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Post by Bruce on May 22, 2006 23:07:25 GMT 12
Hi guys, Ive just started my latest project for my collection, an RNZAF C60 Lodestar, which will mean I'll have all 5 of the RNZAF wartime lockheed twins (Hudson, Lodestar, Lexington, Ventura and Harpoon). The model is a conversion using the Squadron Airmodel vacform conversion and the Airfix Hudson as a donor kit. I'll post some pics of progress as I go (hopefully). This uses a new vacformed fuselage and upper wing panels with airfix tail feathers, lower wing panels and detail parts. I have to date built up the fuselage and mounted the tailplane. despite it being a vacform and all that entails, the parts fit isnt too bad - in fact better than the old airfix fuselage!
What I woud like to know is whether anyone has any good photos of a C60 in RNZAF service. I have a good one amongst my various books of NZ3511 after its crash at Palmerston North on delivery to NAC, but by this time the paintwork has deteriorated dramatically and some bare metal parts have been added for the ferry flight, and I would like something more representative of wartime service. My big question is weather the Olive Drab upper surfaces had foliage green countershading as seen on the RNZAF C47s and P40s - this cannot be discerned on the black and white postwar photo of 3511 which I have. Does anyone have anything? unfortunately the poor old C60 doesnt get a lot of recognition in most publications, at least not in RNZAF schemes.
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Post by Bruce on May 28, 2006 21:48:12 GMT 12
O.K, here are some pics of the C60 tonight, before I get into painting it. They show the Airmodel vacform parts (white) with the donor Airfix parts (silver) it also shows the large amount of filler required (the patches of green and olive paint are part of the filling and sanding process - it helps determine whether the filler has blended O.K.) I have deviated from the Airmodel instructions by cutting the fromt off the vac form nacelles and replacing them with the airfix parts - the vacform nacelles do not extend far enough downwards. everything fits O.K, considering it is attaching vacform components to some of the most notoriously poor fitting injected parts!    still would love to see any C60 pics anyone has - would really like to know about any countershading in the camo colours..... |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 29, 2006 8:09:23 GMT 12
Hey, you've done it in the same paint scheme as Motat's is now! ;D ;D   |
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Post by corsair67 on May 29, 2006 10:37:09 GMT 12
Bruce, there are some photos in "RNZAF - The First Decade" by Charles Darby of Lodestars: have you seen those?
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Post by Bruce on May 29, 2006 11:03:13 GMT 12
It looks frighteningly like Motats at the moment!
Unfortunately I hevent seen Charles Darby's book - does anyone have a copy they could scan for me?
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Post by corsair67 on May 29, 2006 11:11:26 GMT 12
Ask Dave, I believe he has a copy in his collection. Failing that, drop me a line and I'll scan it for you.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 29, 2006 13:28:16 GMT 12
I do have a copy Bruce. Ask me later today.
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Post by agalbraith on May 29, 2006 21:47:24 GMT 12
Beautiful work there Bruce
I always liked the C-60. I will go and have a poke around my books and see what pics I may have of use to you.
Fantastic work though, please keep us posted
Cheers
Anthony
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Post by agalbraith on May 29, 2006 22:17:39 GMT 12
OK, here is what I found from Charles Darbys book 'RNZAF The First Decade' Hope these are of some use   Cheers Anthony |
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Post by Bruce on Jun 3, 2006 17:36:44 GMT 12
Thanks to Anthony and Dave, who lent me Charles Darby's book, I have finished the C60. It freely admit its not built to competition standard, but it is a decently accurate representation to make the full set of wartime lockheeds (although looking in the Darby book I see an Air Sea Rescue Hudson in Silver that takes my fancy....). My biggest disappointment was the Matt clear coat I applied to seal the decals - for some reason (possibly temperature) the result was a semi gloss - satin finish which darkens the olive Drab and doesnt look right. I wanted to show the scheme early in service, so weathering was minimal, but the finish isnt 100%. I wasnt keen to try sanding it back or repainting as that would gaurantee I'd make a mess of it! anyway, here tis:   C60 and Hudson:  with the rest of the family - centre C60 Lodestar, LH clockwise, Hudson, Ventura, Lexington (RB34 Ventura) and PV2 Harpoon.  The Lockheed collection back on the shelf with some other interesting company:  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 3, 2006 19:46:13 GMT 12
That looks excellent Bruce. Well done!
The whole collection looks really neat.
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Post by agalbraith on Jun 3, 2006 22:03:00 GMT 12
WOW!!
Great collection there. You should be very proud of that Lodestar as she looks just fine. Great work, and they all look very smart in the line up.
Thanks for posting.................cant wait for your next one now!
Cheers
Anthony
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Post by Bruce on Jun 4, 2006 0:31:48 GMT 12
Thats actually only ONE of the shelves!  |
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Post by kiwi on Nov 4, 2006 10:49:42 GMT 12
MPM Lodestar coming soon in 1/72
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