1/72 Classic Plane Pilatus PC-6

Gallery Article by Gerd Wilcken on Dec 7 2018

 

      

Plane Pilatus PC-6 - IPMS Austria Special Edition "Der bunte Fredi" 

The Pilatus Turbo Porter is a multi-use single engine propeller aircraft built in Switzerland. 

This kit depicts an Austrian Air force aircraft, 3G-EL, which was built and entered service in 1977. This aircraft is used as a light transport aircraft and in an air ambulance/ rescue roll. It was repainted early 2000 in this multi-colour "Griffin" bird livery and remains in service with the air force being a frequent visitor at various air shows.

IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) Austria has created a great special edition in 1:72 scale.

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Pic No. 3

The high-wing Pilatus PC-6 in the version "The Colorful Fredi" is a treat. Alone the big Decal bow is a "force".

The complete kit was developed in collaboration with Classic Plane (Kit) from Germany and Propageam (Decals) from the Czech Republic. The kit parts are kept in the so-called Short Run version, which means that it is a small series model. This requires a considerable amount of reworking for all injection molded parts. Details you could see on Pic No. 3.

Very praiseworthy are the two extra instructions provided by IPMS Austria, which include a colored one for the exact attachment of the decals, as well as a double-sided manual for the production of details, like e.g. Steps, leaf antennas, fenders, position lights or the tail wheel. However, this majority of the details can be made from the enclosed photo-etched part or made of thin plastic material itself.

The instructions on the decals should be observed carefully. So attaching the ultra-thin(!!) decals is only possible before mounting the innumerable antennas, air scoops etc. I made a "visible" mistake on the back of the fuselage when I did not sufficient cut out a green decal.

Just the etched parts for the cabin seats are a challenge ...

All clear parts are attached as vacuum parts and are quite stubborn in the processing. The painting was done with white high gloss and is relatively simple.

The interested modeler will receive this model only very difficult over the Internet, since the kit was limited. I paid a "small fortune" for it at a model building exhibition.

All in all, the purchase was worth it and all the difficulties were quickly forgotten in view of the finished model.

Gerd Wilcken

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Photos and text © by Gerd Wilcken