Spaceowl's VNAF O-2 **Finished**

Pre-1980 boxings of any kit, but preferably hard to obtain -- something that would make a collector cringe to see built.
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Spaceowl
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Spaceowl's VNAF O-2 **Finished**

Post by Spaceowl »

This one:

Image

Produced by Airfix in 1969, according to the website at least. I plan to do it as a South Vietnamese Air Force example that fled to Thailand in 1975, as soon as I can work out how to do a scan using Windows 10. :roll:
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splash
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by splash »

That's a sweet little kit that Airfix should re-issue.

Regards Splash
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
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Spaceowl
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by Spaceowl »

Yes, I don't think it's seen an issue since the mid-70s. That's what you get for not being:
A - Nazi, or
B- 1/48th scale
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by gnomemeansgnome »

Looking forward to that build, and just a tiny bit jelly. Last one I saw was the Arii offering (which I foolishly passed up) and that was many moons ago.
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by Sunray »

I built Testors 1/48 O2 a few years ago and I was surprised what an excellent machine they were. The full build is here and it might be so use http://www.uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=12205 I have got one of these kits knocking around somewhere but it is hidden in my stash. Good luck with this one.
Cheers
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by dollar19 »

Oh man this is going to be sweet!

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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by coptermech »

Sunray wrote:I built Testors 1/48 O2 a few years ago and I was surprised what an excellent machine they were. The full build is here and it might be so use http://www.uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=12205 I have got one of these kits knocking around somewhere but it is hidden in my stash. Good luck with this one.
Image

Image

The decals in the 1/48 kit are based on this O-2A, in the blue Navy scheme. The other is the same aircraft circa 1968-69 that I came across when researching the history of this particular aircraft which is tail # 67-21318 and was flying a FAC mission in Vietnam at the time
Regards, Tony

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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by Old_Tonto »

Nice choice Rob. That kit is as rare as rocking horse poop.
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Spaceowl
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by Spaceowl »

Yes Ian, and shockingly expensive as a result! I got a bargain price on Ebay, but alas not a cheap one. Work starts tonight, photos of the first steps to follow tomorrow.
Overhead a rainbow appears...in black and white.

Current Projects:
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Spaceowl
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by Spaceowl »

So, here it is out of the wrapping:

Image

And we already have a problem. At least two parts are missing from the sprues - one of the steering wheels and the cockpit console with the instrument panel. Not a dealbreaker, I can scratch build both of them, but still a major annoyance when the price I paid is taken into consideration. Caveat emptor, I suppose.
As this is a 1975 escaper, I won't be fitting any stores so they've all been harvested for the spares box. First task is a light sand down of the interior and fill the ejection holes, then a quick paint of the interior in what appears to Light Compass Gray then start sticking things together.
Overhead a rainbow appears...in black and white.

Current Projects:
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by dollar19 »

:ha: I wouldn't know anything about missing parts.
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by coptermech »

Here's a link to a site with the Testors 1/48 O-2A. Not a bad price at all on the site. Don't know what shipping would be though. Just thought I'd share.

https://www.modelcars.com/testors-o2a-;
Regards, Tony

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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by Spaceowl »

coptermech wrote:Here's a link to a site with the Testors 1/48 O-2A. Not a bad price at all on the site. Don't know what shipping would be though. Just thought I'd share.

https://www.modelcars.com/testors-o2a-;
A little too big for me. Unfortunately my shelf space is too limited for 1/48 or bigger. Thanks all the same. :)
Overhead a rainbow appears...in black and white.

Current Projects:
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Peru-Ecuador War 1995
THK 1939-2023
Polish Air Force 1939
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Spaceowl
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by Spaceowl »

Enough talking about stuff, let's get started. First, a view of the cockpit with the scratchbuilt console and steering yoke (the rough one on the left)

Image

Not a great standard of work, but I'm surprised I got it done at all. Secondly, the state of play so far:

Image

The one photo I've found of a VNAF O-2 of the time shows that unlikely shade of green as the interior colour, so don't blame me, blame South Vietnam. I'm unable to get any sort of reference for the rear of the cabin, so the kit parts of the rear seats are staying in there (unless you know otherwise, Coptermech)? Seems an unlikely fitting out for an FAC aircraft but I haven't a reference for anything else.
If I seem tetchy it's because this has been a poisoned build so far. Maybe I've got all the hard bits out of the way. And if you believe that I've got some poisoned swampland on the Tees you might be interested in taking off my hands.
Overhead a rainbow appears...in black and white.

Current Projects:
Aircraft of VMA-542, USMC
Peru-Ecuador War 1995
THK 1939-2023
Polish Air Force 1939
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Re: Spaceowl's VNAF O-2

Post by coptermech »

Behind the seats the airframe would be the same color, although you wouldn't see much. On USAF aircraft, the whole area behind the second set of seats was taken up with racks and assorted radio equipment along with some other units I can't recall right now.
Regards, Tony

Current Projects: Revell 1/48 F-15C, Hobby Boss 1/72 F-22 Raptor, Hasegawa 1/32 F-5E
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