Bamboo Squadron

I just got mine a couple weeks ago but haven't done much beyond opening the box, looks pretty nice though I'm doing it up as a Cessna Crane in RCAF service (sorry, dropped some military talk in the new civy forum...)

Got my order in too. Sky King. WoW! Never missed one episode. Would like to see some kit manufacturer do the Cessna 310 he eventually upgraded to.

I was one of those kids glued to the TV set every Saturday morning, watching Sky King. He was a big hero, back when there was such a thing as TV heros... 'Can't believe I haven't ordered one of the Bamboo Bomber kits yet, but I will... Another classic civilian/military aircraft I'd love to see in a QUALITY kit is the Beechcraft 18, or "Twin Beech". (especially the Super 18 varient) It's my all time favorite twin engine airplane, but the choices in plastic are either in 1/72 scale, or crude, over-priced short-run 1/48 attempts... Kudos to Revell for their BEAUTIFUL Piper Super Cub. Maybe folks are finally burning out on row after row of camoflaged Mustangs and Messershmidts. Civil subjects CAN be interesting....   

While I really like the kit (from what I've seen, I don't have one myself) and the concept, I do have a couple of cautionary words. If you're still fairly new to modelling, be aware that this kit isn't really deigned for a beginner in the way that a Tamiya or Hasegawa kit may be. You'll be using a variety of glues and tools that you wouldn't necessarily use on a "regular" kit. You'll also have fit issues and (probably) quite a bit of filling and sanding. I'm not trying to discourage you from building the kit, I just want you to be aware of issues you may not have thought of. This is one you may want to set aside for awhile. On the other hand, if you're an intermediate/experienced modeller in other fields and this only your first aircraft, than tell me to go blow it out my wazoo…

Others here will undoubtedly be able to give you more info on the kit itself and pitfalls to look for.

I agree... From what I've seen in the review photos, the sticky part for me would be the seperate glass/roof area over the cockpit. I already struggle with masking and painting greenhouses, much less trying to blend in that area where it butts up to the fuselage. I wish they would've molded that window area intact, with the "glass" glued in seperately from the backside... Despite that, I may still give one a shot... Meanwhile, I'll be having "fun" trying to produce a decent Beech 18 out of the Battleaxe kit... (so far, the "battle" part is living up to it's name!)   

Thanks for the advice guys!

I have a lot of experience with car models which was all I built but after returning to the hobby a couple of months ago, I'm now learning armor and airplanes. However, I won't be telling anyone anything about the "Wazoo".

So far, armor has come easier to me and I've had more success than with the airplanes I've tried. I've built a few now but all have ended up in the "round file cabinet" I keep under my desk, along with the garbage!

I'll follow the advice and put this one aside for now.

 

I love these civilian aircraft. Not much of an airliner fan... except maybe the old ones but I love the old twin motors and "strange" ones. After I build this one, I'll probably start looking for a kit of the old tri motors. 

 

I would suggest the Frog Fokker F7, the Airfix Ford or the Revell Ju-52 all in 1/72.

I've actually toyed with building one of Monogram's Piper Tri-Pacer kits, but with modern upgrades, like seperate flaps, ailerons, tail surfaces, detailed interior, etc. Maybe even change it over to the traildragger version, known as the Pacer. Add some cute little wheel pants... Hmmm... Many of the parts 'n pieces from the Revell Super Cub could be used, as the scales are pretty darned close. It's challenging but fun to work with those kits you made glue blobs out of as a kid.   

Electric Blues,

 If nothing else, congrats on picking up a kit that I am coveting!

MrSquid2U wrote:

Electric Blues,  If nothing else, congrats on picking up a kit that I am coveting!

Thank you MrSquid2U!

Jsut a side note---

I got to fly a Bamboo Bomber 2 weeks ago and it is the sweetest plane I've ever flown! All made out of sticks, powerful engines, light as a feather and so easy to fly---what a joy!!

On a layover trip, the other crew members and I went for a walk around the General Aviation portion of the airport. At one hangar was a UC-78, often called "Useless 78," or "Bamboo Bomber." It was being returned to flying condition, major dis-assembly, got a close look at the interior components. 

Wood wing structure, plywood wing covering under fabric, moisture and lack of care for many years had taken it's toll. Most everything was being replaced, mechanic had an interesting quote. 

"When the termites quit holding hands, you've got big problems."

Nice to see that someone cared enough to spend the big $$$$$ to restore it. Mechanic said that much money would by a nice 310, but to each his own.

Patrick

I found that kit one of the best CM kits.  It was a delight to build.  Here are a couple of pictures of the finished model.