Update to "Otaki 1/144 C-5A question" : I finally got it!!

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Here’s the original post from March 6, 2003:

“Hi, folks!
I’ve been itching to build a C-5A Galaxy for a long time now, but the only kit I’ve run across is the tiny Academy kit. Not very satisfying.
I’ve recently come across an old Otaki 1/144 C-5, but it’s a bit pricey (about $118 US).
Anybody have any experience building this kit? If it’s decent, I may take the plunge.
Any opinions concerning this kit (and it’s price!) would be greatly appreciated.”

Now scroll on down towards the bottom of this page to my latest post and feel the excitement of a guy who finally got what he wanted after a year’s wait![:D]

2

This isn’t a bad kit. In the past it was also sold under the Entex and Revell brands. Where are you finding it for $100 (US)? I see them trade on ebay in the $40 - $50 range. Good luck.

3

Thanks for the info, Pat.
It’s here (Osaka, Japan) in a local hobby shop that carries mostly older kits. 40-50 bucks, eh? That’s good bargaining ammunition!

Brian

4

Nobody other than Pat (thanks again, Pat!) have any opinions to share about this kit?
Also, other than that huge 1/72 vac kit, have there been any other kits of the C-5 released?
Thanks for any and all info!

5

It’s me again… As C-5 kits go, that’s about it. Never was well covered in kit form.
I have the 1/72 vac kit. I’d like to see it as a normal injection kit but I doubt that will ever happen…

6

Didn’t Testors release someones C-5 about 5-8 years ago?
I have the Otaki kit. I can not bring myself to build it.
Frank

7

Why not, Frank? Is that kit considered a treasured collectible, or is it a duanting build?
If so, I probably don’t need it. No sense in paying a collector’s price for something I want to build, and then suffer through trying to make it look good!
Maybe Trumpeter will put out a 1/32 Galaxy…

8

The Testor’s kit is the same as the Otaki/Revell/Entex kit. Those molds really got around!

9

My only excuse is that newer US aircraft come along in my scale,(1/72). I also have the Revell E-4B (747) in 1/144 that is still waiting, as is the Revell KC-10. I know as soon as I start one of these aircraft then someone will come out with it in 1/72.
Frank

10

Perfectly acceptable reason!
I think I’m gonna get it…

11

I have built the ENTEX C-5A and it is the same like noted before. Its an easy kit to build but pay attention to the landing gear, sorta tricky getting ALL the wheels to touch. I bored through my landing gear struts so the axles had some room to play. I also opened mine up and scratchbuilt a complete interior with 23 britgh white 5MM LED’s filed down to rectangular shape, a red and green blinking wingtip 3 MM LED’s also reshaped, dropped the flaps, Placed a Revell HH-53C inside in the correct folded configuration and upgraded the HH-53C to the newer MH-53J/M. I also had a 2nd MH-53J/M being loaded with a complete ground crew in the nose of the C-5B, Yes, I upgraded my C-5. I also had to scape, and scrounge to get Doover tail band and other decals to fit the new AMC gray paint scheme. Yes I do have pics if anyone is interested or wanted proof that I have done what I have said. Good luck on the C-5, its a great model to build.
Tally ho
Rosie

12

That sounds like a fantastic model you’ve built there! I’d love to see the pix.
I still haven’t talked myself into buying that C-5 at my local shop…

13

Hi Folks

I am looking for a draws with european ! camouflage for this kit

Sombody can send me this draw by internet

my email is: perforito@yahoo.com

regards

Jose

14

Howdy, Jose![:)]

Sorry I can’t help you with your request, but I was stunned to see this old topic find its way back to the top.

This was my very first post, from March 6, 2003![:0]

Now, more than 4830 posts later, I STILL haven’t gotten that Galaxy. [V]
It’s still there, though…and at that price, I reckon it ain’t goin’ anywhere![xx(]

15

[#welcome]To the forums Jose. Good to see someone else in the A/C forums. Try www.combataircraft.com and see what they have on the C-5, although I think the art is the old white over gray. There are several picture links at the bottom that may show what you need.

J-hulk, whats keeping you boy? I’d done snapped that puppy up as I REALLY need one for my collection.

16

Well, cuz it’s over a hundred bucks! [:0]
I’ve been told I’d be daft to pay such a price, as it regularly goes on eBay for 50-60 bucks.
Sure do wanna build one, though…[V]

17

I used to have a C-5 I’d built back around 1987, I think. Unfortunately, it got destroyed during a move.

It was approx. 18 inches in length (if memory serves), and devoid of any interior… much like the old Aurora’s. I can’t recall the manufacturer, but I liked it because it wasn’t too big or too small.

Take care,
Frank

18

Guys,
I have the Otaki kit. Also wanted to do the full interior and put some kind of load in it ( now I can pick up some of those 1/144 Abrams) but after my last few 1/144 kits I think I need to steer clear. I would be interested in selling mine off(need some vendor money for the Nats[:)]) . ebay is always fun but if I can make a good deal to someone here I am up for it.
J-Hulk, don’t know what shipping would cost to Osaka but if interested, make me an offer at my email.

19

Hi Guys, i have a C5 someplace in that mess i call a model room. its about 6 to 8 inches long and didn’t have many pieces to it. i got it out of a box of cornflakes or something as a kid. anyone any ideas as to which manufacturers kit it was?. i bought a revell C5 at an airshow at RAF finningly about 15 years ago. took one look inside the box and chickened on it - swapped it for a decent car radio cassette player with a mate from work (don’t think he ever built it either) i kinda wish i had never got rid of it now.
Greg

20

Well folks, I finally got it! [:D]
Here’s a pic:

This is the very same 1/144 Otaki C-5A kit that I posted about in my original March 6 2003 post (which, again, was my very first post here at FSM).

I walked into the hobby shop with a few tradable kits and a bit o’ hard cash, and walked out with the C-5 minus said kits and some of that cash to the total tune of about 7,500 yen ($68 USD), which was a good bit off the 13,000 yen ($118 USD) he had been asking. He finally cracked when I reminded him that the kit had been sitting there for over a year with no takers.
I’m happy enough![:)]

A quick dig through the box reveals that it is indeed a big bird, even in 1/144 scale. Some dryfitting also revealed that nothing fits well (particularly those huge fuselage halves), so it should be a “fun” build!

The decals look to be usable, but they’re for an old white and gray MAC Galaxy. I want to do this baby in the more modern all-gray finish, and will need some different lo-viz insignia decals (the A models also were decked out like that, no?).

Anybody know of any aftermarket decal sets for the C-5 in 1/144?

One more Q: I noticed that the rear of the big fans on the engines are just solid, which is just plain wrong. Any aftermarket engines for this kit?

I’ll do searches for the decals and engines myself as well, but if anybody has any info I would greatly appreciate it.

Jose, I gotta say thanks to you for bringing this post back from the past and rekindling my interest in this kit!

And thanks to everyone else who helped with info and encouragement.

Now, to just build it…[:p][;)]