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 -
15 additional images. Click to enlarge.
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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.
Chuck A. Villanueva said on December 7, 2019
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.
Tom Cleaver said on December 7, 2019
Nice result to all that work, Colin.
Dan DeSilva said on December 7, 2019
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.
Colin Latta said on December 7, 2019
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
Dan DeSilva said on December 7, 2019
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.
Pedro L. Rocha said on December 7, 2019
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
Phil Steele said on December 7, 2019
Looks GREAT !
Mike Grant said on December 8, 2019
Great work Colin, that looks a beast to build. Really nice cockpit detailing too.
Stephen W Towle said on December 8, 2019
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.
David Mills said on December 9, 2019
Nice job Colin!
Greg Kittinger said on December 9, 2019
The elbow grease paid off nicely - a beautiful model!
Colin Latta said on December 12, 2019
Thanks everybody, it was a fun project.
Allan J Withers said on December 15, 2019
Good looking Herc' Colin, well done.