Plastic Parrot - CT/4 Airtrainer

[zebra]

What could be more in the spirit of this GB than an aircraft built in New Zealand and operated by the RAAF? There can't be many aircraft you could say that about, but one of them would be the PAC CT/4 Airtrainer aka the Plastic Parrot. I'll be building one in 1/72 (which means it's tiny) using the Red Roo 3D printed resin kit.

 

Here's what comes in the box:

 

Nicely done 3D printed parts, good looking decals, comprehensive instructions and two vacform canopies.

 

I need to get my Starfighters off the bench before I start, but that won't be too long.

 

cheers

Julian

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Hello Julian welcome to the build with an interesting choice. Judging by the size it shouldn't take up too much space when its finished. 

[zebra]

3 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Hello Julian welcome to the build with an interesting choice. Judging by the size it shouldn't take up too much space when its finished. 

Thanks Dennis, I definitely won't be wondering where to put this one! I think it might be the smallest kit I've ever built.

[Rabbit Leader]

I so much what one of these, however the price point is a tad high (all to be expected by the quality of the moulds of course). 
 

I’ll be watching on and no doubt get inspired to seek one out if any are still available. 
 

Cheers and all the best.. Dave 
 

 

[Bandsaw Steve]

Great subject! 
Yet more memories from my mis-spent youth! 

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

Nice choice Julian.

 

I have a stalled Tasman resin kit in the stash.  Maybe I should get a ADF Shelf of Doom thread going, I have at least 5 models I could be trying to finish rather than starting more.

 

Will you be doing the original yellow/green scheme?

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

9 hours ago, Romeo Alpha Yankee said:

Nice choice Julian.

 

I have a stalled Tasman resin kit in the stash.  Maybe I should get a ADF Shelf of Doom thread going, I have at least 5 models I could be trying to finish rather than starting more.

 

Will you be doing the original yellow/green scheme?

Please do they're all welcome, the 25% rule is currently waived for previously started ANZAC related builds. Just drop them in the inspiration gallery when finished. 

[zebra]

On 4/24/2025 at 8:57 PM, Romeo Alpha Yankee said:

Will you be doing the original yellow/green scheme?

 

That's the plan. It's much more interesting than the fanta can scheme - anyway I'm building an orange Canberra in the 80s GB and will need to save all my orange paint for that!

 

I've made a start today - not got far, just some parts preparation. There are quite a few print layer lines so I've been cleaning them up.

 

It occurred to me that this might be the perfect subject for an Australia/NZ GB since it was built in NZ and operated by Australia. Both countries can lay claim to it, a bit like Russell Crowe, Crowded House and pavlova!

[zebra]

I've started. Quite quickly got to this stage:

 

 

Unfortunately I got a bit carried away and forgot to put any ballast in the nose before closing up the fuselage! After a bit of head scratching I decided to drill through the hole for the prop, which gave me access to the cavity in the nose, and dropped thin slivers of lead foil in until I couldn't fit any more in. Problem solved, hopefully.

 

I think I'll cut out the vacform canopy and trim it to fit next. A job that I hate, but it's going to have to be done sooner or later, and perhaps easier now than after the wings have gone on.

 

more soon

Julian

 

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

Good start, I did the same with my CT-4.  Looks like it has a lot more detail than mine.

[zebra]

Now that I'm no longer distracted by Starfighters it's time to get back to the Plastic Parrot. I've got the wings and empennage on and more bits added to the cockpit, and I'm just about ready to fit the canopy. I don't think it's going to be a tail sitter, but it's going to be close!

 

 

more soon

Julian

 

[zebra]

I was wrong about it not being a tail sitter! I've jammed as much lead foil through the prop hub as I can, and it's still resolutely tipping over. A little bit of blu tack helps:

 

 

Time to mask the canopy and start painting.

more soon

Julian

 

[Rabbit Leader]

That’s looking rather lovely. The bright layer of paint will make it really pop. Looking forward to it.
Cheers.. Dave