O-2A Tail Boom Display

Things that fly
User avatar
coptermech
Active Participant
Posts: 674
Joined: August 21st, 2012, 4:39 am
Location: Connecticut, USA

O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by coptermech »

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.


Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Regards, Tony

Current Projects: Revell 1/48 F-15C, Hobby Boss 1/72 F-22 Raptor, Hasegawa 1/32 F-5E
User avatar
PaulBradley
Staring out the window
Posts: 21115
Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by PaulBradley »

Nice! 1-1 scale modeling! ;-) :lol:

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

За демократію і незалежний Україну

"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
User avatar
coptermech
Active Participant
Posts: 674
Joined: August 21st, 2012, 4:39 am
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by coptermech »

PaulBradley wrote:Nice! 1-1 scale modeling! ;-) :lol:

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.
Regards, Tony

Current Projects: Revell 1/48 F-15C, Hobby Boss 1/72 F-22 Raptor, Hasegawa 1/32 F-5E
User avatar
PaulBradley
Staring out the window
Posts: 21115
Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by PaulBradley »

Cool colour scheme - will it have yellow wings?
Paul

За демократію і незалежний Україну

"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
User avatar
coptermech
Active Participant
Posts: 674
Joined: August 21st, 2012, 4:39 am
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by coptermech »

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



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.


Image

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


Image
Regards, Tony

Current Projects: Revell 1/48 F-15C, Hobby Boss 1/72 F-22 Raptor, Hasegawa 1/32 F-5E
User avatar
PaulBradley
Staring out the window
Posts: 21115
Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by PaulBradley »

Nice!
Paul

За демократію і незалежний Україну

"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
User avatar
jssel
Still crazy after all these years
Posts: 11975
Joined: April 5th, 2011, 3:42 pm

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by jssel »

Hi Tony. Good to see you here again. Nice pictures. Keep them coming.
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale
User avatar
Gregers
Forum founder
Posts: 8182
Joined: April 10th, 2011, 6:13 pm

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by Gregers »

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

All the best.

Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
User avatar
Eric Mc
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 4795
Joined: May 3rd, 2011, 8:27 am
Location: Farnborough, Hants

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by Eric Mc »

I always liked the Skymaster - in all its guises.
User avatar
coptermech
Active Participant
Posts: 674
Joined: August 21st, 2012, 4:39 am
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by coptermech »

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.


Image
Regards, Tony

Current Projects: Revell 1/48 F-15C, Hobby Boss 1/72 F-22 Raptor, Hasegawa 1/32 F-5E
User avatar
coptermech
Active Participant
Posts: 674
Joined: August 21st, 2012, 4:39 am
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by coptermech »

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.


Image

Image
Regards, Tony

Current Projects: Revell 1/48 F-15C, Hobby Boss 1/72 F-22 Raptor, Hasegawa 1/32 F-5E
User avatar
coptermech
Active Participant
Posts: 674
Joined: August 21st, 2012, 4:39 am
Location: Connecticut, USA

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by coptermech »

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...


Image

Image

Image

Image
Regards, Tony

Current Projects: Revell 1/48 F-15C, Hobby Boss 1/72 F-22 Raptor, Hasegawa 1/32 F-5E
User avatar
PaulBradley
Staring out the window
Posts: 21115
Joined: April 6th, 2011, 3:08 pm
Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by PaulBradley »

How cool!
Paul

За демократію і незалежний Україну

"For Democracy and a Free Ukraine"
User avatar
iggie
Modelling Gent and Scholar
Posts: 23360
Joined: July 31st, 2013, 11:04 am
Location: North Somercotes, Lincolnshire
Contact:

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by iggie »

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

Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
User avatar
jssel
Still crazy after all these years
Posts: 11975
Joined: April 5th, 2011, 3:42 pm

Re: O-2A Tail Boom Display

Post by jssel »

Very cool
Besting 60 years of mediocre building of average kits in the stand off scale
Post Reply

Return to “Aviation Hangar”