A-10 LOADER Posted December 6, 2020 Author Share Posted December 6, 2020 Thanks Sean. To me the struts seem to attach to the same spots on either side of the spine and the wings, towards the front edge. I'd really like a picture taken, up on the spine of the jet, showing me exactly where these struts attach to the jet. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 6, 2020 Author Share Posted December 6, 2020 My wing strut dilemma, From the reference pics I've found, I believe my holes drilled in the spine are correct ?? Disregard the red dots, they are in the wrong spots. This is my starboard side wing with the strut I made. According to my reference pics that I've found, it shows the strut attached near the oval wing access panel. Starboard side wing and strut installed, looks correct to me comparing it to the pics I've seen. Port side wing with attachment point marked by the red circle. However when I use the starboard side strut on the port side wing, it's way off the attachment point, too far to the back of the wing. So, my question is what did I do wrong or are these struts, which seem to be adjustable, different lengths when installed on the aircraft ?? Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 I managed to make some progress over the last few weeks, albeit slow but, still progress. Both jets got their walkways painted. The Viking's MK-82's, Harpoon and, the Refueling pod were all finished. I had to go back and redo the bomb noses ( painted this time ) because I tried to use decals for the two yellow bands and it was a disaster. I should have painted them in the first place like I normally do, lesson learned. I really wanted to see the painted 82's in the bomb bay so ... So, that's about it for now, thanks to everyone who is staying interested in these builds. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 1, 2021 Author Share Posted January 1, 2021 Greetings all, A brief update, I spent my afternoon working on finishing up the wing fold struts for the Viking and Shadow. I never did get a definitive answer on whether the struts were adjustable in length or their exact locations but, I believe they are fairly close. Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hoping that the new one is better than the last. Thanks for following along. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 35 minutes ago, A-10 LOADER said: Greetings all, A brief update, I spent my afternoon working on finishing up the wing fold struts for the Viking and Shadow. I never did get a definitive answer on whether the struts were adjustable in length or their exact locations but, I believe they are fairly close. Playing around on the web just now there may be a couple informative photos here; the next to last and 4th from last, https://www.skytamer.com/Lockheed_S-3B.html One also shows fitting on end of brace nicely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 12/31/2020 at 8:30 PM, southwestforests said: Playing around on the web just now there may be a couple informative photos here; the next to last and 4th from last, https://www.skytamer.com/Lockheed_S-3B.html One also shows fitting on end of brace nicely. Thanks but, unfortunately the photos won't open for me. Besides, this part of the build is in the rear view at this point and I need to move on. I'll just have to live with what I have so far and hopefully when the jets are all finished, the struts will look passable. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
f5guy Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Looking good Steve! Fred K. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 23 hours ago, f5guy said: Looking good Steve! Fred K. Thank you Fred. I'm enjoying what's happening on your bench as well. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 Greetings all, I've decided to build another display base for the Viking and Shadow. I thought this MD-3 Navy Tractor (short version ) would be a nice touch. I scratch-built a better gas and brake pedal for it as well as adding some tie-down points and the hood lift handles out of some wire from the spares bin. All of this will sit on a section of carrier deck that I have in my stash. Thanks to all who are staying interested in my work. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 7, 2021 Author Share Posted January 7, 2021 A little more progress on these projects today, I finished up the stores for the ES-3A. The pylons still need their weathering / corrosion control yet. Since the SkunkWorks kit comes with two MD-3 Tractors, I decided to throw the other one together and get them both out of the way. They were primed yesterday and painted today. Usually I would tackle these after the jets were finished but, since I'm having some motivational issues, I figured if I knock these out of the way now it would re-energize me to get busy on the jets again. I just wish I could build faster so my motivation wouldn't fall off. The jets / tractor(s) will be posed on this when everything is finished. I've had this in my stash since 1994 I believe, it's time it sees the light of day. