Boeing HC-97G Search & Rescue
Comments
11 23 September 2019, 15:20
Nathan DempseyThis project was previously a ghost build, but its getting closer to completion so I've put up an album. Also I found that Mission Models Paint makes the color called out for this aircraft so it should be a breeze to finish.
23 September 2019, 15:35
Nathan DempseyAdded a shot of the wing where I had to fill the rather large location holes for the jet engine pods of the original KC-97L.
23 September 2019, 17:39
Nathan DempseyAdded a shot of the completed fuselage. The engines on this kit did not go together as easily as the B377 which is odd because they are exactly the same. Oh well, just an extra sanding session...
25 September 2019, 17:38
Nathan DempseyWelcome Donald 🙂
Just some small work today. Noticed that the kit part for this "bulge" on the bottom of the fuselage was quite thin. I added some styrene strip to bulk it up a bit. Added an image to compare on the real thing. It's close but I'll have to do some sanding to get it to the right shape.
26 September 2019, 14:07
Nathan DempseyOn this one perfect. On the Stratocruiser (the same kit) it took a bunch of sanding.
23 October 2019, 21:21
Nathan DempseyFirst layer of Mission Models Aircraft Grey FS16473 applied. I like the color!
27 October 2019, 13:24
Nathan DempseyThanks Hans & Stephan
I painted this last night at the other end of my house in poor lighting (everyone was asleep), so I was fairly pleased with the result. One more layer should even everything out nicely. Then I have to paint the yellow stripe...
27 October 2019, 15:47
Nathan DempseyThanks Donald! I was very surprised at how well the color matched.
27 October 2019, 21:09
DutchNathan, Great work so far. I too plan on a HC-97G, so I am watching your efforts closely. Thanks for pointing out the ventral bumper strip, I would have missed it otherwise. R/ Dutch
30 October 2019, 12:28
Nathan DempseyThanks Dutch! Today I will attempt to paint the yellow stripe and wingtips. I had a previous attempt yesterday on this stripe with a decal (not the Caracal set) and it failed.
30 October 2019, 16:24
DutchHmm, your commnet about Mission Model Paint has me rethinking my whole paint setup. I have spent some time digging up reviews and I think I will switch my current setup from enamel & lacquer paints to acrylics. My initial investment would not be that great considering what I have now. How do you like the MMP paint, Nathan?
30 October 2019, 20:14
Nathan DempseyAdded a shot of the completed white areas.
Thanks Stephan!
Dutch: So far I have purchased about 16 of the MM paint for various projects. I've found that they are VERY forgiving and I've only had any problems by over-thinning. Most colors dont require any thinning at all, but the color for this project did. Im still working on testing more colors using a paint brush and I'd say they are a little harder to use in that regard, but it may just be me. I do use all types of paint and as far as airbrushing I like the MMP the most. I'd say overall I really like them 🙂
30 October 2019, 20:44
DutchLooking very good! The yellow seems to have covered well. As has the white. It does seem odd to paint the bottom of the fuselage and engines white as that is where all the dirt collects. But it is clearly seen in the photo. Great work. Can't wait to see her all finished.
1 November 2019, 00:47
Nathan DempseyThanks Dutch! I put gloss on her today and will begin decals in the morning.
1 November 2019, 00:59
Michael HickeyThat looks really smart in those colours, looking forward to seeing decals bring her to life.👍
1 November 2019, 01:04
Nathan DempseyThanks Michael!
Just found another antenna. I thought I'd show this one because it is looks very similar to one included in the KC-97L kit (part #60). On the KC-97L this is shown on the top of the fuselage behind the larger antenna. Looks like on the HC-97G it is on the bottom and closely lines up with the crew doors. I know there's a whole farm of antennas under there, but this one is in the kit...
1 November 2019, 02:13
DutchNathan, I find it interesting how the HC-97G paint scheme changed over time. On my planned project [Boeing KC-97L Stratotanker: 126th ARG IL ANG | Project by Dutch (1:144), I am using a photo dated from the "late 1960's" which shows more natural metal or duraluminum finish and much more yellow on the wings. Do you know the date of your photo? Your photo resembles the nice clean aircraft gray / yellow that appeared on the HH-34Js used by the reserves during the early 1970s. Carry on! R/ Dutch
1 November 2019, 11:24
Nathan DempseyI mainly chose this one because of the white antenna covers as it just looked different. The aircraft in the picture is dated as 1968 at Elmendorf AFB. Luckily the Caracal decal set has plenty of spare numbers so I should be able to recreate the aircraft fairly close to the picture.
1 November 2019, 12:42
Nathan DempseyAdded another pic showing some decal work and the addition of the front antenna bulge.
2 November 2019, 12:53
DutchWindshield decals seem to conform pretty well. Did you have to cut them at all? Looking really good!
2 November 2019, 13:35
Nathan DempseyI had to cut them on each side of the middle-front window. I noticed that unless I cut it that each side had a slight upward angle when settling down.
2 November 2019, 13:45
Nathan DempseyI'm not going to complain. The Caracal decals are freakin awesome.
2 November 2019, 15:58
Nathan DempseyAdded a shot showing the side windows and the custom numbering on the tail.
4 November 2019, 19:46
Nathan DempseyThanks Dutch, Jörgen, and mingdaiyu!
Not much work going on today.
5 November 2019, 17:48
Nathan DempseyStill working on decals this evening. Also prepping all the props for this and the Stratocruiser build.
6 November 2019, 01:15
Nathan DempseyThanks Stephan!
Having the same issue with this build as the Stratocruiser. I underestimated the nose weight. Hopefully I'll be able to correct that today. As with the other build I'm hoping these very fine parts will be able to hold all the weight.
9 November 2019, 18:46
Donald Dickson IIYeah, I didnt even think about putting weight in mine. It says nothing in the directions and it didnt cross my mind. When you come up with a final total on how much h weight, please do post.
9 November 2019, 20:32
Nathan DempseyThanks Jens, I'm humbled by your praise!
Donald: Well it was one of those situations where I just kept adding a bit of shot until it sat on its nose. It already had a 44 magnum lead wad cutter in the nose (left over from when pops would do reloads). How that alone wasn't enough I'll never figure out...
10 November 2019, 00:16
Donald Dickson IIHoly crap! Thats a lot of lead in a small kit. I will keep that in mind next one I do.
10 November 2019, 01:52
Nathan DempseyOk I'm calling this one done! Sorry for the delay as my bench time has been lacking recently, but I'm back on the horse!
6 December 2019, 19:49
DutchWoohoo! Nice work. Yes, definitely one to be proud of. I need to get cracking on mine! Well done, sir!
6 December 2019, 20:18
DutchNathan, you need to send some photos to Kursad @ Caracal Models so he can post them or put a link on his CD144013 page.
6 December 2019, 23:51
Nathan DempseyHappy to report that this build won bronze at the recent PAMSCON 22 contest in the category Aircraft 1/100 & Smaller (All Scales).
26 June 2022, 21:20
DutchNathan, Again, Impressive work and a well deserved reward for your research, detail and hard work. Congratulations! Kind regards, Dutch
27 June 2022, 01:37
