1/72 Heller-Lodela T6G Texan

by Fernando I. Moreno Villa

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I’m happy to present my first submission to ARC.  

I love to represent military aircraft used in the Cold War period conflicts related with counterinsurgency, independency movements or wars between developing countries.  My building speed is very slow, but I’m happy to be back again in this wonderful hobby.  This is my second 1/72 airplane in this year, but I don’t have the pictures of the first yet, so I present this one in advance…  

This time I chose the venerable T6G Texan in service with the E.A.L.A. (Escadrilles d'Aviation Légères d'Appui) that served with France in North Africa.  These veteran trainers saw intensive action in Algeria during the independence fight that lasted from 1954 to 1962. 

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

THE KIT

Lodela used to be a successful Mexican manufacturer of plastic model kits, using molds from Revell, Heller and others.  This one was molded in yellow plastic, had raised but fine panel lines and although it has few details, it was easy and fun to build.  No aftermarket items.  I only added seatbelts made with masking tape and aluminum foil, the original tires were finely marked with my cutting knife to make them a little bit more realistic and finally, I added some fine cooper wire for the motor.  

PAINTING

As a trainer, the E.A.L.A. Texans were left in their original Insignia Yellow overall color, with flat black antiglare and walking panels.  The rudder was painted with Flat White, Italian Red and a mix of White + Insignia Blue to get the right tone of the French flag.  All Model Master acrylics were diluted with alcohol.  

DECALS

I used those included with the kit.  The small sheet offered two versions: The French E.A.L.A. and the Presidential Guard from Gabon.  The latter showed a very rude set, so I preferred the French version.  Decals were really fragile and even handling them with extreme care, the “shark mouth” decal broke entirely, forcing me to paint it with a fine artist brush.  There was no decal for the rudder, so it was also painted with my airbrush.  

WEATHERING

After the coat of Future, the plane received an oil wash with Dark Umber and Yellow to highlight the effects of the environment in Argelia.  At the end, some Tamiya pastels and a coat of Flat Clear.  

CONCLUSION

Another nice kit to acquire modeling skills, and also an opportunity to show something different!  Thank you all and regards from Monterrey, México.  

Fernando

Photos and text © by Fernando I. Moreno Villa