These singular
aircraft came to Chile in early 1983 from the UK and have operated from
Cerrillos, Santiago and Punta Arenas (south of the country) in high
altitude recce/photograf missions. The colour scheme, optical and electronic
warfare were under RAF's standards at that times.
Three of them coded
341,342 and 343 where flying until their retirement in 1995 where only 343 where
still in operation conditions. She lies now at the Air National Museum in
Santiago and in this days she's undergoing restoration.
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images below to see larger images
This kit is the old fashioned
Matchbox of the 70's but this very kit has been upgraded with several
recessed panel details. So The final results are much more accurate than the
standard Matchbox kit.
Several details and modifications
have to be made in order to obtain a Chilean version during it's first
operational year, such as many antennas (VHF, VOR), air ducts, radio
altimeter antenna, fairings (ECM/RWR), wheels bays and camera transparencies. Some
material used in this job are putty, plasticard, nylon, kristal klear and wood
sticks.
The colour scheme is the tipical
RAF style: dark green and dark grey upper surface and light grey downside.
For the paintings I used Model Master enamels and my airbrush.
The decals came from the Model
Decal set, national insignia sets and some home made stencils using the Testor's
kit.
For the finishing job I used
black oil washes and chalk pastels. Then a satin coat of Testor spray varnish
sealed the work.
I hope you enjoy the work and
this day is our Air Force -FACh- birthday Nș80 ;) So happy birthday to
them!!
For more information about my
model please visit: http://www.solomaquetas.com/board/index.php?showtopic=3242
Regards from Chile,
Rodrigo Rejas
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images below to see larger images
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