I am planning a project and was hoping that i could get some advice from my… usual source of advice!
I read somewhere that the CAC Wirraway design was based on the Texan T6. I want to make a 1/48 scale Wirraway and am planning to convert a T6 kit into a Wirraway, I was wondering if anyone knows just how close the designs actually are. I have a set of plans for the Wirraway but not for the Texan, does anyone know where I can get a set of Texan T6 plans?
Next question…which kit. I think I have the choice of 2 kits, the Heller or Model Craft kit.
In 1/48 scale both the Heller & Modelcraft kits are, I think, reboxes of the same kit originally tooled by by the now defunct Occidental Replica Co. There is also the older Monogram kit still floating around that is actually quite a nice kit. Has raised panel lines but pretty good detail considering the age of the tooling. The Squadron Signal book, " T-6 Texan in action" has some nice line drawings in approximately 1/72 scale. They aren’t exactly plans, but might suffice.
I think some of our other very talented Australian bretheren might be able to tell you that it is not practical or necessary to convert a T-6, as I think there is at least one 1/48 scale Wirraway kit on the market. Although I may be confusing it with another Aussie original from the period. But I’m almost positive there are decals for a 1/48 Wirraway, so there must be a kit.
JG27, Not really Heller = Occidental. The kits of the AT-6 sold under the Heller & Modelcraft Labels were from tools originally made by Occidental. Occidental either sold the tools or licensed the other Companies to market the kit under their label.
Simon, The Wirraway was a licence built N A - 33 ( also known as the NA -16-2K) There are some differences between the -33 & the T6. Mostly internal (method of construction) You’ll also need a three blade hamilton standard prop. There was an excellent article in Scale Aviation modeller International, November '03 edition. go to sampublications.com for back orders.
High Planes models os Sydney? may do a Wirraway.
That ‘occidental’ Harvard/Texan turned up a few years ago in a Revell pylon racer set along with a dodgy P 51. The good thing was you got both kits for the price of one, The Texan built up nicely, but the P 51, oh dear!
Pete
Well, after all that I went to the model shop and purchased the Heller kit, it was $20(Aus) cheaper than the modelcraft kit. After opening the kit it looks pretty good, nice internal detail…shame about the decal control pannel tho.
As it turns out I will probably chicken out of the conversion (seems a shame to risk a nice kit!). You never know the Texan might look fairly unique on the competition table nestled amongst 'stangs, spits and so on!
Thanks for your help anyway, guess I have to make do with the MPM 1/72 wirraway.
This CA-5 Wirraway, is a conversion from the T-6, as this was built by one of me cofounders for the RAAF Contract, of the original base kit there is not much used in the conversion. contact me and I’ll pass your request to my cofounder who built this subject.
Here is a conversion done on the Monogram kit by our clubs VP.
The conversion kit was from Sierra Models but don’t know if it is still available.
Good luck (use the cheaper Monogram kit for the conversion though).
