Reworked items on a 407 Argus

Reworked the prop spinners to beef them up. Thanks to Geoff Bennett for the constructive feedback. I actually have a 407 spinner in my possession, so I thought I'd better take a closer look. Yup...Geoff was 100% correct. My spinners WERE "anorexic!" I took a photo of the real deal and traced over the image in Adobe. Looking OK? What do you think?

~Rob
rob_dot_a_atsymbol_airforceart_dot_com

10711 - Argus Mark 1 - 407 Demons!

Here's one for the West Coast Patrollers! 10711 sporting the snazzy 407 Demons winged trident. Like all the profiles, this one is custom made with very light weathering.

Rob

CP-107 Argus - Top View

For the interested...I now have items listed at www.ebay.ca ...
... just search for CP-107 Argus or Look for "Item number: 280388110970"

Here's my latest effort, complete with the obligatory Oily grime the CP-107 was world famous (infamous?) for all over the wings! Look about right?

Keep watching for (frequent?) updates.

BTW...In the interest of true accuracy, I really, really need a close-up shot of the VP415 Swordfish as it was painted on the tails of Summerside aircraft. Got a good clear photo of the tail? Can you help????

Printed out the ill-fated 20727 and MPEU 10728 profiles today for the first time. They're looking good to me.

***NOTE***
Made-to-Order profiles will be available for purchase very soon. Stay tuned.

~Rob

CP-107 Argus 10717 - 449 Squadron

Here's a rare bird indeed. It is a representation of 717 in 449 (Unicorn) Markings. This Squadron was responsible to train new CP-107 crews on the Argus from 1968 until about 1975(?). This unit's Heraldic Crest featured a Unicorn's head against a Forest Green circular background. The propeller spinners were painted dark green to match the Green in the Heraldic Crest. I believe that Mark2 Argus 10740 also had this marking scheme...but I'm not 100% sure. I have seen a photo of 717 painted this way.

Special thanks to Bill at CanMilAir decals for the Canadian Armed Forces Block lettering. BTW - If you have one of the 1/144 Welsh Models' Argus, CanMilAir decals has excellent decal sets to make your aircraft look it's very best!

~Rob

The one that started it all ... Argus 733

Click on the image for a larger version

I was about 5 when I remember seeing 20733 painted like this in the Summerside Journal-Pioneer newspaper advertising the Summerside Air Force day. I was HOOKED! Who wouldn't be? A lot of neat visual stuff is featured on this profile depicting 20733 in about 1964. It was still new...and so was I!

~Rob

CP-107 Argus - Front View - progress

Here's the latest on the front view. Not sure if I like the wing dihedral yet though...

~Rob

415 (MP) Sqn - Late RCAF Argus 719

Here's a bit of an oddball scheme. For the curious...yes...I do have a photo of this aircraft in this paint scheme. Circa 1967(?).

~Rob

Early RCAF CP-107 Argus 20725

Click on the image for a larger version

Here's what the old girl looked like when newly introduced into service with 405 (MP) "Eagle" Squadron at Royal Canadian Air Force Station Greenwood, Nova Scotia Canada. Bare metal overall with quad-reversing Red and White flash. This finish scheme also features the Canadian Ensign and White upper surfaces. Note that this aircraft did not receive the Red Search markings on the wings and horizontal Tail surfaces.

Late RCAF (20719) from 415 (MP) "Swordfish" Squadron, circa 1967 is next...this one looks strange, but I have a photo!

Per Ardua Ad Astra (Through adversity to the stars)

~Rob

Argus Update - New nose and more accurate details

Click on the photo for a larger image.

OK...if you're like me, the empty glass nose section has been bugging you. The above shot features the latest round of updates. We have the clear nose lookout position occupied by your favoride crew member! Check it out against the inset older nose for reference. Corrections have been made to all drawings.

I also just realized the fuselage flash was 33 degrees vice 30 degrees...that too is now corrected. The Routine Nav window has been moved slightly forward as well.

When I started this project, I knew it would be time consuming but I never realized just how much! In for a penny...in for a pound I guess 'cause I'm not turning back now! Damn the torpedoes!

Rob

Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit (MPEU)

Click on the image for a larger verison

Here's an example from MPEU. This unit was tasked to evaluate new systems proposed for the Argus.

Taken from a 1976 photo (courtesy William Burns of the EXCELLENT CanMilAir decals), this aircraft has had the Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) gear removed. Notice the tail stinger is absent on the aircraft. Also noteworthy is the temporary fairings on the 18 foot weapons bays and the MPEU symbol on the tail (an Arctic Tern).

I waited all YEAR as a young boy to see the Argus up close at the annual CFB Summerside Open House and Airshow. One year in particular found MPEU tasked to support the Open House with a Static bird. No tail stinger? I was shocked...but I got over it! LOL

~Rob

State-of-the-Art ASW Platform ... Canadair Argus!

Click the thumbnail for larger, albeit low res, image.

This is what the first Argus looked like for her initial flight in 1957 from Cartierville airport, Quebec. The aircraft sported VN unit code and the shorted-lived non-standard fuselage flash and fin flash. Looked good ... kinda like a shiny new nickel. Not done yet though so stay tuned.....yes...things are missing from this drawing....

~Rob

Front view starts!

In the beginning...there were circles.... 8^)

Rob

Another bloody Argus!!! 8^)

Here's a pair including a new rendition of 10736. This represents the interesting paint scheme differences 20 years apart (1961-1981). Both machines sporting the 415 Squadron livery of the day.

~Rob

RCAF Variant - VP415's first Argus - 20720

This is a pre-production sample of the first Argus delivered to 415 Squadron as photographed by Tom Gosling. Note the non-standard Maritime Air Command placement just below the cheat line (no, it's actually not a mistake). This example is early 1960's and is sporting the GP-12-b (Blue) Grey 1-2. Also need to find/make a correct Swordfish too. All in due course. This thing takes 30 seconds to open and save on my dual-core PC with 3Gb of RAM!

~Rob

Profile Drawing - Tail section detail

This shot gives you an idea of the detail I am adding at this time. The master TIFF file for this Argus drawing is more than 250 Mb ... and GROWING!!!

Rob

First printed poster!

Here's our first poster trial. This one is 18 x 24 inches and, IMHO, it turned our very well.

~Rob

How do I make these profile drawings????

So...people are wondering just how I do this. Well, it's not really rocket science, but it DOES take a LOT of time, research and patience (none of which I have these days). The image above tells all. It's a matter of:

1. taking several good quality photographs as far away from the subject as you can.
2. Inserting said photos into a high quality 2-D drafting program that supports layers and
3. Creating vector shapes over top of the photo. (see image above).

The trick is to know how to manipulate the photos to correct for perspective distortion and other abberations. Yes, there's some good ol' fashioned winging it as well, but that gets kept to a minimum.

I have simplified the process because a magician never shows ALL the secrets to his tricks but, really, that's it in a nutshell! Bottom Line: You must know as much as you can about the subject and you must be ready to redo bad work over...and over...and over....you get the idea.

~Rob