Airfix Fokker F27-500 Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) Flight, Royal Australian Navy
This is the Airfix F-27 kit, the 'updated' kit which was converted to a -500 using the Hamilton Hobbies LADS conversion set. Decals are from Southern Sky Models.
The aircraft was operated on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy's Hydrographic Service to survey the vastness of Australia's coastal waters.
In the 1970s, the Royal Australian Navy's Hydrographic Service was still limited in its ability to survey the vastness of Australia's coastal waters, and was still producing charts on areas where surveying was incomplete or had not even taken place. As a consequence, the RAN began to search for a way of effectively surveying the Australian coastline from the air, which led to the development of the Laser Airborne Depth Sounder system by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, a part of the Australian Department of Defence, with trials beginning in 1977. In 1992, a new unit was formed to operate the system, the Laser Airborne Depth Sounder Flight, with the LADS system fitted to a highly modified Fokker F27 aircraft. This aircraft was subsequently replaced in 2009 by a modified Bombardier Dash 8. (from Wikipedia)
That's an excellent result and a very unique subject chosen, Ray!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
A very nice and clean build, Ray @rays
I was not aware that Australia also used the F27. This aircraft seems to have been used over the entire world.
Wowzers, very smart looking completion.
Nice work Ray, especially with the white painted fuselage.
Very very nice Ray (@rays). That white came out beautifully. Very attractive aircraft model.
Outstanding. Build & finish are superb.
OMG. Super clean build. I love how you treated the windows. Thank you.
Nicely done, Ray. Like the clean finish
Beautiful work on this. Did they retool it or repackage the Esci kit?
John, the fuselage was retooled to allow for the later radar nose. The new parts are terribly shaped. Fortunately the plastic is so thick on the new pieces that they can be filed down to the correct shape.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
That's a model I don't see built very often. Smooth finish and great markings. Very nice in all respects. We need more transports and airliners on this site.
Great effort to bring that kit to life! Excellent finish.
Good one Ray (@rays)