C-46 Commando
Comments
69 16 September 2025, 04:34
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorIn my opinion, Valom's C-46 is a typical kit from this manufacturer in the best sense of the word: an interesting choice of model, reasonably accurate dimensions in plastic, but a lot of cleaning up to do and assembly instructions that require a lot of initiative on the part of the builder. The two-piece cockpit canopy will be exciting... let's see how I get on with that!
16 September 2025, 04:39
SkyhikerThat canopy definitely looks intimidating. I think I would have tried putting it together before the fuselage in case it is wider than the body. I'm sure you will master it with ease though. Interesting kit.
16 September 2025, 05:43
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorThank you for your encouragement and trust, Skyhiker! I have now installed the second cockpit section—I actually had to use quite a few tricks to keep the gap that was forming towards the bow reasonably small. I will show pictures of it soon—phew!
16 September 2025, 12:43
Transall NGHope you found the right way to assemble this two parts canopy ! It is not better with Williams Bros's kit...
@+
16 September 2025, 19:26
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorMates, here you can see the current state of construction of the C-46: I have filled, re-engraved and pre-shaded everything so far that the two surface colours can be applied in thin layers. Installing the second half of the cockpit glazing was tricky and led to a lot of filling and sanding, but on the other hand, the components are remarkably crystal clear, so if the masking worked, it was worth it!
2 October 2025, 07:25
BozoHello Roland
Wow, keep the pressure with this hard kit. It looks fine so far.
2 October 2025, 07:32
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorA few new pictures of the C-46. A construction that invites further detailing and, above all, further research: the building instructions are very vague and leave a lot to be desired. For example, the Astro glass dome on the back of the fuselage is included as a component, but is neither mentioned in the building instructions nor intended as an opening in the fuselage – and there are several other oddities like this. On the other hand, this is also part of the fun, as the intensive examination allows you to grow together with the model 🙂
7 October 2025, 16:02
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorThank you for your comment, I look forward to showing you some new pictures soon!
1 8 October 2025, 13:34
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorNow the Commando has achieved the colour scheme that it will also have as a finished model. A few minor touch-ups are still needed, but the really big job is positioning and drilling the astro dome (along with a whole bunch of antenna mounts). I'm not really happy with Valom's approach... but luckily there are lots of reference photos of this impressive aircraft, so it'll work out somehow 🙂
1 12 October 2025, 17:19
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorCompletion is near, here too. The photos show alarmingly where improvements still need to be made. I don't like to say it, but with hindsight: in the end, this kit showed that it can also cause difficulties. This applies above all to the assembly of the engine nacelles, which was really challenging: zero accuracy of fit. By the way, good building instructions would also have been helpful.
2 22 October 2025, 14:16
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorThanks, mates!
I'd like to show you a few pictures of the finished C-46 Commando. The kit is quite challenging and requires above-average ambition and research into the original aircraft. Questions about what exactly looks like what actually apply to all areas, such as the design of the landing gear, the shape of the antenna system, the engine equipment, etc. The kit instructions are far too vague and approximate in this regard. The cockpit glazing, which is divided into two parts lengthwise, is a real challenge – but I have already mentioned that and a few other things.
All in all, I am very happy and also a little proud to have pulled this 'whale' ashore 🙂
2 27 October 2025, 09:54
Robert PodkońskiRoland is so productive that I did not remember if I praised this model... Fantastic job on this difficult kit!
1 27 October 2025, 17:02
CuajeteI agree with Ronan and Robert 👍
Roland, you are an expert in big and hard kits 💪🏻.
Very nice final pics. Awesome job one more time!
27 October 2025, 18:54
SkyhikerLove it when a difficult kit comes together successfully. Your work is top notch as we have learned to expect. Congratulations. My only question is where do you keep your ever growing collection of flying treasures? You must have quite a few by now.
27 October 2025, 19:12
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorThank you very much for your encouraging words and your motivating interest! I am delighted!
Skyhker, Ithink you are right – this C-46, for example, will go to the gentleman who ordered this beautiful item – a good solution for the issue you mentioned. 🙂
28 October 2025, 16:55
TimmieGreat result. I can imagine the gent would be very content recieving such beauty
4 November 2025, 15:27
Roland Sachsenhofer AuthorThank you! Indeed, he seemed quite pleased 🙂 Thank you for your words!
4 November 2025, 15:30
