1/72 SpecHob IA-58 Pucara (Finished)

Recently back on the bench...

Major assembly is done and sanded. Then, it took a terrible tumble. I had to re-glue the wings and stabs and do all the sanding again.

The canopy fit is not good. The fuse is wider than the canopy. The canopy is a one piece part. To hide the ill fit, and show off the pit, I decided to pose it open. I seperated the windscreen from the rest of the canopy....somewhere in time is where that windscreen went. I have no idea where it went.

This, not being a popular subject, is lacking in the aftermarket dept. No hope of getting a replacement. I had to make a new windscreen. I started with an F-4 windscreen...the top curve was a perfect match, but overall it was too long and shallow. I cut the length down and added some plastic to the bottom sides. Got a rough shape to it then sanded, tested, sand, test, sand, test etc...until it fit nicely and was just a bit undersized. 

I smash molded(thermo-formed) a new piece over that.

Paint layers will make up the framing.

I added some plastic to the pylons, to increase their depth (they're a bit too short) and added clear plastic for the landing lights.

The flaps were removed and reworked to be posed down. I also repositioned the elevators.

A bit of masking and she'll be ready for the paint booth!

Thanks guys

Bish

Some nice detail going into this. What nation are those markings for.

 

I'll be doing the boxart scheme with the Jabali on the nose....from Uruguaya.

Thanks, not seen those markings before.

   I really like your work so far.  I love the look of this plane so will enjoy the final showing as well.   I sure wish someone would make a good 1/48 model of this puppy. 

knox

   I really like your work so far.  I love the look of this plane so will enjoy the final showing as well.   I sure wish someone would make a good 1/48 model of this puppy. 

 

Thanks!

There's one that I know of....Acancagua (I think)...it's a resin kit. No idea if it's readily avaliable anywhere, and I'd imagine that it wouldn't come cheap. From the pics I've seen of it though, it looks a lot better than this kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdOQkBt0QNA

That thing is pretty cool looking and you are pimping it out nice. Looking forward to seeing this come together.

BK

Nice job as usual, Fermis. Cool looking a/c. I've got a couple Special Hobby (1/72) in the stash, so it's nice to see what pitfalls may await in the box.

Dave

Thanks, once again guys!

Dave...these Special Hobby kits take a bit more work than Tamiya...which is it's own kind of fun. Every one of em that I've done have been about the same...thick plastic, clunky parts, soft detail (in areas), rough plastic (occasionaly), and not the best fit...but there's something about em that I love! Maybe it's just that they're the only game in town for a lot of subjects. I also really enjoy the reward of making a "silk purse out of a sows ear", so to speak.

I did recently add their Fouga to the stash. It looks to be quite a bit better than previous kits I've built. Details are a bit more crisp (newer mold, I'm asuming)...not Tamiya crisp, but much better than the usual, and there's a fair amount of parts in the box! We'll find out how good it is in the near future!

Got 'er painted and decaled!

Might just be able to include this one in the 2015 round up!

Looks good, J.

Landing lights are on the front edge of the pylons.

GMorrison

Looks good, J.

Landing lights are on the front edge of the pylons.

 

Thanks B!

Is that a statement...or question???

Yes...and yes!

Looking nice fermis.

Thanks again everybody!

Just got 'er wrapped up!

That's great looking. Turbo props are underrated.

A suggestion- there's a pair of actuators for that huge canopy, like a vertical piston on either side of the back seat. I'd add them, the canopy looks unsupported otherwise.

Bet you added a lot of weight to the nose too. My 1/72 SH Puc was so tail heavy that even with weight, I ended up sticking an oil drum under the tail.

GMorrison

That's great looking. Turbo props are underrated.

A suggestion- there's a pair of actuators for that huge canopy, like a vertical piston on either side of the back seat. I'd add them, the canopy looks unsupported otherwise.

Bet you added a lot of weight to the nose too. My 1/72 SH Puc was so tail heavy that even with weight, I ended up sticking an oil drum under the tail.

 

Good call! I'll add those.

I added a fair amount of lead up front. It was JUST enough for it to sit right...but the breeze from a gnat fart would knock the tail down. This was before I had the engine faces, props and canopy on though...but I still added a little more lead in the nacelles...no worries!