ARDU C-47 Dakota
Project Ingara

Red Roo Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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In 1992, a long-serving RAAF C-47 Dakota was fitted with a synthetic sideways looking radar developed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation's Project Ingara. The radar unit was housed in a streamlined radome mounted on the lower fuselage. The electronics were mounted inside the fuselage and operated by a crew of three.

The radar was capable of producing high resolution ground mapping images at long range.

Exceptional results were achieved after 75 hours of flight testing, and the radome was eventually removed from the aircraft before it was retired and sent to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra.

Red Roo Models continues its commitment to unique Australian aviation with its 1/72 scale C-47 Project Ingara conversion, designed to fit either the new Airfix or older Italeri C-47 kits

The conversion comprises four parts in grey resin; one small photo-etched fret; V-shaped wire; small sheet of plastic card; full sized decal sheet with markings for one aircraft.

This is a very simple conversion that does not require any surgery to the donor kit beyond drilling a few holes.

The resin parts are well cast including metal pin reinforcement for the blade antenna. The cast brass pitot is very nice too.

The instructions are a highlight. Eight pages cover the history of Project Ingara, reference photos, construction diagrams plus colours and markings.

The decals look great, with ARDU markings for the single Project Ingara aircraft. All national markings and stencils are included. The decals were designed by Peter Mahoney of Hawkeye Models.

This is a simple and high quality conversion that will deliver a unique finish to your Italeri or new Airfix 1/72 scale C-47 Dakota kit.

Although the instructions suggest that this set will be suitable for intermediate and advanced modellers, in reality I think anyone who can build the Airfix kit will easily be able to handle this conversion.

Recommended.

Thanks to Red Roo Models for the sample

Review Text & Images Copyright © 2015 by Brett Green
Page Created 26 May, 2015
Last updated 26 May, 2015

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