Airfix 1/72 Cessna O-1 Bird Dog
I remember building this kit as a teenager back in the 70s, but a few years ago I had another crack at it. It's actually quite a nice little model, spoilt only by the poor clear parts and some unfortunately placed ejection-pin marks.
I added a Pavla resin interior and replaced the glass on the upper wing and the cabin side windows from clear acetate, but used the kit front/rear windscreens.
The raised panel lines were re-scribed (there weren't a lot of them) and a few details added, such as aerials, wires on the rockets etc. Markings were custom made for a Thai aircraft.
Hi Mike,
Excellent job on this colorful well known little "Birdy"
It shows what you can accomplise with these old boxes.
Regards, Dirk
Thanks Dirk.
Mike, whatta beauty! Love the unusual markings, really gives the kit something!
Thanks Bernard, I'm a s****r for any colour scheme with bright orange in it π
Very nice Mikeβ¦β¦I have the US kit and I'm looking forward to getting it built now that I've seen yours.
Thanks Jack, is that the 1/48 kit? I'd really like to see that built up.
Stellar workmanship for such a [small] scale, sir...well done indeed.
Cheers Craig!
I remember that kit - nice to see it's as nice as I recall it being. Beautiful work - another Mike Grant killah!
Thanks Tom!
dude, that looks way cool, and at that scale it is even more impressive! π
Thank you Ramon π
Looks great Mike !
Thanks a lot Phil!
Good things come in small packages. Some strong work that is deserving of "Model of the Month." Definitely a winner here with a kit classic.
Two thumbs Mike.
I appreciate the kind words, thanks Stephen.
I never think of Cessnas being used in battle, but you've done a magic job with this old Airfix kit, Mike, absolute magic.
Thanks George.
George, Uncle Bernoie has a Viet Nam Christmas story. During the season many years ago, whilst I was in the Army in that country, I noticed one of these flying over our base camp. Being the staunch airplane observer, I recognized the type, plus he was kinda low. Next, I noticed/realized it was the psyops version, with the LOUDSPEAKER. He was playing "White Christmas"over it, and as he motored off, dropped a bunch of surrender passes over us! You know, "The bearer wants to surrender, don't butt stroke him just yet..."
I suspect the flyboy was as warped as yours truly, but it gave me a much needed laugh.
Really nice job, Mike. You give this scale a crispness that we usually only see with the use of aftermarket in quarter scale or larger.
Thanks a lot Rob π
Just amazing Mike. I can't fathom how you are achieving such a flawless finish, some of your finished builds actual look REAL,those wheels are tiny and you have nailed them, I would love to watch you at work.
Keep 'em coming Mike.
N.
Thanks Neil π The wheels were actually pretty straightforward: sprayed them light grey, made a circular mask from masking tape using a punch-and-die set, then sprayed the wheel dark grey.
Exquisite... This has to be really small, bt it doesn't show from the photos!
Thanks Martin!
Perfect build. Just perfect.
Cheers Dmitry
This is an amazing build, well done this is lovely.
Thank you Marc!
Superb work, nice details, great photos!
Thanks Milan π
Mike, you nailed it.
This little beauty from the dim and distant past.
Well done mate.
Cheers Simon.
love your work
Much appreciated Bob π
Agree with all of the above comments, and I particularly like so see such well-executed builds in 1/72 (my scale). The Bird Dog is one I don't have in my stash, but after seeing yours I'm starting to think I need to hit ebay!
Thanks Greg, it should be fairly easy to find on eBay.
π ... Greetings ... π :
Tell you what Mike, for a small model, you packed quite a PUNCH ! , she is every bit a beauty. A true pleasure to watch , thanks for sharing the pictures.
Cheers DE4EVER π
Well done Mike. I like to see the unusual, especially when its done well. It makes for a very eye-catching model. I like this one very much.
Thank you Terry.
Exceptional little model. Bravo.
Thanks Nikola!
I remember this kit, vividly in my local toy shop (in the original clear blister packet) for Β£0.19p... In about 1975 !
Simply incredible job, Mike. Thanks for the ride on the nostalgia express.
Ian.
Thanks Ian! I still have a couple of blister-pack kits in my stash, even a couple of the earlier Airfix bagged models.
No bags, but I do have a B-26 Marauder with a 'New' flash on the box !
Love that kit.
Fantastic Mike! Very impressive especially in that scale.
Thanks Richard!
Such a lovely build Mike, I like your very 'tidy' rescribing of these older kits. You have mastered your panel highlighting and finishes, it is a joy to see you newly completed builds.
Thanks for your kind comment, Ray.
The real show what can be done with the old kit.
again MIKE G!
P.k
Thx P.k π