OT's Sprinbok Puma

[splash]

You might find this walk around webpage link useful, the handle looking things are aerials and the thing that looks like a light is Airfix attempting to model a grill over the tail rotor drive shaft.

Regards Splash

[Old_Tonto]

Looks like the console or floor could be fouling the inside the nose?

You could be right James but I am reluctant to rip things apart. I will have to live with it.

Sissel, it could be my fault or the age of this moulding. Don't worry about it, just get cracking with yours.

Thanks for the link Splash. Yes the handles are VOR aerials.
A grill ??? I would never have guessed. Must do something about that.

[Old_Tonto]

Slow progress - busy decorating & Xmas shopping.

I got the doors on but am going to alter or scratch build the rails.



The canopy is all glued in place and gaps filled with PVA.
I am adding various aerials etc. but have somehow lost part 100.



I should be able to make a replacement without too much effort.
I am also planning to make the engine inspection ladder that sits over the rear window of the cabin as it is a very prominant feature on early Pumas.



Once that is in I won't be able to push the rear window glazing in too far which can only be a good thing as I have now glued the doors in place.

[JamesPerrin]

I am adding various aerials etc. but have somehow lost part 100.

How bizarre, so did I! I replaced mine with some bent wire. Glad to hear you are having a go at adding the ladder, not many aircraft kits can be display with a ladder on the inside!

[Sissel]

I have a newer boxing with more worn tooling (if that makes a difference). But I'll find out in a few days how bad it is.
Just checked and part 100 is safely on the sprue.

Looks great, OT. Glad to see you've battled the canopy in place.

[Old_Tonto]

Looks great, OT. Glad to see you've battled the canopy in place.

I didn't really battle it Sissel. Just went with it & filled the gaps. This is supposed to be fun after all.

I think yours should be OK. Heller seem to have cleaned up the mould & added to it so conceivably yours might be a better fit than mine. That’s my theory & I am sticking to it.

[Sissel]

Looks great, OT. Glad to see you've battled the canopy in place.

I didn't really battle it Sissel. Just went with it & filled the gaps. This is supposed to be fun after all.

I think yours should be OK. Heller seem to have cleaned up the mould & added to it so conceivably yours might be a better fit than mine. That’s my theory & I am sticking to it.

Fun?! Since when was modelling suppose to be fun?
I hope you are right about the fit on my kit. If your theory is correct, I will be mocking you all the way into the new year, nernernernerner.

[Old_Tonto]

I decided to leave the door runners as supplied as I am trying to make this build as OOB as I can.



One big omission that is quite prominent on all the SADF Pumas that I can find images of is the door guide that sits half way down the door. So I tried to represent this with some spare plastic.



It may not be perfect but its better than nothing.
Here you can see where I have put a piece of plastic rod through the tail boom as I make a replacement for part 100:



The clear plastic that sits atop the tail boom has been sanded down so that it sits lower than the surrounding area. I have some fine mesh that I will fit over it once the paint work is done.
Here it is in place. Also the part 100 replacement is fitted, a bit rough but will do.



So with all that done I sprayed on some Halfords primer.



More to follow.

[Sissel]

Looking good, OT!
Your replacement part looks nice.
I am missing a bit at the rear, that little one above tailplane (or what it's called). Should be no problem scratching it, but it's so tiny.

[Old_Tonto]

I used a rattle can for the brown. I like the colour as it maches the photos I have of SAAF Pumas. It is taking ages to dry, still tacky after 48 hours!



I will give it a coat of klear as soon as I dare.

[Dazzled]

It's coming on well OT, though I'm surprised that the rattle can paint is taking so long to dry as, in my own experience of both model and automotive spray cans, they're usually touch dry in less than an hour. What make is it?

[Sissel]

That looks great, OT!
I can't believe how well the cockpit glazing looks, perfect from here. You'd never guess there were gap problems!