Spotter/Observation Aircraft Cook-Up

[lastvautour]

Jim, here are a few links to some Spotter or now called observation aircraft

OV-10 Bronco http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-10_Bronco
OV-1 Mohawk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-1_Mohawk I think Rafa would like this one
O-2A Skymaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-2_Skymaster
O-1/L-19 Birddog http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-1_Bird_Dog

These are fairly modern observation craft and there are many other spanning all of aviation history. A google search for "Observation aircraft", "Spotter aircraft" and Forward Air Controller Aircraft" will reveal many more. So there are lots to choose from. You have already chosen the SBC-4, so that could count as your submission.

I have started this cook-up post so let us carry on from here. I will post my selection with a few hours.

[R.F.Bennett]

In the gallery ID plans there are a few "O" planes;

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1022  Stinson
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-738    Grumman Duck
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-876    Nakajima_96

I'd like to see a Duck build     

and my favorite the Piper L-4 Grasshopper;

http://www.warbirdalley.com/l4.htm

[lastvautour]

I am going with the OS2U http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS2U with floats. Scale TBA

[lastvautour]

Kingfisher has been started in 1/144 scale with the float, fuselage and tail feathers being carved and partially sander. The wing is in block form at this point. As I have so many projects on the go I picked 1/144 scale. It measures out at just over 7.1cm long with a wing span of 7.6cm.  Pictures to follow.

Lou

[Oceaneer99]

I haven't decided yet, but I'll probably build either the Cessna O-1, Cessna O-2, or Helio U-10.  I have a half-finished balsa-and-tissue U-10 (scratch-built), so maybe I can finish that and a solid model version at the same time.  My father flew all three of these planes.  He used to wag his wings as he flew over our house and I would run in and tell her that he was on his way home.

Garet

[lastvautour]

Welcome Garet. MY Kingsfisher is 1/3 done with the main pieces carved and sanded. I have mated the wing and tail feathers and will try the float tomorrow as I have darts tonight.  The wing stabilizers will be hard as they are pretty small at 1/144 scale, but then so were the Seabee ones. No photos yet.

Lou

[lastvautour]

The Kingfisher is progressing slow as is everything on my bench. No major problems being encountered so far.

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2326
http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2325

[cliff strachan]

Nice Kingfisher Lou. I'm attempted to show - but won't  - the one I made about 1944. I've kept it as a reminder of the way it was. Although it was scratch built and while I had balsa for the body and floats, I used cardboard for the wings and tail. This, I guess was because in all the dime kits available during the war the balsa wood that had been provided for the complete model was now replaced, due to shortages, by a very hard block for the body and only cardboard for the rest. I really am too embarrassed to show the thing because apart from what I've mentioned, the hand painted insignia leaves much to be desired to say nothing of the fact that not knowing at that time how to paint a canopy I just left it plain wood with inked windows. Regardless that aircraft on floats must be among one of the most visually appealing of all time.

Cliff.

[R.F.Bennett]

You know your modeling efforts flaws mean nothing to us Cliff, It was 1944 after all. How old were you -2, -3
years old. I would like to see it. 

[cliff strachan]

Thanks Ray for granting me a couple of extra years. It was, I believe, in 1944 and I was likely about 12. I do have one photo that I took a couple of years ago while experimenting in tabletop techniques. For the general interest as to how it was done - or attempted - back then, I'll post it. But not right now. I've really got to complete i.e. paint those that I've finished to date. Seven.

Cliff.

[lastvautour]

The Kingfisher was made from recycled pine provided by my friend Ken Hartlen. The model was relatively trouble free and constructed quickly.

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2349

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2348
I like the idea of posing it as a large scale RC aircraft. The F-15 is 1/48 Monogram.


http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-2347
A comparison of other 1/144 scale models in my collection. The Kingfisher is not much bigger than the Seabee.

[Oceaneer99]

Lou, you're done?!  Not only was that fast, but the resulting Kingfisher came out really nicely, especially given such a small scale.  Great work!

Garet

[lastvautour]

Thanks Garet. 1/144 scale is getting to be my favorite "group build" due to it's small size and ease of construction. Now back to 1/32 scale Century Series aircraft .

[Paul]

Just started a Mitsubishi Ki-15.  Being a Mitsubishi, it also fits in the Japanese aircraft cook-up.  I've always admired the lines of this aircraft, very sleek in profile.  In 1936 the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun bought one and for publicity/prestige purposes had it flown from Tachikawa to London and back.

[lastvautour]

Nice work to date. I like this stage of the project. We can dream of such magnificent models.  Hope to see more news in the near future.

Lou