CD72090 - 1/72 P-3 Orion Part 1

[Dutch]

I have to echo Whitey's comments. Utterly FANTASTIC!  Love the markings, love the data options, love the walkways. And yes, please release the P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion data/walkway sheets as separate decals, just as with the C-135 Family sheet. They will sell!

Kind regards, 

Dutch.

Edited August 21 by Dutch

[KursadA]

I will definitely consider doing a P-3 General Markings Set with some modifications to make the set more amenable to be used for international Orions; and release a series of limited edition (Microscale printed) decals for other Orion operators and more US options.

[Electra II]

26 minutes ago, KursadA said:

I will definitely consider doing a P-3 General Markings Set with some modifications to make the set more amenable to be used for international Orions; and release a series of limited edition (Microscale printed) decals for other Orion operators and more US options.

Hello Kursad, would you consider including stencils and BuNos and aircraft side numbers, etc. printed in WHITE also, to accommodate earlier seaplane gray P-3s or black EP-3s? That would be excellent if you could include white-printed decals for those older schemes.

[riffraff]

On your 2nd P 3 sheet will you be doing any Orions with the white over blue scheme?

[Dutch]

Technically it is Gloss Insignia White (FS17875) over Gloss Engine Gray (FS16081).  What is really needed with these early P-3A Orion schemes is the searchlight under the starboard wing tip in both 1/72 & 1/144 scales.

 

Only the three P-3A used by the CIA were overall Gloss Black (FS17038) and the early EP-3A/B BAT RACK aircraft were Gloss Insignia White (FS17875) over Gloss Black (FS17038).

Edited August 28 by Dutch

[riffraff]

Thanks for the correction Dutch. I didn't look blue to me but that made more sense to me than anything else.  Live and learn.

[Paul Boyer]

That's one of the color conundrums of our modeling hobby. I've found dozens of erroneous painting guides and photo captions about "engine gray" or "Seaplane Gray". Years ago I wrote a column in FineScale Modeler titled "International Color and Camouflage" and this U.S. Navy gray/blue misconception was one of the subjects I was going to cover but never did get to.

 

The short story is that postwar U.S. Navy "seaplanes" - patrol aircraft mostly - came out of the war in overall sea blue, then went to overall "Seaplane Gray" - this included actual "seaplanes" such as the PBM and P5M flying boats, and shore-based non-seaplane patrol aircraft such as Neptunes and Mercators. I can't recall the date of the switch to gray, but in the '50s sometime. Then they went to seaplane gray with white tops (for crew comfort), most notable with Neptunes, Connies, and the early Orions. Then they went to light gull gray with white tops. So any instructions or captions mentioning sea blue with white tops are in error.

[Dutch]

Right on, Paul!  Besides the Seaplanes and MARPAT/AEW aircraft, USN helicopter and utility aircraft also received the Engine Gray paint.  I think of early HSS-2/H-3 Seakings, HRB/UH-46 Sea Knights, H2K/H-2 Seasprites were delivered in overall engine gray.  Utility aircraft, especially the drone carries (JD-1/DB-26 Intruder, P2V-5D/DP-2E Neptunes, S2F-2/US-2C Trackers, etc...) not to mention the drones themselves (lots of FJ-3/4 Furys) received the engine gray fuselages with yellow wings and tail surfaces with red bands.  

[Paul Boyer]

Correct, Dutch. Photo captions and artist's renderings in reference books are also suspect. I think the problem is exacerbated by the bluish appearance of "engine" or "seaplane" gray in color photos.

[A-10 LOADER]

Since the P-3 sheet seems to be selling good so far ?? I'd like to bring up Dutch's excellent suggestion again for a "Electronic / Recon Orion" sheet.

 

Steve

[Dutch]

18 hours ago, A-10 LOADER said:

Since the P-3 sheet seems to be selling good so far ?? I'd like to bring up Dutch's excellent suggestion again for a "Electronic / Recon Orion" sheet.

