New Argus fuselage - Update - 15 April 2012

As you can see, I'm making progress...but this stuff can warp one's mind. It's complex...so bear with me.

~Rob

Argus Mark 2 - 10742

Nice 'n' Grimy!

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

Did a little more work today. The master file is getting BIG. I created proper numerals and the Mark 2 radome. Accordingly, here is a draft rendition of 10732 as I saw her in 1979 in my hometown of Summerside PEI. This aircraft served with VP415 from about 1961 thru to 1981 and is a CP-107, Mark 2. The key spotting feature of the Mark 2 Argus is the smaller chin radome housing the ASV-21 radar system. Aircraft serials in the 10723 thru 10742 series were all Mark 2 aircraft. The Mark 1 (depicted below) sported the larger chin radome to house the APS-20 radar. Those aircraft were numbered in the 10710 through 10722 series. More little details are now being added to the aircraft (various antennae, nose bubble details, bomb bay door lines, etc). Keep watching!

~Rob

Out of the Murk

The year was 1973 and 10725 is enroute home to Greenwood from Gibraltar...almost...there's a problem. NATO has been tracking the USSR's newest ASW Helicopter platform...and they've lost her in the fog! No trouble for VP404 and Argus 725! After locating the aircraft and completing a classic low photo pass, the Leningrad's crew has decided that Argus is too close for comfort. Leningrad is firing some Red flares to try to discourage the 404 Argus from performing the task at hand! This painting is about 4 feet wide and I really enjoyed making it. The art hangs in the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum at 14 Wing, Greenwood, Nova Scotia.

~Rob

Air Cadet Memories

It was a normal training night at CFB Summerside for 53 Sqn RC (Air)C. Yours truly joined Air Cadets for 2 reasons; to be closer to the Argus and, of course, the girls! But I digress...this image was a direct result of memories of one particular night when and the constant (and welcome) interruptions by the fighting Four Hundred and Fifteenth. Cpl Daryl Churchill finally threw in the towel and dismissed the class so we could go outside to watch the Argus doing her touch and go's (it was the right thing to, Daryl). I still remember the flames shooting over the wings as she split our eardrums time and time again rolling down Rwy24 in wet power! Hope you like it.

~ Rob

Greenwood Gets a Wake-up Call!

It's some time in the early 1960's (note the ensign on the tail of 20722) and the good ol' boys from VP415 are at it again! This time they've just done a touch-and-go on Rwy 08 in Greenwood and are heading home for some well deserved rest after an Atlantic patrol. The gear sequencing isn't that bad...yet...as the Main bogies are (almost) in sync!

~Rob

Joining the Pattern

OK, so this one is back lit too, but not TOO bad! CP-107 Argus Mark 1, T/N 10710 shares the pattern with another Argus on Rwy 26 in Greenwood, Nova Scotia. It's about suppertime and the sun is heading West as 710's crew enjoys some nice clear Blue skies, now that the storm has passed. Do you like the Blues and Greens in this one? How about the sun glint light off the cockpit area? This painting went to Kathy Leblanc's father for Christmas a few years back. She tole me he insisted on opening this gift first! He put all other gift unwrapping on hold until he went to his workshop, got his tools out and hung the painting on the wall! Now THAT's another Argus lover if you ask me! LOL.

~Rob