Pawel
But how about that A-5 X-rated nickname?
I'm not 100% positive, but I believe it's related to how the A-5 delivered ordinance:
If you think about how a 4-legged mammal deficates, it shouldn't take much of a stretch to think of the nicknames a sailor might apply to this aircraft. BTW, the system was not very accurate, thus not repeated in other designs.
Pawel
NARF Alameda is exactly where the EKA-3Bs were converted from A-3s
NARF Alameda did a lot of the modifications to the A-3 fleet. They were the "Designated Overhaul Point" for the A-3, the engineering and logistics "cogninzant field activity" and "weapon system manger" office for the aircraft.
Pawel
As for the front landing wheel - I meant the retraction mechanism. Maybe this photo will show it better:
I found this thread on another board with good "walk around" including many NLG details. I'll let you be your own judge, but I think there's no doubt your model definately has the "look and feel" of a finely crafted model.
If I neglected to say so earlier, well done, or in Navy palance, "Bravo Zulu!"
I've always wanted a model of an A-3, and here you've gone and made it so very, very tempting to do one of my own.
The last A-3 SDLM (Standard Depot Level Maintenance) done was a VQ-2 EA-3B performed "in-theater" at Messerschmitt just outside of München. It took over 25,000 man-hours and just over a year to complete. It looked like it came off the Douglas assembly line, in typical German fashion, perfect in every detail. Messerschmitt was proud of the effort - they spared no expense restoring the old girl, regardless of the Navy's miserly ways. I'm sure they took a huge loss on the project. I just wish I knew the BuNo of her. :-)