Helo 53 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 I've decided to build a 1/72 C-123B Provider based at Sparrevohn Alaska . Sparrevohn was the site of a Ground Control Intercept (GCI) Station which was part of the DEW Line . I had been thinking about a 1/72 C-123J Provider version and even bought the Amodel 1/144 kit to see what the wing tip engine pods look like with the ski's and under fuselage/nose fairings . However I don't have anything in the spares box that would suit a 1/72 version and I'm not sure if I could scratch build the engines and ski's . Anyway I'll start on a 1/72 C-123B version and see how I go ; This will be my third Mach 2 C-123 build , I'm almost finished the first two after nearly three years . I don't expect this build to take that long , I have worked out a lot of the issue's with the kit and should be able to overcome some of the fit problems a lot easier this time around ...I hope ! John . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Welcome aboard! This is certainly as subject we don't see every day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Another interesting choice. Too bad there isn't another option for the C-123 although it sounds like it is one of the better kits offered by Mach 2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helo 53 Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 Hi Aaronw ; There's only about two main issue's with the Mach 2 C-123 kit . The wheel well opening for the main gear wheels needs to be filed about 3mm wider and the cockpit floor sits too high and needs to sit lower . The boxing for the main gear needs to be made slightly larger to accommadate the new 3mm wide opening . Everything else is just mostly filing and sanding . Lot's of flash everywhere , so if your happy sitting at the bench for 3 or 4 evenings you can get all the parts cleaned up and ready for glueing and interior painting . Today I used some 80 grade sand paper and smoothed over the fuselage insides after grinding all the little lugs off . The same with the insides of the wings and tail and horizontal stabilizers . I used the Rotor Craft motor tool up in the garage to save showering my work area inside with plastic debrie and dust . I actually cleaned up three C-123 kits to save a bit of time . I polished the canopy with some tooth paste the other day and then dipped it into some Future and it looks okay ; I picked up a couple of resin engines from Engines and Things and they look really good I'm only cutting open the rear ramp on this build and probably the other future builds ; The first two builds I cut open the side crew entry door as well as cutting the wing and stabilizer flaps to pose them in the lowered position . It was a lot more work than I expected , so I'm going to avoid all that messing around . I've also pulled the bottom of each fuselage half outwards to avoid the concave effect I had with the first builds . So basiclly I'll do a lot more dry fitting and get parts to fit closer this time around so i can avoid multiple sessions of puttying as well. The first two C-123 builds are nearing completion , finally ; Tomorrow I'm going to re-mask and airbrush the yellow panels on the USCG HC-123B again and then mask for the black nose cone . It will be nice to have these two finally in the display cabinet ; With a big sigh of relief . John . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amen Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 I love your work ,totaly organized .Good luck with this one and have fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helo 53 Posted May 11, 2012 Author Share Posted May 11, 2012 It's only a small update but I got the main landing gear boxing fitted in place and I've airbrushed the fuselage interior pieces with some Gunze H-57 Aircraft Gray . I'll paint the cockpit seat cushions next and then fit the windows in place . Once that's done I can glue the cockpit and cabin floor into position and get ready to close up the fuselage . Looking to make more progress over the weekend . John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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