SPA Modeler

For various reason, I've been a bit hesitant to post this. Mostly, because it is meant to be a diversionary build. I have two or three others that I can stress over.

A bit rough around some edges. I need to figure out how to remove the leading edge seam without totally obliterating the corrugation.







still finding a few places that need filling - like the nose.







There was a fair amount of flash. Not unusual for these old kits. The tailwheel assembly is molded into the rudder....as shown. Notice all the solid fill between the struts, etc. and the little bit where the tailwheel should be. Yes, i cleaned all that out. But wait, there's more. That little bit of "flash" around the tailwheel strut was the tailwheel. I punched a replacement from .040 sheet and glued it in place. Why they do that?

Oh very nice subject! One of Edsel Ford's (only son of Henry Ford) creations. During the Depression 60 Trimotor crashed, 40 killed. Watch Titans that made America on the History Channel. I just finished watching the 3 part series yesterday.

She is a big bird in 1/76 scale. I've been looking for one since watching the History Channel series.

they are out there on ebay. Vintage, you know. It is a fascinating aircraft. Painting in Tamiya AS-12 rattle can silver.

Great subject Lyle. Figuring out the corrugation issues has always kept from building one of these and a JU-52. Would look awesome side by side though.

It would if I could find a Ju-52 in that scale. May look around. There is also the Fokker Tri-motor. I have the Ju-52 in 1/48/

Looks great so far Lyle! I think it is great to see you turn out some builds this year! Glad you aren't sweating the details of these and just are enjoying the building process.

Enjoy yourself, Lyle. That’s the name of the game. Your work so far looks very professional and tidy. Nice save with the tail wheel. Also, I think it’s 1:77 scale, unless you know something I don’t? I did check Scalemates. However, I know it’s an old Monogram tooling or from an old tooling, so maybe the scale was calculated from “box scale?”

So far so good Lyle. Sometimes you just need a simple project like this just to refresh your mojo flow. Just build, paint, and enjoy.

Thanks, all. Bruce, it is listed as 1/77 on the box top. I swear I saw 1/76 somewhere.

76, 77... they’re right next to each other. It’s all good