NC-1A is a dedicated aircraft starter unit designed for service on carrier decks. Created on the frame of the Willys CJ-3A commercial 4x4 vehicle, NC-1A served on all U.S. Navy carriers throughout 1950s and 1960s.
Unlike their propeller-driven conterparts, the first jet aircraft required external electric power to start up their engines. Opting for mobile starter units, the US Navy first improvised by alloting this task to Willis MB Jeep already in service as flight deck tractors. However, the real life showed that even smaller and more agile vehicule was needed. Thus in the early 1950s, the MB was replaced with a specialized unit knwon as NC-1. Derivated from the Willy CJ-3A commercial model, the vehicule presented a compact platform housing an electrical generator and a starter. Being adequate for the task, NC-1 Starter units served on flight decks carriers such Essex, Midway et Forrestal classes until the late 1960s. This vehicle may accompany such aircraft as F9F Panther and Cougar, F2H Banshee; FJ-3 and -4 Fury; F7U Cutlass; F11F Tiger; S2F Tracker.
Very nice resin kit. Its building is easy. But it's very little and you need care on bending et glueing photoech (to glue the photoetch is always difficult for me...). And here comes the painting. After trying, the Yellow Gunze H329, he was not satisfied (too mustard...), unlike this paint was the perfect match for FS reference. After asking the conceptor of this kit (very friedly), I used the Prince August Air (Vellejo Air) 70002. And then, it was as good as I wanted. Decals are perfect and easy to put after a coat of brilliant varnish.
Last step was not very easy : building the cable of the starter. I built it from very thin cupper wire. Quite hard because cupper is not very easy to bend. After insulted all the world, I obtained what I wanted. And finally, the kit was over after a weathering it with a grey wash (Tamiya) and a last coat of matt varnish (Gunze).
ACCUEIL | ME CONTACTER | LIENS
