The L-39 Albatross is an advanced trainer/light attack double-seat jet aircraft of Czech design that has seen service with over two dozen air forces and several of them are currently being used in the civilian market. Avant Garde Models (AMK) has recently released the first injection model of this significant aircraft trainer in 48th scale.

“Capali” and “Capeti” are special markings used by Hungarian L-39 at the 2004 Kecskemet Airshow. The names of the airplanes correspond to the Canadian TV show “Sharky and George”, however the airplanes camouflages do not match the colorful characters of the TV Show.

Capali sports a disruptive camouflage of green and sand over light blue, with a striking Hungarian flag in the tail, while Capeti is an overall aircraft grey. Both aircraft seem to have their camouflage “peeling off” and showing a shark nose, with teeth and eyes around the nose.

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The Aircraft

Hughes Aircraft originally developed the OH-6 series of helicopters. With corporate takeovers and sales, the MD 500 series is built in Mesa Arizona by MD Helicopters. The OH-6J was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan.

The original OH-6 was called the “Light Observation Helicopter”, which became “Loach”. The reason for the OH-6 was that in 1964 the US Army was ordered to turn all fixed wing aircraft over to the US Air Force. This meant the loss to the Army of the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. The Loach was used as a replacement, utilized for forward observation, artillery spotting and air support with rocket pods, TOW or Hellfire, and gun pods available.

The Revell Thames Panel Truck is a cool little kit. There’s some flash, thin hinges, and misalignment of parts, but it’s still a very cool kit.

Engine

The engine – maybe an Olds – is set up to be built as with fuel injection. Since I planned to build a street version, I wanted something more street capable so I put a dual quad setup on top.

Chassis

Not much to the chassis and it has several tiny little parts – especially on the front end. Most of the suspension pieces are chrome so the glue points need to be scraped to the bare plastic. Be careful – some of the parts are very small.

Interior

The minimal interior is terrific for a gas coupe but a street rod needs more comfort, so the kit seats went to the parts bin in favor of more comfortable Recaro bucket seats. Flocking was added as well as an aluminum steering column with turn signal lever. The kit butterfly steering wheel was replaced with a different unit.