This is A65-102 as she was in 1973,
deployed to Base Flight Pearce, one of two Dakotas tasked with SAR. 102 had a
bit of character with the word "Momma" painted in small script under
the cockpit window on the port side. Having spent some 3 and a half years at
Pearce during that period I had a fondness for this aircraft having flown to
Rottnest in it. Back then I modelled it (badly) with a 1/72 Airfix kit and hand
painted tail badge, I think I gave it away to a WAAF before I left Pearce.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The kit is 1/48 Monogram built straight
from the box (except a few aerial differences) with all decals but for the
national markings being home made. When I started this one I had a picture
in my mind's eye as to how it was going to look with a Silver Dope finish.
The model master aluminium paint did not come out the same way as it had
done previously. It was a Sunday so I was unable to buy more paint.. so I
did a bit of a mix with model master paints I had available which
after spraying turned out to be more NMF than anything else! In despair I
pressed on and found after a "wash" and spray with a semi flat
clear it actually came out ok...
I love it and its a keeper.
Wally Civitico
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