1/72 Hasegawa P-3C Orion

[Medicman71]

Filler by the qusrt? Those are fixable as you noted, but geez that's a lot of work. This is such an iconic aircraft - stick with it.

It's really not that bad.

[Gary Brantley]

Very impressive work Mike! That is going to be spectacular.

I once had a neighbor whose son was a Navy aviator, flying the P-3 Orion. He was an Annapolis graduate and also a world-class (and world record holder) shooter, having competed on the Naval Academy team in the Pan-America games. One time while visiting his folks, this pilot, Michael Salach, described being on "patrol" over the Persian Gulf and seeing a distinctive "F-14 radar signature" headed their direction. Mike said the pucker factor went off the charts as he had all four throttles "in the red" until the approaching aircraft vectored off. Just another night over the Gulf I guess.

One day Michael was flying from Corpus Christi to somewhere on the West Coast. His Dad told me that Michael would be "diverting" a bit from his flight plan and would crisscross Cameron at a certain hour. Sure enough, just after returning to work at the sheet metal shop at 1 PM, I heard a loud airplane sound and went out the back door. Soon I saw the P-3, flying pretty low, making a N-S pass, and then returning for one E-W. It was really cool seeing it, a B-17-sized aircraft, flying low over Cameron!

[Medicman71]

That's awesome! I have a friend that was an engineer on Orions.

[Medicman71]

The only aftermarket that I have (aside from the decals) are the Quickboost props. I hope I don't break them (super thin) because the kit ones are horrible.

[KSaarni]

Definitely an improvment!

- Kari

[Stuart]

Such a nice looking aircraft the Orion - superb work thus far Mike, it's really starting to look the part.

Those AM props look lovely.

[Medicman71]

Thanks guys!

What sucks is I have no idea when the Caracal Decals will be released. The good thing is that by the time the decals come out, I may actually have it painted.

[Medicman71]

I cut some short lengths of metal tubing to use as the exhausts. The kit ones were so flimsy that they broke cutting them off the sprue.

[Medicman71]

Cleaning up and prepping the resin props.

[KSaarni]

They are really thin !

- Kari