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Phil Steele
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Hasegawa 1/72 CP 121 Tracker

December 4, 2017 · in Aviation · · 22 · 2.7K

Re-shoot day ! Originally build 2008. This kit was highly modified and detailed to produce an accurate Canadian service aircraft. The paint is a self produced version of 501-109 grey using Model Master as a base and referencing the I. P. M. S. Canadian Colours Guide paint chip catalog. The Canadian markings are the old Trident Products Flight Colours set 72A02.(long out of print I'll wager). All of the stenciling is self produced. The wind screen required a lot of polishing which destroyed the panel lines, so I had to make masks as well. I think they are available now. The lads were nice enough to spin up the starboard engine a couple of times while I was taking the pictures.

DeHavilland Canada built 99 Trackers for Canadian operation with the first seeing service in May, 1956. Following the decommissioning of the HMCS Bonaventure in 1970, all Canadian Trackers became shore based, and gradually had their ASW equipment removed. (note the missing MAD boom on this model). They were also re-designated CP 121 from CS2F at that time, and were used for coastal patrol and sovereignty enforcement. The Trackers continued to see service in varying formats into the late 1990's. The Shearwater Aviation Museum is currently restoring a Canadian .

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5 additional images. Click to enlarge.


22 responses

  1. Very nice build! I like your tarmac.

  2. Another fine job, Phil...(I like the tarmac, too). 🙂

  3. Great job on an interesting aircraft, Phil. So far, we 3 respondents are 100% in agreement about the tarmac.

    "The Boys" really helped out on this photo shoot as well. Be sure to thank them for all of us!

  4. Great job on this build Phil.

  5. Nicely done Phil.

  6. Excellent Phil - I really like that scheme - hard to tell in the light, but looks like a bit of greenish cast to the grey.

    • It's an odd colour, very Canadian, and close to Aircraft Grey. In fact that was the base for my formulation. Having a chip of the actual shade is handy. The final operational (1990's) colour on the Canadian Trackers was Dark Ghost Grey, and I have the CanMilAir decals for that version and a kit It will be a bit of work removing all of the ASW gear. Thanks Greg !

  7. Phil, great work on the old girl. Got the prop to turn, too. Nice little kit.

  8. Good looking Tracker Phil, well done.

  9. Looks like a real working plane, great effect.

  10. Hello Phil,
    Excellent (re) build of this old model. Your explanation makes it complete.
    The Dutch Navy took over 17 Trackers from the RCN in 1961. These were used in the Caribbean. Stationed at Naval Air Facility "HATO". Part of the large "Albert Plesman"airport. For major maintenance these Trackers were transported as deck load by coaster to the Netherlands.
    All history. No more fixed wings in the Dutch naval Aviation.
    Regards, Dirk / The Netherlands

  11. Great job on the Tracker!

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