1:72 HC-123B

A high-wing machine with a ramp that could land almost anywhere

The Fairchild C-123 Provider grew out of a project for a cargo glider, and that is why it has an honestly thick wing and robust landing gear built for field strips. A pair of Pratt & Whitney radial engines gave it enough thrust for a short takeoff with a full load, and the hinged rear ramp allowed unloading without lifting equipment. The United States Coast Guard operated modified examples under the designation HC-123B: they received a search radar in a lengthened nose and equipment for long flights over water, because their task was to find survivors and drop rescue gear to them.

What the set solves

On this machine the cockpit glazing is divided into a row of flat and angled panes with fairly wide posts running between them. Cut film guarantees that all the posts come out the same, which on an angular shape is far more visible than on the rounded cockpits of fighters.

• self-adhesive masks shaped to 1:72 scale
• cut to the clear part of a particular kit
• meant for the outer surface
• the set does not cover the national markings

Recommendations for the work

Flat panes are easy to mask, but watch the corners: it is precisely there that the edge most often fails to be pressed down and paint bleeds. Go over every corner separately with a blunt wooden stick, then. Given the size of the fuselage it pays to paint in stages and to leave the masks applied until the last shade is finished. The package holds masking material only.