C-130 / AC-130 Hercules Redraw/Redesign (by Airdave)

[Retired_for_now]

Lower and aft





Yogi

[Retired_for_now]

You seem to have the wing roots down:








This one's a Talon I (MC-130E) ... don't talk to me about this paint job either.


Back to the AC-A

Yogi (OK, enough abuse of the forum bandwidth/storage)

BTW: just a note, the little sqaure patches you see in various places are recent mods for self-protection flare cassettes. Ditto with some of the tiny domes scattered around the fuselage (in a pattern only the EWO can understand ...)

[airdave]

nice set of photos that will fit nicely into my collection!!!
thank you!

wow, they really did paint it gloss black!
and they painted everything didn't they?!!
LOL
I can see why some guys are unhappy with the look.
But I assume its more about protection and durability in the elements
rather than an actual recreation of the original paint.

[Retired_for_now]

Originally Posted by airdave

and they painted everything didn't they?!!

Expect the "portholes" were overpainted partly for protection and partly 'cause there's no telling what's left inside. Partially gutted, certainly no fire control cab in the cargo compartment anymore, and stuff to maintain the display stashed inside.
Check your references, I expect the gun-side ports were actually blacked out to reduce visibility below the firing orbit and to prevent the muzzle flashes from intruding on the gun crews. The large square patch aft of the deflector on the port, aft tail (behind the paratroop door/sensor) might have been a window for the loadmaster to watch for AAA threats. There's a large bubble set in the aft cargo door on -H and -U model gunships for that purpose.

Yogi

I've got more (walkaround) if you need them.

[Ashrunner]

Yogi...how involved were you with the AC-130s in the mid 80s?

[Retired_for_now]

Ashrunner - just an observer in another unit at Herbie. Lots of crosstalk among folks about recent/current ops with the -A/H and the AC-130U saga ... (never mind bringing the T-II on board).

Yogi

[Zathros]

Really excellent Dave. Superb workmanship. I got to see one of these flying at an altitude of 1500 feet, He was 100 feet off of my left wingtip. He passed me and he was probably 100' away from me. He was coming in fast for Stewart Air Force base, I was sightseeing over the Hudson and must have been in his way. It was so loud that as he was approaching me, unaware, I thought from the noise and vibration that my engine mount had busted (I was flying a Piper Warrior). By the time I landed I had sweat marks from my armpits to my socks. Being at the same level, I should not have had to worry about turbulence, but not taking chances, I started a very quick climb. Very scary up close and personal like that!

Your re-do is excellent and I like the colors.

[airdave]

Just an update to keep this thread in play...

With the help of Shaun (Inky) I am getting two test builds done of the AC-130.

Decided I want to make sure we have no serious issues before I release any build photos or info.
This will be the fourth time building this kit for me,
and although things get easier for me each time,
there are still a few tricky areas on this aircraft that could give a first timer some headaches.

This will be classed as an Advanced Skill kit, but my approach with all my models
is always design things for a Beginner, so I am doing my best to make sure the
proper instructions are in place for more difficult areas, or redesign those areas
to make them work better.

Shaun is working on 53-3129 The Arbitrator, one of the very first Spectre Gunships, as it served in Viet Nam.
This aircraft will later become "The First Lady"

I am building 54-1630 Azrael, which many might be familiar with.
She now sits on display at the USAF Museum but working from some old photos, I have altered her back to desert Storm era look.

Heres a couple of sneak peeks...
note the cool (optional) Sighting and Tracking System module that
can be fitted into the forward hatchway.
The Arbitrator forward Guns are not properly fitted, just there for sake of the photo.

[airdave]

for those still paying attention...

The Test Builds continue!
Shaun (Inky) and I are continuing to work on our respective test builds.

I need to give a shout of support to Shaun for putting up with my delays
as a result of part modifications.

We both struggled a bit through the rear sections of Fuselage and
Shaun had to deal with a first time build of the Tail sections.
(having designed and already built this tail, I don't think about it anymore)

Anyway, a weeks delay, while I sorted out a Fuselage section that I just wasn't happy with.
New parts designed...I think we are both on our way again.

I had my first instance of Krylon Matte Clear spray messing up my model parts!
Probably my fault (putting it on too heavy?) but the spray affected the ink print
and ruined the Nose section of my Azrael build.

not a big deal...one nights work, to build a new nose.

Anyway, attached are a couple of test build shots of the tail sections.

.....
in my spare time, I have been looking through ideas for more C-130 and AC-130 releases.
The first two kits I am working on are Arbitrator and Azrael Gunships.

I had a request for a C-130E Sharkmouth which is most likely release consideration.
(I still have to go back in and create a base C-130 model from my Gunship kit)

Going back through some of the earlier suggestions, I had a little fun
laying up the tail-art for the the Thailand Airforce 30th Anniversary herc.
I'm not sure what the interest would be in this particular aircraft,
but with colourful tail-art like this, how can I pass it up?!

[peter taft]

Abso-Bloody-Lutely Brilliant thus far.... what a talent