Tailspin Turtle

Paul - That's what I meant. In fact, when I was toying with the idea a year ago of modifying the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force kit (basically the same antenna farm on the roof), I sketched a scab-on part concept that was exactly that configuration. I think what Hasegawa provided can—with a not-unreasonable amount of trimming, filler, added putty, sanding, etc. (i.e. modeling) combined with pictures of the pod—result in a good-enough conversion. In Hasegawa's defense, the images provided in the instructions of the resin parts, if closely examined, are good enough to identify which one goes

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2022/10/hasegawa-172-cmv-22b-osprey.html

Voila: http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2022/10/aj-savage-wing-and-fin-fold.html

To save weight, the wing fold mechanism had to be bolted onto the wing and vertical fin after landing if folding was to be accomplished. For starters, see https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2010/03/hell-it-wont-fit-ii.html I'll create a post to show details.

In case you want to build one with the bomb bay doors open: http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2022/10/aj-savage-bomb-bay-doors.html

A note on the shape of the droop of most rotor blades: https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-note-on-rotor-blade-droop.html

For what it's worth (not much. unfortunately), scroll down here for a picture from below with the pylons removed. https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2013/06/things-under-wings-f4h-f-4-phantom.html

Scott - feel free to quote; thanks for your initiative in spreading the word T

I am looking forward to Jim's book with great anticipation. He is my go-to expert for F-111s and US military weapons in general (his artwork that I've seen is detailed, accurate, and gorgeous). With respect to where you purchase his book: An author gets royalties from the publisher based on its sales of the book. If you're one-and-done writing a book, that might pay for the beer for a while. However, the author gets a little more if most people order the book from the publisher, in this instance Casemates Publishing, because the author gets a little more royalty per book than if someone orders

The "armor" was added during the Korean War to blue Skyraiders. The only reason the post shows a gray/white AD as an example of the addition of armor was because that picture showed the difference better.

AD-4s and reportedly AD-3s were retrofitted with it so some will have it. See https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2013/07/ad-armor-all.html

Hasegawa AD-6 with modifications For a summary of the changes and differences, see https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2022/04/douglas-ad-4-skyraider-variants.html

With respect to the hoisting arrangement, carrier-based Navy airplanes and seaplanes were designed with a hoist point or points near the empty center of gravity so they could readily be loaded and offloaded by crane (or pulled out of the water). Possibly this wasn't an Army requirement, hence the lash-up necessary to lift the P-40 by its wheels and a strap around the aft fuselage...

For more than you might have wanted to know about the F8U wings: https://superheatmemorial.blogspot.com/2019/06/f8u-f-8-wing.html

Unless it was repainted for some reason at the squadron level, the underside of the wing that was located above the fuselage was white (the Vought paint and markings instruction that you can't read states: "gloss insignia white interior surface of wing well & lower surfaces of wing")