Tom G Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 (edited) OK if someone south of the border enters? I am married to a lovely Canadian lady. I have always wanted to build a T-33 model for my father in law to honor his service in the RCAF. He served in the 1950's as a jet engine mechanic on T-33's. His last posting was at Cold Lake in 1955. He was talking about it a few months ago and he shared that he got a few rides in the jet and he had a log book with aircraft serial numbers. So I am building a model of a jet he flew in. I am building the Academy 1/48 T-33. I replaced the cockpit with a True Details set and used Mike Grant instrument decals for the panels. Cockpits are my favorite part of building so that was fun. I am at the painting stage now. I really appreciate all the help I have gotten from ARC members especially ALF18 who has been a great help with references and advised me that it would be in the AB+3 scheme and suggested Belcher Bits for decals which I have ordered. One thing I still need help on is if anyone knows the two letter designation for the Base Flight at Cold Lake? Once I have that I can complete the model. Any comments would be welcome. Thanks, Tom Edited December 26, 2010 by Tom G Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marvin20 Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Very nice work on the cockpit. Looking forward to seeing more photos as you progress with your build. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Tom Nice to see your thread started. I'll be looking forward to seeing the progress. Anyone know the Cold Lake Base Flight (circa 1955) two-letter unit code? ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom G Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 (edited) Hi everyone, Well the build is coming along nicely. The model is assembled and painted and I got my Belcher Bits decals in the mail today. I will post a few more pictures shortly. I talked to my father in law again and he told me he was in the Cold Lake Operational Training Unit (OTU). Any one happen to know the two letter unit designation for that unit? Thanks, Tom Edited December 20, 2010 by Tom G Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Emvar Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Ok, According to the Holy Grail of Canadian Aircraft Markings (Royal Canadian Air Force Aircraft Finish and Markings by Patrick Martin) this is what I found for OTU.... AB+3 Era BN 6(S/T) OTU JF 3(F)OTU XV 2(M)OTU <---- Argus Conversion Unit VF Cold Lake Base Flight HTH Emil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom G Posted December 21, 2010 Author Share Posted December 21, 2010 Hi everyone, Here's an update. I am in the home stretch now. I really appreciate the help I have gotten from a lot of you on this model, especially ALF18 who pointed me in the right direction for an accurate paint scheme. Mike Belcher of Belcher Bits was great to send a set of decals out quickly. They are great and allow you build a CT-133 of any time period in the RCAF or Canadian Forces. Pat Martin was very helpful researching the s/n of this aircraft so that I can tell my father in law it's operational history. I'll post some more when it is actually done. Merry Christmas, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Tom Looking very nice - I'm happy that Mike Belcher could come through for you with the decals at such short notice. It seems that the Christmas period is full of little emergencies, and I for one am not surprised that he was able to meet your desired deadline. The build is going quickly now - paint is good, and decals coming along nicely. Looking forward to seeing the end result. ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sean Bratton Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 That's really looking sharp, Tom. Can't wait to see this one done. Ok,According to the Holy Grail of Canadian Aircraft Markings (Royal Canadian Air Force Aircraft Finish and Markings by Patrick Martin) this is what I found for OTU.... AB+3 Era BN 6(S/T) OTU 6 Strike/Reconnaissance was the CF-104 OTU at Cold Lake, which later became 417 Squadron. Cheers, Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dahut Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Nice work on the 'ol Hobbycraft repop. Just think, an original Canadian model company, that had their kits made in Korea, now having the same kits sold by a Korean company... and you're doing it in a Canadian scheme. There has to be some twisted irony, there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom G Posted December 27, 2010 Author Share Posted December 27, 2010 Well, I finished the model with one day to spare before Christmas. Was there ever any doubt? lol I used the Belcher Bits RCAF/CAF T-33 decals and they were really nice, they snugged down really well with Micro sol. I then put another gloss coat on to seal the decals and then a wash to highlight the panel lines and bring out the rivets. My father in law was quite surprised and happy when he saw it. It brought back a lot of memories for him. The last picture is him and I. All the best for the New Year, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marvin20 Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 (edited) Tom, Truly an awesome job on the CAF T-33! Looking forward to seeing more of your work as you build more models. Edited December 27, 2010 by marvin20 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sean Bratton Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 You did a beautiful job on your T-bird, Tom. It's a fantastic looking model. It's a great gift for your father-in-law and the story behind the model makes it much more than just a hobby. Cheers, Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litvyak Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 That turned out a gorgeous model! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Yessirree! ... you certainly did a beautiful job on the T-33! The paint, the decals, it's really good to look at! Well done ... and quick too! Do you think your father-in-law will hang it from the ceiling? Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Tom Superb job! You did very well to figure out the paint scheme, numbers, decals, etc - all with a very short time line. From the look on your Father-in-law's face, he definitely appreciated your efforts. The finished product is very nicely done. ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Excellent job, and really like the photo with your Father-in-law. :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 great work Tom! That is a sharp looking model, and great photo with you and your father in law Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Cheetah Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 That looks really great, well done. Please be sure to post some pics in the completed builds gallery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom G Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 Thanks for all the kind comments. I have posted pictures up in the completed build gallery also. All the best for 2011, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Barneydhc82 Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Very nice T-Bird Tom! Barney Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted December 28, 2010 Share Posted December 28, 2010 Tom, that is just gorgeous! Thanks for participating and sharing Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tilt Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 What a great job on the T-Bird.....and an awesome gift for your Father-in-law!! Those smiles in that photo up there are perfect!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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