Hello. I’m a little confused. I’ve got the Hobbycraft 1/72 Caribou kit, and the instructions call for olive drab overall with a gloss finish. Is this correct? I thought it might be a flat finish, as OD planes usually are. It doesn’t matter which it is; I just want to get it right. Thanks everyone!
Might depend on the time frame and your markings. The ones the Army parked on our ramp in Da Nang were flat. I think the Golden Knights used one for a while, and it was gloss.
There are a bunch of old Caribous sitting unused at a small local airport near me that used to be a Naval Air Station training center during World War II. From what I can tell, they were a flat finish. If they had a gloss coat, its long gone now.
I’m thinking of purchasing a Caribou kit and I see there are two offerings from Hobbycraft. Which kit did you get?
Well, I kinda figured it was flat. Most planes like that usually are. Maybe they were gloss fresh from the factory but weathered to flat in the sun? The kit is the one reviewed on Cybermodeler - http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/hc/kit_hc_1343.shtml. I think the only difference is that the other one has markings for an overall natural metal bird. Don’t quote me on that [:D]. And, the parts and decals actually look pretty good, considering it is a Hobbycraft kit. Hope this helps. And, thank you both for the input!!
The only Caribous Ive seen are the ones Oddmanrush was
talking about…99% of them are in SEA cammo,as flat a finish as can be…a few are in civilian colors but are faded…not sure if they were supposed to be glossy.
Len
Ah Len, so you’ve seen 'em too, eh? I suppose, how could you miss them? There are about 20 of 'em. My dad and I thought they were the ugliest planes to grace the face of the earth. That might be a little harsh considering…but we had no idea what they were or who made them. Had to ask one of the museum workers WTH they were…As kinda a joke, I’ve purchased the Hobbycraft 1/72 kit for myself, the Vietnam one, and I’m going to build it for my dad for Christmas.
In addition (edit): Those Caribous at the NAS in Wildwood are all surplus pieces (obviously) and from what the person at the museum said, some were used as sky diving platforms though most have fallen into disrepair and are now used for parts. She also said you should be able to go and take a closer look, I’m just not sure how to get in there…
Early US Army Caribous were painted a glossy OD, just as were the early Hueys. It wasn’t until the Vietnam War did they start coming into service wearing a flat finish. Those initially deployed to the theater quickly lost their sheen after being exposed to the climate in SEA.
This was in the day before we wore subdued insignias on our uniforms and support equipment was painted bright insignia yellow.