Vietnam Air War GB - Extended!

Yes, I didn't want to pay for the under wing insert.  so I left it in the lowered position.  I was going to do a ECSI A-7 for this build but I got into it and it is a very bad kit.   So I may use my Monogram A-7A and convert it over to a A-7E.  Thanks on the weathering, experimenting with preshading.

John

falconmod

It is a F-8

I like the weathering you did...looks realistic, not overdone...

Len

It is a F-8

falconmod

Finally some pictures to post.

So what do you think?

Finally some pictures to post.

So what do you think?

Len, don't hate!  As per the fishing, I just started surf fishing with light tackle a couple week ago in OBX... wow!  I'm addicted.  Didn't catch anything of note (lost the only good fish I hooked) but what an adrenaline rush!  I'm always up for fishing.  It just takes away from my bench time.  It's only October though, there is still time to wet a line!

swingr1121

Enrico, il velivolo sembra grande! Non vedo l'ora di vederlo finito.

Len, c'mon man, get with tthe program!  Lol.  Are the blues running by you?

There`s always blues runnin` by me...they`re in my lagoon too...just haven`t caught any..., Fishing was a fond memory this summer, didn`t even dunk a line...it was a summer full of B.S., people in the hospital, etc. Got engine trouble to boot...next year will be here before we know it...

Enrico, il velivolo sembra grande! Non vedo l'ora di vederlo finito.

Len, c'mon man, get with tthe program!  Lol.  Are the blues running by you?

....Ehi Hans.....find that photo....and show me!!!!Ciao Enrico.

Italian Starfighter

......wethering is done......I've had some problem with oils even on the acrilic gloss sprayed on the model.....so i've sprayed anything.......What do you think?Ciao Enrico.

I'll be damned.. I got a photo of "that" Hun around here somewhere..... O-55-3712 is listed in one of Dad's log-books..

That model's marked as a 308th TFS "Hun" from the 31st TFW, which was Dad's last tour as a "Hun"-Driver"..

Hi Troublemaker66...tomorrow I'll try to blend....Ciao Enrico!

Italian Starfighter

......wethering is done......I've had some problem with oils even on the acrilic gloss sprayed on the model.....so i've sprayed anything.......What do you think?Ciao Enrico.

Len

......wethering is done......I've had some problem with oils even on the acrilic gloss sprayed on the model.....so i've sprayed anything.......What do you think?Ciao Enrico.

troublemaker66

Yeah, it`s the newest release. I Know what you mean about AM decals for this A/C...almost non-existant. The kit decals are for a 58th FTW out of Luke AFB and a Navy, VF-127 "Desert Bogey". I`m trying to do something different for this GB...no F-4 `s for me, done enough IMO. I just dug out my Roden OV-1A/JOV1A Mohawk....yeah,yeah...that`s the ticket...lol.

I`m still foolin` around with the A-7...might be able to save it with a little luck and a ton of Zap-A-Gap! Still want to build the F-5...never have before.

Len

Yes I looked it up on the Revell site. That is too bad about AM decals because it is a nice little kit. I really do wish that Superscale would bring back all of their old line. At one point they had multiple sheets for that kit in just about every imaginable Air Force colors': Saudi, VNAF, USAF/USN aggressors, Chile, etc. The OV-1 sounds great to me. The bird that gave the Air Force fits because it was ARMED!!! and Fixed Wing!!! And able to respond quicker for calls for CAS due to being forward based!!! I have the Roden kit and have been eyeballing it since I read a book about Army Aviation in Vietnam up to 1963.

troublemaker66

stikpusher

Yeah, a VNAF F-5E was not much of a popular choice. The only declas I ever recall seeing for that was an old Micro Scale sheet (remember when they were called Micro Scale?) from early in their 1/48 line up. Is your F-5E the latest Revell release of the kit? The compartively "loose" acceptance criteria for this GB should see at least the silver training/demonstator bird markings as acceptable.

Yeah, it`s the newest release. I Know what you mean about AM decals for this A/C...almost non-existant. The kit decals are for a 58th FTW out of Luke AFB and a Navy, VF-127 "Desert Bogey". I`m trying to do something different for this GB...no F-4 `s for me, done enough IMO. I just dug out my Roden OV-1A/JOV1A Mohawk....yeah,yeah...that`s the ticket...lol.

