Jump to content

Kittyhawk's upcoming T-6 - can I do Red Checkers OOB?


seiran01

Recommended Posts

Like many of you, I plan to snag Kittyhawk's T-6 pretty much as soon as it comes out.

Can anyone with knowledge of the real plane tell me if I can make an RNZAF T-6, specifically as a Red Checkers display team bird, out of the box or if some backdating would be needed? Yup, this one below! I have Ventura's 1/48 decal sheet and will use this as a basis to make paint masks.

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

red-checkers-harvard-01.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Mike,

 

Looking over my kit (you can find the sprue images here), you're quite close to what is needed.  For one, the instrument panel is correct (unlike for my scheme).  It already has the cut out for the machine gun.  The model also includes the MG blister needed:

KliRCh1968a.jpg

From the 1968 team... Note the patched over semi-circle ahead of the exhaust from when the long exhaust was swapped for the short one.  Below is an image with a non-standard long exhaust:

red-checkers-harvard-02.jpg

The reason for the modified exhaust becomes apparent below:

RedCheckersFeb1972a.jpg

 

Although in many images you'll see the shorter exhaust, take note that the mount for the long exhaust is still there at the wing root:

royal-new-zealand-air-force-75th-anniver

You can barely see it but it is at the point where the wing walk is truncated (follow the rivet line down from the gun blister).  Note the footprint with the red 'X' superimposed on the No Step zone.  One thing not in the kit and you must do, the gun channel ahead of the blister and on the cowling.

 

A web site which you probably know about the Red Checkers.

 

 

For some reason, I think this is not a real Red Checkers aircraft number 79. Note that the anti-glare panel doesn't end at the same place as above on this cowling (the N number used for US Civil Registry is also seen):

Harvard-III-.jpeg

 

Regards and good luck on that project,

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, when being used for display work there was a (diesel?)tank harnessed into the back seat for the smoke, you can see it in some pics if you look you can see the top of it just above the cockpit sill line. I think I may have some drawings somewhere and others may know more

 

Cheers

Anthony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...