Wow!! That U-2 is fantastic… Great job putting in those upgrades from scratch.
Hey FSM, I wanted to share my completed Testors U-2C. This is the old Hawk boxing repopped as Testors’ kit from…(checking Scalemates)…wait. That can’t be right. 1975? NO WAY! Well, that would explain why the decals didn’t work…
Anyway, the plastic is all from the box. I only rescribed the panel lines. Oh, and I added a couple of pieces of styrene sheet to box in the MLG well and the tail fairing. I was able to save the serial number decals through generous coats of Microscale Liquid Decal Film. The warning triangles are from my spares drawer. It’s painted with AK RC colors. The FOD covers are made from PVA glue soaked tissue.
The kit was difficult to photograph well because of the color and poor lighting. I did my best. I hope you can get a good idea of my output through these (subpar) pictures.
As usual, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Feel free to drop your two cents into the bucket on your way out. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Stay tuned for the next project(s).
Cheers!
-O
9 Likes
You sure have a knack for making gems out of old kits O. That turned out great. Bummer about the decals but this is the plane to have the decals fail on - next to no markings. Well done.
Nice! Great work on an older kit. 1975? Doesn’t seem that long ago…
Gary
You’ve done it once again with the terrific results from these older kits Omar. I get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing your work.
Great job buddy.
Joe
@oortiz10 Your paint work looks spot on. Nicely faded and flat.
I’m familiar with the U-2 only through the story of Francis Gary Powers, but don’t know much more about the aircraft itself. Did those wing wheels jettison from at takeoff? Or did they just hang there in flight, probably whipping in the airflow?
1 Like
Thanks for all the kudos, gang. I appreciate you appreciating my work.
Cheers!
-O
It just goes to show that even an old kit can look superb in the hands of a good modeler!
BTW, I think the “pogos” just slip on and are held in place with cotter pins. At take-off, the pins are removed and the pogs just fall away as the plane lifts off the ground.
Boy that chase car in the video just swoops in as the U-2 is about to touch down. That could have ended badly!
1 Like
I can’t wait to see it finished. What markings will you use. I used to work for NASA and did mine in NASA markings.
That black finish is terrific. I’ve a 1/72 Black Cat PBY that I may want to try that out with…
Okay, I’ve ridden a bicycle or two in my time but I’m amazed at how that aircraft is staying upright. The spacing of those nose wheels is all that’s providing a notional three points of contact with the ground…
Hey gang, thanks for the compliments. I appreciate the feedback.
Hey Brian, it’s done! Hopefully you can see the photos posted above. I went with the all black USAF scheme. Maybe it’s so stealthy that you can’t see it? Let me know if you have a problem seeing the pictures, and I’ll make sure it’s not a problem on my end.
Cheers!
-O
There was a TR-1 at the NASA center I worked at. It took off every day at 1:00pm and landed at 4pm. I used to go outside just to watch the takeoff. I had a his same kit and did it in NASA markings, and kept it on a shelf above my desk.
Since wrapping up this one, I’ve been thinking about picking up a TR-1. If I did, I think I’d do it up in NASA markings.
1 Like