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Morane-Saunier MS 500, "Criquet", Vietnam Armed Forces, Nhatrang, 1952...Heller/SMER


John Masters

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A tip of the hat to the folks over in the Vietnam GB. 😁

This is a venerable kit, whose provenance has been verified via Scalemates...direct lineage.

 

From this, ca. 1976...

 

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To this kit, which is what I have...

 

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My very own...and they have increased the age requirement...and what is that beneath it?  Hmmm....you'll have to find out for yourselves!  😉

 

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The decals...

 

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I haven't photographed the sprue.  The plastic is white.  I anticipate flash.  

 

In the words of Capt. Willard..."Nhatrang....Nhtrang for me...?  What are the charges...?"

 

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--John

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Aha, you had me confused for a minute there John, trying to find the kit in our "new tool only" database. Also hindered by the fact that I know very little about aircraft 🙂 

 

But, I now know the French version was the "Criquet". 

 

Nice subject, good luck with your build! You will find it listed under "Fieseler Storch" in the build list, just so you know. 

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7 minutes ago, JeroenS said:

Aha, you had me confused for a minute there John, trying to find the kit in our "new tool only" database. Also hindered by the fact that I know very little about aircraft 🙂 

 

But, I now know the French version was the "Criquet". 

 

Nice subject, good luck with your build! You will find it listed under "Fieseler Storch" in the build list, just so you know. 

Thanks Jeroen.  

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I decided to clean off the matt...Ajax and washing soap...

 

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Much better now...

 

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And starting the Criquet.  Notice the Mureaux 117 on the right.  The varnish is drying.  It'll be in the gallery by tomorrow!

 

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I am very pleased to report: no flash!  Very little detail either, but that is alright.  Maybe I can augment that a bit.

 

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Good looking clear parts.  I will try my best not to smudge them up.

 

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And we're off!  I'll do a bit of research first on the interior...see what I can juke up!

 

--John

 

 

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8 hours ago, JOCKNEY said:

Never seen a Storch finished in Vietnamese colours before, nice one Dennis.

 

Not the first time I have been called Dennis.  And, considering his modelling skills, I feel it's a compliment! 😁

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Not much to the cockpit assembly.  I'll add some seat belts later.

 

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The next bit is tricky.  The greenhouse.  This will be an unarmed aircraft.

 

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I masked all the pieces first.  It is a mask set for the Academy kit, so I have had to add a couple of pieces of tape.  But it is alright.

 

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It is together.  A tedious pain to assemble, but I did it.  I cannot vouch for clarity.

 

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I am leaving the door open on this.  It's an option.

 

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Fuselage and wing halves went together without a hitch.

 

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A test fit this morning of the greenhouse and the fuselage proved almost perfect.  There are some gaps and I will use Milliput for those.

 

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So this is where I am now.  You might think I am going fast, but I have yet to assemble the landing gear.  That is 50% of the kit and 75% of the sweat.

 

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--John

 

 

 

 

 

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19 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

Nice to see a Criquet (née Storch) joining this huge GB. This is a nice little kit and you’re making a cracking start of it so far. 
Cheers and all the best.. Dave.

Thanks Dave.  

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That canopy is a pain.  It began to disassemble as I was applying the Milliput.  Still not perfect.  I will have to work on it.  I hope it is able to support the wings.

 

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I distracted myself by adding some hitchhikers--courtesy of Preiser.  Serves them right for leaving the door open on the landing strip!

Note the gap in the canopy that now exists.  It wasn't there before.  Dammit.

 

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--John

 

 

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5 hours ago, JOCKNEY said:

I hope it can be persuaded to behave itself.

The chickens help!  😆

 

5 hours ago, AdrianMF said:

I was hoping it would be an easier job than the Airfix one I wrestled with earlier this year, but apparently not!

 

See above...

 

Not to worry folks.  I'll wrangle that canopy into shape!

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Here's a bit of fun...parts 11 and 10 on the instructions are reversed.  11 should be on the port wing and 10 the starboard.  I found that after I had glued them in and attempted to attach part 19 to the strut.  I cut them off and glued them reversed, and voila!  

 

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Here is my first attempt to keep the strut in place while the glue set...

 

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And, finally, with 10 pieces making up the entire landing gear assembly, it looks pretty good. 

 

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In my research I delved into the stash and came out with the newer Storch kit from AZ Model.  Surprise!  It is the same kit from the same moulds.  Exactly.  So there you go.  Scalemates has this listed, btw.  

 

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Almost time to prime, I think.  This is an east paint job.  The French MS-500 was all Drab Green, top to toes.

 

 

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