**** DONE: 1/48 CAC CA-13 Boomerang - Aircraft Nose Art GB.

[ozhawk40]

Username: Ozhawk40
First name: Peter
Category: Advanced
Scale: 1:48
Manufacturer: Special Hobby
Model Type: Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-13 Boomerang A46-194 "The Grim Reaper"
Details: 4 Squadron
Aircraft Assignment: Pilot: F/L Val Walliker
Decals: Special Hobby
Accessories: Montex Canopy Mask
​

 

[ozhawk40]

Profile from "The CAC Boomerang" by Richard Franks, Airframe Album 3, Valiant Wings Publishing

 

[Wildcat]

Awesome Pete! Really looking forward to this one

 

[Wurger]

Great stuff here.

 

[T Bolt]

Wonderful Peter! I just won the LTD kit on eBay so I'll be following your build to see the difference in the two kits.

 

[ozhawk40]

Wonderful Peter! I just won the LTD kit on eBay.

Seriously?

I have two of the LTD's in my stash, but they will take a serious amount of effort to turn out right. Chances are you will need to redo the canopy too, as they have a tendency to yellow with age. I'm investigating if a vac form canopy made for the Special Hobby will fit the LTD. I'll let you know....8)

Cheers

Peter

 

[Wayne Little]

Nice choice Peter!

 

[T Bolt]

View attachment 244603

Seriously?

I have two of the LTD's in my stash, but they will take a serious amount of effort to turn out right. Chances are you will need to redo the canopy too, as they have a tendency to yellow with age. I'm investigating if a vac form canopy made for the Special Hobby will fit the LTD. I'll let you know....8)

Cheers

Peter

Now you're starting to worry me.. George has the kit and he said it isn't a total basket case. I don't mind if it's rough, as long as it isn't totally unbuildable. Sometimes I like a little challenge like the old Smer kits.

 

[ozhawk40]

Now you're starting to worry me.. George has the kit and he said it isn't a total basket case. I don't mind if it's rough, as long as it isn't totally unbuildable. Sometimes I like a little challenge like the old Smer kits.

It is buildable, but is a challenge. Half the battle is the tough plastic LTD used, along with lots of flash and crude sprue joints. Lots of sanding. Surface details are good. Interior very simple. If you can spend the time applying "neatness" and interior detail you will end up with a good Boomer.

I'll be doing one of these LTD's soon after finishing this one - perhaps "Home James" or a custom job of something not done before.

You almost certainly need to replace the canopy. That's been my sticking point with this kit.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Wurger]

Peter could you post a few shots of the kit? You don't need to do it here but you may post them in the Model Kit Reviews section.

 

[ozhawk40]

Here's a couple of shots of the fuselage (with SH to compare) and sprues for the LTD kit to start. Dimensionally they are near on equal, with the SH having a larger cockpit opening. The SH comes with a clear injected canopy, but aftermarket vac canopies are available - a quick look suggests they will not fit the LTD in the closed position, but maybe okay if you want an open cockpit.

Sprues are molded a bit heavy handed. Includes standard and bulged tyres. Engine is simplified. Landing gear doors are flat (but not so on real a/c). Panel line details are good and restrained.

LTD - for experienced modelers. That's their slogan, not mine!

Cheers

Peter

 

[ozhawk40]

Anyways - on with the build.

Pic 1
I thought I would start on the canopy and get that out the way first. The SH transparencies are good for a short run kit. Very thin, reasonably clear, but brittle plastic. My first step is to dip in "Future" to make them shinier and give them some protection.

"Future" substitute here in Australia is "Pledge". Don't ask me why or where to get it. I bought this bottle several years ago and it's still going.

Pic 2
Yes, an injury was sustained on removing the front windscreen. Damn it! I'll need to fill that before installation.

Pic 3
I dipped everything clear and placed them on an absorbent towel to wick away the excess Pledge.

Pic 4
I've not used these masks before. I usually use Eduard, so I'll see how these go. Montex supply both internal and external masks, so it should be an improvement when displaying the cockpit in the open position.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Wurger]

THX Peter. The LTD kit looks like a short-run type. Indeed for experienced modelers.

 

[fubar57]

Here's a couple of shots of the fuselage (with SH to compare) and sprues for the LTD kit to start. Dimensionally they are near on equal, with the SH having a larger cockpit opening. The SH comes with a clear injected canopy, but aftermarket vac canopies are available - a quick look suggests they will not fit the LTD in the closed position, but maybe okay if you want an open cockpit.

Sprues are molded a bit heavy handed. Includes standard and bulged tyres. Engine is simplified. Landing gear doors are flat (but not so on real a/c). Panel line details are good and restrained.

LTD - for experienced modelers. That's their slogan, not mine!

Cheers

Peter

Yep, I can remember weeping softly to myself when I opened that LTD box. Looking forward to the build.

Geo

 

[Lucky13]

 

[Wildcat]

Pete, is that new book by Franks any good?

 

[ozhawk40]

Pete, is that new book by Franks any good?

Yes. It's a very detailed look at the aircraft with many period photos, current restoration photos and manual excerpts.

I would rate it the best reference on the Boomerang available. Price is very reasonable too.

Here's a couple of pages:

 

[Wildcat]

Thanks Pete, I'll have to get a copy!

 

[Wayne Little]

been thinking about getting it too, guess that nails it then....

 

[Wurger]

Nice stuff here.