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This is the rather nice resin model in
1/72nd scale by Anigrand.
The model is made up of 4 robust
fuselage quarters plus the wings and tail surfaces, with a
beefy set of undercarriage castings, the main legs having a
metal pin cast into them for additional rigidity, important
considering the weight of the completed model.
The fuselage quarters need to be
assembled with care, as there are no locating pins. I found
the fuselage assembled together nicely, but there is a need
for a large quantity of weight as there is a lot of model
aft of the main undercarriage. Unfortunately, I should have
put more in mine as the model is finely balanced.
The fuselage quarters can be safely
assembled with superglue, as they are not structural. The
wings need to be attached with something more substantial,
as the weight of the model rests on the fuselage/wing joint.
I used 5 minute Araldite, which if spread on generously,
oozes out of the joint, becoming a filler as well as an
adhesive.
When I first assembled the model, and
showed it as a work in progress in my local model club, it
was pointed out to me that the tail planes were not
straight. It turns out this was very easy to do without
noticing the error, so I am grateful to my good friend for
pointing this out. I easily corrected this. The engines were
next painted, then assembled onto the wings, with the
cowlings. This was easier than expected. I then finished off
the cockpit, which is very basic. A lot can be done here,
but how much will be visible is what makes whether it is
worth while.
The cockpit transparency is a vacform
plastic, and very thin. This was added at this stage, with
the painting being next. I chose this particular one as it
was the last C-124 to be built, which appealed to me, plus
it’s an attractive scheme. One note here, the choices on the
decal sheet is for C-124A’s although the window
configuration is suitable only for a C-124C.
Once painted, homemade decals, and
decals from spares were added. The undercarriage was next,
which was effortless. One point here, the undercarriage
doors were glued to pins for additional rigidity, as there
are no actuators included with the kit. This also gave the
doors something solid to attach to.
One other point needs to be mentioned
to anyone thinking of building this kit, the resin surface
is rough, and needs a good rub down with reasonably fine wet
and dry paper (I used 600 grit satisfactorily).
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