Good day to all. I am a former forest fire fighter from Ontario Canada. I fought for 19 seasons and loved every minute of it!
I propose a group build that would include forest fire fighting aircraft of all types, bombers, birddogs, helos. detection, you decide.
Anyone interested? I plan to build a 1/72 Heller Canadair CL-215 in Ontario Yellowbird colours.
Give it some thought- - -
I 'm in. Since I am a helo bubba guess I’ll tackle a helitack project.
[#welcome] to the forum[:)]I’ve been looking for an excuse to build a Cobra in those colors. Count me in.[:)]
Here’s my Firehog I built last year.
Eddie
What are the dates for the build? If I get my current projects (1/35 LVTP7 and 1/35 AAVP7A1 w/UGWS and EAAK) completed in time (by 10 Feb) I’ll definately jump in on this one. I just have to acquire the model and I’ll do B-17 “Tanker 89” in 1/144. Small, quick but requiring a little extra work, and colorfull.
Well crap I was going to this GB after I finished my Model I’m doin right now here a good website with a lot of ideas http://www.airtanker.com/
I miht join this later.
I do have a question.[:D] I tend to do things a bit “different” you might say. Could my entry be a What if AH-64. I know there’s a Cobra in the USFS, but I have a 1/32 Apache in my possession right now[:)]. It would save me a drive if I could. If not, I can still get the Cobra and work on my other helo on the side.[:D]
Eddie
Hello again.
Looks like we have some interest. Hello FLTMEDIC, Eddie, deattilio and willjanuary.
I’m quite excited about the subject. I’ve been out of the fire program for 5 years now and building this kit will refresh some memories and some modelling skills. The CL-215 will be the first, others I have and hope to build include a Tracker, Twin Otter, Piston Otter, Beaver, and a DC 3 in Austin Airways colours. I sound like many of the modellers on this forum!
Eddie, in reponse to your question, you may build what makes you happy. Many different types of aircraft have been employed over the years in the task of wild fire control. PBY’s, Avengers, B17’s, if it flew, it probably worked fire. After WW2 they even tried, with debatable success, to dive bomb small fire with Thunderbolts using drop tanks filled with water!
That’s what neat about this GB, now we get to build these great aircraft and paint them crazy colours! Eddie, consider yourself a man ahead of your time with that Apache!
When would be a sensible date to start? Febuary 15? With a finish date around May 24?
I would like to keep this to a narrow time frame, as an incentive to finish a least one kit (CL-215) and perhaps do another Firebirds GB next January.
Alright![8D] This model was purchased at a garage sale for $1 and you can see why.[|(] Whoever started it use A LOT of tube glue and [censored] everything up. This is probably going to be a very large desktop model.( read no interior details with opaque glass.) One thing I’m going to try is to simulate turning rotors with a clear piece of plastic. I’m going to have to hang this one, so it will have to look like it’s in flight.[:)]
Eddie
Interesting Group Build…try this out…www.scalefirebombers.com
I was only going to get into 4 Group Builds this year…then [censored], this one comes up! I have two A26’s in my stash…I will think about it…
Okay. Since you are allowing “what-if’s”. I am going to do one that I read about awhile back.
Seem’s that the C.D.F. was kicking the idea around about using retired S-3 Viking airframes as fire bombers. I was going to do an F7F in TBM, Inc. colors but, my current situation will not allow me to purchase the Lone Star conversion. So, it will have to wait.
I will be doing the S-3 in Aero Union colors as I don’t think the C.D.F. scheme is that eye catching. I may even do an A-37B Dragonfly as a lead plane.
I won’t be able to post progress pics on a very regular basis as I will be going off-line today or tomorrow. But, I will try and keep everyone abreast of my progress.
I am looking forward to this as I use to work with Moore Aviation in Visalia, CA. They also own TBM, Inc. I used to go out to Sequoia Field and look at all of the old fire bombers. B-17s, F7Fs and TBMs.
Talk to y’all later.
Oh Shucks shouldda…I wish this groupd build had of been last year. Completed a CL415 in French livery and a CL215 in Newfoundland’s peas-and-carrots colors. Some photos attached…
I’ll keep checking back now and then to see the builds…I JUST LOVE ANYTHING THAT FLIES AND CAN DROP WATER AS WELL…
Good luck gang…
RODC
RODC,
Those are some very fine airplanes you have there.[8D]
I’m starting mine now for 2 reasons. One, I’m working with damaged goods and two, I can’t wait.[:D]
The main rotor assembly is a glued together mess. I decided to try and make them work, so I drilled out the damaged parts and with a little sprue and sheet plastic, I’ve got it to where it will spin okay. Next, the tail rotor.[banghead][swg]
Eddie
Sorry, my bad.[:I]
Okay. I cleared off the bench last night and dug out one of my Monogram A-37Bs and the AMT/ERTL S-3A.
I’m ready!!! This just might be fun!!! If I get done in time I may even do a ‘what if’ A-20 Havoc. The kit has an auxillary fuel tank for the belly that could be easily enlarged and converted to a water tank. Hmmmmm. I’m getting all kinds of ideas!!! An A-20 in TBM, Inc. colors!!!
O.K., ordered my little B-17 so its on its way. Almost picked up a 1/72 E-2C while I was at it, as far as “what if” the E-2 would make a good looking firebomber(minus that radar dish) even though the C-2 would probably be a more effective platform.
I got more progress to report. At this rate, I’ll be able to do the Cobra that I had planned on doing in the first place.[:D] The blades have their white stripes. Next is red. The rotor head is painted and dry brushed and the fuselage has it’s white primer coat. The engines are going to be a challenge to fix.
Eddie
The red went on tonight.[:)]
Eddie
Yep there is some interest, this past week I pulled out some of my partially completed air tanker builds and I started a TBM Avenger last night, then I come over to FSM today and I find this, so you can count me in. What I build will depend on when it starts, I’m currently working on a P2V Neptune (Minden air Tanker 55), an S2 (CDF Tanker 82), an AF-2 Guardian (Aero-union Tanker 21), an A-10 “Firehog”, an Allouette 3, a Ford Tri-motor smokejumper plane and the TBM I just started (haven’t decided how to paint it yet, I’m split between Sis-Q and one of the New Brunswick ones).
On the shelf waiting to be built I have a DC6, PBY-5A, A-26, F7F Tigercat, Cessna O2A, OV-10 Bronco, S-64 Skycrane, Bell 205 and a Bell 212 so I’ll be ready to go whenever a date is set. All are 1/72 scale.
Since I’m a firefighter for the US Forest Service it would be nice if we could get this started pretty soon before it starts getting busy for me, Feb 1 or earlier would be great for me.
Is anybody here talented enough to make a GB badge?
Well answering my own question I decided to fool around and see how hard it would be to make a badge, these would need a little work but I’ll offer these as ideas. I did one fixed wing and one helo since both are covered in the build. I thought the appropriate badge could be picked based on what was being built, maybe both for those who do one of each? These are just an idea and I certainly don’t want to step on toes if someone else has an idea for a badge.
Either badge works for me. I think I’m gonna transform MRC’s 1/35 H-60 to the “Firehawk” version and crew it with DML’S Vietnam A/C.