Pilatus PC 21 1/32 scale, Scratch built, FINISHED
Well its that final post that say’s its finally finished, what an amazing journey this build has been, lots of frustration, sweating and swearing. I started this build in December last year, and I have spent all my time scratch building this aircraft. Needless to say, I think I know the Pilatus PC 21 better than the pilots that actually fly the aircraft.
This build took me to the limit of my knowledge and experience in building model aircraft, needless to say its been fun non the less.
Thank you all for the support during the build, you have all motivated me to do better, and to build better models.
I hope you all like the pictures and if I can be of help to anyone that wants to give scratch building a go, please don’t hesitate to give me a shout.
Merry christmas to you all.
Now for some air racers…
Marc
18 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Jeff Bailey said on December 23, 2018
Fantastic, Marc! I’ve never ventured into the rarified air of scratchbuilding so this has been quite an affair, even if only watching from the sidelines! I’m sure that, like most most modelers who have passed the beginner stage, I have made the occasional part or something like that but it’s just the most basic building, NOT an entire project from start to finish. I have only one word to express my feelings about this Pilatus: WoW!
What a great and inspirational project you’ve completed, Marc. Well done, Sir … well done!
Jeff Bailey said on December 23, 2018
And, lest I forget … your painting skills are on a level of the build as well. Beautiful!!!
Marc Barris said on December 23, 2018
thank you so much for the kind words, its going into the display cabinet as we speak.
Morne Meyer said on December 23, 2018
STUNNING on every level. This is a WINNER!!! Well done Marc this has been an epic build that has delivered a model fit for a museum. Well done Marc!!!
Marc Barris said on December 23, 2018
Dankie Morne.
Tom Cleaver said on December 23, 2018
This belongs in a museum. Incredible work, tons of talent on display.
David A. Thomas said on December 23, 2018
Hear hear…
Marc Barris said on December 23, 2018
Thank you for the kind words Tom, this means a lot coming from you.
Jeff Bailey said on December 24, 2018
Agreed!
Kevin Conlon said on December 23, 2018
Absolutely incredible, not only an intense scratch build but the painting is top notch. Really enjoyed this and looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Marc Barris said on December 23, 2018
Thanks for the great comment Kevin.
Craig Abrahamson said on December 23, 2018
Absolutely superlative craftsmanship, sir….outstanding work indeed!
I’ve got a suspicion we’ll be seeing this one again (wink, wink)… 🙂
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thanks a mil Craig.
Allan J Withers said on December 23, 2018
As they all said Marc, amazing !!!
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thanks for the kind words Allan.
Derek McGuckin said on December 24, 2018
Wow! What a beautiful build!
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thank you Derek.
August Horvath said on December 24, 2018
Magnificent model, Marc.
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thank you for your comment August.
Anthony Conway said on December 24, 2018
Superb build and paint. Top stuff Marc.
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Hi Anthony, thank you for the kind comment.
David Mills said on December 24, 2018
Superb Marc!
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thank you David, much appreciated.
Paul Nash said on December 24, 2018
Difficult to top all the superlatives from your peers. Suffice it to say that I’ve followed the build posts you’ve presented over 2018 for reasons you know very well. The end result is waaaaayyyy
more impressive than I’d imagined, despite all the previous installments. It’s an impressive testament to a great talent you’ve developed which I suspect few could match. Peerless!
Paul
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Hi Paul, I think the most important thing to have is perseverance, a little stupidity does help. Good reference and support from a site like this does go a long way as well. The funny thing is that it is not as difficult as one might think, this project was finished with a minimum of the tools that most modelers use in finishing a kit aircraft, and a lot of ‘making a plan’ and thinking around a problem does help. I still maintain that anybody can do this, it does not take too many skills, and most modelers have the skill set, you just have to give it a go, like you did, and keep trying. The first scratch build will never work like you imagined, but as you progress to the next build you will start to develop the experience to deal with any problems that come up.
Thank you as always for your kind comments and your help. Merry Christmas.
Marc
Rob Pollock said on December 24, 2018
I remember when you first started this, and then the occasional updates. Congratulations for completing this great build.
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Yes indeed Rob, from a roll of plastic card…….. Thank you for for kind comment. Merry Christmas.
Johannes Gerl said on December 24, 2018
My model of the year.
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thank you Johannes for the kind comment.
Alex said on December 24, 2018
Really beautiful model. Clean, neat and accurate. I like in particular the realistic metallic effect on the exhaust. Chapeau l’artiste 🙂
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thank you so much for the comment.
