1/48 Belcher Bits –Tutor Done as a Tebuan CL-41G

Gallery Article by Brian "Mr B" Param on Aug 31 2010

  Malaysia Independence Day 2010 

 


Introduction 
The Tebuan entered service with the RMAF in 1966, it flew with 2 flying squadrons namely 6 and 9 based at Kuantan Malaysia.  Malaysia was the only export user of the Tutor with a more powerful engine and 6 hardpoints for weapons.  It was also one of the few Malaysian aircraft which flew actual combat sorties against communist bandits in the seventies and eighties.  A fun aircraft to fly as described by its flyers and a history of around 20 years, it was finally retired from service in 1986.

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Kit
The Belcher Bits kit is a full resin kit and has captured the shape of the tutor well. However there are some parts which needs to be scratch built most notably the control stick and such.  I decided to add in some additional parts to make the cockpit more full as well as all the modifications as seen on the Tebuan including scratch built pylons..overall a pleasing build and I like the way it turned out.  Paint job was a custom mix to represent the colour of the actual bird. Decals were from the spare box as with of the Hobbycraft Tutor kit. 

This build was in conjunction with the local societies tribute to Malaysia around our independence period.  A special thanks to Mr Bud Bilko who assisted with a wealth of information from his personal collection.

Thank you to all, and MERDEKA !

Brian "Mr B" Param

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Photos and text © by Brian "Mr B" Param