This was my oldest 'stalled' project--or 'shelf queen'--having been started in 2014, assembled to about 90% completion (including canopy on, masked and primed)...then stopped for reasons I can't begin to remember.
The inspiration dates back to a color photo of the same a/c in the late lamented World Air Power Journal, published shortly after the conclusion of the Gulf War. VAQ-137 'Rooks' were part of CVW-1 flying from USS America (CV-66) during Desert Storm, the only EA-6B squadron to operate from both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. In addition to regular ECM missions, the squadron's aircraft fired 30 AGM-88 HARM missiles in support of Coalition Forces. #622 was credited with 7 of those launches.
Super Scale did a sheet of three Desert Storm Prowlers in 1/72 scale shortly thereafter, and fortunately this aircraft was one of those covered.
After breaking out the kit several weeks ago and getting going again, the project was pretty smooth sailing. Various mixes of Tamiya acrylics did nicely for the patchy/weathered and spot-repainted look common to USN aircraft in the 'all gray' modern era. The Super Scale decals were slightly over-large in places, but for being close to twenty years old, went on like a dream with not a single crack, split or dissolve. (Whew!)
Only aftermarket used was the Super Bug resin cockpit (which was gorgeous and easy to use, with probably the best-cast seats I've ever seen) and a pair of HARMs from the old Italeri US/NATO ordnance set (w/scratch-built launch rails).
My only real difficulty arose after removing the ancient masking, which had ever-so-slightly etched the clear surfaces in spots to a fine haze, and left rough and crackly frame lines. (I know, I know...I actually do know better than to leave it on for so long!) A little judicious buffing and some Future took care of the haze. As to the frames...fortunately one of my 'old dog' tricks--learned the hard way through the years--is to spray up some decal stock in the various colors I use, against this very possibility. I managed to cut strips and restore the frames to something close to decent without too much trauma.
The canopy actually has a slight copper/smoke tint applied, though it doesn't show up that well in the finished shots. Photos of the original a/c depicted show the 'real' tint to be fairly inconspicuous, just appearing to darken the canopies a bit. I followed that pattern, not wanting to obscure the lovely interior, since she was to be finished and displayed as 'buttoned up.'
Last note: I must have scavenged the kit's drop tanks for some other project, at some point. The loadout depicted should have a fuel tank on the port inboard pylon; until I can find a replacement, I added an extra ALQ-99 pod on that station, just to 'fill it out' for the pics.
Enjoy!
