CL-415 MP MMEA
C-FWLK is the subject of choice. Are there easier to paint schemes? Sure... But this is irresistible.
The shape of the engine nacelles is not very accurate, the exhaust should be almost 2mm lower. It may seem little but in this scale is a noticeable difference.
The drawing above is the reference blueprint I hand copied from my phone screen. I removed the upper back part of the original piece and glued some styrene strips to add some bulk.
After some sanding.
Some new cockpit details as per reference pics.
Fuselage openings and interior parts finished.
The engraving of the water release hatches was not very consistent among fuselage sides, so I decided to drill them out and model new doors, thus adding some extra detail to the keel area.
Some painting going on
Painted cockpit
Surveillance equipment and water tank.
I didn't find any interior pics of this particular aircraft, but there's an advertising video from Canadair on Youtube with some glimpses of the SAR version, which I captured and used as reference.
Video screenshot
Cockpit and surveillance post seats.
Circuit breakers panels
Electrical equipment finished...
...and painted.
The floor was primed black and painted with light gray in a gradient, simulating light coming through the opened doors and getting darker towards the middle and back areas.
Still a cabrio, but not for long
Transparent part ready with new roof detail
Starboard side. Tried some nano writing too. The fact that it would never be seen again gave me some confidence 😉
Enjoying my stay at Rivet Hotel
Some extra detail added to the engine nacelles, not much left till I call them done.
The fit of fhe kit is really good, but the wing surface is not smooth and needed some puttying and sanding. The vortex generators are now gone.
After neverending sand-fill iterations the wing surface is now even and smooth. I fully rescribed it and added lots of removable panels on top that will hopefully improve the look of this bird from above. The kit lacks this kind of details, but it's great in terms of overall fitting and proportion accuracy.
Rudder was part of the fuselage, so I cut it off to better detail it further. After glueing its halfs together I realized the surfaces were a bit warped due to the pressure of the clamps, so I had to add some material on the outside. I added the hinges also.
Off topic: my favourite tools. The DIY sanding sticks are just a strip of sandpaper glued to a styrene bar with CA. Proved invaluable to obtain flat surfaces after puttying. I wish I had figured them out before!
Comments
24 21 August 2023, 14:18
Robert PodkońskiLooks like it is going to be a fantastic model. Let me take a seat 🙂
21 August 2023, 15:03
David R. MeizosoWelcome, Robert! It's progressing slowly. Panel lines are been filled/sanded/rescribed, wing surface levelled and smoothed, landing gear scratched, etc. Can't help digging my own grave with every project 😉 But yes, in my head it's going to be a fantastic model!
21 August 2023, 18:25
Pierre PierreFollowing, but serioulsy how did byou manage to make this riveting it is very straight on a such small scale ! Congrat
3 September 2023, 19:19
David R. MeizosoThanks, Pierre, and welcome! I first draw the lines on the surface with a mechanical pencil, then use Rosie the riveter freehand trying to follow those lines. For longer lines I use tape as a guide. The trick for me is to inmobilize the model while using the riveter, I use lots of blu-tac for this. Additionally having a source of light in front of you allows the rivets to be easily seen, which also helps a lot! Just find the right angle under which the surface reflects the light and there they are!
3 September 2023, 19:34
Shar DipreeWow great detailing. The C-415 will definitely look great when it's finished. 👍👍👍
10 September 2023, 09:26
David R. MeizosoThank you all! Scribing and riveting are slowly progressing, though I have less time for modelling now... I'll do my best not to loose momentum!
10 September 2023, 21:03
David R. MeizosoThank you very much, S M! I had to stop modelling for a while due to a new job and the changes involved, but hopefully this and other projects will be resumed eventually.
6 June, 18:19
Album info
This is an upgraded version of the Canadair CL 415MP of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, as it was delivered in 2016 and before receiving its final white and red uniform.
Some new surveillance equipment was added and the aft doors were also modified on both sides, featuring this stunningly beautiful patchy scheme.
Group Build
Sea Patrol Aircraft Flying Boats or Land Based will do! All nations and time?
1. June 2023 until 31. May 2024
1. June 2023 until 31. May 2024