The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

As the DHC2 is in slow taxi to the paint shop I wanted to at least share an update. I don't want my "build buddy" to think I dropped out on him.

One of the features that set the RU-6A from it's brothers is the array of antennas that are used to monitor radio traffic of the bad guys, whoever they were. The main system was mounted on the outer wing leading edge and these had to be scratch built. Using a pin vise, the holes were drilled. Stretched sprue was added for the mounts and a small (78) bit was used to drill through that stub. The wire used was very soft craft wire. That stuff bends easily so care in handling is needed. Several other antennas can be found including a whip around 100 inches in length for FM radio work in the top of the fuselage and a pair of towel rack antennas, one on the top of each wing running lengthwise. The towel racks were from what I can observe, optional, as not all RU's had them. Also the wing antennas could also be of blade design so you must check your references.






So next up is painting FS36087 OD and a few decals to complete it.

That's neat work and it's good to see a Beaver looking different from the one I have my hands on.

Regards,
Bruce

Nice work on the antennas Jeff

Nicely scratched antennas Jeff, delicate work there I should imagine.

Those antennas look very good, but I'd hardly dare touch the kit again!

MerlinJones wrote:That's neat work and it's good to see a Beaver looking different from the one I have my hands on.

Must stop myself, must stop myself....

Hey Jim, resistance is futile.

OMG it's not like me to miss one like that Jim, I must be getting old! Stay strong...er...maybe

Got some paint on today. Going to try to post pictures later one. Should have it done pretty quick now.

Tomorrow night is the meeting with my local band of pirates and would like to show it off.

OK, here is what it looks like at this point. Paints on, position and anti-collision light painted Tamiya Clear Red, and the masking is about ready to come off. But first...........gloss it up for the few decals that need to go on.





These days we complain about the overall grey finishes on everything but in the late 60's and early 70's the US Army went "subdued" with overall OD and black lettering.

Not to much more to do now.

You're almost there jeff. Looking good

Well I am calling this one done.








Just a few comments. I found the kit a very nice build. My only complaint is in regards to the overall profile of the cowling. The bottom is nice but the top half seems "pushed in" and not the bulbous shape of the real deal. But that aside, it is a wonderful platform for a variety of builds. Floats, wheels or ski's, the options are really endless on a rather famous military and civilian aircraft.

Construction wise, I found the fit of the wing fuselage windscreen combination innovative for the day but the fit without large gaps bothered me as to fitting it into the fuselage. My moulding had serious sink holes throughout but filler and sanding cured that.

So, if the rules don't change to much I would be up for another

Those aerials are somewhat...er....prominent, but that's just like the real thing. I suppose the only challenge for the modeller would be in tracking down the variety of decals required to do this subject some justice, either as a military or cvilian machine.

Thanks for the company with this and I'll leave the thread open a couple of days, just in case anyone else wishes to add constructive comment.

Regards,
Bruce

Congrats Jeff on not breaking any of those aerials off!

Nicely finished Jeff and I'll bet those aerials make it a bit of a nightmare to handle!

Overall, I think the concept of the shared build is a good one has worked very well with this build and indeed also with the Spitfire build. I did fear that the single thread might lead to confusion but in reality I don't think that has been the case.