Ricardo Horta

That's what I thought. I'm sticking to a P-3B here Ricardo

Well, the issue here is that now I have two pieces of information that say different things. Could it be that the Roald Amundsen P-3 did not have sonobuoy launchers but other P-3s did? Anyway, I have already filled all the holes, but there is no problem in opening some again. In fact, I could make them better, since the launchers are "obliquous" as we can perfectly see on the photo. The problem here is: which holes should I open (if any)? Ricardo

Yes, it's part number 2 on grid D (the clear parts grid). I think... Hope it is... I drilled the hole... not a very good drilled hole, though... Ricardo

Ok, that means I need the window for a 1985 configuration. Did you see the photo I posted? Is that what I need to open? Ricardo

Great photos!!! The references I have (on page 1 of this thread) are for the aircraft no 600 "Roald Amundsen". I sure wouldn't like to drill the dia optic window, but if I don't drill it I might end with a not so accurate P-3B. Ricardo

New questions The model has a "not hollowed hole" on the left side of the fuselage just behind the cockpit. Is this the dia optic window opening? I will fill all the sonobuoy holes on part C1 and make a bigger air exhaust vent now. Ricardo

They look correct in size? Don't tell me that after scanning the sheet and reducing it to a size that should different from the original I ended up with the real size Anyway, the rounds seem to be perfect in register and the artwork looks good as well. As for the aircraft name, maybe there is some font available that is approximately what we need. I'll try to print decals on my inkjet printer. I have never tried it so I don't know if the results will be good. As for my question about the sonobuoy holes... can someone help? Ricardo

Here it is. I reduced the size and the resolution to protect Mike's work. I hope he doesn't mind me putting his sheet here. Ricardo

Okay, good news. Mike Grant of Mike Grant Decals sent me a sheet of RNoAF roundels in several sizes... I didn't ask for anything. He just sent it to me, completely free after sending me a PM on the ARC forum. All I can say is WOW! Now, I have been told that I shouldn't fill all sonobuoy launch "holes". I had the filler and the part on my hand, almost ready to start, but now it's on hold... Ricardo

I'll take this photo as a basis. It's from a P-3C, but I assume that they didn't change the size of the hole. It's not much bigger, but it's an easy thing to do, so I'll enlarge it just a little bit. Thanks for the reply. BTW, is the dia optic window behind the cockpit on the left side a real window? It looks like a circle painted black on the photos. Ricardo

Here's a photo of part C1 on the Revell/Hasegawa 1/72 P-3C. On this part, which hole is the cabin air exhaust one? Is it the hole on the top left corner of the part? Ricardo

Yes, but I thought that your P-3, in case of war with the Warsaw Pact, would fire some Harpoons at incoming Soviet LPD's since I'm sure the soviets would try to invade Norway and take over the airbases, ports, etc. I know about the Penguins, but I really thought the RNoAF used the Harpoon on the P-3B. My mistake, but a clean aircraft will look impressive. The great fun here will be modifying the Hasegawa/Revell kit Ricardo

Okay, so for the RNoAF the P-3 was just a surveillance platform rather than a surveillance/attack, then? Ricardo

Okay, then. I was under the impression that the RNoAF P-3B could carry the Harpoon. My bad and too bad. It would look very cool. Ricardo

Hey, Jens, THANKS! I don't have the kit here with me, so I'm confused about somethings, but I probably know what you mean once I look at the parts. Nevertheless, I can now start at least by filling the windows and the sonobuoy launcher holes. Okay... so the Harpoons would be carried on the outer pylons and not under the fuselage, right? I'll post some photos if I have doubts Thanks again, Ricardo

I'm back from my mini vacations. So far I started the F-16, but something on the Revell kit are bugging me. First it's the yellowish canopy. Second it's the shape of the canopy. Third, but this is probably my mistake, the seat doesn't fit well on the cockpit. Luckily I tried before gluing the fuselages. Usually the seat is the last thing I put on a kit. If I did that, I'm sure I'd unglue the cockpit from the fuselage top. I took the P-3 with me but I simply let it stay. I'm waiting for that article Thanks for all the help guys. Ricardo

Thanks for the photos Kyrre. I bought both the F-16A and P-3C yesterday in Lisbon. The P-3C is, as expected, the old Hasegawa kit. Only game in town for a 1/72nd P-3, so we have to live with some of the shorcomings, such as no gear bay details... actually, no gear bay. Maybe with the reissue of the kit some aftermarket company will make parts for it. Probably after I finish the P-3. So far it seems that it's possible to make a P-3B out of a P-3C without having to buy 3 kits and saw parts from one, to put on the other. That's a good start. Second, it seems that the major issues can be resolved just by filling panels and windows (the two smaller ones on the back, starboard side). Now there are minor issues, such as antennae that I'll have to check to make sure I put the correct ones on the correct position. Finally, decals: Superscale has some (72-435) that I'll have to get somewhere. I have only checked local stores and they don't have any left. That IPMS article would be great, especially if it's in English Well, I'm going on mini vacations today, but I'll try to check the forum on the library where I'm going: Cuba, in the south of Portugal, 20 Km away from Beja (those who attended the 2002 Tiger Meet know where it is and how HOT it is). That's also the place where historians are now saying that Cristopher Columbus was born, and that his name was not even Columbus, but that's another story, eheh. Thanks for all the help. Ricardo

Hi guys! Sorry for writing in English, but I am Portuguese and I can't speak Norwegian. At ARC, one of your members, Kyrre, suggested I post some questions here about your P-3B. I would like to build one P-3B with a 1985 configuration (Cold War freak, here). However, the only kit available in 1/72, is the Hasegawa/Revell P-3C Update II/III. What do I need to backdate it to one of your P-3B? It's very hard to find photos of that time, so all help will be great. So far, the only thing I was told was to fil the sonobuoys launchers and leave one open (which one?) Also, I was told the windows are different, but I compared photos of the P-3B and P-3C and didn't see any difference. What else? Thanks in advance, Ricardo