I’ve spent more time researching online than I have on the actual model so far. I finally decided on my subject of choice. Tail number 91188. It’s not going to be an exact copy, but I will get it as close as I am capable of without driving myself mad in the process. I dug up as many photos as I could online. I ordered the corrected nacelles with the 4 bladed props. I also decided with hubbys help that I will try to tackle adding LED lights to it as well. I’m hoping I can hide everything in the cargo area as a box of some kind and still be able to hang it from the ceiling. I finally worked on it for a little while today, and got a few pieces airbrushed.
I already had the airbrush for my taxidermy work, suppose it will come in handy for modeling as well. I’m just not allowed to paint model pieces in the basement anymore, hubby doesn’t like the smell. The fun part for me will be hand painting all the little bits and details.
I already did the 1/72 scale, and it’s just not big enough, lol. It will more than likely be the biggest model I do, unless someone comes out with a 1/72 C17.
The 1/72 scale just left something to be desired for me. I’m used to seeing the C-130’s fly over my head, so I get a good view of how big they are. Our base is switching over to KC-135’s missions so the C-130’s won’t be around near as much. I’m going to miss seeing them, I feel like I grew up with them in a way.
Here’s a pic of the 1/72 I did. It is rather plain, but it was my first model.
I built that kit for my wife years ago, spent about 6 months just on the flight deck and avionics bay area. She was a crew chief on a C-130 at Little Rock. This was the ship:
Unfortuately, about a year after she left the flight line, it ended up like this:
Good luck with the build. After spending 4 years at Little Rock A.F.B. where we had 5 squadrons, I got a chance to see what they could really do, as well as versions that I had never imagined even existed.
If you really do put in the lights, there are a line of blue lights going across the top of the wings, the landing lights on the landing gear doors and a light that comes down from the bottom of each wing as well as two lights on the end of the duck tail. Then there’s the wing tip lights, beacon on the bottom and top of the tail. I seem to remember a light on the side of the fusselage that could light up the props, but I’m not sure about those.
Wow that’s cool. I don’t have quite that much paitence, lol. I will certainly be spending the most time on this build though. Sucks that poor Herc got turned into a pile of scrap. As for the lights I’ve got most of them figured out. I won’t have every exact light, but there will be plenty to light it up nicely.
Today’s progress was messing around with the cockpit controls. They aren’t true to life, but I’m satisified other than weathering them a bit. I would seriously be overwhelmed if I ever have the oppurtunity to get in the cockpit, there is SO many switches, dials, knobs, gauges.[:O]
Little bit more progress on the cockpit bits today. I’m kind of following the kit instructions, going by some reference and winging it, lol. As long as I’m enjoying the build right?!
Bomber green. I know it’s not the correct color, but it was what I could find at the local hobby store. Well actually I did find the right color, but it looked so far off from pictures of the cockpit, so I went with the bomber green.
Some more progress today. I should be nearing the end of base color painting parts soon. Then it’s on to adding detail to everything. I still need to wait for all my LED’s to come in the mail, along with the nacelles, and 4 bladed props. Hopefully the show up soon. On to the pics!
Really looking good so far. I can’t wait to see how you do this with the LEDs. I’ve lighted a couple of tanks and the results are super cool, but I’ve yet to try and wire up a plane. I’ve got ideas, of course, but its always nice to have an example to follow.
Hubby will be helping me out with that. I have a basic idea from running LED lights on an RC car, and looking online at other planes that have been done. I think hiding all the wires is going to be the hardest part. I’m sure at some point I’m going to sit and stare at it trying to figure it out.[:^)]
Me and my daughter are huge fans too, lol. They were actually out flying earlier this evening. They go right by my house on occasion. After the 2nd flyby we hopped in my truck and went over to the airport and parked in a lot near the runway. They fly directly over your head. [:D]