 

Steve

Or, perhaps an "Orion Special Variants" sheet. That would allow for: P-3A in CIA gloss black, WP-3A of VW-4, RP-3D of VXN-8, WP-3D of NOAA, EP-3J of VAQ-33, EP-3B of VQ-1/2 in the early gloss Black & Insignia White. Perhaps an NP-3D of PMTC / VX-30. NRL had multiple variants. Any standard P-3A/B/C of VX-1 Pioneers. I am probably missing a few other options. The VPU birds were usually painted as line aircraft in an operational squadron. 

 

Edited August 28 by Dutch

[f5guy]

12 hours ago, Dutch said:

Or, perhaps an "Orion Special Variants" sheet. That would allow for: P-3A in CIA gloss black, WP-3A of VW-4, RP-3D of VXN-8, WP-3D of NOAA, EP-3J of VAQ-33, EP-3B of VQ-1/2 in the early Engine Gray & Insignia White. Perhaps an NP-3D of PMTC / VX-30. NRL had multiple variants. Any standard P-3A/B/C of VX-1 Pioneers. I am probably missing a few other options. The VPU birds were usually painted as line aircraft in an operational squadron. 

 

 

Definitely yes to this one! What a cool load out . Fred

[82Whitey51]

An idea for not only decals but a 3D printed resin conversion, VXS-1/Naval Research Lab (and later VX-30) NP-3D, with Hawkeye 2000 suite (this includes the underside CEC antenna unlike the U.S. Customs domed P-3s).

Later photos show the "RL" and orange lightning bolt on the tail as well as NAVAL RESEARCH  (in USAF font 🙄) along the sides of the fuselage. I was commissioned to build one of these about 12 years ago as a Change of Command gift to the out going CO from his wife...I've logged several hours in this bird and want to do another for my own collection.

 

[A-10 LOADER]

This aircraft visited NAS Willow Grove, PA. many times over the years. I never got any shots of her because I always seemed to just miss her. 😪

Good idea Whitey and, nice job on the build.

 

Steve

[82Whitey51]

3 hours ago, A-10 LOADER said:

This aircraft visited NAS Willow Grove, PA. many times over the years. I never got any shots of her because I always seemed to just miss her. 😪

Good idea Whitey and, nice job on the build.

 

Steve

Hey thanks!  I guess they took her up to Willow Grove for upgrades now and then before they relocated those facilities down to NAS Pax. That was before I got to the command (2008). We would still go do touch n' go's at WG but in the P-# "slicks" we had. This one we weren't allowed to do pilot training hops in.

[Dutch]

14 hours ago, 82Whitey51 said:

Hey thanks!  I guess they took her up to Willow Grove for upgrades now and then before they relocated those facilities down to NAS Pax. That was before I got to the command (2008). We would still go do touch n' go's at WG but in the P-# "slicks" we had. This one we weren't allowed to do pilot training hops in.

Yes Whitey! Beautiful work and an excellent suggestion for an "Orion Special Variants" sheet. A pair each of "NAVAL RESEARCH," "RL," "442," red lightning bolt and nose badges is pretty much all you need.  Not too difficult to wiggle onto a decal sheet, what?

 

However, the biggest thing is getting a 3D printed dome and correct pylon. 12-Squared did one in 1/144 scale, but it is unobtainable now and the plastic was very soft. I don't have my references in front of me, but I believe that the P-3 AEW&C radar pylon and supporting legs differ from the E-2 Hawkeye version.  Simply robbing the dome and pylon from a Hawkeye kit in either 1/72 or 1/144 scale may get you 95% of the way there, but not completely correct.  Obviously, Whitey did some superb scratch building to make his ND-3D Dome from NRL, as I see he has captured the pylon and legs nicely.

K/r,

Dutch

Edited August 29 by Dutch

[Scooby]

We need CP-140 decals in Canada, this is a popular aircraft in our skies.