hi fellows, i went out to the local, small town airport that the Navy trainers use for touch n goes, grab a bite to eat, debrief, and just take a breather as well. i had the pleasure of goin’ up in one of these jewels when i was a freshman in college. i wanted to become a naval aviator, so the Navy was nice enough to allow me to go for a little test spin in one as a back seater!! i was totally stoked too!! we made straffing runs on my rural home with my dad out in the yard, flew over it inverted a couple of times, did cuban 8’s, barrel rolls, aileron rolls, split S’s and loops. heck, the instructor pilot even let me take the stick for some gentle turns and such!!! needless to say i was all teeth!! we did have to roll the canopy back a foot or so for some fresh air after some of those aerobatics!! we pulled 4Gs in that little sucker, and he was just playing!! these little dudes are fairly mean!! i’m eyeballing the 1/48 version now for a build up, maybe display it in the airport lounge. anyway, we have all sorts of military helos and small military craft coming in all the time. later.
BTW, i dropped out of college a year later due to wine, women, and song.[V] shoulda stuck with it.
Chris, that’s the Czech Model 1/48 T-34 you’re eyeballing, right ? Well, if you liked the Classic Airframe’s Whirlwind you’re sure gonna love this one ! Course it is the only one made in 1/48, so what the heck, take a shot.
Hey Chris,
Goood going blowing our hard earned $$$$$$. Na thats very cool[;)]. As for the Czech Model, its very nice by all means.
The only area that looks to be a lil ify, would be around the joining of the wings and fuselage. I had read about the fit issue on another site that did this particular build.
I say we are modellers right…lol[:p][:p][;)]. I too am looking at this one.
Flaps up, Mike
Been wanting that kit too. I always thought that was a cool little trainer. As for being mean… I think some South American AFs have used the little bird for COIN and such. Always thought the markings were pretty awesome too.
As for the wine, women, and song disrupting college… it happens to the best of us! Except it prevents some of us from even starting…
BTW… does anyone make a T-2 kit? I’d even settle for something limited run… even though my skill level wouldn’t do it justice yet.
Hey Ajacketsfan,
Collectaire has a resin 1/48 T-2 ,very pricey,but only one that I know of. And add to that I have never heard of any complaints of Collectaire’s stuff.
they got a cool blue and white trainer buzzing around the airport nowadays. i can’t remember the name of it, but the pilots say they’re gonna slowly phase out the T-34’s. sad, but i guess modern trainers are needed too. wish i could afford to buy one of em’ off the navy!!LOL later.
I bet is was great. I got to fly a T-6 last year and did some aerobatics for a half hour. Nothing like you got to do though. I bet they couldn’t have wiped the smile of f your face with a ball peen hammer.
I have an old 1/72 scale Minicraft/Hasagawa kit of the T-34A i received as a birthday present back in '87. It even comes with a small tug and tow-bar. But it’s the piston-popper version; not the turbo-prop.
Still in its bag, and decals are in great shape. Don’t know if i’ll ever build it though.
Turbo Weenie power! Man those are fun little planes to fly (when the instructor isn’t hitting you in the back of the head with a clipboard.) That particular -34 is based out of Whiting Field in Milton, FL (just north of Pcola). Looks like a couple instructors flying an out-and-in training flight. Brings back the memories.
