Donald Dickson II Evidently entering into a group build with some of the best modelers around wasnt enough of a challenge. I clean up the seams on the nose and grab the canopy. *sigh*

First issue. The raised edges of the frame are n the INSIDE of the canopy. If I was using Tamiya tape, I would be screwed. But, I use parafilm. Thankfully I can see through that to follow the frame. Then I set it over the cockpit annnndddd...

Issue 2. The big one. HUGE gaps. I circled them just to make sure you dont miss them. Obviously I cant just glue the canopy on and putty away. That would be seen through the clear portions. Perfect plastic putty to the rescue! This stuff is water based, so it will not mess the canopy up. And I can dampen the edges of the canopy, putty it and pull the canopy off in order to shape and sand the interior. I also had to use a strip of sheet plastic to fill that side gap. I have to let it set so I can sand and shape and tweak. But I think it will work.

Tim Heimer Hang in there Don! I believe in you!

Slavo Hazucha Hmm, maybe the only Zhengdefu contribution was developing a new canopy for the Academy kit? At least with all that added filler & stuff, it's definitely sure now it won't stand nose-up when finished

Seriously: You got it under control, almost there!

Donald Dickson II Thanks guys! It looks rough right now, but that Is only the first step. And hopefully i wont end up with rogue bits appearing on the canopy once its secured.

Hans Robben Nothing like that on the Academy original:
[img1]

Hans Robben But they copied the ugly seams on the wings perfectly
[img1]

Donald Dickson II I was just noticing those very things on your album. LOL

Slavo Hazucha Raise your glasses, the group is now numbering 10 builds! And clear all shards from inside the cockpit before sealing the canopy

Slavo Hazucha These intrusions where some work gets mysteriously done on your bench really have to stop! If this goes on, it may actually get built...! But at least the quality seems all right, nice non-cheating cockpit progress

Sergej I Intruder! Watching

Peter Hardy Don is revolving now?

Donald Dickson II Fuel bar thingy?
It's an industry term.

LOL Refueling probe. And yes, that is part of its unique look.

Slavo, I need to change the locks on my doors I guess.
Peter, I am always spinning around. LOL
Welcome Sergej!

Greg Baker Y'know... the gas pokey.

Chris Greathouse ^ I almost called it that

Donald Dickson II Gas pokey. LMAO

It's a go juice straw guys.

Tim Heimer Hey Don! Don't change your locks! Those intruders do a better cockpit than you do, maybe just stay away from your bench and they will finish it! LOL!

Donald Dickson II Alright, I warned you it wasnt much. LOL I gotta go back and redo the white part. And rechrome the emblem. That should be fun.

Bob Hall Right On ! Guns and Hoses ! Killer Work as always !

Donald Dickson II OK, the cock pit is done. Not quite as impressive as a jet. Cab exterior done for what I will do for now. Now I need to figure the lighting.

*clears throat* Oh Greeeeeeggggggg...How would you go about doing the head lights and turn signals?

Greg Baker Uhm. Probably with lights.

Donald Dickson II The wisdom! I am blown away! LMAO I mean like would you use bulbs of some sort or fiber optics. That kind of thing.

Clint Mecham From first hand experience....good job on the truck. They are work trucks and as such are kept simple.

Donald Dickson II Yep. Every one I ever rode, even the show pieces the volunteers bought, were pretty basic. Though the ones I have seen lately are like Caddys in comparison.

Clint Mecham Very true. The newer Seagraves and Rosenbauers we use are sure not the old Crowns and Mack's I started with.....

Peter Hardy Are there wings?

Donald Dickson II LOL Yep!

Peter Hardy Well you should be ok then!

Donald Dickson II OK, so I broke out the cock pit stuff. The Revell is on the left, the Hasegawa with a Verlinden resin seat on the right. I can grind off the belts on the revell seat and use the PE from the zoom. The PE control panel will go in the Hasegawa and divide up detail parts between the two.

I think. Maybe. And use the Wolfpak pit for a different build in the future. Maybe.

Donald Dickson II OK, so I went with doing the kit stuff with some PE for the Revell and the Verlinden bang seat, PE control panel and the rest kit for the Hasegawa. If the Revell seat wasnt a part of the tub I would have used the other Verlinden seat.

Donald Dickson II Both fuselages together, wings on. Some rough sanding done. Puttying up next. But after work on the fire truck.

Clifford Keesler You go Wildman.

Stephan Ryll Nice project Donald good progress here

Peter Hardy If the shoe fits Donny me boy, wear it with pride!

Donald Dickson II Hehehe

Tim Heimer LOL! Too cool dude!

Bob Hall [img1]

Martin Oostrom

Bob Hall Had to throw in a litte Texas Theme to it ! LOL !!

Peter Hardy Love it! Gotta pick that one up Don!

Donald Dickson II I will use that one later. LOL

Donald Dickson II My father took this pic on 17Jan67. The one with the planes in it. LOL He identifies the C-47 as an AC-47. BUT, it has a white underside, leading me to think it is an EC-47. BUT, my dad was the one that was there, not I. And unfortunately, he is not with us, so I can get no clarification.

Anyway, I plan on building this as a diorama. I have the CH-3 and the two RF-101. Gotta figure the 47 out and get some revetments. This one is going to be long.

Donald Dickson II So. I have been doing a lot of research. I have found at least one pic from late 1966 of an AC-47 at Tan San Nhut with a white/light gray underside. I also have been looking at the pic until my eyes water, and I just dont see the antennae that were on the EC. So, I am going to go with an AC-47 with a white underside.

Opinions definitely welcome.

Michael Hickey This is going to be one massive dio, I'm defiantly in.

Donald Dickson II Yeah. I am waiting for a place in England to have more revetments. Then I will start on it I think.

Holger Kranich Whenever you start - I am in! Thats a really cool idea!

Donald Dickson II Welcome sir! I am pretty sure this one is gonna take a while. But truly a labor of love.

Holger Kranich Is modeling and love not always connected? I am looking forward!

Donald Dickson II So, I was going through the kits to see what I might need when I get to this build. I hadnt really perused the Valom kits yet. WOW! Resin seamless intakes, resin nose with all the camera windows, PE, seemingly well molded. I am REALLY itching to get at these now!

Nathan Dempsey Wow, this is going to be awesome.

Łukasz Gliński Very cool topic, will follow. Wondering how the Jolly Green Giant will turn out as I'm still afraid to re-rivet mine, hence it's still waiting in the stash.
Just in case - I have set of spare Dakota flaps from Eduard than I don't need

Donald Dickson II Lukas, I dont mess with rescribing and the like(unless I destroy stuff sanding). They actually got it pretty much right even back in 70. They are rivet monsters as you can see in the pic.