The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

This is my first post in about 6 months. I have not done any modeling, but I'm still active at the Connecticut Air and Space Center working different projects.
This is the latest thing I've been working on.

Some background first. This is a right hand tail boom, fin and rudder from O-2A tail # 68-10868. It did fly combat missions in Vietnam. After the USAF retired O-2's, this one ended up in private hands and then at an aviation school just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, just over two years ago they decided to scrap the aircraft. We were able to salvage some parts before they did, this tail boom being one.

So, I made the decision to repair and restore it for display. The plan is to have it out at our fundraising car show in September, and have veterans and active duty military sign it. It will be a nice piece we can bring around and display.

The photos show some of the damage on the tail boom and repairs I've made to it. One of the last things left is to put its tail # back on next week.

Anyways, on with some photos.

Nice! 1-1 scale modeling!

So is that the O-2 fuselage in the background, as well?

PaulBradley wrote:Nice! 1-1 scale modeling!

So is that the O-2 fuselage in the background, as well?

It is an O-2A. But not the same airframe. It is 67-21318. First flew with the 20th TASS based at DaNang in 1967. Took on by the Navy from 1980-1989 and flew with VFA-125 which was a F-18 training squadron. It flew range control out in Nevada and California. It's on long term loan to us from the Marines for restoration and display.

I just finished the aft engine restoration a couple of months ago. Eventually, well have room to mount the wings and display it.

Cool colour scheme - will it have yellow wings?

PaulBradley wrote:Cool colour scheme - will it have yellow wings?

Tough to see, but blue and white wings, with yellow wingtips. Elevator and tail have yellow. This pic is circa 1986 taken out on Nevada. One of them is our ship flying. The below pic is the tail fin assembly as it sits right now. Leaving it in this paint scheme, as it's the only O-2A still in Navy colors.




This pic is the same aircraft flying in Vietnam, circa 1969.

Nice!

Hi Tony. Good to see you here again. Nice pictures. Keep them coming.

Hi Tony, good to see you back. Great to see 1/1 scale work happening. Please keep us updated.

All the best.

Greg

I always liked the Skymaster - in all its guises.

A small update, got the original tail # put on it today. Upper and lower fairings still need to go on, but the paint is still tacky.

The tail boom is complete, less the screws for the fairings, which I painted separately. It's all set for its first display to the public next month. We will use it to promote the museum and as an educational piece. Our basic mission statement is to Honor, Preserve, Educate. This display covers all points.

Honor: We plan to ask all veterans and active duty service members sign it as a way of honoring all those who have answered the call to duty.

Preserve: As this is the only major component left from this airframe, we have preserved it for all to see.

Educate: We will bring this to various functions and use it to educate the public, not only about this aircraft, but about the rich history of aviation in our area.

This has been enjoyable restoring this piece and I hope all will enjoy.

We had the tail boom on display at our annual car show this past weekend. We were fortunate to have a number of veterans sign it. The names and dates of service run from WW2 up to 2014. We even have a museum volunteer who served in the Black Sheep Squadron in the 50's!! It was an honor to speak to these veterans and thank them and welcome them home...

How cool!

That's a great way to raise money and preserve history at the same time; nice job!

Very cool