1/144 Amodel XC-8A

Gallery Article by Harv on Jan 6 2013

 

 

Happy New Year all. I thought I’d show off a unique model of a REAL aircraft that was a good candidate for the term “silly”. This is the Amodel XC-8A, a DeHavilland Buffalo that was outfitted with an aircushion and floats for testing in the early 1970’s. Yes, it really did exist!

 

Click on images below to see larger images

You can imagine the audacity of trying to land something the size of the Buffalo on snow or water. I can’t believe they actually thought it up, let alone borrowing an aircraft from the Canadian Forces and modifying it for tests. The aircraft was returned following tests and converted back to standard setup. It remained in service at least until 2004 as a Search and Rescue asset.

On a much sadder note, my good friend Reg Clarke passed away at Christmas. He was an avid modeler and aircraft buff, and was the first curator of the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum in Halifax. I had intended to give this model to him as a present, but instead will keep it to remember a great guy. Most past articles I’ve shown were from the vast collection I had the honour to build for Reg. 

Harv

      

Photos and text © by Harv