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 10, 2021 Author Share Posted January 10, 2021 Brief update today on the MD-3 Tractors, Yesterday I sprayed the tires, the steering wheels, seats and, the tops of the tractors. I used my circle cutter to make masks for the wheel hubs, worked out great. I also started painting up the small details on the tractors as well. Still lots to do and some touch-ups to take care of. Decals are up next. Thanks for checking in and enjoy the pics. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rocketdrvr Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 Sweet looking TUGs! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 16, 2021 Author Share Posted January 16, 2021 (edited) On 1/10/2021 at 2:30 PM, Rocketdrvr said: Sweet looking TUGs! Thanks Rocketdrvr, glad you like them. I wrapped up the two A/S32A-31A Tractors this morning and I'm quite happy with how they came out. I didn't want them to look exactly the same so I finished one a little more "used and abused" than the other. They should add a little something to the S-3 / ES-3A display when finished. I'll also be able to pose them with any future Navy builds I do. All the paints are Model Master enamels with the exception of the front headlights which are Tamiya Clear Blue. Decals are mostly from the Fightertown sheet #48088, USN DECK CREW / VEHICLES while some are from the kit. The "weathering" is a mix of Tamiya weathering master sets, Flory's "DARK DIRT" wash and, some drybrushing. Hope you enjoy the pics. Steve Edited January 17, 2021 by A-10 LOADER Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Some beautiful work there!! Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 19, 2021 Author Share Posted January 19, 2021 On 1/17/2021 at 11:53 AM, AlienFrogModeller said: Some beautiful work there!! Cheers AFM Thanks, much appreciated. I finished cutting the base to size yesterday and, added all 56 tie down spots. This will have to wait for warmer weather to be primed and painted. Now I can turn my attention back to the S-3B and get her masked off for primer and paint. Thanks to all who are following along. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 Yesterday I spent masking up the Viking so I could spray the canopy area and the "problem areas" that still need attention. I used Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 primer because the canopy area needs to be black before the gray can go on and, it helps me see the problem areas easier. I'm hoping these areas won't require too much work and I can get the primer sprayed soon, fingers crossed, we'll see. Thanks to all who are following along. Steve The area where the Wolfpack wings meet the fuselage needs to disappear. Lots of small areas around the sonobuoy tubes that need attention yet as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 Brief update for today, we have a primed S-3B. A couple of small areas that still need minor attention but, overall she looks good. I'm hoping to have color on her in the next few days. Thanks for checking in. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Yesterday I got everything sprayed Lt. Ghost Gray. Happy with how things are looking so far. Next up I'll need to spray the tip of the tail, the canopy / anti-glare panel area and, the wheel bays and bomb bay areas then I can gloss coat. The engine intakes are absent because in my chat with Phase Hanger Resin on Friday, he said he'll be making the intakes with the fans and the center spinner (similar to his upcoming A-10 parts) as separate parts for ease of painting and, no seams, SOLD. Thanks to all who are staying interested in my work. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 After some masking and two days in the paint barn, the canopy area / anti-glare panel, tip of the tail, the bomb bays and, the wheel wells are now painted. Next up will be masking and painting the wing fold areas. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Looking awesome sir. Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 (edited) Steve, i love seeing all this progress! You use simple techniques to really bring out the details. Thanks for sharing with us. K/r, Dutch Edited February 5, 2021 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 On 2/5/2021 at 8:57 AM, AlienFrogModeller said: Looking awesome sir. Cheers AFM On 2/5/2021 at 10:45 AM, Dutch said: Steve, i love seeing all this progress! You use simple techniques to really bring out the details. Thanks for sharing with us. K/r, Dutch Thanks very much guys, much appreciated. I finally got the last of the colors on the airframe. Wing-folds painted along with the flap areas. Next up gloss coat then decals. Thanks everyone for following along. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 I managed to get the Viking, and all her parts, gloss coated yesterday. I'm hoping to start the decals later today or tomorrow. Thanks for looking. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
f5guy Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 Looking good Steve! 👍 Fred. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rocketdrvr Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 Outstanding Job!!! Really enjoying your build!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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