Tom Bebout said on December 24, 2018
Marc, that is really some outstanding work, and well worth the effort you put into her. I always admire the modelers that take the plunge and build anything from scratch. Job well done sir, hand salute to you. And Merry Christmas as well to you and yours.
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thank you Tom, Merry Christmas to you and the Family.
david leigh-smith said on December 24, 2018
Marc, you know I’ve been on board for the journey and loved every step on this one – and the denouement is even better than I expected. This for me is the most special build I’ve seen in a very long time. You are a supremely talented man and it’s a pleasure (and I sincerely mean that, looking at the photos has a real buzz) to have witnessed you work on this beautiful piece of artistry.
‘Liked’, ‘loved’, ‘jelously looked on from afar’
Happy Christmas, Marc!
David.
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Hey there David, thank you as always for your kind words and your encouragement, yes indeed you were with me every step of the way. This build is as much yours as it is mine.
Have a great Christmas and New year.
Hans Peter Tschanz said on December 24, 2018
Super model Bravo, I also have 6 kits 1:72 I’ll build.Happy Christmas and Happy New Year
Hans Peter
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Thank you Hans, Merry Christmas.
Michel Verschuere said on December 24, 2018
Best build of the year if you ask me, Marc! Merry x-mas to all!
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Hi Michel, thank you so much for the comment, and the kind words. The best, I don’t think so, there have been so many fantastic builds on this site. Merry Christmas.
Louis Gardner said on December 24, 2018
What a wonderful posting Marc………………. You couldn’t ask for a better gift than to see this one finished and posted here on Imodeler just in time for Christmas !!! I have been following your build progress throughout the year, and each time I saw another posting update I was amazed at the quality of the work you do.
This one deserves a second look at by the judges here on this website…………….. 🙂
I think it is your best work to date, and it looks so life like with the paint being flawless. Thanks for sharing it with us. I still can’t believe it’s all scratch built…………. I can’t build regular kits and have them turn out this nice !!!!
Well done my friend, and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones !!!
“liked”
Marc Barris said on December 24, 2018
Hey Louis, thank you for this amazing comment, yes indeed its quite a relief to get this finished in 12 Months, this must be a record here on i modeler, this has been a long but very enjoyable build, I have learnt so much with this build, patience being on the top of the list for me. I am building some Fischer Models aircraft just to take a break from the scratch building for a bit, then I will have at it again with another scratch build. Thank you so much for following the build posts and for all your inspiring comments through this year.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Dan DeSilva said on December 24, 2018
Gorgeous!!! Please, please, add some pictures of the figures next to the plane!
Would love to see that too.
Merry Christmas!
Dan.
Marc Barris said on December 25, 2018
Thanks for the comment Dan, Merry Christmas.
Tappie Scholtz said on December 25, 2018
My Maat……Mon Ami……what can I say that has not been said? An absolutely stunning build. You have indeed drawn a line in the sand again my buddy. I have known you now close on 28 years and every time you produce another jaw dropping, awe inspiring super class model. I am indeed glad that you share your talent with the rest of the world. Well done. And considering the long periods you were away from the bench you actually aced this one in less time than would appear. Well done and Merry Christmas.
Marc Barris said on December 25, 2018
My Chom, as always, thank you for the kind words. Yes, we have been mates for a very long time, thanks for all the inspiration over the years. Merry Christmas Bud.
Tappie Scholtz said on December 25, 2018
Mutual inspiration I would say….
Marc Barris said on December 25, 2018
keep up the amazing models Bud, when are you posting the progress on the Spitfire Mk 9………… Well……we are waiting.
Dirk Derks said on December 25, 2018
Hello Marc,
Very impressed with your skills Superb finish.
Regards, Dirk
Marc Barris said on December 25, 2018
Thank you for the kind comment Dirk.
Milán Restár said on December 25, 2018
hello Marc, I’ve followed the whole thread of your build…there are no other words for it…it’s simply outstanding!
Marc Barris said on December 25, 2018
Thank you so much for the comment.
Greg Kittinger said on December 26, 2018
Stunning Marc – just stunning! I feel like I need to send you a Tamiya kit (a nice “shake-and-bake”) before you end up on a ledge somewhere! But then I would be doing the modeling community a huge disservice by distracting you from your true talent – making something out of nothing!! I consider being able to see this at Christmas time another Christmas gift to myself!
Marc Barris said on December 26, 2018
Hey Greg, I am so glad you like the finished model, It was really a labour of love, and I enjoyed every minute of the build. I am busy building Paul Fischer’s Sea Fury T 20 at the moment, going to make it into the Dreadnought race plane, a little bit of a change from the scratch building. Thank you as always for the kind comment, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.