Rabbit Leader Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 So this is my third Group Build entry for 2023, with builds well progressed in both the Salty Dog GB (Fairey Gannet) and Marcel Bloch / Dassault GB (Dassault Ouragan). I’m trying to push my modelling output this year by getting involved in as many Group Builds as possible. There’s a good chance some of them may fall by the wayside, however if I keep slowly plugging away at things I might surprise myself and end up with a new collection of finished kits…. As they often say in this hobby, what could possibly go wrong! So as a nice little Japanese training buddy to @stevej60’s Fuji T-1a, I present Hasegawa’s rather cute little Beechcraft T-34 Mentor. A kit first released in 1973, it’s includes five decal options and a nifty little tow tug. My boxing seems to be from around 1977 and the silvered coloured parts are quite crisp and flash free. One of the Japanese options is painted in all over International Orange which has taken my fancy and be a nice addition to my small collection of colourful cabinet models. Like a number of these classic GB’s, this will do nothing for my stash reduction. There’s no doubt I’ll see a number of great builds I’ve never ever considered, then go on a mad search to try and acquire some! So big cheers and best of luck to all ‘Big in Japan’ contributes.. Dave 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 Great choice Dave Not a kit I'm familiar with and you're far too young and good looking to remember 1973, but take my word for it, you didn't miss much ! Good luck mate Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted February 15, 2023 Author Share Posted February 15, 2023 11 minutes ago, JOCKNEY said: and you're far too young and good looking to remember 1973, If only Pat… there’s photos out there of Mum dressing me up in some short legged red and white one-zie wearing knee high socks somewhere about that time… thankfully the fashion has changed, but that mat of hair is quickly thinning out! If it wasn’t for this GB I’d probably stay well clear of subjects like this, which is why they are always so much fun to get involved with. Let’s see how we go hey! Cheers and best of luck with the Hosting duties Pat… Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandboof Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 Great to this one turn up . Martin H 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 And we are ‘IKU’ …… that means ‘GO'! I made a quick start to this basic little Beechcraft Mentor kit and decided up front to tweak it a bit. The two seats had a few minor plastic imperfections that I couldn't seem to sand out, so I decided to make some seat cushions out of ribbed plastic card. The cockpit sidewalls have no detail whatsoever so I used some plastic strip and a little imagination to make something representative. Please don't use this as reference material, I have no idea what the real aircraft looks like. The instructions advise you to build up the main undercarriage struts before assembling the wings together so I took their advice and followed it. The instructions also provide a little kiddies warning… and I quote - “After the parts are taken out, cut the bag into pieces to prevent the infant from covering its head”! Fair enough I suppose!! Here’s the first progress pic. Cheers and good luck to all GB members.. Dave 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Definitely one I remember sitting on the shelf in John Menzies with other exotic JASDF types like the T-1 and the F-86, not to mention the He-51. Not a kit I've ever built so following with interest. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, John said: Definitely one I remember sitting on the shelf in John Menzies with other exotic JASDF types like the T-1 and the F-86, not to mention the He-51. Not a kit I've ever built so following with interest. John Same here - the first Hasegawa kits I ever built were the Frog re-boxings (though I did not realise at the time). Later I same the kits John mentioned in my then LMS in Chester but did not fancy them - I regret not picking up the He 51 now! Pete Edited February 18, 2023 by PeterB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share Posted February 24, 2023 A little more interior work shown before I add a truck load on nose weight and close up the fuselage. Additional (basic) details have been painted up in Light Gull Grey and a Dark Grey wash applied. I should be able to apply the seats just before I apply the canopy, so might repaint these again as my artistic teenage daughter tells me I’ve done a * bad job of them! * Not her first choice of word!! Should look a lot like a Mentor in the next update. Cheers… Dave 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted February 25, 2023 Share Posted February 25, 2023 Great start Dave cockpit looks the business. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex.B Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 I have the seme exact box, so definitely following! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Nice one - looks like a fun build! On 15/02/2023 at 10:37, Rabbit Leader said: Like a number of these classic GB’s, this will do nothing for my stash reduction. I know that feeling. There's a voice in my head that won't go away saying "I can't believe you call yourself a modeller when you've never built a 1/35 Tamiya armour kit"... Good luck with the kit and get Mrs R-L to change your ebay password! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted March 16, 2023 Author Share Posted March 16, 2023 Apologies for the delayed update and lack of input within this GB.... I’m just spreading myself rather thinly around a few of the other great GB’s on here. So a quick update showing that the base Mentor kit is all assembled prior to applying (hopefully) a smooth white primer. The bulk of the tow tug has been assembled as well, however the upper nose section is not glued in as yet, I’ll apply paint inside the cabin first and clean up the joins later on. There’s lots of nose weight inside that little Mentor nose, however this photo proves she won’t be a tail sitter. Overall, a neat little package that should hopefully look the part once finished. Cheers.. Dave 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 16, 2023 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Wow that was quick Great stuff mate Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted March 29, 2023 Author Share Posted March 29, 2023 More slow progress here. I’ve sprayed a few coats of white to get a good base for the yellow (tug) and orange (Mentor). Might have gone a little heavy on the paint as most of the fine raised lines on the Mentor kit are no longer there. Not sure if this was lost during construction either as it’s hard to know what you’re sanding when dealing with silver plastic. Cheers. Dave 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 30, 2023 Share Posted March 30, 2023 Did they use these in the artic ? Looks terrific Dave Cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted March 31, 2023 Author Share Posted March 31, 2023 On 3/31/2023 at 4:45 AM, JOCKNEY said: Did they use these in the artic ? Ha!! not that I’m aware of mate. I’m sure some US versions were White with Orange wing tips, tail and noses, but that won’t be my one. I’m just down in Melbourne with the young fella getting ready for the Australian F1 Grand Prix, so won’t be able to progress this one until late next week. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 31, 2023 Share Posted March 31, 2023 1 minute ago, Rabbit Leader said: I’m just down in Melbourne with the young fella getting ready for the Australian F1Grand Prix, so won’t be able to progress this one until late next week. Cheers.. Dave Not jealous at all 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