Hobbycraft 1/48 U-1A
Hi everyone!
This is my Hobbycraft 1/48 U-1A, finished as a Vietnam era early bird.
The de Havilland Canada U-1A was a version for the US Army of the DHC-3 Otter STOL utility transport aircraft.
Using the same overall configuration as the Beaver, the new, much heavier design incorporated a longer fuselage, greater-span wing and cruciform tail.
With 184 delivered (as U-1As), the United States Army became the largest operator of the aircraft. Other military users included Australia, Canada, and India. Still, the primary role of the aircraft as a rugged bush plane continues to this day, not excluding its popularity in the skydiving community.
A total of 466 Otters were manufactured, the type serving as the basis for the very successful DHC-6 Twin Otter.
U-1A #58-1695 was delivered to the United States Army at Sharpe Army Depot, Stockton, CA on the very last day of 1958. It was initially assigned to 17th Aviation Company, Fort Ord, California.
This build was entered in Erik's @airbum de Havilland Aircraft Company 100 years GB, or, simply, DH100GB.
The Hobbycraft kit was at places simplistic-towards-toy-ish, but, if you want a quarter scale, or even a 1/72 Otter, it is still the only game in town.
Should you want to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/viet/us/army/penu1.htm
Happy modeling!
Ok Sprios, you are going to HAVE to get a day job! The Pendedekas factory is just pumping out top-quality models in rapid succession. What are you giving up to get so much modeling done?!
Good-looking addition to your burgeoning collection - and another in the "unusual suspects" department!
Thanks my friend @gkittinger!
Yep, the Pendedekas factory was quite productive lately đ
Hi Spiros,
Nice job Spiros on a kit that I have wanted to build.
I have it in my stash and will do a USN bird in Antartica which is colorful.
For some time I have tried to find some reference material on the interior with little success. I have have any sources you can point me to it would be most appreciated.
All the best,
Kevin
Thanks Kevin @chenango55!
Truth is that I did my interior by consulting net available pics and a with a lot of speculation, coupled with imagination and reading whatever relative info found (for example, I read that U-1As typically had dual controls).
There is a USN Otter in pristine condition exhibited in Pensacola Naval Air Station - KNPA
USA - Florida:
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8961261
Just an idea: how about writing to them, to see if they have any evidence available?
Thanks Spiros and believe I looked at that website before as I thought they would have one.
Like you I will probably just use some imagination when I do the cockpit. I have some seats I saved from a C-45 kit that will help. I do want to find a way to replicate the padding that is found in many cockpits as I believe they had it.
Cheers,
Kevin
Amazing outcome, Spiros @fiveten
Absolute not a toy-ish looking build anymore, beautifully done.
Your modelling factory does indeed run at full speed lately with incredible results, being this one a perfect example of it.
Well done.
Thanks my friend @johnb!
Agreeing with Greg, it's yet ANOTHER interesting build. Well done, Spiros! Keep them coming.
@fiveten
Thanks my friend @gwskat!
Nice build Spiros, @fiveten, I was involved in the restoration of a Beaver, it had been used in the movie "Six Days Seven Nights" (we believe it was the one that was on the beach). Later when I was working up in Washington where Kenmore Air Harbor is located I saw lots of Beavers and Otters. That company makes and sells parts for the Beaver and Otter, and we would often put and take our Beaver on and off floats at their facility. The Otter is a lot bigger, and uglier than the Beaver and they also had Turbine Otter's their. They look even bigger when they are on floats.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
1. We think this was the bird we got, the landing gear were different colors when we got it
1. This is the plane restored, I did the wings and the fuselage up to the firewall.
Thanks my friend @luftwaffe-birdman!
Thanks for all this great info! You surely spent a lot of quality time with that Beaver!
Nice to see your Otter reappear again, Spiros @fiveten. Great posting over at MM.
Thanks my friend @eb801!
Nice build, Spiros!
Thanks my friend @roofrat!
Nice work, Spiros! Iâve never seen one of these built before.
Thanks my friend @j-healy!
Very nice realization. I like fixed gear planes.
Gives it the "Look" and your model does too.
Thanks my friend @bernardbedeur!
Having followed this project, I am really glad to see the excellent result you got.
Thanks my friend @tcinla!
Very fine build.
Thanks my friend @dbdlee!
Looks good, Spiros. I know the feeling of accomplishment when you turn out an improved version of a so-so kit. It makes our hobby even more rewarding. Keep it up! đ
Thanks my friend @robgenev665!
Dear Spiros, I prefer to imitate my friend @gkittinger than to write:
"The Pendedekas factory is just pumping out top-quality models in rapid succession. What are you giving up to get so much modeling done?!" (LOL)
Thanks my friend @boblucio! Some of my builds had been started long time ago, only to receive the finishing touches lately!