DONE @p.2 +++ 1:72 G.91X, Fuerza Aérea Hondureña, 1988

[Dizzyfugu]

Since the first ideas are revealed I will chime in and sketch out my plan for this year's 1WGB. As mentioned in the general discussion thread, this will be a modified Yankee Gina, based on the Matchbox kit. The G.91Y was built on behalf of the Italian Air Force, but what if Fiat also developed a downgraded, simpler export version with just a single but bigger engine for countries with rather small budgets? Enter the G.91X! 

And there's also already an exotic operator for it: Honduras, with some supply synergies with the country's ex-Israeli Sa'ar/Super Mystère fleet. 

We'll see if that's workable in just a week, including some self-printed decals, background story and beauty pics to present the model.

[Tophe]

Good project!
It will be OK if you simply make "pictures" at the end, "beauty pictures" are better but not obligatory!

[PR19_Kit]

'Just a week'?

I didn't think such a long time scale existed in your world Thomas. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Things took off yesterday, actually with some home-made decals since the flag for the fin and optional roundels are unobtainable.


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


On the hardware, the saw started screaming. Here's a look at the Yankee kit, together with a "normal" R Gina that will provide its bottoms:


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Besides the obvious differences in length, the rear fuselage shapes are totally different, so that the transplantatation won't be as easy as it seems...

In order to mount the donor panels I added some internal holders:


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The outcome does not look too bad, even though some heavy PSR will be necessary (not obvious in this shot):


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


In parallel, the cockpit got a little pimped, since the OOB piece is, beyond a separate dashboard, a very basic affair. The pilot comes from the donor bank, too (left over from the Thai A-4).


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


After adding putty to the fuselage, yesterday's last measure was the addition of the cockpit tub and the landing gear wells to the fuselage halves, as well as some lead.

1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Sanding next, and the wings will be modified (flaps down). Hope I can close the fuselage today.

[Dizzyfugu]

Day 2, things keep moving forward. Fuselage halves were closed this morning, and the expected 2-3mm gap between the R-Gina tail pieces becomes visible. But that's nothing a styrene strip and some PSR could not mend...


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


What will become tricky is the exhaust opening. It's somewhat oval in shape and has to be re-sculpted, and I have to find a donor jetpipe that fits inside and makes a bigger single engine believable. PSR on the rest also makes progress, I am surprised and expected more resistance:


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


This afternoon, the wings were added, as well as the stabilizers and the canopy (will be closed because, for an open cockpit, the fuselage has to be cut since the clear part is actually only the clear part on the aircraft  ).


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

I didn't realise the twin engined ones were actually longer than the others.

You learn something new etc etc. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Yes, the Yankee was based on the (longer) trainer airframe.

[Dizzyfugu]

An addendum from day #2: finishing touches to the hardware. Still some details to go, but I expect external painting to start today (day #3).


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


I eventually found a suitable jet pipe implant: a protective cover from a syringe needle. Right size, and looks interesting enough.


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Old Wombat]

OK, so, at the time I type this, Dizzy has probably already completed this build & is well into preparing his second.

[Dizzyfugu]

Nah... I actually did this stunt some years ago, but I take my time with the G.91X. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Day #3: basic painting has started, and suitable, light ordnance has been selected:


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The LAU-19 pods come from an Italeri A-4M, the 2nd hand Snake Eye Mk. 82 bombs from an ESCI A-7, IIRC.



1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Aeritalia G.91X; Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (Honduran Air Force, FAH), 1988 (Whif/modified Matchbox kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


One inspiration for this model were pictures from a PC-7 trainer of the Guatemala Air Force, which carried a livery in three murky shades of green. I found this paint scheme pretty interesting, esp. as an alternative to the ubiquitous SEA scheme (that Honduran A-37s carried). For the G.91X I adapted the scheme with slightly more contrasty tones of two shades of green and a more brownish hue: Faded Olive Drab (Modelmaster #2051), Olive Drab (Humbrol 155) and Dark Green (Humbrol 30). The undersides were painted in a light grey (Humbrol 166, RAF Light Aircraft Grey).

I initially considered a wrap-around scheme, but eventually found it to look too boring – also with a look at the potential markings, because aircraft of the Honduran Air Force typically only carried and carry minimal markings. Instead of the Guatemalan PC-7's apparently symmetrical scheme I rather went for a more disruptive pattern, though.

Conveys some jungle feeling, I hope?

Sad news: I had to remove the exhaust pipe. While the size and shape were great, the plastic would not bond with the glue and the fuselage, so that a replacement is in the works.

[kitbasher]

I didn't realise the twin engined ones were actually longer than the others.

You learn something new etc etc. 

Neither did I.  Now I understand the logic behind the build.

[Weaver]

I didn't realise the twin engined ones were actually longer than the others.

You learn something new etc etc. 

The G-91Y had longer-span wings too.

[PR19_Kit]

I didn't realise the twin engined ones were actually longer than the others.

You learn something new etc etc. 

The G-91Y had longer-span wings too.

They did something right then. 

[ChernayaAkula]

Nice colours.