OK gang, I like having more than one project on my bench at a time. As you may know, I have a Testors (Hawk) U-2 nearing the finish line. I’m building this Testors (Hawk) OV-10A along with it. Yes, I know ICM has put out their new Bronco wunderkit, but I had this gem already sitting in my stash. Yes, I’m aware of all the issues and niggles with the kit, but I’m sure it’ll look like a Bronco when it’s done and on my shelf, and that’s good enough for me. The kit, with all of its challenges, will serve as an opportunity to hone on my skills.
I started with the cockpit. This old kit is very basic. There is NO detail in the cockpit or wheel wells. There isn’t even a control stick! This should give you an idea of what I’m working with…
Because of the big greenhouse canopy, I figured I needed to add something to reduce the void, even if it’s not accurate. So, to that end…
I started with gluing a piece of styrene backing to the forward part of the tub to avoid being able to look down through the canopy and out through the nosewheel well. To that, I glued one (of many) pine derby car weights.
I also boxed in a small area behind the instrument panel face and under the glare shield with some styrene, then filled it with some Liquid Gravity. I also glued in more pine car weights.
I also added some styrene strip to the cockpit sidewalls, just to add some detail. The nose wheel assembly is supposed to be installed prior to the fuselage halves going together, but the assembly isn’t very sturdy, and I was afraid it’d get broken off during assembly. In an effort to avoid that, I modified the nosewheel assembly.
I drilled through the mounting assembly and into the struts. Then I cut the struts and wheel away from the mounting piece. My goal was to use some styrene rod as a way to “pin” the assembly back together later in the assembly process. It looks like it might work.
Once the wheel assembly was separated, I was able to glue in the mounting piece. Here you can see it in place, along with some more of the weights.
Real Broncos have a rear seat, and cockpit section is open to the cargo area behind the rear seat. Unfortunately, the kit does not include a rear cockpit. This was a bit of a blessing, because it allowed me an opportunity to add more weight. I had some half-round weights that I painted up to look like cargo. Using some Tamiya tape, I made some straps to secure the cargo. Also, I used some styrene sheet to make a rear bulkhead. Using some more weights and wires, I built up some electrical boxes for the back of the fuselage. Lastly, a Band-Aid was cut up to provide a “cushion” for the seat, and more tape provided for seatbelts.
By no means is my Bronco going to be accurate, but at least there’ll be something under the canopy to draw the eye. Oh, and all that weight should keep it on all three wheels. I just hope my nosewheel assembly will hold up.
Once the interior was done, I decided I’d build the airframe as two components. I decided to build up the wings and booms as one assembly, and the main crew cabin as a second separate assembly.
This made cleaning ups the seams much easier, and it will make painting easier, too. The fit of the two assemblies is pretty good.
Once things are ready to go together, there are only two small seams on the upper surface of the model. These will be easy to deal with and touch up.
The seam on the underside of the wing where it meets the fuselage is nonexistent.
My plan is to paint the camo on all parts except the upper joints of the boom and cabin assemblies. I’ll leave that part unpainted so that I can clean up the seam and touch up the paint. Speaking of paint, I got the two big pieces primed in Mr. Surfacer 1500.
The coverage isn’t perfect because I just misted on a coat to see what spots still needed to be kissed and caressed. I have a little cleaning up to do before everything gets an even coat of primer, and eventually, paint.
Anyway, that’s where my Bronco’s at. I appreciate you stopping by. Comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop you two cents into the bucket on your way out.
Stay tuned!
-O
