Kovozávody Prostějov 1/72 Aero A.100

[AdrianMF]

I've got just one build in progress, it's arguably the best (ESCI) kit available of a well-known, good-looking aircraft (F-100D Super Sabre), being built OOB except for seat belts, using the all-silver colour scheme and decals from the kit.

 

It just feels all wrong!

 

So, let's fix it. Choose a little known aircraft (Aero A.100, 44 built) with questionable looks, also arguably the best kit available (by virtue of being the only kit available), in need of a few upgrades in the cockpit and some rigging. Aah, that feels better!

 

In all fairness, it's not a bad kit for its time (1988):

 

Decals are still bleaching in the window (catching the English December sunshine 🙄).

 

Stringers added for the fabric covering. The kit provides a single level floor that would leave the pilot far too low in the fuselage , so I cut it in half and mounted the pilot seat higher up:

 

The radiator front is a solid piece with somewhat faint embossed detail. I cut it out and I've put in a recessed plate as a base for more detailing. I'm leaving the back of the radiator solid because it will be hard to see any improvement that I might make.

 

Why yes dear viewer, that would be six ammo drums in the kit, allowing for four spares in the gunner's compartment. They would fit very nicely right where those wonky bits of sliced sprue have been stuck on with copious quantities of superglue 🙄🥺:

And painted, showing wine bottle foil seat belts and some excellent detailing of the kit instrument panels by KP.

 

[BorgR3mc0]

Great work on such an old kit. 

[AntoineG]

Beautiful work.

It's always a pleasure to see an oldy being treated like this.

[AdrianMF]

14 hours ago, AntoineG said:

It's always a pleasure to see an oldy being treated like this

14 hours ago, BorgR3mc0 said:

old kit.

Thanks!
 

I find the obscure (to me) KP kits very relaxing. I've built the Po-2, Letov S-16 and 328 (float version). The kits are cheap on auction sites, pretty accurate, and build up well, and I don't over-burden myself with research beyond a bit of Wikipedia and google image search.

 

And if I get really stuck I can be sure that @JWM will have built one to show me what's what! Talking of which, it's an insane amount of work to get from an A-100 to an A-101:

 

Regards,

Adrian

 

[billn53]

I always love seeing old kits like these getting the attention they deserve (unless they were a pig, in which case I enjoy seeing them transformed into a silk purse, if at all possible).

[AdrianMF]

52 minutes ago, billn53 said:

pig

I'm going for a pigskin bag on this one...

 

(edit) My regular travel to USA for work days are now over but I still remember my first trip to a Murdoch's store with a colleague and the sight of a large bin full of pigs ears!

 

Regards,

Adrian

[bigbadbadge]

Wow, great job on the interior Adrian, I do like watching these builds of you more obscure subjects.

 

Chris

 

[JWM]

2 hours ago, AdrianMF said:

Talking of which, it's an insane amount of work to get from an A-100 to an A-101:

Thank - what is really frustrating very soon after I did this conversion RS released a two  Aero 101 variants:

 

A 101 https://www.scalemates.com/kits/rs-models-92260-aero-a101--1353329

and Ab 101 https://www.scalemates.com/pl/kits/rs-models-94010-aero-ab-101--1447171

I bought the second one just in case  

Nice work on inside! 

If you like to avoid very yellow and faded (likely) decals (although not bad adhesion and nice to apply) you can go for Slovak scheme with more common (compare to early double cross like in mine A 100) late WW2 blue Slovak crosses 

supported by this photo

 

Rwgards

J-W

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2024 by JWM

[dogsbody]

I've got one of these in the back corner of my stash, so I'm following this build.

 

 

 

Chris

[stevehed]

Built one a few years back. Don't recall any problems and like Adrian I like KP kits. Made mine as a SCW whif, much simpler than trying to convert to A101.

[AdrianMF]

I'm having far too much fun here (and not enough sleep):

 

I think I will drop the elevators a bit to give it some interest.

[Brandy]

To quote Rowan and Martin....

 

Veeeery interesting......

 

Ian

[marvinneko]

On 08/12/2024 at 21:45, AdrianMF said:

think I will drop the elevators a bit to give it some interest.

 

[AdrianMF]

Well, micro-progress:

[AdrianMF]

And finally, a Christmas List! Cockpit rim padding from white glue:


And I had previously cut out the radiator grille for having poor definition. Started making a new grille out of 0.5 mm plastic rod:

Trimming to shape:

 

And voila:

 

Was it worth the bother? Hmm...

[SmashedGlass]

If those old decals don't seem to want to bleach out for you, a company called APC Decals (available at hobbyshop.cz) makes high quality replacement sheets for many of the old Frog, KP, and other kits.

 

Aero A 100 decals

[AdrianMF]

33 minutes ago, SmashedGlass said:

company called APC Decals

Thanks for that. I've used them before on several kits and their decals are pretty nice, although I've had to touch up slightly mis-registered white edges on some of them.

 

The ones in the kit have responded well to British Winter Sunshine (!) and I think they will be OK:

 

Regards,

Adrian

[JWM]

The decals looks very good as for what you may find sometimes in the old KP box...

Nice work on cooler inlet

Cheers

J-W

 

[HarryHobbyin]

really interesting Plane.....great work on your build so far. 

[AdrianMF]

Here we go. Six struts, four holes in the underside and no positive locations. But we have a picture:

 

Actually, it wasn't too bad to figure out:

 

The plastic works quickly with Revell Contacta cement to set up a fairly stiff joint. Upper wing just placed on here:

 

I drilled holes in the fuselage for the cabane struts, popped them in and secured them to the fuselage with superglue applied on a cocktail stick:

I deepened the strut location holes in the upper wing but otherwise everything is straight off the sprues. I think it's time to tiptoe away and let that all set properly overnight!
 

[AdrianMF]

Righty! Xmas and blitzbuilds out if the way, back to WIP:

 

I'm using fuse wire wrapped around a paintbrush handle to give the wheels a bit of a rim, and I decided to sand the propeller back to white plastic and start again with a coat of Humbrol 62 Leather.

 

Finished the prop with some Revell 84 darker leather mixed with retarding gel and applied streakily. That will get a coat of Future when it’s dry tomorrow.
 

 

Aah, back in the groove again...

[Courageous]

Firstly, happy New Year to you Adrian. Love what you're doing with these older kits. Nice improvement with the radiator, looks like you've done something with the exhaust stacks; replaced or drilled-out? Looking good.

 

Stuart

[The Spadgent]

Indeed. Happy new year old boy. Loving this already. The internals are splendid and the new radiator is lovely. Great wood effect on the prop too. 👌

 

 Johnny

[bigbadbadge]

Oh wow this has really progressed, looking fantastic with the extra details added. 

Chris

[English Electric]

@AdrianMF I have to say that I absolutely love KP kits as well... I have a feeling that this may still be lurking in what's left of my stash (long story), so it's a joy to follow really. Having recently started getting my modelling mojo back after a sprightly four and a bit years, I was looking at the CS-199. This thread may even persuade me to give it a go... great work!

 

C