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Ilan Papini, the maker of the great Vehicle Simulator ( http://www.hangsim.com/vsf/ ) had the idea to make the new program, the Fire Flight, which is a very accurate and engaging flight simulator focused upon aerial fire fighting missions. It has - like the Vehicle Simulator - very realistic physics and can be found here: http://www.hangsim.com/fire-flight/index.php I support Ilan in making the flight models for his fascinating programs since many years now, and during this time, a good friendship grew up. So I enjoyed very much
being involved as a volunteer in the Fire Flight, which honours also the work of the pilots and firefighters.
One of the planes in the Fire Flight is the CL-215, a very beautiful and well known aircraft, as I find. Inspired by the simulator I wanted to have a model of the CL-215. So I bought the very well detailled kit from Amodel in 1:144. It includes also all parts for the CL-415 (turbo prop, offered as an separate kit), photo etched parts and excellent decals for two CL-215 paintings. I was surprised how lovely detailled the cockpit is. I wanted to show my model during take off from water, so I added two figures from Preiser (1:160). Further I cut off the flaps and attached them in take off position. The control surfaces of the elevator were also cut off from the horizontal stabilizor and fitted in a slightly pulled up position. The parts are fitting very well. Some sink marks need to be filled up with putty.
I painted the model with brush. After attaching the decals I sprayed clear, silk varnish over it. The spashy water I made out of transparent resin. Therefore I made a simple mould which I filled with the resin. Finally I had to paint it with white, because it looked not realistic as a transparent part. I enjoyed it very much making a model reminding me on the cool Simulator Ilan created and connecting two hobbies! Thomas Brückelt
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Photos and text © by Thomas Brückelt