DHC-4A Caribou

Sprues 

Canopy masking - very faint canopy frames. Had to use a light tablet to see them. 

Cockpit components 

Cockpit test fit. Had to file down bulkhead to get fuselage halves to meet. 

Internal assembly 

painting internal and cockpit fittings 

Cockpit parts fitted. 

The clear parts did not fit. So instead of filing out all the windows I used Kristal Klear to make them, and later did the same with the wing light lens. The canopy was the only clear part in the kit that I used. 

Making window glass. 

Kristal Klear looks good when dry. 

Next I needed to add weight to the front to stop tail sitting. 

This seemed to be enough weight but I did not add the rears doors when checking so it sat on it's tail. If you build this kit, then fill the nose cone as well as the rear doors are solid hunks of plastic. 

You need to scratch build the seat legs as they are not included in the kit. I use 1mm brass rod. 

Test fit of a seat. 

Interior now ready for seats. 

Wing assembly 

Seats fitted. Not the best fit but they can't be readily seen once the fuselage is closed.  

Main assembly. 

Gap filling with Liquitex. It is water based an easy to clean up. 

Engines and cowls assembly. I lost a shaft hub so made a new on from styrene. The engines needed to be drilled out as the shaft did not fit in. 

Filling complete and time to install the photo etch components, The PE came with the kit. 

Window masking complete. I used a Cricut machine to cut the masking tape. Better then using scissors and a knife is out of the question on Kristal Klear windows. 

Primer. 

Some seams still visible so filled with Mr Surfacer 500 

Final gloss white coat. 

Wheels painted. 

Masking for black trim 

Trims done. 

Engine exhausts painted 

Engine cowls painted. 

Engines assemblies. Props rotate. 

Landing gear installed. 

Rear door fitted. Stopped the tail sitting. 

Decals laid down. Not the best decals but I had little issues. As usual, I cut the long thin decals into smaller sections before fitting. 

Decals all done and a coat of Revie It floor polish added to protect decals. 

Panel lines filled with Tamiya light gray. 

Finished!!!!