The AT-33 was used by
the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) as a trainer and in the ground attack role.
This plane was in service as patrol up to 1995 at Cenepa´s war.
I got lucky when I
found the Hobbycraft #1547, AT-33 COIN bird in 1/48 scale that
now is discontinued.
When a friend told
me of the existance of a 1/48 AT-33 in Ecuadorian version, I started to look for one on
ebay. To my surprise, one day it was for sale a few minutes before to my
auction. It got shark´s mouth decals and markings.
KIT
This kit has good
exterior details, but the cockpit was replaced with resin and photo etched
parts from Verlinden. Just I didn´t use details or the nose in order
to show the shark´s face
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images below to see larger images
PAINTING
Ecuadorian AT-33 version used the same Vietnam era camouflage colors seen on
American aircraft. I used Humbrol 116, 117, 119 upside
and 28 underside. All them were lightened with white for the scale factor.
DECALS
But, when I compare photos about this jet with decals, I found it
was not exactly accurate to the real jets and aftermarket markings aren't
available for the aircraft I wanted to build.
So, I decided to make my custom decals. I used as reference 1/72
AT-33 decals by Andean Decals (Francisco Bonilla). I made a Xerox copy of
the decal sheet and then I drew the shark´s mouth, eyes and nutgalls,
Ecuadorian flags on AutoCad. When I fixed the correct size for 1/48 scale, It
was printed on white waterslide decal paper and finally I sealed with the
decals with Microscale Liquid Decal Film. It's amazing, "it's works". Roundels,
number and letters were used from the original decals in the box
Of course, first I applied Future coat before and after the decals.
WEATHERING
To get a matT finishing, I always used acrylic matt varnish from
Pebeo. For panels lines, Tamiya´s powders for finishing.
I would like to
thank to Alfredo Jurado, Galo Perez, Cristian Villacreses, Juan Montesinos and
all IPMS Guayaquil´s team for their support with references on this
project.
Enjoy 1/48 AT-33,
FAE 500
Regards from Ecuador
Javier Johnson
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images below to see larger images
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