Honduras Navy Search and rescue amphibian

[chrisonord]

The Honduras Navy from early 1978 until 1988, had an excellent all weather patrol search and rescue aircraft. This aircraft was based on the Blohm &Voss BV 38 flying boat, all aluminium construction fully amphibious 3 powerful turbo prop engines and a 7 hour on station endurance. This aircraft was much loved by its crew and was responsible for the rescue of many people who had got into difficulty at sea, including taking a heart attack victim from a ship far out at sea, and delivering him to a speciallist hospital via an airport. Due to the company that built the aircraft being investigated and prosecuted for tax evasion in 1987, the aircraft ran out of spares, and rapidly became unservicable, leaving a big hole in the navies search and rescue capability. The gear boxes on the engines were unique to the aircraft, and none could be found that could be used or even adapted, this was the end of the line for this remarkable aircraft, and it was parked up on the naval airstation in the corner of a storage yard, chocked up on wooden blocks to keep the wheels off the groundand initially coated in an anti corrosion film. The years and weather however were very unkind to the aircraft, as it had been battered by storms and salt water, leaving it in a very sorry state. The aircraft still sits there all these year on, awaiting its fate, it will either go to the smelters, or be sold off to a museum or collector.








Cheers,
Chris.

[NARSES2]

Great work Chris

[Weaver]

Oh I like that - well done!

[Army of One]

Chris.....I would have to say that that is one of your best builds.....the weathered finish on it is superb....the engine change,cowling n props are awesome....!!! Very well done mate...very well done indeed....!!!

[pyro-manic]

That is fantastic! You really, really need to do a diorama (or just a little base) to set off that brilliant paintwork. Just a bit of worn concrete with weeds growing through the cracks and some random detritus sitting around.

[rickshaw]

Interesting.  What was the long, long nose for?

[Vulcan7]

wow great job  especially the paint work, colour & weathering 
(thats a radar nose isn't it?)

[chrisonord]

Cheers for the comments guys, yes indeed the nose is a search water radar, I had also made it a search lightbuilt into a drop tank but forgot to put it on as it had fallen down the back of my bench. The kit is the 1/72nd scale Revell one, and went to gether pretty well considering the sprues were not numbered  I have been considering a diorama, and have got as far as making it some rotten wooden blocks for it to sit on.
Cheers,
Chris.

[TallEng]

I like that a lot especially that weathering, you really can see it bleached by the sun and abandoned in corner somewhere.

regards
keith

[sequoiaranger]

>...it will either go to the smelters, or be sold off to a museum or collector.<

"Hoof Hearted, I Smelted"---say that OUT LOUD a couple of times, especially if there is anyone in earshot!! 

Nice work c-o'nord. 

[Army of One]

Chris......the cracked concrete n weeds idea is great...!!!! A square base with a fence around two sides.....set it of a treat......ya gotta do it......if ya do.....I'll start work again on my naval project you wanna see completed.....

[tigercat]

Very nice Brilliant concept excellently executed.

[MilitaryAircraft101]

Ooh! My spidey-senses are tingling    Has this got a whiffies nomination yet? 

[Army of One]

Should have.......the model is great but the finish is awesome....!!!!