RhAF Cessna-Reims FTB337G Skymaster "Lynx" by Ferrus Manus - Roden - 1/32 - PLASTIC - Rhodesian Bush War

[Ferrus Manus]

The history:

From the outset of Rhodesia's existence as an independent nation, it remained completely unrecognized by all but South Africa and under total sanctions. Some of you might be old enough to remember the Rhodesian Bush War, but probably not most. Due to the sanctions and a growing threat from Soviet and Chinese- trained insurgents, Rhodesia needed a solution, quick. The solution was to purchase civilian aircraft such as the Cessna 337 Skymaster, which was made under license by French manufacturer Reims. The Cessnas, renamed the Lynx, were modified to carry napalm, cluster bombs and conventional munitions, and were used to brutal effect as a light attack aircraft against the insurgents, fulfilling much the same role as an aircraft like the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It seems as though less than two dozen of these modified Skymasters were ever made, and upon Rhodesia's transition into Zimbabwe, all were eventually scrapped. 

 

The model:

Roden seems to be a relatively middle-of-the-road kit manufacturer, akin to the ancient Airfix kits in quality and detail. While things like rivets are sparse, the kit is surprisingly complex for what it is, and everything I have read about it says it should, with considerable effort, build into a nice looking model. That being said, this kit has some issues (flash for example) that any kit designed in the last decade should be immune to. With all that out of the way, I will say that I am planning to build this kit OOB, with minimal modifications, but an extensive and detailed brush-painted paint job. My goal, as airplanes are really not my area of expertise and haven't been since I was 12 (and I haven't built a model airplane since 2022), is to build a nice looking model that doesn't involve much research or modification, except for aesthetic and quality purposes. 

 

Thus begins a build that will hopefully last a few months. 

[Ferrus Manus]

The type of engine used in the Skymaster is a Continental IO-360, a 6 cylinder, flat aircraft engine. Here's a real example: 

Most of the examples I have seen on the web seem to show a mostly steel-colored engine with a deep, oily, almost bronze-like patina over the entire thing. I recognize many of the individual elements of the engine in the picture, having looked at the instructions and the sprues. 

About the sprues: 

Remember when I said this model is very complicated for what it is? There are a grand total of 100 engine parts, 50 to an engine, across the aircraft's two engines. For context, there are many entire aircraft kits at this scale with fewer than a hundred parts. This should make for an interesting assembly, and should make painting easier. I might begin assembling one of the engines tonight, or I might not. My only gripe is the size and location of some of the sprue gates, and that issue extends across the entire model. It reminds me of some of the Warhammer kits I used to make when I was younger. 

Edited January 31 by Ferrus Manus

[Egilman]

The Continental IO-360, has a steel crankcase, and steel sleeved aluminum finned Cylinders and Heads...

 

The yellowish finish on the engine is the anodizing used to preserve and protect the parts from corrosion... and as you can see it doesn't last forever...

 

Here is a link to the Maintenance and Overhaul manual on this engine... (scribd link)

 

Looking good will be following...

Edited January 31 by Egilman

[Ferrus Manus]

@Egilman Thank you for the information regarding the reason for the engine's disgusting appearance. I have attempted to replicate that appearance on the first of the aircraft's engines: 

It isn't a very large engine either in real life or in my hand. I think I replicated the anodizing coating with relative accuracy using shading. One of the next things I want to achieve before setting out on the next engine is drilling some holes in the fuselage for lights and making the frame for the aft engine. 

[Egilman]

13 hours ago, Ferrus Manus said:

Thank you for the information regarding the reason for the engine's disgusting appearance.

Oh my pleasure, it is what we are here for....

 

EG

[Ferrus Manus]

Unlike any reasonable kit manufacturer, Roden actually makes you drill holes for the landing lights yourself. 

The way I managed to do this was to paint a tiny yellow dot on the center of each landing light (both are one piece) and, while the paint was still wet, press the piece up to where it was to go on the model. Then, I immediately wiped the still-wet paint off the lights. That gave me an idea as to where the pilot holes were to be drilled on the model, and I expanded them until I got this. While they certainly don't look very good, once they're painted and the lights are in, they won't look as  bad.

I think I got the holes at least close enough to where they were supposed to be that it wouldn't be noticeable at a reasonable viewing distance. I honestly don't understand Roden's logic of forcing a modeler to unnecessarily risk ruining their model by drilling holes they easily could have molded into their parts. This will be a recurring theme. 

[Ferrus Manus]

The firewall/engine mount and control panel assemblies are constructed to the point at which I can start painting them. Much work was required to ensure as proper of a fit as possible between the two assemblies, and between the assemblies and the fuselage halves. I highly doubt the top piece above the control panel isn't warped on the port side. 

Roden oh so generously provided me with decals for the control panel- decals that I'm unable to apply without sanding down the raised surface detail. I could probably do a better job myself by painting it. 

[Egilman]

3 hours ago, Ferrus Manus said:

Roden oh so generously provided me with decals for the control panel- decals that I'm unable to apply without sanding down the raised surface detail. I could probably do a better job myself by painting it. 

I love it when manufacturers think they are doing a good job when they take the time to engineer an instrument panel that looks decent, then provide a single cover decal to put over a three or four level surface... Never gonna happen without cutting up the decal, and this plane had a grey interior with black faced instruments which will force you to cut up the decal to get it to look right... (or even attempt it)

 

Roden isn't the only one to do this... And I usually chuck the decal and go straight to paint... I don't know if there is any aftermarket instrument panels for this model or aircraft, probably not given the obscurity of the subject... So I would agree with going straight to paint, the panel itself looks great, a fine piece of molding....

 

EG

[Ferrus Manus]

The kit-supplied decals were not accurate to the actual colors/layout of the actual control panel, or even accurate to the type of skymaster in question. 

This is my hand-painted attempt, which is based on an image of what appears to be the closest control panel layout to what the kit provides. 

You tell me which looks more like the real thing. 

[yvesvidal]

I like your hand-painted version ten times more than the decals.

 

Yves

[GrandpaPhil]

The hand painted version looks really good.