What if

General Modelling Forum => General Modeling topics => The Idea Bank => Topic started by: McColm on April 26, 2024, 10:11:48 PM

Title: The Lockheed Martin C-130 replacement
Post by: McColm on April 26, 2024, 10:11:48 PM
There have been many attempts to replace the C-130 Hercules multirole aircraft and it looks like the USAF will buy the next generation version, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it '.
The Airbus consortium are planning a mini-A400M to fill the gap, Brazil has come up with a turbofan powered alternative, likewise the Russians based around the An-12 and the Chinese copy plus the Japanese C-2.
Another aircraft that will need replacing is the C-17, whether the two will be merged into one aircraft as the alternative to the Airbus A400M or two separate models remains to be seen.

The Revell Airbus A400M whether in 1/144 or 1/72 scale is a challenging model kit to build, I'd be inclined to go with a kitbash using one of the C-130 kits.
A whifferter has changed the engines to turbofans.
The Roden An-12 Cub kit is a bit problematic but with a bit of bodging and quite a lot of swearing the results speaks for itself.
Then there's the C-17 , if you can afford the high prices for the 1/144 or 1/72 kits this too is worth a punt.
The Japanese C-2 sometimes comes up in 1/200 scale at a reasonable price and if you like your heavies then this is the project for you.
Title: Re: The Lockheed Martin C-130 replacement
Post by: Beermonster58 on April 26, 2024, 10:24:47 PM
You may wish to add the Embraer 390 to the list although the current lack of any kit in any scale might make a model a bit problematic! In the real world however, the Dutch Air Force has already selected the 390 as its C-130 replacement.
Title: Re: The Lockheed Martin C-130 replacement
Post by: PR19_Kit on April 27, 2024, 04:22:16 AM
Quote from: McColm on April 26, 2024, 10:11:48 PMThe Revell Airbus A400M whether in 1/144 or 1/72 scale is a challenging model kit to build,


You're not kidding!  :banghead:  :banghead:  :banghead:

The 1/72 kit I built was a real pain, but I hear the smaller scale one is a bit better.
Title: Re: The Lockheed Martin C-130 replacement
Post by: Beermonster58 on April 29, 2024, 01:09:07 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on April 27, 2024, 04:22:16 AM
Quote from: McColm on April 26, 2024, 10:11:48 PMThe Revell Airbus A400M whether in 1/144 or 1/72 scale is a challenging model kit to build,


You're not kidding!  :banghead:  :banghead:  :banghead:

The 1/72 kit I built was a real pain, but I hear the smaller scale one is a bit better.
I agree  the  1/72 kit was a challenging build but, I don't mind that. It's worth the effort and, I have a second one to build. None of the build issues were insurmountable. I don't know about the 1/144 kit but, it doesn't interest me in the small scale. Biggest pain I thought was the hopelessly flimsy main undercarriage wheel attachments. Totally inadequate for a large,heavy model. I ended up drilling out the attachment points and using brass rod to attach the wheels to. Also, I assembled the undercarriage legs BEFORE attaching the wheel sponsons. I decided that doing it the way the instructions suggested was a bit fiddly.  As we are unlikely to get a more up to date kit in the one true scale and, at an affordable price I guess we just have to make do. It's just a shame (personal view only) that Revell didn't  give us the option to have the wing in dirty configuration with everything hanging off it. Looks much mote interesting !
Title: Re: The Lockheed Martin C-130 replacement
Post by: PR19_Kit on April 29, 2024, 01:55:29 AM
Yes, I had EXACTLY the same problem with the landing gear. Sometimes they just don't think things through in their 'quest for accuracy'.  :banghead:
Title: Re: The Lockheed Martin C-130 replacement
Post by: McColm on April 29, 2024, 04:12:51 AM
The landing gear in the Revell C-160 has the same problem  :banghead:
Title: Re: The Lockheed Martin C-130 replacement
Post by: Beermonster58 on April 29, 2024, 04:58:34 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on April 29, 2024, 01:55:29 AMYes, I had EXACTLY the same problem with the landing gear. Sometimes they just don't think things through in their 'quest for accuracy'.  :banghead:
Tell me about it!  :thumbsup:. Sometimes, I think  a compromise is in order! 😉😊