Bryan Austin
New Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2023
- Messages
- 21
The Cessna model 321, military O-1C, changed to OE-2 (Marines) in 1962. Large square tail surfaces, different back window, greater H.P. engine, constant speed prop and 8:00 tires. The model 321 had a different rear window than the earlier Cessna model 305, O-1 Bird Dog (changed to OE-1 in 1962). I decided not to mess with this modification on such a small scale.....butterfingers!!!
As post in the Cessna 170 build topic, I was posting my progress over on my introductory page but figured it would be best to start a Cessna OE-2 Bird Dog II titled thread here.
Recently I purchased an Airfix OE-1 Bird Dog kit. I took the tail feathers off the kit and used them on the Cessna 170 custom build. I took the tail surfaces from the Cessna 180/185 kit, and used them for this modification.
I'll start a new thread on the OE-2 project later.......
Kits used for these projects...
The below photo shows the parts swap.
Top tan fuselage is the 1/72 scale Airfix OE-1 Bird Dog.
Bottom grey fuselage is the 1/72 scale Kovozavody Cessna 180/185 Skywagon kit
Parts Swap
I swaped the tail surfaces from each kit...
The OE-2 will be build using the square tail
The 180 will be converted to the 170 with the round tail....posted in another topic.
For the OE-2 build, I had to add a tail cone to the tail. The photo shows the cone cut off the "170 Build" but it did not work, was too short. I had to make one from scrap sprue.
With the tail cone secured, it was time to add the horizontal surfaces. Slight change of plans. I have several 180/185 kits so I used spare verticals for the horizontal stabilizers. NOTE: the larger dorsal/vertical used for the vertical stabilizer on the model. The OE-2 was the first Cessna series to use the larger dorsal. The 180 used a smaller dorsal, which is what can be seen that I used to make the horizontal stabilizers. After the OE-2 was well in use, the larger dorsal was then used on the Cessna 185.
Flipped on it's back, I also decided to leave the firewall foreword as is...but I did fill in the gap for the exposed exhaust for the "smaller" engine. The Cessna 170 custom build (top fuselage) is awaiting further attention.
Waiting a few days for the ridiculously thin weak gear to dry, you can see the smaller rear window, I wish I could have modified correctly.
I was actually doing pretty good on a third build, stock 185 (180/185 kit option), when I goofed.....anyhow, here is a photo of the build that is slightly on hold till I get some more decals made Monday.
I am learning how to make my own decals, and how to apply them. I lost concentration and dropped the model and whiped out the gear. The N number was applied on backwards and when I was about to remove it, crash & burn.
More updates later........
As post in the Cessna 170 build topic, I was posting my progress over on my introductory page but figured it would be best to start a Cessna OE-2 Bird Dog II titled thread here.
Recently I purchased an Airfix OE-1 Bird Dog kit. I took the tail feathers off the kit and used them on the Cessna 170 custom build. I took the tail surfaces from the Cessna 180/185 kit, and used them for this modification.
I'll start a new thread on the OE-2 project later.......
Kits used for these projects...
The below photo shows the parts swap.
Top tan fuselage is the 1/72 scale Airfix OE-1 Bird Dog.
Bottom grey fuselage is the 1/72 scale Kovozavody Cessna 180/185 Skywagon kit
Parts Swap
I swaped the tail surfaces from each kit...
The OE-2 will be build using the square tail
The 180 will be converted to the 170 with the round tail....posted in another topic.
For the OE-2 build, I had to add a tail cone to the tail. The photo shows the cone cut off the "170 Build" but it did not work, was too short. I had to make one from scrap sprue.
With the tail cone secured, it was time to add the horizontal surfaces. Slight change of plans. I have several 180/185 kits so I used spare verticals for the horizontal stabilizers. NOTE: the larger dorsal/vertical used for the vertical stabilizer on the model. The OE-2 was the first Cessna series to use the larger dorsal. The 180 used a smaller dorsal, which is what can be seen that I used to make the horizontal stabilizers. After the OE-2 was well in use, the larger dorsal was then used on the Cessna 185.
Flipped on it's back, I also decided to leave the firewall foreword as is...but I did fill in the gap for the exposed exhaust for the "smaller" engine. The Cessna 170 custom build (top fuselage) is awaiting further attention.
Waiting a few days for the ridiculously thin weak gear to dry, you can see the smaller rear window, I wish I could have modified correctly.
I was actually doing pretty good on a third build, stock 185 (180/185 kit option), when I goofed.....anyhow, here is a photo of the build that is slightly on hold till I get some more decals made Monday.
I am learning how to make my own decals, and how to apply them. I lost concentration and dropped the model and whiped out the gear. The N number was applied on backwards and when I was about to remove it, crash & burn.
More updates later........
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