Academy model in 1/72 scale kit review and modelling report  

GUATAMALA
The Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca (FAG), the air force of this Central American country got approx 24 A-37 aircraft. 

The Academy model was first assembled as indicated on page 1. A base grey coat was air brushed, followed by  these Fed.Std colours acrylics for the wrap around scheme:
FS 34087 grey : Gunze Sangyo GU304
FS 36118 gunship grey: Gunze Sangyo GU305
Gear bays and inside of gear doors are white.

Decals came from the AZTEC decal set 72-017. The model depicts a A-37B with the ser.no 69-6401 as flown by Tte. Castaneda around 1991 of Escuadrón de Aviones de Ataque based at Guatamala city. The fuselage badge is a special one used for the A-37 and a toned down national insignia on the wing.

Ensure the model is gloss to prevent "silvering"e.g. air bubbles trapped below the decals. I used a Johnson Future/Pledge gloss acrylic. Some antennas were added made from painted fishing line.

No tank boom was fitted and the canopy set closed. Fuel filler caps were painted red. 

GUATAMALA  

Military Aviation started in Guatamala already in 1912 with biplanes of Bleriot and Nieuport. The built-up was with French aviators and flying schools established. The Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca was formally set in place in 1945 with many American aircraft used like the F-51, C-47 Dakota and from 1963 Lockheed T-33's. The F-51 Mustangs were flown until 1972. Of the Cessna A-37 some 24 were received in the 1980s and the type is the most capable aircraft type. Some Fokker F27 and IAI Arava's also operated with various small training aircraft like Cessna 180 and 170. The A-37 were retired with now the major attack aircraft being some 15 Pilatus PC-7. Various helicopters are the Bell UH-1, AB205, 212 and Eurocopter AS350. Main Base Aerea is La Aurora at Guatamala city. The status of the bases at Retalhuleu and Flores is unknown. 

  A-37B with the ser.no 69-6401 as flown by Tte. Castaneda around 1991 of Escuadrón de Aviones de Ataque

.......at Guatamala airport
 

HONDURAS
Some 6 A-37B aircraft were delivered in 1975 to this Central American country Air Force, the Fuerza Aerea Honduras (FAH).  In the 1970s, another 11 aircraft followed.  

The Academy model was first assembled rather straight out of the box. 

Decals from Albatross Model Works from Mexico set 72007 were used and these acrylic colours for the Fed.Std wrap around scheme:
FS 34102 green  : Gunze Sangyo GU303
FS 34079 green  : Gunze Sangyo GU309
FS 30219 tan      : Gunze Sangyo GU310

This model has the Honduras flag but no roundels. On the rear fuselage is a peculiar badge of 1 Grupo Tactico based at San Pedro Sula. No other insignia are carried probably. 

The canopy was set open, got some mirrors and the tank boom was fitted. 

HONDURAS
  

 

.....at Honduras San Pedro Sulas in the North West of the country
  

URUGUAY

The Academy model was first assembled rather straight out of the box. The canopy was set open and got a few mirrors details inside.
For the "wrap around" scheme I used these acrylic Fed.Std colours:
FS 36081 grey    : Gunze Sangyo GU301
FS 34079 green  : Gunze Sangyo GU309

Decals from Albatross Model Works from Mexico set 72007 were used. 

Here with windshield and tilted canopy.

Note the Spanish language stencils.

URUGUAY

[ area: 176,215 sq.km | 3,5 million inhabitants | capital: Montevideo | GDP USD 18,000 per capita nominal ]

Military aviation started in Uruguay in 1916 with a flying school at Paso de Mendoza with a Farman biplane. From Argentina Castaibert 913-IV monoplane was received made in Argentina by this French born aviator which looked like Moranes. A few extra 913-IV and 914-V monoplanes followed. A Schreck FBA flying boat was donated in 1917 and a Martinsyde F4 acquired for evaluation. In 1919 a few Avro 504K were acquired as well as Breguet XIV and 6 Nieuports Ni 83 trainers in 1922. From Italy in 1925 came a few Ansaldo A1, SVA5 and a SVA10. The first combat unit got SPAD XIII fighters. A local air service began operations with Latecoere 25 and long endurance flights endeavoured. Some additional aircraft were again Avro 504K an Breguets as well as De Havilland DH9, some 24 Nieuports 27 and Potez 25. After political revolts in the 1930s, some 10 WACO JHD biplanes were acquired as were IMAM Ro73 recce biplanes. In the Second World War a lend-lease agreement was set-up with the USA and in 1942 Curtis SMC-1, AT-6 Texans and Fairchild PT-19 trainers and a few other types were received. After the end of the War which surpassed Uruguay, PT-26 and a few C-47 transports arrived. From 1949 some 15 B-25 bombers arrived with in 1956 25 F-51D Mustangs. End 1953 the Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (FAU) became a separate force. Chipmunk trainers and extra AT-6 were acquired and the first Bell OH-13G helicopters. The first jets were in 1956 4 T-33 delivered as well as the first F-80 Shooting Stars. In 1976 some 8 A-37B aircraft were obtained and 8 OA-37B end eighties. More recent types were/are IA-58 Pucara's, Casa C212, T-34 and C-130. As of 2014 Escuadrón Aéreo N°2 Caza flies the A-37. From 2003 some 20 SF-260 trainers were acquired. The last Pucara went out of service March 2017. In 2024 plans to acquire 6 EMBRAER Super Tucano were discussed and the A-37 also needs replacement with just a few jets serviceable.
Four bases are located near the capital Montevideo and one at Durazno. 

[ The navy "Aviacion Naval Uruguaya" also flies few aircraft; in the past Jetstream , T-34 and helicopters such as Wessex . Currently types like Beech 200 from mainly the base at Laguna del Sauce ].  

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