Grumman SA-16A Albatross 1/72
I have always made some effort to build Brazilian theme models, so I have several items in my collection. They usually are hard to build due most of the kits have some differences in comparison to the real thing operated in Brazil, so needs some conversions, sometimes very difficult to do.
This is the vintage Monogram Grumman SA-16B Albatross 1/72 scale 1957 mold, probably purchased from Lencratf - Springville, CA (nostalgic store). I started building this model probably in 2001, so due to so much hard to do conversions I became boroughed left it aside for all this time. Last September I decided to finish it at last, after rescuing my first research notes.
In addition to the necessary changes due to the Brazilian version being the "A" the kit naturally needs many corrections, and the most difficult "tasks" were on shapes and dimensions. I printed In Action book profiles in exact scale to work the parts over them.
These are the main changes on the model parts:
Span reduction with cutting of a wing section and wing tip shape.
Dimension and shape of horizontal stabilizer.
Dimension and shape of vertical stabilizer and rudder.
Engine nacelles length.
All antennas and radar.
General adds and improvings:
Undercarriage;
Bearded rivests (LOL);
Wheels settings;
Clear parts polishing;
Simple cockpit;
Resin engines by Engine and Things;
Inserted clear lights;
All decals are homemade in an Epson Ecotank L3250 printer;
And so on.
But that's not all, it had many more changes needed.
Building:
First putting in Squadron Green Putty;
First primer layers in automotive nitrocellulose lacquer, scratched after years;
And now, Tamiya White Putty and all primer, paintings and clear in polyester by Dryco.
Sources:
Main help from my dear friend, moving encyclopedia (LOL) José Alvarenga.
https://www.facebook.com/jose.dealvarenga/photos
História da Força Aérea Brasilelira by Aparecido Camazano Alamino.
https://historiadafab.rudnei.cunha.nom.br/2021/01/13/grumman-sa-16a-albatroz/
Aeronaves Militares Brasileira 1916 - 2015 - Book.
FLORES JUNIOR, JACKSON - ISBN: 9788585654412
Very old Brazilian magazines, such as Voar and Flap.
HU-16 Albatross - In Action Book.
FCM Decals 1/144 scale instruction sheet.
Well, finally ready after more than 20 years (phew!) and dozens of beers, and now an important and beautiful item in my collection.
Greetings.
Roberto Lucio - Bob
[email protected]
+55 84 99993-0064
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- 1. Very first notes.
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- 1. My beloved grandson and companion.
Fabulous work Roberto. Thank you for sharing the build process. Your display case is impressively stocked ! And …I’m not alone in having a Beer now and then while modelling !
Hi Bernard, thank you so much for your message.
So let's drink a cool beer.
Cheers!
That is some fantastic work and dedication! My favorite photo is the one of you and your grandson.
Thank you Glenn. My favorite photo is that too! (LOL)
Muito bom teu trabalho Bob,grande abraço!
Valeu Marcus, muito obrigado. Abração.
Excellent work Roberto, I'm glad you finished it to share with us.
Hello Royes, thank you.
Sharp looking model, and I love your set-up!
Thank you, Brian.
Parabéns, bela e emblemática máquina.
George, muito obrigado.
Excellent result on this Brasilian variant, Roberto @boblucio
All your modification, addition and improvements are perfectly done.
Ofcourse having company from your grandson does help a lot.
Well done.
Excellent tesult indeed, Roberto! What a conversion!
Hello my friend Spiros, thank you.
A beautiful Albatross! Lots of TLC and elbow grease went into that! Very nice collection, and a handsome modeling companion. Hopefully you passed the modeling gene onto him...
Hello Greg.
Thank you for your message.
Be sure I'm trying to encourage him to take up the hobby, but it's still too early.
For now he plays with some die-cast planes.
A lot of work on display there - it really paid off.
Hello Tom. Thank you!
I agree with Tom & the others... excellent work on this model !
Thank you, Jay! Great!
I enjoy improving and detailing old models but I think your work goes beyond anything I've attempted. Excellent result and great modelling skills.
Hi Chris, Thank you for your encouraging comments!
Our hobby is really fascinating.
Real determination, research, and modelling talent has resulted in a brilliant model, Roberto, many congratulations to you and your grandson.
Dear George, thank you for your comments.
Well done, Roberto (@boblucio). This kit has long been a favorite of mine, but it requires a lot of work to bring up to the standard you have achieved here. The extra work certainly paid off! I like Brazilian paint schemes and have built a couple of planes in Brazilian colors. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Hello, George. Thank you so much for your comments.
Be sure the extra work paid off!
Have you posted your model in Brazilian colors here? I'd like to see them.
I really liked a lot of your blog. Very nice.
I suppose you have many memories and histories to tell about your military time.
Sorry for my bad english!
Roberto @boblucio, beautiful work. Your patience and learned skills made this a wonderful build. I can see that you put in your heart and soul in this build. The respect for its country and the men who flew it shines brightly!
Dear Bob Torres, thank you for your kindly comments.
It is very important to point out that modeling always pays homage to the men who were involved in some way with the real model.
Well done Roberto, nice conversion and decals.
Thank you, Allan.
I remember seeing these, painted exactly like that, when I lived in Florianópolis in the 70s. Congratulations. Um abraço irmão.
Obrigado, Marcelo.
Abração para você também.
Espetacular!