Modelcraft 1/48th UC-64B Norseman
I finally finished this old Modelcraft UC-64B Norseman. I started it at least ten years ago but lost interest in it about halfway into the build. I put the uncompleted model in a box along with all the parts and instructions and slid that box under the modeling table. I basically just put it on the shelf of doom. Several weeks ago, I rediscovered it and decided I'd go ahead and finish her up. It was a 'basic' kit (the kindest way I can put it) and I could certainly see why I had suspended the work on it. The model can be built as a land plane or a seaplane. I built this model out of the box* including the kit decals. The airbrushed paint was Model Master aluminum and insignia red with a flat black anti-glare panel. The only building issue I can recall was that sometime over the years between when I started the model and when I finished it, the port wing flap and one of the wing struts went missing so I had to replicate those from some sheet plastic. Evergreen to the rescue.
- To clarify my out of the box comment, I did use some thin wire (kindly provided by my friend and fellow modeler, Clark Cook) to make the support wires on the tail surfaces. That wiring was not included in the kit.
Any and all comments welcome.
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Tom Bebout said on March 12, 2022
Nice rescue Jim, nice to see a basic kit pulled off the shelf of doom and finally finished. She looks good.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks Tom and I'm glad I went ahead and finished it. I had thought about it over the years but just never could get motivated to do it. I sort of picked away at it while building that F6F-5N I posted a bit earlier in the week.
John vd Biggelaar said on March 12, 2022
Very nice result, Jim @bentwing
Great rescue using the Evergreen.
Good to see you finished it after all those years.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thank you, John,.
Bob Torres said on March 12, 2022
Great job, this is an awesome build! In a few days I’ll be working a Hobby Craft 1/48 Sea Fury that I started back in 1989 for a Shelf of Doom group build. Thanks for motivating me. I will post mine when done.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thank you, Bob and good luck, with your Hobby Craft Sea Fury. I look forward to seeing it posted when she's done. Comparing kits of that vintage to kits available today is like a night and day difference.
Joe Boylan said on March 12, 2022
Very nice build!
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thank you, Joe. I'm glad you liked it.
Spiros Pendedekas said on March 12, 2022
Finishing a Modelcraft kit is an achievement in itself, Jim!
Coming up with a wonderful result, like you did, clearly shows your superb modeling skills.
Congratulations!
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks Spiros and you're certainly correct about Hobby Craft models being a challenge. I seriously considered trashing it on several occasions.
Andrew H said on March 12, 2022
I really like it Jim, something different, and great looking results to boot!
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks Andrew. I appreciate that.
George Henderson said on March 12, 2022
Well done. I built this as the wheeled version when it first came out in the last century
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks George and I thought about that too but in the end, I decided to go with the floats.
gary sausmikat said on March 12, 2022
Great job, Jim! Definitely a display shelf eye catcher.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks Gary and I agree that's a pretty colorful paint scheme.
Tom Cleaver said on March 12, 2022
It is a "basic kit" but the result is quite nice.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks Tom and by the way, I'm currently reading your 'Holding The Line' book and I want to compliment you for an excellent and quite educational account of the air war in Korea.
Clark Cook said on March 13, 2022
Jim, congratulations on completing the Norseman. Another excellent build for you and one of the finest examples I have ever seen completed. The paint scheme is awesome and the overall look is spot on. Good job sir.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks Clark and I was certainly glad to get that Norseman off the table. Now I can move on with other builds that I'm looking forward to. I thank you for that section of fine wire you bestowed on me. It certainly made the tail bracing on that UC-64B much easier to do.
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on March 13, 2022
Wow, never seen this kit built. Had one but sold it. Been inside the real thing and cant believe the heavy punishment they can take considering they are just made of canvas, strings and a bit of wood.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks Stellan. The Norseman was a quite versatile aircraft. I'm glad you got to go inside one, I never had that opportunity.
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on March 13, 2022
Yes, it was this very individual https://arlandaflygsamlingar.se/flygplan/se-cpb-noorduyn-norseman-mk-4/ , a restoration project.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
That's really neat Stellan, thanks for sharing that photo.
George Schembri said on March 13, 2022
Very Sharp looking build, Jim. Looks like it was well worth the wait for this to be completed.
Jim Sullivan said on March 13, 2022
Thanks George, I appreciate your comments.
Robert Royes said on March 14, 2022
It was worth the wait, nice work. I wonder if it has EDO floats.
Jim Sullivan said on March 15, 2022
Thanks Robert but I'm not sure about the manufacturer of the floats.
Greg Kittinger said on March 14, 2022
Nicely done! It's always rewarding to get one over the finish line, regardless of the quality of the kit. The Norseman is a nice, sturdy workhorse of an aircraft!
Jim Sullivan said on March 15, 2022
Thanks Greg and I was delighted to finish that Norseman.
John Healy said on March 15, 2022
Nice work, Jim! I’ve never seen one of those built.
Jim Sullivan said on March 15, 2022
Thanks John and I haven't seen many of them built either.