1/32 Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk

[Martinnfb]

I am not saying you are wrong Hubert, that's not what I am tryin to do. ,,,it has been proven over and over that authors make or copy mistakes. I am just trying to get to the core of it, there's no lateral intention.

For instance here is a very early production Skyhawk with the canvas in place. 

 

[HubertB]

Ok. I did some fact-checking followed by some forensic introspection.

To summarize : regarding what seems like a fabric cover of the removed perspex panes of the canopy, I WAS WRONG, and what I stated pure BS.

This is an interesting illustration of the frailty of human testimonies. When skimming though the pages of the Naval Fighters book I saw two pages headlined « Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk prototype ». Then, the next page, pics of a Seahawk with the cover on the canopy. I just needed a brain fart to connect the two in my memory and assume it was also pics of the prototype,  not repeated elsewhere. When in fact they were headlined as pics of the landplane version (of a production aircraft). Sorry for the wrong statement I proferred.

Then I managed to find a pic of a postwar lineup of Seahawks, some with the said « cover ». Which proves it was not unique.

As for what this cover was, I could not find specific comments, but I would tend to line up with the hypothesis of Martin and Carl, that it was a protective cover, probably only when the aircraft as on the ground.

As for your pics, Martin, sorry, I am probably dumb - this has just been proven 😂 - but I cannot see the canvas you are referring to, at least in so far I am expecting a dark-colored one. Can you enlighten me more ?

Hubert

[Martinnfb]

`I hope I am not loosing my marbles, but this looks like fabric covering. I see it bowing into the cavity of the canopy frame. I should stop watching the news, it's getting harder and harder to distinguish what is real.   I would love to get my hands on the Naval fighter book, which has been long gone/sold out, especially after the recent Skyhawk releases in all scales.

 

 

[HubertB]

Yep, looks like it 👍

Hubert

[KevinM]

Nice banter!

[BlrwestSiR]

When I bought this kit, I knew next to nothing about the plane. This has certainly been educational about the type. 

[BlrwestSiR]

Hey look, an update. 

Lots of squirrels running around since we're approaching spring but I managed to spend a bit of time on the Seahawk. 

I was kinda hoping someone would do a masking set for the Seahawk but it wasn't to be. So I did it the old fashioned way with tape and a knife. 

I then cut the canopies from the pour stubs. Might have been easier to have down that first but hey, squirrel!!!

First up was a coat of interior green 

Then a coat of Gloss Sea Blue.  I forgot to grab a pic before I removed the masking tape. 

[Landlubber Mike]

Nicely done!

[Winnie]

That looks very nice!

[BlrwestSiR]

Time for another brief update on the Seahawk. 

The sliding canopy section has a brace inside it. It's made from 2 pieces of OE attached to a central resin keel. 

I cut the keel off the pur stub and then drilled out the lightening holes in it. To keep it from flexing too much, I i put it on a piece of cardboard while drilling it out. 

I then glued the PE cross braces on. They mount at an angle to match the frames on the canopy. The instructions show the smaller rear brace at the end of the keel but that's not correct. It should be closer to the middle where I've glued it. 

Turning back to the main assembly, I re-attached one of the beaching legs as it was splaying outward and causing the Seahawk to list. 

I also glued on the radar pod while it was upside down. 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by BlrwestSiR
Fix typo

[Martinnfb]

Very nice! 👍 

[DocRob]

Lovely detail there with the cockpit framing, Carl.

Cheers Rob

[BlrwestSiR]

I managed to paint the canopy frame. I then glued it to the canopy. 

At this point, I wondered if it should have been in blue. Checking some pics that seems to be the case. I'm going to leave it for now but will probably try to pop it loose and re-paint it. 

I then finishes the instrument panel. I sort of left it out when I closed up the fuselage as I wanted to make sure it was centred. 

It was easy enough to drop into place so no real concerns. 

Then it was time for decals. 

Not many which is a relief. The kit decals are very thin and a bit brittle. The star and bars torn apart as they weren't easy to position in one piece. Oh well. 

I finally finished the prop while the decals dried. 

Here she is, all done. 

Oh, except for the wing cannon. I lost one so I've left the second one off until I can find it and then I'll glue them in place. Other than that, it's all finished. 

Now I have a bit of space on the bench. We'll see how long before it fills up. 

 

[KevinM]

That looks really sweet Carl but I think pics by herself would do her better justice

[HubertB]

7 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Now I have a bit of space on the bench. We'll see how long before it fills up. 

 

Assuming it’ s empty  to begin with 🤔 … 5 minutes ?

Hubert

[BlrwestSiR]

9 hours ago, KevinM said:

That looks really sweet Carl but I think pics by herself would do her better justice

I'll try and get some better pics shortly.