Mmmmmmm biscuits...

Day 6.

A picture today.

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher WIP 15-06-2023 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Before work i got the wing and stab tips masked and the airframe sprayed silver.  I got the undercarriage and skis mounted on cocktail sticks and then primed them.  Also painted the bombs. It was at this point that I took the photo.
After work I cleared the airframe and painted the undercarriage and skis silver.

Tomorrow I once again have to start work two hours early due to the same sick colleague  so I am not sure if I will get much done.

Time is going to be tight as I shall be at Expo all day Sunday.

Day 7.

Cleared the undercarriage and skis.  Primed the prop and spinner.  Painted the wing and stab tips.

Then after work I put on the transfers.

Zlin Z-142 WIP 16-06-2023 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Fingers crossed on the masking mate 

Day 8.

Finished (even if paint is still drying on the tips).

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher.  PDRV State Snow Patrol.  Victorian High Country.

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher - 2 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The SSP (State Snow Patrol) use the Avalanchers to patrol the Great Dividing Ranges.  They carry Concussion Bombs to start avalanches.  Starting a small avalanche is preferable to allowing snow to build up and become unstable resulting in a large avalanche which could threaten lives and close the valley below.

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher - 13 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Snowfalls in the dividing ranges had become heavier in the winter following the post WW2 climate change events caused by the melting of the Antarctic ice cap (due to the nuclear bombing of the secret Japanese base hidden under the South Pole - the same events brought about the re-greening of the Red Centre).  Avalanches posed a serious threat to road and rail links between the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria's capital, Batmania and its Northernmost city, Sydney.

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher - 22 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

During the summer months the Skis were removed from the Avalanchers which were then used for scientific monitoring fights such as tracking the herds of Diprotodon which still roamed wild in the Ranges.

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher - 11 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

FOAD = First On Avalanche Duty and not what you were thinking you naughty people...

The Model.

Hobby Boss Zlin Z-142.
Skis from ICM Polikarpov I-15.
Bombs from my parts box.
Crew courtesy of Chris (I think they are watching me and reporting back to him).

Wingtip paint is special.  I've had it on my bench for a while but not used it until now.  It comes from a Revell Pirate Ship kit...

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher - 29 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

When you turn off the lights it looks like this...

Zlin Z-142 Avalancher - 30 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

...I need to try airbrushing it over a larger area.

It's cuuuute!     

Thanks Dizz, you were right about the tail sitting.  Even with the whole nose full of weight the long nose leg meant it leant back.  The skis stopped that but i'll need more weight when I build the third Zlin in my stash.

Come out really well mate 

so cute !

Quote from: NARSES2 on June 17, 2023, 06:12:35 AMCome out really well mate 

I has indeed!!

Quote from: zenrat on June 17, 2023, 03:40:10 AMFOAD = First On Avalanche Duty and not what you were thinking you naughty people...

Who? US? 

Very cute.
But really do you have snow somewhere in Oz?

Looks great 

Taken note of the tail sitter issue, I'll have to start looking around for some heavy things to put into the nose of mine as it will be on it's wheels. Although it may look good as a taildragger... Actually the more I think about it the more I like that idea.

Quote from: loupgarou on June 17, 2023, 09:29:43 AMVery cute.
But really do you have snow somewhere in Oz?

Yes

Quote from: loupgarou on June 17, 2023, 09:29:43 AMBut really do you have snow somewhere in Oz?

Blue Mountains, or that was what I was taught for "O" Level Geography 

Quote from: NARSES2 on June 18, 2023, 01:07:18 AM

Quote from: loupgarou on June 17, 2023, 09:29:43 AMBut really do you have snow somewhere in Oz?

Blue Mountains, or that was what I was taught for "O" Level Geography 

Most years we have a snow season in the Great Dividing Range south of Sydney & north of Melbourne in a region called (Ta-dah!) the Snowy Mountains & around Mount Wellington in Tasmania (near Hobart).

Snow can, occasionally, occur in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia, north & east of Adelaide, &, more often, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.

Thanks folks.

Day 9.

I have replaced the pics above, added more, and also added more back story.