Airfix 1/72 Cessna O-1 Bird Dog

[Guest]

Hi all, This is my first aero-modeling project in over six years and it will be the first time I've used such new fan-dangle things like Putty both Epoxy and out of a tube, cutting and repositioning control surfaces, kit bashing, per-shading, airbrushing an aircraft and shooting enamel paint with a airbrush. Hay I have always thrown my self in the deep end and I'm pretty sure my mum said that I could run before I could crawl

I chose the Bird Dog for this wham up project for a few reasons. First of all I found it in a box old empty boxes when I was look for Airfix flying hours, so I'm treating it like a gift from the kit fairy. Secondly for the sparsely populated cockpit witch will give me a chance to add some detail.

THE BUILD

I have started with cutting and repositioning control surfaces, I cut the ailerons, elevators with trim-tab and rudder. I left the flaps as they looked like they would be a lot of work for me. Even I know when not to bit off more then I can chew. At the same time I filled the holes in the main wings surface and re glued the ailerons

Moving on to the cockpit. I used some Green Stuff to sculpted the quilted looking insulation on the cockpit interior. I found a spear P51 seat from a build I done many years ago which with a bit of cutting looks a lot like the photos I have found. I added a control stick and some bits and pieces where the fuel selector valve is located as well as a second control stick in the stored position on the side wall between the two seats.

[Guest]

Into the unknown. My experience with enamel paints is little to nonexistent. As a clumsy kid my mother would not allow me to use enamel paints inside because of my clumsiness, the small and the thinners need to clean up with. as an clumsy adult my wife would not allow me to use enamel paints inside because of my clumsiness, the small and the thinners need to clean up with. Now I have a shed to do all this type of stuff so its time to have fun.

I'm very familiar with the bigger cousins of the Tamiya and Humbrol enamels from work I have done spraying with auto-motive and aero-motive paints

I'm using Tamiya XF71 cockpit green INJ I am aware that this isn't the most suitable coaler but it is the closeted thing on hand. After thinning it down I tried spraying on a piece of sprue just to cheek the Constancy and see if it was going to melt the plastic. After this I was very happy and progressed to the model its self. I'm very happy with the coat both thickness and texture.

[Guest]

This is great stuff Z_man (is that your real name lol) I think it is great that you have take an old kit and actually started some real work on it. This comes under the "real modelling" category and I take my hat off to you. Really looking forward to the updates.

P.S. Aren't sheds a blessing ;-)

[Guest]

Very impressive. Have you seen the Canadian paint scheme for the Bird Dog? It's really sharp.In fact I've been using it as my computer's wall paper for about a year now.