SPA Modeler

I'm doing this one and an RF-86F for the museum where Solano Scale Modelers meets once per month. Here's that club's website:

https://goldeneramodel.com/SCSM1/SCSM1.html

I recently started managing the web site and we be adding more current affairs type club content to it as time goes on.

I will be doing this model as Major Rudolf Anderson's U-2F. Major Anderson lost his life when shot down over Cuba, an incident that is thought to have been a big factor in things not getting worse during that crisis. Caracal Decals did a sheet that has the correct markings. The U-2C kit has the long upper fuselage fairing which had to be shortened. After cutting the necessary area a plastic card backing was made for the area and then Aves Epoxysculpt was used to bring things back to the proper shape. The cockpit will be just the pilot, seat, and instrument panel as it will be an inflight display, and with the addition of a bulkhead blocking off the rear of the cockpit. The same process was used to fill in the landing gear bays and a recess for a duct on the bottom was also filled and faired. The model has been rescribed using a JLC saw and a fine Tamiya scribing tool. A tailpipe was made from 9/16 K&S brass tube.

Wow... I remember building the same exact kit as a kid.

Wonderful subject. Tragic loss of life, though. This looks to be coming along quite well.

Interesting seeing a U-2 that's not NMF or black. Can't wait to see the rest of the build.

Thanks all youse!

I have added a fairing to the tail cone that seems to be fitted to the CIA U-C's, made from a slice of brass tubing attached with superglue followed by epoxysculpt filler. The engine air inlet ducts have been added, with green zinc chromate sprayed in the interiors before the front of the duct was added. More Epoxysculpt and filing and sanding here as well.

Now that's not a subject you see every day. A really good choice John and a great bit of conversion work.

The U-2 is progressing, if slowly. The markings here have all been painted, only the stars and bars and the small decals around the cockpit, and a few stencils will be used. Annoyingly the right stabilizer has decided to take a short holiday, looks like some drilling and pinning is in my future.

Impressive looking airplane.

Looks good!