SteveV22FE Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 (edited) Following my C-130H "Screaming Eagle" build: see that thread here I got inspired to pull out my Testors/Italeri C-130J kit. The Testors boxing of the C-130J was the first J to hit the shelves back in the 90's. Basically, this kit is the same old Italeri C-130E with the new 2100 engines and 6 blade props. It should come as no surprise when I say, adding 2100 engines and 6-blade props does not a C-130J make. There's a lot more to it. To make this conversion work, you need Parts Tree F from the Italeri boxing of the C-130J or just start out with that kit. If you already have a either the Testors boxing or the C-130E/H kit, you can contact Italeri through their website and request for this tree. Explain why you want it and they will be happy to supply it to you for $7.50. Getting this tree makes the process a lot easier. If you have the E/H boxing, you will need to either get aftermarket engines and props or request the engine and prop tree for Italeri. Here is the beginning of the WC-130J conversion: First, the forward sponsons are in the wrong location. The forward sponsons need to be moved forward. The left side of the aircraft is very easy to do this since the forward sponson is a separate piece. The right side forward sponson is not so easy as it is molded to the side of the fuselage. Notice there are some other changes to the right side forward windows that are going to have to be addressed as well. Also, all the NACA intakes need to be filled. The right side forward sponson needs to be removed. Carefully use a scribing tool and razor saw to remove the forward sponson. Then use sheet styrene to reconstruct the side of the fuselage. The newly separated piece will need to be modified using Parts Tree F, Part Number 15F (AC Pack Intake Scoop)to match the C-130H/J configuration. Here is the dry fit of the new forward sponson locations: Edited July 15, 2015 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 This will be interesting to follow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 That was my thought as well! Having build 7 C-130s now, I may even be able to help - well, if I remember how it was when I did them... ;) HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 (edited) To fix the left side, I am going to use both left side sponson parts. I am going to use the GTC part with the NACA intake and modify the APU part. Here are the differences in the two left side forward sponsons. The left one is the GTC (Ground Turbine Compressor) version for early aircraft. The right one is the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) version for H1-H3 and J aircraft. Here is the left side extended. I used Parts Tree F part 1F. Modify the APU part (1F) by cutting approximately 5/8" measured from the aft side of the part. This becomes the plug. This is also the APU exhaust. Graft the two pieces together then fill and sand. Edited December 23, 2014 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Same area primed and aft window relocated Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Nice Start Steve, using the kit engines or after market? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 (edited) Nice Start Steve, using the kit engines or after market? :thumbsup:/>/>/> :popcorn:/>/>/> I'm thinking the kit engines modified. I saw an article somewhere on the net that shows how to fix the kit engines...now ask me where I found it... :dontknow:/>/> Edited December 22, 2014 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 (edited) Left side observer/escape hatch square window cut in. Edited December 22, 2014 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 (edited) The right side sponson extension in place and the A/C pack scoop getting filled and faired in. Edited December 30, 2018 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Not abandoned...updates coming soon... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aurora Mark Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Not abandoned...updates coming soon... YAY!!! This is one pretty interesting build! Cheers, Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nimrod77 Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Looks great! I'm lucky, I found two Ron's Resin donation corrections at a model show a little while back. One for my eventual H model and one for my J. Your work looks really great. I'll be watching. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) Removed Edited December 30, 2018 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 (edited) Received good news!! Attack Squadron is providing me with a review sample of their new C-130J 2100 engine set. Please check them out at: http://www.attacksquadron.pl/en/ The build will resume when the engines arrive....stay tuned! Edited February 16, 2015 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Thanks very much Steve, I had a poke around their site and also have a set of the engines and KC-130 refueling pods ordered (plus some other stuff). Too many C-130Js in the build list at the moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share Posted February 17, 2015 According to their email, they are also working on a sponson correction set. That will be very welcome. I just hope that it's reasonably priced. The Wolfpack correction is about $80.00. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 According to their email, they are also working on a sponson correction set. That will be very welcome. I just hope that it's reasonably priced. The Wolfpack correction is about $80.00. That would be nice. As good ad the Wolfpack set looks I agree it is a bit expensive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Attack Squadron engines arrived!! Giving them the quick once over...THEY LOOK REALLY GOOD!! Edited February 25, 2015 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Steve, I just found your build, and it's quite an undertaking. Your corrections to date are certainly well done. Looking forward to your next update. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 (edited) Well, as good as they looked in the box, the opposite is true for the fit. Advertised as a replacement with little to no modification necessary, these are not that. If I line up the top of the nacelle to the kit mount, there is a pretty significant step. If I sanded it to match the aftermarket nacelle, there would be nothing left on the bottom of the mount. This is true for all four engine nacelles. They are also a little narrow in the width. The length appears correct. As right now, these are unacceptable and I can't use them for my build. I am going to contact Attack Squadron/ArmaHobby and hope for a response. Edited March 12, 2015 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 They indeed do look horrendous and unusable. Maybe you should get in touch with them, and ask for your money back, or at the very least correctly fitting parts. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) They indeed do look horrendous and unusable. Maybe you should get in touch with them, and ask for your money back, or at the very least correctly fitting parts. Joel They sent these to me as a review sample. So, I didn't pay for them. I did contact them and told them that I don't feel right reviewing these parts and that they need to address this issue. Edited March 12, 2015 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Steve, you going to tackle the kit parts or wait to hear back from the folks that sent you the resin nacelles? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) I am sorely disappointed. My thinking now is to modify and correct the kit nacelles. All I need is one good nacelle. Copies can be cast from it. The engines and sponsons is what will make or break this project. The sponsons are 95% done. The Attack Squadron engines were going to fit the bill perfectly and now this. I was told to use the OzMods engines, but they're really not that great either. OzMods engines are correct to the real aircraft, not to the model. I really wish the aftermarket folks would make Fit, Form and Function parts that fit the kit, not the 1:1 scale subject. Steve, you going to tackle the kit parts or wait to hear back from the folks that sent you the resin nacelles? Edited March 12, 2015 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveV22FE Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) I have just received word that Attack Squadron/ArmaHobby are checking the molds. I really hope that this is a simple fix for them. I have confidence that they can fix this based in their past subjects. Edited March 12, 2015 by SteveV22FE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.