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1/48 Vietnam Scooter; 11/2 - Like the Mets... I'm done

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  • Member since
    March 2003
Posted by rangerj on Thursday, October 29, 2015 10:44 PM

WOW. You are doing a great old airplane justice. The A-4 has earned her place in history, like the B-52 and C-130. IIRC she went into production in 1954 or 53 and is still in use. The early version/proto-type had an empty weight of only 8000 pounds. For civilian aircraft the FAA considers an aircraft of 12000 pounds or less a "light" aircraft. In order for the A-4 (Es and Fs) to be upgraded with ECM equipment they had to remove the batteries and cut down the number of 20mm shells to 20 per gun. The aircraft had to have a ground unit start it. The Mike version of the aircraft has an APU and its exaust comes out the port side of the aircraft. A little known fact is that a Charlie version shot down a Mig in Viet Nam. The pilot used "kentucky windage" and fired a volly of HVARs from a rocket pack and hit a Mig 21. The other Mig turned and ran. It was a million to one shot, but it happened. I cannot recall the stats but IIRC the A-4 carried a significant percentage of the ordinance dropped on Viet Nam, and flew a large number of the sortees. She is a great old bird and you are doing her up in great fashion. Well done. 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Thursday, October 29, 2015 4:27 PM
I do like that.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Thursday, October 29, 2015 4:25 PM

Mike, PJ... thnaks guys.

 

G, was it that long?  Sorry to have had put you through thatWhistling

Marc  

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, October 29, 2015 12:51 PM

Well, you had me in suspense for what- about 24 hours? Stick out tongue

So pretty, almost a shame to dirty her up with a wash! I love the blue tail fin. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Thursday, October 29, 2015 12:06 PM

Great looking Scooter WN. The paint is perfect!

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Thursday, October 29, 2015 11:17 AM

That's really looking great!  Love those hi-rez Navy birds.

Mike

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Thursday, October 29, 2015 11:09 AM
Thanks BK.  
Gamera, hope I didn't make ya wait too long. 
Thanks Joe.  Next one will be open canopy. 
 
Light at the end of the tunnel for the bird.  Then I can concentrate on ordnance. 
 
 

 

So if we cover a model with wash... how come it ends up dirty ???

Marc  

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 6:46 PM
Very nice nut. I agree the pit looks incredible.

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 7:59 AM

Yeah, she looks very good Marc- looking forward to seeing her with the 'stickers' in place! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 9:56 AM

Dang mang, I like where this is going. The scheme is pretty cool and the tonal variations are quite nice also. Super work.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 9:18 AM

back to back "temp" comments. Wink  Thanks fellas

Marc  

  • Member since
    September 2015
Posted by TempusFugit on Monday, October 26, 2015 9:29 PM

I am really digging this build, wing_nut! I like the scheme choice, too, very attractive. 

I can't wait to see this one complete.

 

TF

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Monday, October 26, 2015 5:50 PM
I like that Marc. The light blue is different. Will look good on the display shelf John

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, October 26, 2015 4:57 PM

Thanks bish.

Marc  

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, October 26, 2015 3:57 PM
Looks good there Marc. I like the blue on the tail, not a shade I have seen often on aircraft.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, October 26, 2015 1:03 PM
And a sigh of relief.  It went pretty well.  Only some very minor touch ups.  Again, hard to see but lots on tonal variations in there from the black basing process.   
 

Marc  

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Sunday, October 25, 2015 3:27 PM
Pawel, Bish, Smalls, Bk... sorry for the late acknowledgment guys but thanks so much for stopping in and commenting.  Glad you're liking it. 
 Finally moving on to the next stage.  Every time I stepped up to the spray booth I noticed something else that I missed and need to add. But I think I'm finally passed all that and the hiss of the AB was soothing.
 The shaft of the tail hook was has been replaced with plastic rod.  Since it's already white, painting the stripes was easily done by marking the width of the stripes with a pencil and chucking the rod in a Dremel.  When spinning the dots make a little ring around the rod so just touch the tip of a brush with black paint and fill the space.
 
 
  
Ready for primer
 
 
 
 
Some of the fiddly bits.  I did the black basing thing on the tanks and they look great but it doesn't show in the photos.   
I've decided the smaller bullpups are just as bad@$$ looking as it larger cousin.
 
 
 

 

 

Marc  

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Friday, October 23, 2015 8:53 AM

I see what you mean with those antenna, nice catch even after you finished with the kit part. I'll log that move into memory so I can use it on one I run into. Nice work so far.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    May 2015
Posted by KillinMeSmalls on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 12:09 PM

Great movie indeed! She's really starting to look like a real airplane. Real funny about those antenna lol.

- Smalls

On the Bench: AirFix 1/72 Spitfire mk1/mk2a

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, October 19, 2015 4:11 PM
Nice to see her taking shape. And I am glad its not me who only spots the obvious afterwards. At leat you can have a couple of spare antennas, assuming you have not ditched them.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Monday, October 19, 2015 3:44 PM

Hello!

Nice looking scooter! Funny thing with those antennae - now the question is: how not to snap them off while handling that baby? Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Monday, October 19, 2015 3:30 PM
Alan thanks for stopping by. Happy you like it so far.

Marc  

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Cavite, Philippines
Posted by allan on Sunday, October 18, 2015 10:04 PM

Always nice to see a Scooter. Looking forward to more WIP pics, Wing!

No bucks, no Buck Rogers

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Sunday, October 18, 2015 11:24 AM

Glad you're liking it smalls.  Great movie BTW.

 

Working thru all the fiddly bits.  The blade antennas are anything but blade shaped.  Not too hard to file them to an aerodynamic shape but it wasn't until I was done I realized is would have been easier to just trim the sprue gate and chuck the kit part.

 

 

 

The muzzle flash guards where about 1.5" in scale thickness so I made new ones with plastic card.

 

 

It's always so cute when the kids take their first steps.

Marc  

  • Member since
    May 2015
Posted by KillinMeSmalls on Friday, October 16, 2015 6:35 PM

I am a sucker for Vietnam Era builds! This looks like a "fun one". Pulling up a chair for a sweet Vietnam era build.

- Smalls

On the Bench: AirFix 1/72 Spitfire mk1/mk2a

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Friday, October 16, 2015 6:23 PM
Hey Anthony.  Thanks for stopping by.  Glad you like it. 

Marc  

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Friday, October 16, 2015 4:38 PM

Marc,cockpit looks great and the ordinance is really gonna be outstanding.I did the Hasegawa Scooter years ago,but your extras are taking it to the next level.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Friday, October 16, 2015 4:11 PM
BD, John, JJ BK... Thanks guys.  Glad you're enjoying the build.  Me tooStick out tongue
 BD, It's huge. 1/3 the length of the whole aircraft.  Turns out I bought the wrong missiles.  The 12C was not used on the outer pylons.  the 12A/B was though... and have been ordered.  Same length I think but a more narrow body. And still very cool.  I'll use the C's on an upcoming F4 for a club GB.

Marc  

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Friday, October 16, 2015 9:12 AM

Wow, your instrument panel work is great. I do like the looks of that kit. I am getting the urge to build some modern jets. This is more motivation. Great work thus far.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Friday, October 16, 2015 8:00 AM

Oh Man, that's a great looking kit and a wonderful find. I'm looking forward to see your excellent treatment of it as I am another fan of the hot rod.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

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