U-2A NACA COMPLETED

Donald Dickson II
Next up is the 1/48 U-2A from AFV Club in NACA markings. Plain silver. Not much to it. But different. This was the only pic I could find with those markings. And for your edification...

What, you may ask, is NACA???? It is the predecessor of NASA. NACA stands for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

Congress founded NACA on 3 March 1915, as an independent government agency reporting directly to the President. Its enacting legislation was attached as a rider to the Naval Appropriation Bill for that year. Unlike NASA, NACA began almost without anyone noticing. It started simply, with a chairman, Brigadier General George Scriven, chief of the Armyâs Signal Corps, a main committee of 12 members representing the government, military, and industry, an executive committee with 7 members, chosen from the main committee, and one employee, John F. Victory. Committee members were not paid and served only in an advisory capacity, meeting a few times a year to direct the aim of the new organization. Initially, the task of the committee was to coordinate efforts already underway across the nation. However, its mission and workforce soon grew to cover a greater role in aeronautics research in the U.S.

In 1958, NACA was absorbed into the newly formed NASA. All operations, research and much of NACAs personnel were taken over by NASA.

Hanno Kleinecke
NMF, U2, NACA - watching !

Donald Dickson II
So, I HAVE been working on this. I am NOT impressed at all. Now, I know I am not an expert modeler by any stretch, but I know I am NOT screwing up this badly. The fit is marginal at best. The design is questionable in some areas, such as the camera assembly. The landing gear doors are NOT meant to be closed. Not at all. Even though they show the option in the directions. Next one will be gears down. But I question that as the gear bays fit was bad as well. We will see. So a lot of filling with thick super glue and sanding.

Donald Dickson II
And it's black on top.

Michael Kohl
Count me in too

Donald Dickson II
OK, first bit of aluminum on on top. Got some seam work to do. Of course. *sigh*

Donald Dickson II
OK, I went back, stripped it down and re did the paint with steel Metalizer. Much better finish. Got the glare panels done and decals on. A LOT of carrier film, but as it is all within the walkway lines, and it didnt silver per se, it looks OK. It just dulled the reflection, which works. The decals arent great. They are thin and tear easily. Which is a problem for ones the size of the wing. That being said, with some patience, a lot of water, and some makeup removal pads to smooth stuff out, they settle in great with no setting solution. As a matter of fact, I would be scared to use anything on them for fear of a complete melt down.

Donald Dickson II
Oh, forgot. I got a very nice period correct pilot from Shapeways. Well, after chopping its lower legs off, and grinding the hell out of it to try to get it to fit, it is just too tall for this kit. *sigh*

John
Really nice finish. 👍 Silver/nmf and decals are always a crapshoot, yours look good!

Donald Dickson II
Thank you John. 🙂

She is all done. Flying but no pilot. LOL I am waiting for Flight Pose to have more stock so I can get some clean stands for display.

Alex K
👍 👍