SPA Modeler

Oh.... the OV-10... one of those little known planes that I just love! If you’re getting the Hawk kit, look for the “Missing Link” Models cockpit interior set as well.

Carlos!

Are you back from your vacation, sir? If so, welcome back once more to the field of battle! Thank you for visiting and thank you most especially for your advice!

As I am sure you are well aware, there was a Paragon Designs upgrade kit by Neil Burkill back in 1995. Well—there is a fella on eBay that makes his version minus the PE detailing for the gear covers. I am being careful here with terms, but I could spring for the actual PD kit (at least one is available at the moment on eBay) for $100, or try his version for $25.



Since this could go either way, I have been on the fence—choose the original resin or this new version. I just... don’t know. Is the PE worth $75? Doubtful.

Any advice?

Hello Bruce! Yes I am back from my vacation trip, but still off work for a few more days.

As for your question on the two upgrade sets, I personally would opt for the newer one. Unless it was something like an Eduard “Big Ed” set of multiple frets, the PE alone cannot be worth $75. And unfortunately, the OV-10 is one of those overlooked subjects in 1/48 that has so little out there in products, both kits and accessories. We can have multiple kits of Luftwaffe ‘46 subjects that never saw actual service, yet hardly any kits of a subject like this that saw service in multiple wars, and air arms. Go figure.

Here is a link for an online shop that carries the Missing Link sets for the Hawk/Testors OV-10

https://www.kitlinx.com/cgi/search.cgi? ... nk_Models_

I used the old shop that was bought up by these folks. Can’t say anything good or bad about this shop.

I feel ya, bud. Enjoy those remaining days off. Thanks for your advice. You raise a great point about the Bronco. It was good news the day Kittyhawk made their 1/32 A/D, but this aircraft deserves better representation! Where did I read that this Old Bronco busted the chops of the F-35 in ground attack? (wasn’t this supposed to be the F-35’s dual purpose? Ground and air?) Maybe this has something or everything to do with the Vietnam War being hard to market. How many years did it take Oliver Stone to see Platoon get a green light? Speculation!

I would love to see a Bronco posed on the U.S.S. America like so—



https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/11/politics ... index.html

Stikpusher wrote:Here is a link for an online shop that carries the Missing Link sets for the Hawk/Testors OV-10

https://www.kitlinx.com/cgi/search.cgi? ... nk_Models_

I used the old shop that was bought up by these folks. Can’t say anything good or bad about this shop.

Thank you, sir!

Just got caught up on your build great work so far on scratch building that engine. I haven't built this one but have built 4 different versions of the Dragon 251 the side walls in these kits are a real headache to get everything lined up right looks like you tackled it well.

Clint!

Thank you for reading through this project build. I am so glad you joined because you identified the major issue with the kit. I know Dragon’s Designer or Design Team wanted to add a “drip cap” by making the pair of top panels overhang their respective bottom panels, but in this kid’s humblest opinion this was over exaggerated for the scale and created a difficult panel to panel join. In addition, you and Carlos were spot on about the kind of over-engineering present and the instructions are awful. I have had the benefit of Carlos and Kari to help decide what goes where when with me so far. And why no engine in this version? Why?

A buddy of mine just gave me an estate sale’s haul of mainly 1/24 slot cars and two partial sets of 1/35 U.S. Infantry figures (Monogram and Tamiya kits), so I boxed this project temporarily. I should crack the seals again next month.

The best advice I could give anyone building a Dragon kit, read through all the instructions first then don't follow the flow of them and test fit everything.

Clint,

Thanks so much for your advice. Sincerely. I am in the midst of cleaning up some old Monogram figures.