RCAF CC-130J-30 'Stretched Hercules' in 1/72
This is a build from this spring - MultiCast's resin conversion (1/72) of the Italeri C-130 Hercules to an RCAF C-130J-30. The MultiCast set is great, beautifully molded, and the decals are world class.
I made things more difficult for myself by using and ancient and incomplete Testors boxing of the AC-130a Spooky. This meant I had to fabricate all the missing doors, and fill the extra gun ports. Never do things the easy way! It took a lot of weight to get the balance right, and a lot of internal bracing to get a solid fuselage (the Italeri plastic is thin and flexible - not good news for seems!) It is painted with Tamiya acrylic, weatered with oils and pastel. Hope you like,
Colin
Build log here -
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- 1. I wasn't sure how much would be visible in the cockpit, so I added a lot of details and scratch building
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- 1. Taped together to get the weight right (43 grams) grey are the resin components
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- 1. I had to find a new way to attach the wafer thin antennae's - I cut a slot, backed with masking tape, added a brass wire, and filled slot with 5 minute epoxy. When dry, I had only to sand smooth the one side, and drill a hole in the fuselage.
Excellent work Colin, even without a standard C-130 parked next to it you can see how much longer the fuselage is on this version. Major surgery to modify an existing kit to a different version is quite an endeavour. In the end a beautiful Hercules is a result of that project. Thanks for sharing.
Nice result to all that work, Colin.
Hey Colin- beautiful build! Well done!
Do you have any idea if multicast produces sets of just the C-130J propeller blades to improve on the Italeri C-130J kit propeller blades? Can't find a multicast website, been trying for a while...
Dan.
Multicast seems to sell on Ebay, and doesn't have a website that I know of. I don't think they sell props separately, but I could be wrong. The only aftermarket props I know of are from the Aviation workshop.
https://www.aussiemodeller.com.au/pages/Reviews/Conversions/AviationWkspCS-68_C-130Jeng.html
The only other option would be BrenGun, who seem to do engines and spinners, but no blades
http://www.brengun.cz/e-shop/1-72-accessories-21/c-130j-engine-set-1583
The BrenGun set looks like it has nicer engines,, though
Thanks for the info Colin- I have my eyes set on a few Brengun C-130 sets, and the only issue I have with the 1/72 C-130J set is no blades, when the E/H sets have them.
No problem, they are still worth getting- as well as is their new 1/48 two stage Merlin engines for late Mosquitos!
Dan.
This is an outstanding build, solid build. The conversion part just blends in and the finished model looks like a one cast piece, and that is the best compliment I can give your model Colin
Looks GREAT !
Great work Colin, that looks a beast to build. Really nice cockpit detailing too.
Some strong work in making a conversion kit look invisible. Colin, appreciate you pulling back the curtain and showing some of your progress photo's. It give a an idea of what went into making this kit.
Two thumbs up.
Nice job Colin!
The elbow grease paid off nicely - a beautiful model!
Thanks everybody, it was a fun project.
Good looking Herc' Colin, well done.