Matchbox/ Revell 1:72 DHC-6 Twin Otter

Some may be dissapointed that this isn't a new tooling, but rather a older Matchbox reboxing. Personally Matchbox are some of my all time favourite kits. And getting an older Matchbox kit, with some new decals isn't something I can easily pass up. Especially of that kit happens to also be Canadian.

I remember my Dad having this one smashed up in a box when I was younger. I played with it from time to time, and my Dad was always sad that it never survived the move. He later on gave it to my older brother who did his best to restore it. He built it as one of the Twin Otters that went to Antarctica as a rescue. And it's permanently mounted on a snowy base.

This one was purchased a few years ago. I can't remember anymore, but it's been sitting far too long. Recently I decided to take it our and have a good look over the kit again. I think it's time to finish this one. It's going to be my in between project. Currently I'm waiting for the landing braces to dry. 

But I do remember why I gave up on building it. The Revell release is really sloppy. I remember a lot if not most of the parts not fitting properly. Especially as you can see the top of the fuselage. I think this was the most filler I've ever used on a kit. 

All of the lighter grey is the Tamiya Putty. My brother recently found me some Citadel Liquid Green Stuff. And it's really fantastic. I'm definitely starting to prefer this over other putties. It dries much quicker and sands down quite nicely. I used it to fix up any holes and pockets I might have missed.

I think the one thing that keeps me away from most modern aircraft is they are nose sitters, and for some reason, I just really don't like getting all that weight and making sure the plane will sit properly. I took a piece of lead strip. And hammered it folding it over itself. until I'd made a small ball. Then I mounted it in a vice and sawed it down to the proper size to fit the nose cone. Thankfully it stays down, even when the plane is mounted on it's tail.

I super glued the lead to the nose cone and then glued the nose o the fuselage. The cone will need some sanding and filling in, but over all it's a pretty good fit.

As I mentioned before my Dad built one, back when it was an original Matchbox. And he loved the kit. And the Twin Otter itself. And he was quite devastated that it broke beyond his abilities to properly repair it. So when he found out I was working on this one he really got excited. And warned my that the rear landing braces aren't strong, and worst of all nearly impossible to repair. I noted this as well. Certainly the Revell styrene was good, but setting it down, I could see the struts easily being broken.

I cut off the original wheel pin. And began carving out a trench through the bottom. This was made easier with the help of mt Tamiya panel line Scriber. 

Next I added a piece of brass wire. And super glued it into the groove. 

After it dried thoroughly. I began layering some of the Liquid Green Stuff on either side of the wire.  

A mess now but after it dries I'll be able to sand and shape it.