Spongebob Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Hey gents... first entry for the A-4 Group Build. This is the 1/48 Hasegawa A-4M, with a Condor Resin kit I got off of E-Bay. The Condor kit is OK. My instrument panel wasn't fully cast (left MFD was incomplete) and the resin is hard and brittle.... I used the Eduard Color photo-etch for the side panels, the MFD's came from an Eduard F-18D set (back seat), HUD frame is from the Eduard Harrier set (yeah, I've got a lot of etch in my spares box!) and the HUD projector is an MV lens. Exterior shot as of now... Hopefully I can get this done in the next two weeks before I move! Thanks for stopping by! Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Spongebob, Well done on the cockpit :D Especialy the HUD projector very cool. Looking forward to the rest of the build. Cheers, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank Steffens Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 You're off to a good start! That HUD project looks great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 88 Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 Lookin' good so far! Daniel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodney Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 Good to see you back at the bench. Rodney Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g0_command0 Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 I was wondering where you went Looking good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 Update for Friday Night. It has visited the paint shop after several days of sanding/priming/sanding/priming etc etc. Color coats are on. Base is 36375, camo is 36270, which appears a little to subtle. It may get darker when I hit it with clear, we'll see. About 1/2 of the ref photos I have support this, so..... Hopefully landing gear & stores tomorrow and decals tomorrow night. Trying to get this done before the movers show up next week Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 Yes, the AR has a de-tuned APG-66 (designated the ARG-1) and some extra vents. Similar in shape, different panels/line and a radome on the tip. Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 Sunday Night update. Out of the Paintshop, and it grew legs while it was waiting to dry. Working on the stores / ancillary parts for the next day or so.... The Condor decals are fine. The carrier film is excessive in some cases, but they also feature the strongest glue I've ever seen on decals. A quick hit with Daco medium setting and the settled down nicely. After gloss/decals/gloss/flat the colors have evened out like I hoped and match the real thing well. The colors are a bit darker with the flash than they are to the eye. Captures the look pretty well! Thanks for stopping by! Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodney Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Even while packing you make more progress than me. Your A-4 is coming out nice. Rodney Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aidy Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Super build Sponge! Can't wait to see it finished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sunshine117 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Nice Job Sponge!!! Sunshine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Excellent! Nicely done. <_< A very unique looking Scooter. I also like the turned nose wheel and rudder, nice touch. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted December 31, 2006 Share Posted December 31, 2006 Very Nice Build Spongebob, I am going to do the same in 1/72 with the Fujimi kit. I don't know of a resin conversion in that scale, so I was planning on doing a bit of scratch building. I can use your build as inspiration and a little bit of reference, keep up the good work! -Hoops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted December 31, 2006 Author Share Posted December 31, 2006 Jared, Feel free. I'm using a WAPJ article, a couple issues of Air Forces Monthly and a book on the A-4M (don't have it in front of me to quote) for references. Project is currently on hold... I move into my new house on the 12th, so I'll probably get spun back up a week or so after that. Thanks for the positive feedback guys, Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 (edited) Bringing back a dead thread.... Obviously, I did not finish in time for the GB - moving from LA to Pax River and recreating my creative workshop (cave?) took longer than planned. However, up and running now.. So, this is where we stand. Load out is based on long range strike for something like Red Flag where they would carry an TACTS pod, and obviously dumb bombs due to the airframe. I don't know if this is a legal load, but I don't care, it's interesting. TACTS Pod is going on the left-outboard station. Need to finish up the cockpit and some more time-consuming details (and an oil breather stain on the right side!) and this will go on the shelf. Enjoy! Spongebob Edited February 18, 2007 by Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
g0_command0 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Looking very nice sponge! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spongebob Posted February 27, 2007 Author Share Posted February 27, 2007 (edited) Latest Update: I am trying something new... trying to do an "in action" scene. Concept is based on the jet waiting at marshal for -2 to hurry the heck up. Though came from using powered up displays from the Eduard Hornet color set. So... in order to do this we need a pilot, sitting in mild frustration, hands on the windscreen frame and oxygen mask off like a seasoned and overly-lazy pilot would do. Unfortunately, nobody makes one in 1/48! Basis is the PJ Productions "US Navy pilot". This resin gem has some of the strongest mold-release agent I have ever seen. It took a solid 12 hour soak in Castrol Super Clean to get the super glue to grab hold... and we use Super Clean as an (illegal) de-greaser on real aircraft! After that was set, arms were repositioned by cutting, solder wire and 2 part epoxy putty. Next came the helmet adventure, as I wanted a modern one and the PJ kit comes with an HGU-33. Solution came from using a rechargeable Dremel (slower speed that won't melt plastic) on a Hasegawa 1/48 Head left over from a F-16CJ kit, saving the visor and helmet, and chopping the helmet off of a figure from a 1/48 Hasegawa pilot/crew set (with an HGU-33...the PJ resin head was too brittle to work with). After a solid day of grinding and dry fitting, I got a usable result, and cast a resin copy (I might need it again on a future project!!). Here's what we ended up with: Chart is an actual Nells ONC that was scaled down... Feet were amputated to ease the fit under the panel. Better pictures to follow...almost done now! Spongebob Edited February 27, 2007 by Spongebob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 So... in order to do this we need a pilot, sitting in mild frustration, hands on the windscreen frame and oxygen mask of like a seasoned and overly-lazy pilot would do. Where's the love, dude? Seasoned and over-lazy NFO's do that, too Only thing you're missing is a lipper and spitter.... (couple months ago I did a DLI where the mask was never on, and the Cope went in right after arming the CATM... I figured with OBOGS that was probably safer than wearing the mask...) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.