superchief Posted November 13, 2017 Share #1 Posted November 13, 2017 The Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" plays a major role in US Coast Guard Aviation. As part of it's fleet of over 200 fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, the Coast Guard operates 31 of this type. It was chosen as the Service's long range patrol and transport airplane, first flown by the Coast Guard in 1958. The Service now operates the "J" type C-130 and there are no plans to replace it in the near future. The model is a 1:48 Italeri kit, offered as a USAF transport, molded in gray plastic. It was a nice build, the only difficult part was re positioning the propeller blades in the "parked" mode. This meant cutting the blades off each hub and gluing them back on to present the blades as "feathered". I added interior LED lights to the flight deck and cargo bay. Since the model is so large (33" wingspan and 25" long fuselage) I mounted the plane on a foam base so I could handle it easier. I also added a custom painted truck and RHI boat, as well as a tow tug. The kit comes with no figures so I took 2 fliers from a 1:48 B-24 Liberator I built in the 1970's (never throw any model parts away!) and painted them for a USCG aircrew. The biggest part of the build is painting the model in USCG colors, using Tamiya rattle can gloss white and painting all the CG red panels and stripe with Testors Chevrolet engine red. Spending an hour of prep using paper and masking tape with several sessions of airbrushing time is a typical CG paint job, on the actual CG planes it takes weeks! As always, a fun build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superchief Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted November 13, 2017 Close up of towing tug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superchief Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted November 13, 2017 The 2003 home based at Barber's Point in Hawaii. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superchief Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted November 13, 2017 Starboard view. I did a bit of weathering on the wing's surface near the engines. The actual aircraft are kept in pristine condition for the most part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superchief Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted November 13, 2017 Close up of the RHI being loaded with the lights on in the cargo bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtyScout Posted November 13, 2017 Share #6 Posted November 13, 2017 This is a nice build. Nice C-130, the vignette base looks great with all the runway/tarmac details and the figures look awesome. I like this one. Semper Fi. Manny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proud Kraut Posted November 13, 2017 Share #7 Posted November 13, 2017 Wow, from A to Z an excellent build. Your paintwork is stunning. So many details on this smal scale, I would label this dio as "PERFECT". Thanks for sharing another outstanding project! Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiziwater Posted December 2, 2017 Share #8 Posted December 2, 2017 That is unbelievable! So clean!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted December 2, 2017 Share #9 Posted December 2, 2017 I'm a Coastie dad. That model looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robswashashore Posted December 14, 2017 Share #10 Posted December 14, 2017 Wow! Exquisite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted December 14, 2017 Share #11 Posted December 14, 2017 I agree with what has been said so far, that is a gorgeous model. You are incredibly skilled, that model is so clean and precise, just outstanding work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastersMate Posted December 14, 2017 Share #12 Posted December 14, 2017 Are some of your models on display at the Coast Guard Heritage Museum in Barnstable on Cape Cod ? Beautiful work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superchief Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted December 15, 2017 Masters Mate Yes, I have a "few" models on display at The CG Heritage museum. It all works out, I build CG models and the Museum displays (stores) them for me! Only kidding, its a win-win for all involved. Have you been to the museum this past season? Regards Mike M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastersMate Posted December 15, 2017 Share #14 Posted December 15, 2017 Yes, I was on vacation at Onset and managed to drop by again this August. I was inquiring if they needed any more 1940/50s CG shoreside uniforms for display, but it sounded like all the wall space was all accounted for. I drop in during the annual summer field trip to visit the relatives, in laws and out laws... I dropped off the final history work of all the Coast Guard enlisted ratings, from the RCS onward, I'd been working on for the last few years. The young man working the counter that day said he would put it on the computer for another reference to use. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Dana L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted December 24, 2017 Share #15 Posted December 24, 2017 Jaw dropping. Nicely done man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted December 24, 2017 Share #16 Posted December 24, 2017 That, is one nice HUGE build! Good craftsmanship, too, about feathering those props! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted December 25, 2017 Share #17 Posted December 25, 2017 Totally agree with the others...Love the Herky bird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted December 25, 2017 Share #18 Posted December 25, 2017 That's a beautiful model. Love the idea of the interior lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted December 26, 2017 Share #19 Posted December 26, 2017 Great model.We are Blessed to have the USCG Clearwater Air Station nearby.It is the largest and busiest Air Station in the Coast Guard,so I see these big beautiful birds cruising at low altitude over my place nearly every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superchief Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share #20 Posted January 5, 2018 Season's Greetings! To the folks that took a moment to stop by and take a look at the Hercules, Thank you ! Your nice comments are always appreciated, hope each one of you has a prosperous New Year (with lots of your completed models to post here)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted January 5, 2018 Share #21 Posted January 5, 2018 I missed this the first time around. Very nice model! Great job! ....Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now