1:48 Testors Classics R3C2

My build of the Testors Classics R3C2: (Pictures included below)

Summary:

I wanted to make this plane look like the original as restored today at the Smithsonian Air and Space museum. The kit seems to be a basic kit and is a re-issue of a much older Testors kit. Fit is pretty rough and needs a lot of filing and sanding. Casting is thick but seems accurate. I did not choose to make my first attempt at rigging aircraft models on this model.The original build instructions calls for the fuselage halves to be painted separately then assembled with prop shaft cap located internally for propeller to spin. I chose to assemble, fit and then paint with prop to be worried about later.

Wings and tailplanes:

Tailplanes and outer wings were spray painted with testors gold. I masked the outer wings then spray painted testors Bronze then a mist of Testors Gold, then streaked with a bronze sharpie for weathered copper effect for the radiator panels. Rips separating the panels were picked out in silver sharpie after masked from the radiator panels.

fuselage and floats:

Assembled and sanded to shape, then airbrushed with Testors Model Master gloss black. The details on the body, (including the tail stripes, decal has incorrect order), were brush painted with testors enamels. I used dry transfers for the "US Army" script and an aircraft carrier decal for the number 3. This model needs about an ounce of weight in the nose and floats to balance well. I used lead shot and epoxy.

Propeller and engine:

I painted the propeller with tamiya aluminum, brushing in direction of airflow. The center was brush painted with a thick drop of Model Master gloss black. After several unsuccessful attempts I scaled a picture of the prototype in the Smithsonian and used cutouts of the exhaust flashing glued over the originals. to fit the propeller to the body I sanded it for a close fit, pinching the end and thinning towards the hub so it can be repositioned smoothly but is still captured inside the fuselage unless intentionally pulled out.

Cockpit and Canopy:

Canopy is dipped in Future floor polish and support struts highlighted with black sharpie.Using MS word, I printed a wicker pattern, cut and glued to make the seat. I scaled a photograph of the R3C2 Curtiss instrument panel and printed. I shaded around the instruments with a silver pencil. An aluminum panel with a protruding nail were used for the floor and joystick respectively. 

All subassemblies of fuselage+tail, wings, floats, and prop were sprayed with Future with a little simple green for a clearcoat.

Curtiss R3C2 by Phil Swanson, on Flickr" alt="Wicker Seat" />

Curtiss R3C2 by Phil Swanson, on Flickr" alt="Quarter Front" />

Curtiss R3C2 by Phil Swanson, on Flickr" alt="cockpit" />

Curtiss R3C2 contd. by Phil Swanson, on Flickr" alt="Finished display" />

Curtiss R3C2 by Phil Swanson, on Flickr" alt="Quarter Rear" />

Curtiss R3C2 by Phil Swanson, on Flickr" alt="Top" />