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Oh No, an Airacuda!
- Thread starter jeaton01
- Start date
That's ok John, git'er done! 
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
I have an old Rare Planes kit in my stash. I didn't know that anyone else ever made a kit.
:nopics
:nopics
jeaton01
Well-known member
Here are some photos of this gem. Definitely short run, it's a surprise when something fits so far. The plastic is thick and soft most places, except where it is too thin. Surprisingly the clear parts are pretty good.
The parts map. Resin and PE is included.
The decals look pretty good except the Y on Army is incomplete.
A lot of test fitting and plastic removal here.
The trailing edge of the wing or the leading edge could be matched, but not both. Easier to fix the leading edge.
The kit had exhaust outlets on both sides of each nacelle, but the real thing only had them on the outside, and the inside pipes were routed inside the cowl to the other side.
Resin inserts were supplied to fit in the wheel wells. The instructions showed them all internal between the wing skins but that was never going to happen. I filed down the top side until it was wafer thin or less, then enlarged the holes in the lower wing so the resin could fit through, then sanded it to match.
Both sides now. The exhaust pipes have been tapered from the front to back as on the real thing, the kit had them as a constant cross section.
The transparencies installed. Not a great fit but I have hopes of hiding the worst of it.
The parts map. Resin and PE is included.
The decals look pretty good except the Y on Army is incomplete.
A lot of test fitting and plastic removal here.
The trailing edge of the wing or the leading edge could be matched, but not both. Easier to fix the leading edge.
The kit had exhaust outlets on both sides of each nacelle, but the real thing only had them on the outside, and the inside pipes were routed inside the cowl to the other side.
Resin inserts were supplied to fit in the wheel wells. The instructions showed them all internal between the wing skins but that was never going to happen. I filed down the top side until it was wafer thin or less, then enlarged the holes in the lower wing so the resin could fit through, then sanded it to match.
Both sides now. The exhaust pipes have been tapered from the front to back as on the real thing, the kit had them as a constant cross section.
The transparencies installed. Not a great fit but I have hopes of hiding the worst of it.
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
Limited run kits are always a challenge John. Looks like you are mastering it and beating it into shape. Definitely and interesting subject.
I've heard that if it's easy everyone would be doing it.
Very strange aircraft and concept. Looking forward to this.
Very strange aircraft and concept. Looking forward to this.
phantom II
Master at Arms
Interesting idea . Bell designers did not believe in coloring within the lines .
Will be happy to see one of these get build .
Cheers, Christian B)
Will be happy to see one of these get build .
Cheers, Christian B)
jeaton01
Well-known member
A progress report. I think this has more window panes than an He-111. I photographed the model and made masks with the Cameo, even though I'll most likely never do another. I don't think I could do a very good job with an exacto knife and strips of tape, and it likely would have taken the same amount or more time. There's been a fair amount of stretched sprue and filler expended on this one, and some carving to boot. There will still be some rough spots but if you want an injected kit of the Airacuda this is the only stop. I've been sticking together the Airfix P-51D while I've been doing the Airacuda so I guess I could claim two entries for MMM.
Worth the work. 
Duke Maddog
Well-known member
What an interesting aircraft! Keep plugging man, this is looking fantastic!