Hi everyone!
This is my Revell/Matchbox 1/72 T-2E Buckeye, finished as a HAF bird.
Still the only training jet aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force , it's high reliability and excellent, forgiving flight characteristics (it easily recovers from a spin), have made it a true asset for the HAF cadets late stages training.
However, with spare parts becoming scarce, it is more and more difficult to keep many of them operational, let alone the fact that their avionics suite is not up to modern standards.
This iconic trainer is soon to be replaced by the M-346, for which a delivery is underway.
HAF Buckeyes have worn the “Vietnam” camo throughout their operational life.
The Revell kit is a rebox of the original Matchbox kit. Sadly 🙂 , both sprues have the same white color (I loved the multicolor Matchbox kits sprues in the past!).
It is a simple typical Matchbox kit, meaning good overall shape, deep trenches for surface detailing, ultra sparse cockpit and acceptable landing gear.
The Cartograf decal sheet is a true gem, boosting the simplistic kit's posture. The kit was built wheels-up, as a stand model, for an Air Vice Marshall who served to the type and is a very good friend of mine.
Apart from the expected challenge of conforming those chequered type decals onto the tip tanks, the rest of the built was sweet'n'easy, as most Matchbox builds!
Surprisingly (for a Matchbox kit), no pilots were provided, so i payed my usual visit to my spares dungeon...
I mounted this bird on a leftover base that I painted silver using Plastikote.
As usual, I will not bother you more with details, but, should you wish, you may check the build thread here:
https://imodeler.com/groups/work-in-progress-aircraft/forum/topic/revell-matchbox-1-72-t-2e-buckeye-hellenic-air-force/
...and a full build review at my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/viet/us/usn/trainer/pent2.htm
Some in-progress pics are attached below.
Happy modeling!
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
An excellent build my friend @fiveten
It looks great in HAF scheme.
Noticed it on MM last tuesday and it was a pleasure to read the article.
Thanks for sharing your building progress in the WIP thread.
Thanks my friend @johnb! Glad you liked the article too!
Very cool little build Spiros! The camo looks great, and the clean configuration really let's it take flight in the minds eye. Your friend will really enjoy it, I think.
Thanks my friend @pb_legend!
Yep, my friend enjoyed it very much!
@fiveten
Did you made camo without masks? Looks pritty good!
Thanks my friend @lis!
Yes, the camp was freehanded.
Nice one Spiros my friend.
Thanks my friend @kalamazoo!
Checked this out the other day and enjoyed it just as much today. The dull metal base sets off the camouflage a treat. Well done Spiros.
Thanks my friend @haslam55!
Indeed, the base adds to the net looks!
Well done, Spiros. The finish looks great.
Thanks my friend @gwskat!
It looks great,nice base! ,Spiros! I did this kit using the USN markings, but I adapted the Greek markings to a F-4E of the Greek Air Force.
Thanks a lot, my friend @roofrat!
The Buckeye looks great in USN markings!
Spiros, @fiveten
When I see this model one word comes to mind right away... Excellence. It looks great my friend.
Thanks my friend @lgardner!
I really enjoy the camouflage & markings of this beautiful model Spiros! Great display of an old but nice kit for your friend 🙂
Thanks my friend @holzhamer!
Having followed your build of this little beauty I can only say it is MAGNIFICENT. You definitely brought out the best in this old Matchbox gem. Well done Spiros.
Thanks for liking the final result my friend @mornem!
Also BIG THANKS for following/commenting/supporting my in progress build!
Always a pleasure my friend!
Great build, I really like the way they build the older kits. This is a beauty all over.
Thanks my friend @v1pro!
Cannot go wrong with a Matchbox!
Nice work on this one, Spiros. I’ve always liked the T-2.
Thanks my friend @j-healy!
The T-2 is a plane with great posture!
I have always loved Buckeyes, and this one is great, Spiros (@fiveten). It looks cool with the gear up.
Thanks my friend @gblair!
Well done Spiros, first one I've seen in camo. She looks great.
Thanks my friend @tom-bebout!
That's the one thing about some forget about Matchbox kits. They're supposed to be fun (and for the most part they are) builds.
I enjoyed this and the article, Spiros.
Thanks my friend @dbdlee!
Yep, most Matchbox kits are fun to build!
Nice little Buckeye Spiros . It still going proves it to be reliable. Same with Matchbox kits !
Thanks my friend @bernard-bedeur! The T-2 is going to be missed a lot upon retiring...
Marvelous build and a great looking base, Spiros!
Those old Matchbox molds still look great, beauty job on the camo and the MM post.
Thanks for all, my friend @georgeswork!
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
Definitely a very clean build Spiros.
Very fine and outstanding work on the camouflage scheme.
The Hellenic Air Force markings give it a very refreshing look.
Thanks me friend @de4ever!
Hey there Spiros ! Nice to see your Buckeye back on iModeler pages again. Those Vietnam colors really pop!
Thanks my friend @eb801!
Very neat, clean work, Spiros, and beautifully presented on that base. I'm sure the Air Vice Marshal (you obviously move in high places) was very pleased. Definitely liked.
Thanks my friend @chinesegeorge!
Yep, the Air Vice Marshal was happy, caught him by surprise!
Every time I visited your WIP thread your build egged me on to try to move my two Buckeyes up in the build queue... I'll get there eventually! Nicely done Spiros!
Thanks my friend @gkittinger! Looking forward to see the two Buckeyes build with your usual excellent standards!
Spiros, despite the low quality of the model, you got a good result of this model in HAF scheme.
Great.
Thanks my friend @boblucio!
A simple, pleasant build.