted on this website. Just when I become awestruck with an excellent subject, regardless of scale, something new is unveiled and it surpasses the previous one. This YO-3A continues that tradition here on Brit Modeler. What an absolutely perfect replica of a most unique subject. The attention to detail is second to none and this is an outstanding work of art. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Most Impressive of a lesser known type ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 I've never heard of this aircraft type before, but your extraordinary attention to detail has really brought it to life. A superb piece of work! Alan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncletommy Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Excellent YoYo! A great rendition of one of my more obscure favorites. One of these days I'm going to have to build the RC kit I've got of this thing! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gween Weeder Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Astounding work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikolay Polyakov Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 I don’t know what to say more... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Superb! Fascinating model Alessandro and an excellent build log. Lots of useful ideas. Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Getting Old Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Very nice work Sir, well done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Top modelling! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmm Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Extraordinary work. An eye for detail and the skills to replicate it at scale. Perfect. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Stunning! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Superb, just superb. Great scratch building which often requires much research so I assume you found plenty of material and the diorama finishes it all off nicely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Outstanding workmanship and attention to detail,beautiful! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny_Sokko Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Wow, that is some inspirational work, on an unusual subject. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 I thought I knew all the planes of Vietnam, this is a new one for me. Sure looks good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_frequentflyer_ Posted May 6, 2019 Author Share Posted May 6, 2019 Thanks all for your kind words! Happy modelling, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 Oh my giddy aunt! That is a wonderful bit of super detailing and thank you so much for sharing your skills and techniques.. now I will go back to knitting!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monday Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 A superb piece of modelling. I am a big fan of the YO-3 and you have done this fascinating airplane justice with this model. I think I'll get myself one in 1/72! BM. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobo Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 Stunning work. Your attention to detail is amazing. I didn't even know there was a model of this bird. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Good grief, that is absolutely amazing! AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SafetyDad Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Wow! Like other posters here I hadn't come across this aircraft before. Excellent modelling skills plus wonderful photography. Thank you! SD 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