john53 Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 (edited) Probably shouldn't start this now but it's pretty well along. I am going to fix and redo the 1/72 Revell, Ace, A-6E as an A-6B Mod-0 hopefully with AOA decals as a VA-196 Main Battery B model. I have the seats in and cut down awaiting new head rests, the structures on the rear deck added and I cut off the obtruding "lump" that was in between the tail hook, it was up as far as the lump just before it. I also almost took my thumb with it, new X Acto blades are SHARP! Just back from ER 2:30 this morning, only 2 stitches luckily. More sanding then more scratch building.---John Edited August 31, 2018 by john53 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted August 31, 2018 Author Share Posted August 31, 2018 I tried adding pictures but Imgur doesn't want to co operate. Will try tomorrow.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JackMan Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 Hope to see the pics soon, John. Models of A-6Bs are rare. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted August 31, 2018 Author Share Posted August 31, 2018 Some images.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted August 31, 2018 Author Share Posted August 31, 2018 I started scratch building the homing antennas for the nose and intakes along with some headrests for the seats. There's more putty work on the wing roots, thats never ending.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted August 31, 2018 Author Share Posted August 31, 2018 The bottom sanded down nice, slow going as if I even bump those 2 stitches it sends a shock wave through me. I keep trying to hold things with my two fingers instead of my thumb and finger, just don't work that way.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JackMan Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 Yikes! Get well soon, John. You may want to wait until you recover or else the wound may become infectious, especially if you are doing sanding ( the tiny particles might enter the wound). At the very least, wear those surgical rubber gloves. Or finger gloves like these: https://cdn.dick-blick.com/items/352/07/35207-1002-2ww-m.jpg https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1kAtYo8fH8KJjy1Xbq6zLdXXay/Hairdressing-Three-Fingers-Glove-Black-3-Finger-Heat-Resistant-Finger-Glove-Salon-Styling-Tools-For-Hair.jpg For sanding: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10047843 Makes it easier on the fingers & thumbs. Good luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 Hope that finger heals soon .... painful just to look at. 151565 was still in VA-196 in 72-73 as I recall working on it. And building it right after we got back from cruise. Went down to the hangar several times to get the shape and placement of the 4 antennae on radome and intake. No decals so cut stencil masks for the tail band, crew name stripes, and circle to lay the spade on. It Was sitting out during a room inspection and the inspectors happened to be from my squadron ... we passed and didn’t have to do another room inspection for a year. Good luck with your project. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 Thanks, I am pretty much winging it and going to this site, http://rickmorganbooks.com/a-6b-standard-arm.html for answers on what it had and where the antennas etc. were placed. I hopefully can find the AOA decal sheet for it somewhere. The finger is still very sore but as long as I don't bump it it's good. Th Dr. at the ER told me keep it clean which I have. I do cover it or wear rubber gloves when sanding, but my work is very slow seeing as though I am trying to hold parts with my fingers instead of my thumb and finger, very awkward. ---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tailspin Turtle Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 Also see http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2016/01/grumman-6b-iron-hand.html but Rick and I were collaborating so there might not be anything new. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 Thanks Tommy, I have that site book marked as well, excellent references to wing tip antennas I needed!---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 10 hours ago, JackMan said: Yikes! Get well soon, John. You may want to wait until you recover or else the wound may become infectious, especially if you are doing sanding ( the tiny particles might enter the wound). At the very least, wear those surgical rubber gloves. Or finger gloves like these: https://cdn.dick-blick.com/items/352/07/35207-1002-2ww-m.jpg https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1kAtYo8fH8KJjy1Xbq6zLdXXay/Hairdressing-Three-Fingers-Glove-Black-3-Finger-Heat-Resistant-Finger-Glove-Salon-Styling-Tools-For-Hair.jpg For sanding: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10047843 Makes it easier on the fingers & thumbs. Good luck! Thanks Jack Man, I grew up living across the street from a paper mill as a kid, I remember seeing the ladies in the sorting room wearing those "fingers" to prevent paper cuts.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 The wing tip antenna fairings are on and I have the intakes built and installed. The chunk of plastic on the table in front of the wing is the raised piece I cut off between the tail hook, when it came flying off the X Acto knife slit my thumb, why they had this molded as a raised item makes no sense.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 (edited) Hi John, You are a brave man to tackle not one, but two, of the old Revell A-6 kits at the same time! My hat is off to you for that sir. Looking good so far. Sorry about your thumb. I'm sure we've all been there before (I know I have!). Looking forward to next update. -Derek Edited September 3, 2018 by viking73 Wrong kit! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grey Ghost 531 Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 I built that kit a few years ago. It's in the Gallery if you want to see it. It's a rough kit to get looking nice. Isn't it a '70s Hasegawa mold? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 4, 2018 Author Share Posted September 4, 2018 Thanks, GG it is the ACE copy of the '70ish Hasegawa A-6A with engraved panel lines. Some of it is "better" some worse. How's things in Cozy Corners, I hiked the "Long Trail" as a teen with my cousin. Am a transplanted "Berkshires" resident from Taxachusetts!---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 4, 2018 Author Share Posted September 4, 2018 (edited) I have the exhausts on, they were a nightmare. They were sorta deformed, looked like giant sink marks so I added mass quantities of putty and will sand them to shape. I also added a "family portrait", the Ace kit along side it's "older" Hasegawa sibling.---John Edited September 5, 2018 by john53 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 5, 2018 Author Share Posted September 5, 2018 I started scratch building the AC intake scoop. Why Ace never copied this off the Hasegawa kit makes no sense. They also didn't add the small wing extensions on the inner wing leading edge. The second picture shows the Hasegawa scoop and extension.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 Jeez.. this is a labour of love! Keep at it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 5, 2018 Author Share Posted September 5, 2018 AKA boredom.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 6, 2018 Author Share Posted September 6, 2018 Almost done, needs a bit more sanding then on to cockpit.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 7, 2018 Author Share Posted September 7, 2018 Some more scratch builds, seat cushions, head rest and small leading edge buffet strips.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted September 7, 2018 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Coming along nicely! HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 9, 2018 Author Share Posted September 9, 2018 Thanks, headrests and face curtain pulls are on the seat backs. I also added the BNs box in front of his seat. I still have side consoles, pilot's gun sight and box for the control stick. I also need to figure something for the plates on the nose and intake, need to find or scratch the APS homing antennas.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted September 11, 2018 Author Share Posted September 11, 2018 (edited) Side consoles and gun sight done.---John Edited September 11, 2018 by john53 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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