OK FSM, here I am with my first WIP since my return. I’m coming in with the old Testors (Hawk) U-2. Yes, I know AFV has put out their new Dragon Lady 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 U-2 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’ve been on Spring Break this week, and I took advantage of the time off and spent some time at my bench. I know this kit is very basic, but again, I wanted to use it as practice. Specifically, I figured it’d be a good way to practice painting a weathered black finish, and it’d be a good way to practice my scribing. So, the latter is what I’ve spent my time doing.
Really, besides the scribing, there isn’t too much to share. I did work on some scratched FOD covers for the exhaust and intakes.
Now that the main parts are scribed, I think I can begin with assembly.
As usual, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
ICM is making a U-2? It should be better than AFV Club’s boondoggle attempt. It’s a cold day in hell when the Hobby Boss kit is a better starting point.
The ancient Testors/Hawk kit seems to provide a solid base for a decent model. It’s overall shape and proportions appear to be accurate. It’s just a product of the time (the 1960s). Did Testors tool up a proper cockpit tub and add a tail pipe?
I have the original Hawk kit that represents an early U-2A, and I intend on robbing as many detail bits from the AFV Club as I can (cockpit, wheel wells/landing gear, tail pipe).
Looking forward to what you do with this one O. Getting more and more interested in this plane. At least in the SR-71 you had someone up there with you. In the U-2 you’re up there alone for 8-10 hours and then you get to land the most difficult plane in the world.
Uh…RealG, I am mistaken. Thanks for catching my error. I meant AFV, not ICM. My apologies for any confusion. I’ve since corrected my mistake in my original post.
One thing I’ve always wanted to do with a U-2 kit was turn it into a what if armed U-2 with missiles or some other armament. It might seem a bit far fetched, but Lockheed actually did design studies of such a concept. There probably would have been 2-3 missiles under each wing.
Aw you guys are too funny! I would have been thrilled if ICM had a new-tool Lockheed U-2 in the pipeline. They are doing some terrific kits these days.
