OV-10D Bronco in "VF-84 tribute" paint scheme
It took me about 8 months to finish this Bronco in my favorite navy camouflage.
If you wonder why I made up this scheme - this is my last build for my friend and he did not want to get Bronco in desert or boring gray camouflage scheme.
I know he loves VF-84 colors therefore I decided to surprise him with this unique scheme, never seen on Bronco.
The kit is no ingeneering miracle. It requires a lot of patient, measurements, dry fittings and some innovation to keep together - especially wing structure is very weak and must be strenghten by some plastic or metal rods.
Putting the fuselage together was the same pain - I do not know why, but Kittyhawk split fuselage into 2 parts just where no panel line should be and the surface must be perfecly flat - that took me hours to make it perfect.
For some time I was worried about the plane balance, but it is OK - I filled the nose with lead balls - they are even under instrument panel!
Well, put these obstacles aside, it was very nice and interesting build with impressive "glass" cockpit with many added wiring and re-worked seats, which are quite inaccurate in the kit.
Wheel bays were also "equipped" with wires, but they are OK right from the box, because there is not much wires in real.
One of the most visible inaccuracy of the kit is - except of seats - missing rear bottom step, which must be made from the base. I re-worked them all, because they were very simple anyway.
It was very difficult last year for me and I am very glad that - not only - this build is over, although I enjoyed it.
Besides that I was finishing my new appartment (yes, I was doing everything by myself - just with my wife) with big and very comfortable workbench with new lights, big desk, a lot of shelfs, spraybox and so on. I can return to my main scale 1:48 now.
I am looking forward to start new kit here and present it soon on imodeler!
Take care everybody and enjoy every build you do!
Martin
14 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Andrew H said on August 31, 2020
That's a treat to look at, Martin! I'm sure your friend will love this unusual mashup. It looks totally unique compared to any Bronco I'll ever see... Love the tail booms.. Thanks for sharing!
Martin Dytrych said on September 1, 2020
Thank you Andrew, I put a lot of effort into this build.
Spiros Pendedekas said on August 31, 2020
This is a wonderful build, Martin!
You did a meticulous job with the challenging Kittyhawk kit. There are so many details I cannot stop looking at.
The whatif scheme makes it very unique!
Congratulations on your new appartment and upgraded workbench.
Waiting for your next post!
Martin Dytrych said on September 1, 2020
Thank you Spiros, I was using some really nice building reference on the Internet, so I avoided few bad surprises.
Dion Dunn said on August 31, 2020
Outstanding build! I love unusual subjects, and you have been able to make it even more unique. Congrats!
Martin Dytrych said on September 1, 2020
Thank you Dion! 🙂
Robert Royes said on August 31, 2020
Nicely done, looks great!
Martin Dytrych said on September 1, 2020
Thanks Robert!
Josef Rössner said on September 1, 2020
Martine paráda,gratuluji
Martin Dytrych said on September 1, 2020
Díky Pepo, skoro je mi líto dát ho pryč 🙂
DE4EVER said on September 1, 2020
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
This one is a real show stopper, very well done Martin.
All the extra details standout and were well worth it.
Nice scheme.
Martin Dytrych said on September 1, 2020
Thank you De4ever, I am just afraid that it is not seeing any show anymore.
There was some intention to show the whole collection at Bratislava international airport and invite local TV, but I think it will not happen.
John vd Biggelaar said on September 1, 2020
You gave this wonderful plane an even more wonderful look, Martin.
Fantastic build.
Martin Dytrych said on September 1, 2020
Thank you John, I love navy schemes and the Bronco looks so natural in it... I wonder why they did not use it 🙂
Eric Lamare said on September 1, 2020
Really beautiful, Phantastic build 😎
Greg Kittinger said on September 1, 2020
Wow - that one is a stunner! Love all the details, and what a scheme for a Bronco! I'm about to start a Desert Storm Bronco soon for the DS build, and yours will be a nice reference!
Rick Schad said on September 1, 2020
Wonderful build and great subject matter.
Reinhard Spreitzhofer said on September 1, 2020
Love it! Skull and bones suits the Bronco 🙂 Great work!
Stéphane Bredel said on September 1, 2020
Wow, I am speechless! Bravo!
Eric Berg said on September 1, 2020
Excellent! The cockpit detail blows me away! So does your presentation.
Dan Lee said on September 1, 2020
It certainly would have made the movie Final Countdown dogfights a bit more dramatic.
Excellent work.
Martin Dytrych said on September 2, 2020
🙂 I am afraid that Zeke would have shot him down.
Marc Barris said on September 4, 2020
I love this build, Fantastic Paint Job, very very nice indeed.