Fine Molds Curtiss FR3C-3 floatplane fighter.

CSMO · December 11, 2013, 05:44:04 AM

This is the real world racer converted to fighter for the "Porco Rosso' anime movie. Construction of this model is totally OOB.

The U.S. Navy flew Curtiss F6Cs on floats during the late '20s and early '30s. I didn't like the colors and markings of the kit's movie plane, so I went to the classic Yellow Wings theme. I raided the scrap-box for markings to make the Squadron Commander's machine from Fighting Squadron Two(VF-2).

The real aircraft had airfoil radiators on the wings. The kit replaced these with a pylon mounted unit under the nose. The Curtiss D-12 motor had the open stacks replaced with modern paired exhausts. Two podded machine guns were mounted on the fuselage sides firing through the propeller arc.

The paint is hand-brushed Testors Silver, Model Master Deep Yellow, Tamiya Gloss Red, Xtracolor Willow Green, and Testors Gloss Black to represent the anti-fouling paint on the float bottoms.

I am very happy with the results, as it looks right at home with my collection of classic Yellow Wings aircraft.

Adios, Larry.

Dizzyfugu · December 11, 2013, 07:00:16 AM

Ah, nice. I have been pondering with "doing something" with those Porco Rosso kits - yours is great, well done!

NARSES2 · December 11, 2013, 07:24:05 AM

That's come out really, really well

Love that period colour scheme

Captain Canada · December 11, 2013, 09:01:07 AM

Nice work ! The mods look great, I especially like the radiator positioned like that.

nighthunter · December 11, 2013, 04:59:38 PM

You have inspired me, good sir, to do it in paint.

Army of One · December 13, 2013, 01:42:25 PM

What a great little kit/build.......

Green Dragon · December 13, 2013, 03:41:07 PM

Great looking scheme Larry on a great looking plane too. Wish they weren't so expensive here in the UK or I'd get the lot.

Paul Harrison

zenrat · December 14, 2013, 04:28:00 AM

Sweet. Porco Rosso is my favourite Studio Gibli (sp?) film.
I've been dropping heavy hints to Mrs z about these kits in the run up to xmas but she thinks I have enough unbuilt kits already...

How did it go together? Any issues?

CSMO · December 14, 2013, 05:04:50 AM

Quote from: zenrat on December 14, 2013, 04:28:00 AM
Sweet. Porco Rosso is my favourite Studio Gibli (sp?) film.
I've been dropping heavy hints to Mrs z about these kits in the run up to xmas but she thinks I have enough unbuilt kits already...

How did it go together? Any issues?

The little guy clicked together, no filler at all. Adios, Larry.

nighthunter · December 15, 2013, 09:34:55 AM

Here's my version:

Green Dragon · December 16, 2013, 06:49:38 PM

This is what I did with the Testors kit in 2010, had to alter it coz there was a float missing!

Paul Harrison

Captain Canada · December 16, 2013, 08:32:31 PM

I love the look of the center float....looks way faster !

zenrat · December 16, 2013, 10:55:06 PM

Quote from: CSMO on December 14, 2013, 05:04:50 AM
Quote from: zenrat on December 14, 2013, 04:28:00 AM
Sweet. Porco Rosso is my favourite Studio Gibli (sp?) film.
I've been dropping heavy hints to Mrs z about these kits in the run up to xmas but she thinks I have enough unbuilt kits already...

How did it go together? Any issues?

The little guy clicked together, no filler at all. Adios, Larry.

Thanks Larry.