Skymaster R.1

[Devilfish]

In the late 60's the Royal Marines were called upon to contain several "situations" around the world.  It became clear that they could do with their own dedicated recon and observation platform, that could be flown from the smaller fleet carriers. A fixed wing aircraft was deemed the best solution, but the FAA objected to the RM having fixed wing, so they commandeered the order.  The new Cessna O-2 Skymaster, in use in Vietnam seemed to be a good choice, as it had speed, range, room for equipment and could carry weapons if required.  Four were purchased and sent to Marshalls of Cambridge for Navalisation.  This included adding an arrestor hook, beefing up the main undercarriage, and making the wings fold.

Initially flown in FAA Extra Dark Sea Grey and White, but later changed to all over EDSG, and then finally RM green, when they eventually took control of them in the late 70's



Kit is the ICM 1/48 O-2, which is a lovely little kit.  The only drawbacks are the fact that you need to somehow fit 10g of weight in the tiny nose. Even Liquid Gravity was a challenge!  The other in the main U/C legs are very week and splay out when the weight of the kit is applied.  I got around this by fitting extra strengthening, but if I do another, I'll buy the metal undercarriage.

20220217_210713 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20220217_210728 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20220217_210725 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20220217_210804 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20220217_210735 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20220217_210754 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[McColm]

Great work 

[crudebuteffective]

when i saw skymaster R1

I expected to see a large recon platform (airliner size etc)

what a  surprise

nice work

[Dizzyfugu]

Pretty! Well done.

[Pellson]

Awesome idea! And really well executed! 

[Old Wombat]

 

[NARSES2]

Awesome idea! And really well executed! 

Agreed 

[Rheged]

Awesome idea! And really well executed! 

Agreed 

I concur with the honourable gentlemen's  verdict!

[stevehed]

Nice. Always liked this type. Memories going but did Airfix do a 1/72 version. Might have been one of my brother's builds.

[NARSES2]

Nice. Always liked this type. Memories going but did Airfix do a 1/72 version. Might have been one of my brother's builds.

Yes they did and it's old enough to have appeared in plastic bag style packaging as well as a box 

[Rheged]

Nice. Always liked this type. Memories going but did Airfix do a 1/72 version. Might have been one of my brother's builds.

Yes they did and it's old enough to have appeared in plastic bag style packaging as well as a box 

Didn't this once appear as a Dogfight Double Airfix kit with a Mig 21?.........or has my memory lapsed AGAIN?

[NARSES2]

Nice. Always liked this type. Memories going but did Airfix do a 1/72 version. Might have been one of my brother's builds.

Yes they did and it's old enough to have appeared in plastic bag style packaging as well as a box 

Didn't this once appear as a Dogfight Double Airfix kit with a Mig 21?.........or has my memory lapsed AGAIN?

Well if your memory has mine's joined it.  Yes it did

[PR19_Kit]

A cracking job you've made of that, and with a very plausible backstory too. 

That's JUST what the RN would have done too!

[Wardukw]

Not bargging but ive been in a Skymaster but didnt look anything like this one and my rules apply..its got 2 engines and i like anything with 2 engines and this is worth liking..beautiful build for such a small model..i like this alot 

[KiwiZac]

What an inspired idea, lovely work! Now dreaming about one in AAC camo...