The C-130 is the
mainstay transport aircraft for numerous nations and has been operational since
1957 .
The newest C-130J, incorporates many upgrades avionics and the most
notable being the newer engines with six blade propellers.
The Indian Air Force
purchased six C-130J-30 in early 2008 for its special operations forces. The IAF
also has the distinction of having performed the highest landing of a C-130J at
Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in Ladakh at the height of 16,614 ft. (5,064 m ).
This is Minicraft's
first C-130J Model. This kit comes in light grey plastic with clear canopy and
navigation lights.
It shares most of the parts from the earlier C-130 Kits. The
difference in this kit is that it comes with new engines, six blade propellers
and extended wheel sponsons. But there are no cockpit, antennae, hatches or air
conditioning Intake details.
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This kit was sent to
me by my
friend Vinayak who had made the same kit with modifications carried out
to extend the fuselage to represent the 15ft. (4.6m) extended fuselage variant
C-130J-30s.
The fuselage was cut
at two places and a plastic water pipe used to carry out the extension. I used
three pieces of pipe. First to form the backbone second one squeezed inside the
first to widen it so it fit snug against the inside of the cut fuselage parts.
once the fuselage parts were glued together I added the third and final pipe
piece on top to make it flush with the cut fuselage pieces. (I have added
pictures of the same below).
One also needs to cut the short wheel sponsons and
fit the extended wheel sponson supplied with the kit. As there are no antennae,
hatches, Aircon intake, TSS chin attachment hard point and Assorted
Radars on top of fuselage those were scratch built.
Paints used were
Tamiya mixed and matched. A coat of Future Floor Polish and later a mix of
future and
Lifecolor matt was applied for the dull satin finish.
The kit decal were
only used for walk lines, all other decals were self made on a Inkjet printer.
Roundels and fin flash are from Brightspark Decals.
This was a bit
tedious but enjoyable build. Minicraft has now launched the extended version
while I was struggling with this build. My sincere thanks goes to Vinayak for
providing me the kit, tips, reference pictures and also pointing out the many
mistakes I made thru the build.
Happy Republic Day
to fellow Indians "Jai Hind"
Murli
Rajan
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