1/144 C-130, 2nd Airlift Squadron, 23rd Wing

[Texman]

When Bruno showed his first picture of the C-130 model in design, I mentioned I was
excited to see this for personal reasons. Bruno made a version for me.

So, a little back story. I was a C-130 Flight Engineer with the 23rd Wing at Pope AFB
back when. I was privileged to be an aviator for several years before a flight surgeon
(who apparently can tell God what to do) medically grounded me.

I took the kit Bruno provides, looked through my flight records, and altered the markings
to represent the tail number of the aircraft that I had my last flight in. Which, as my records show,
actually landed with an IFE (in flight emergency) with the number 3 engine shut down.

In this first set of pics, these are just some general assembly pictures.



Here is the nacelle assembly sequence that worked best for me, as well as the prop shop building jig.



I made the propeller blades from Red River paper sprayed with a matte acrylic
to better simulate the metal of the real thing. I also left the hole in the front of the spinners,
as it is there on the actual aircraft. I also added as SKE (Station Keeping Equipment) radome,
UHF blade antenna, and VHF aerial antennas.

After the aircraft was completely finished, I found a top side view, and the national insignia
and USAF markings were way to far outboard. What to do?
I went into Inkscape, moved the markings and reprinted the wings.
I took the bold move to R2 (remove and replace) the wing tips. After contemplating how to do this,
I found a couple of panel lines to use as guides, and proceeded to try my luck.
The odds were with me! Here is the in work shot of that surgery.



So, with the saga complete, here are the finals. The base graphic is an image of the Holland dirt assault strip
on the old Fort Bragg, which I landed on a few times.

Thanks for reading along!

[tigertony100]

Very nicely done and the construction tips are invaluable. The story behind the model is inspiring as well. I´ll take all of this as a guide for my FAM Herky Bird, congratulations Texman!!!

[dhanners]

Stunning work, as always! A classic….

[YankeeBoy]

Bravo Zulu (to a standing ovation.) Now, if you could have 1,2,4 spinning and 3 feathered...

No - leave well enough alone.

[Jan Kytop]

Great model.
Congrats!

[Don Boose]

Great Flying Tiger C-130 model, Flyboy.

And fascinating back story and construction narrative and images.

Loud, continuous, sustained applause.

Dogface

[spgifford]

Great model, I have some of Bruno's C-130 sitting in the to do pile on the work bench, I will take full advantage of your tips!

[Butelczynski]

Originally Posted by Texman

I was privileged to be an aviator for several years before a flight surgeon
(who apparently can tell God what to do) medically grounded me.

Lucky you. My field surgeon had hands of an angel and manners of a village butcher.

Awesome model. Did you have issues with fuselage around ramp section? How did ramp come out?

[Michael Mash]

It was nice to read the story about your time as an aviator.
Good looking aircraft. I like the way you display them.

[Dave Pete]

Nice build. Good story and interesting Lego build jig.