Special Hobby T-2C Buckeye (1/48th)
This is the Special Hobby T-2C Buckeye, done in a USN high-viz trainer scheme. This mixed-media kit has been around for a few years, so it is not new, however, it is still a good kit, if one puts in the effort to use the various features that are included in the kit. First, the kit is injected plastic, but has a vacu-form canopy, excellent resin parts (the seats are resin), delicate photoetch pieces, and an excellent decal sheet. Except for decals, I used all of the various mixed-media that came with the kit, but I must say that the PE is some of the most delicate that I have ever used. The decal sheet contains markings for three separate aircraft; I was very impressed with the way the decals settled-down, with no silvering. I applied the decals over Testors Gloss-cote, followed by a 50/50 mix of Gloss-cote and Dull-cote to give the model a semi-gloss sheen.
Construction of this kit is pretty straight-forward, but care must be taken attaching the landing gear doors, which do not have any positive locating pins. I drilled and pinned each of the doors, making it easy to atttach them when the time came.
IIRC, this kit was also released by Two Bobs Decals, along with Special Hobby.
Overall, this is an excellent little kit, that looks pretty nice when built-up. I used Tamiya white primer for the white, and Model Master Chevy Engine Red enamel for the red.
4 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on November 29, 2018
This is a real underdog. Too old, too harmless, too bright, no combat record, too straight winged, no big guns or bombs, not an international best-seller, a whopping 50-year service. But I love the lines, its wide undercarriage and its straight wings. Never built a Special Hobby model but you certainly made a good job. Nice colours and it looks seriously busy.
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Stellan: Yes, the T-2C is one of those unsung heroes; it doesn’t get a lot of love, but it trained a lot of USN pilots for a long time. Thanks for the warm comments, I appreciate them.
Wolfgang Rusch said on November 29, 2018
Marvin, congrats. You´ve done a very good job on this not-so-easy kit. I love this clean, bright training bird. -liked-
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Wolfgang: Danke…I appreciate it.
david leigh-smith said on November 29, 2018
Like Stellan, I feel the Buckeye is under appreciated. She has great lines, a lot of interest, and I think the colour scheme looks terrific.
‘Liked’
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Thank you, David…I appreciate it.
Jim Sullivan said on November 30, 2018
Hello Marvin….you did a fine job with that T-2C….my congratulations on a build well done.
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Jim: Thank you.
Robert Royes said on November 30, 2018
Excellent job!
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Robert: Thanks a lot!
Pedro L. Rocha said on November 30, 2018
It’s a fantastic model, looks excellent from here. I’ve always liked these High Viz schemes, yours is a jewel
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Thanks, Pedro!
Terry Schuler said on November 30, 2018
Marvin, I always enjoy a nice “Marvin” production. This is really cool, great scheme, and very well done. I like it a lot !
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Terry: Thank you, sir…I appreciate it.
Merry Christmas!
DE4EVER said on November 30, 2018
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
Very nice, clean and sharp build Marvin. Those pictures really do a nice job … the colors stand out just perfectly. Very nice job.
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
DE4EVER: You are too kind…thank you very much.
Tom Cleaver said on November 30, 2018
Really nice work here. I have never ever been able to figure out the appeal of this airplane, but I remember seeing one on the ramp at North Island NAS when I was a young sailor mumblemumble years ago and thinking it looked “cool.” It still does, and your rendition is “ubercool”. Thanks!
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
ToM; The T-2C is a unique-looking aircraft, for sure. I guess the design works pretty well, because the plane has been around for quite awhile, and has trained a lot of pilots.
Thank you again for your kind words…I appreciate it.
Greg Kittinger said on November 30, 2018
A great-looking model Marvin! I too love the T-2 and have a couple of them in the stash to build – one like yours and one in Greek colors. The T-2 is what the Skynight should have looked like!
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Greg: Thank you for the compliment…I appreciate it. Now, you have to break-out one of those kits in the stash and start building.
The only F-10 Skyknight I ever saw was while I was TDY at Holloman AFB. The F-10 taxied by and I saw “US ARMY” marked on the side of the fuselage.The F-10 was all-white, and was unmistakeably a Skyknight. Kinda rare, I guess. This was in around 1970, or so.
Rob Pollock said on November 30, 2018
If only you could find a brighter colour scheme….
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Rob: If I did, I would have to wear sunglasses while building the model.
bob mack said on November 30, 2018
just stunning
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Thank you, Bob. Merry Christmas.
Bob Bailey said on November 30, 2018
Very well-done. Looks like a 1X1 to me. Perfect.
Marvin Reyes said on November 30, 2018
Bob: You are too kind. I appreciate it…thanks!
Dirk Derks said on December 1, 2018
Hello Marvin,
Excellent job on this very reliable workhorse.
Regards, Dirk
Marvin Reyes said on December 1, 2018
Thank you, Dirk…much appreciated.
Merry Christmas!
paul teixeira said on December 1, 2018
Great job! One of my favorite jets to model. I waited for ever for a company to release this jet in 1/48. When Two-Bobs 1st released news of this kit I pre-ordered it and waited forever to get my hands on it. Your really nailed the build demonstrating strong modeling skills. If you look up my Blog on this site you can see many pictures of my T-2 build, same kit. I really need to build another sometime soon. Maybe the 1/32 version next. Your is nice and shinny….it would of been flown by the wing or squadron commander. Mine was really beat up and sun worn so it was flown every-day by the students no down time for painting and cleaning…LOL.
3 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Marvin Reyes said on December 1, 2018
Thank you, Paul…your comments are appreciated. I see that, you, too, have a liking for the homely Buckeye. I like the diorama setting that you did for yours.
I have had this kit in the stash since it first came out, so it has lain around for awhile. Even though it is a relatively simple kit, the mixed-media can be a little tricky. this kit is not for the faint-of-heart, that’s for sure. I finally got up enough courage to build the kit, and it came out OK.
Thanks again.
Merry Christmas, Paul.
Stephen W Towle said on December 2, 2018
Excellent build of a Navy icon. The one thing I have noticed about the T-2C Buckeye is that the plane form resembles Northrop’s F-89 with the low slung intakes, tip tanks, straight wings and high T-tail. This design started and was built in 48.
As for the kit …it appears to be a smart,tight build and given the pedigree of being a multi media kit and getting things to come together and work its a job well done,well done indeed.
Two thumbs up.
Marvin Reyes said on December 2, 2018
Thank you, Stephen…you are most kind.
Yes, I have several old kits of the F-89 in the stash, just waiting to be built. They have to be rescribed, so it will be awhile to get any of them done. I, too, like the look of the Scorpion…it’s size and shape are unique.
Thanks again, and Merry Christmas Stephen.