I`m still foolin` around with the A-7...might be able to save it with a little luck and a ton of Zap-A-Gap! Still want to build the F-5...never have before.

Len

Hi Len,

If you want to try printing your own decals, here is a link to a website that has VNAF decals you can download for free.  There are not any specific for the F-5, but it will get you closer:

http://vnafmamn.com/vnaf_decals.html 

Ken

stikpusher

Yeah, a VNAF F-5E was not much of a popular choice. The only declas I ever recall seeing for that was an old Micro Scale sheet (remember when they were called Micro Scale?) from early in their 1/48 line up. Is your F-5E the latest Revell release of the kit? The compartively "loose" acceptance criteria for this GB should see at least the silver training/demonstator bird markings as acceptable.

I`m still foolin` around with the A-7...might be able to save it with a little luck and a ton of Zap-A-Gap! Still want to build the F-5...never have before.

Len

Yeah, a VNAF F-5E was not much of a popular choice. The only declas I ever recall seeing for that was an old Micro Scale sheet (remember when they were called Micro Scale?) from early in their 1/48 line up. Is your F-5E the latest Revell release of the kit? The compartively "loose" acceptance criteria for this GB should see at least the silver training/demonstator bird markings as acceptable.

and again.

Messed up in photo bucket,  here goes another try

photostream

Unfortunately, I'm limited to an oob build for this one and have 2 decal options, neither are for 'Nam birds. Let me know if this is a no go for this GB. I was thinking of doing an adversary scheme...all semi-gloss black w/ Soviet markings. If no go,  I have plenty more to choose from.

F-5A and C were flown by the USAF in the 65-67 period. The F-5E was only flown by the VNAF in the 70s.

Well, I was goin` to town on my A-7 and everything was going good..until..I was placing the rear fuselage bulkhead with the exhaust/afterburner (?)  into the right fuse` half and proceeded to close up the fuselage. Things were a bit snug but looked good overall. That`s when disaster struck...while glueing and squeezing the halves together, the plastic actuall tore!! I was so ***`d, I had to walk away. I will give it a few attempts at repairing but think I`ll be writing this one off.

I have an F-5 Tiger II, a kit that I never built before, by Revell. Although they were developed pretty much for other countries, they did see some combat with the 3rd TFW out of Bien Hoa and Da Nang in 1965-66. I believe 2600 sorties were flown with one combat loss.

Sorry for the switch-a-roos, hopefully there will be no more...lol

Len

Hi Troublemaker66,your is a fast good start!!Very cool the heap of Mk 86.....!!!!!!!!!!!Ciao from Italy,Enrico.

Hi Len,

Looks like you are off to a great start!  Nice work!     

Ken

Hi All,

Even though I`m listed for an F-8, I inadvertantly started an F-7 (they could pass for twins). It`s an AMT kit with no real cockpit detail to speak of, or locator pins for that matter...reminds me of a short-run kit.

That is the `pit for what it`s worth. All "details" are decals. The ejection seat sits on top of the main air duct, which fit together rather nicely.

The fuse is not 2 pieces like usual, AMT had to make it more challenging by using 4 pieces...

So far, the fit has been very good. Maybe the lack of locator pins is the key, who knows. 

This is the ejection seat before I sanded down the super thick cushion...

...and after...some cheesey scratched belts out of Tamiya tape. `pits gonna be closed so I`m not too worried.....

...and lastly , a pile of "snake eye" halves that I`ve since glued together and sanded to a rough finish like how the real ones were....

That`s it for now. I`m planning on doing more tonight and will post more wip`s. Any comments/ critiques or tips are welcome as always. Thanks for looking.

Len

I've been a little lax in my build updating, here are some new pictures.

Oh that is beautiful Enrico!!!!

Hi Ken.....thanks!!......few other shoots.............ciao Enrico

Nice work!  Very smooth and straight!   

Ken

...put on decals.....sealed by clear gloss.....painted red turbine stripes........Ciao all....Enrico.