Rampage55 Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 For a while now I have very much enjoyed and have become quite inspired by the outstanding work created by the contributers to this forum. In this spirit I would like to submit for my first Group Build my AD-4 Skyraider. In the markings of VA-115 aboard the the USS Phillipine Sea flying bombing strikes into Korea while operating in the Sea of Japan during the fall of 1950. This kit started off life as an old Monogram AD-6. Not a bad kit, even comes with some basic wingfold detail. So I decided to fold the wings and backdate this kit to a Korean era AD-4 First thing I did was sand off the armor plating on the sides of the cockpit and on the belly beneth the cockpit I removed the antenna farings and the beacon on top of the tail. The gun barrels were removed and I will only replace the inboard gun as the early AD-4s only had one gun per wing. The cockpit was next. I removed the rear portion of the kit part, the armor plate and the seat. These I replaced with a scratch built armor plate backing. I found a seat from my spares box more appropriate for a earlier Skyraider, before the Yankee extraction systems were instaled in these birds. Since I am planing on a pilot figure I do not need seatbelts. I am just finishing the decaling and I am debating on wether to finish it flat or glossy. My reference photos show a VA-115 bird during this time period with a dull finish. However I have another photo showing a VA-115 bird with a glossy finish. My thinking is that these planes started of life in a glossy finish,but after a few months at sea, engaged in daily aerial combat, The riggers of life aboard a carrier caused this finish to become dull. Although I like the look of the gloss, I am leaning to the flat finish for accuracy. Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated. More to come as time permits. Happy Modeling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TF51GREGWISE Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Nice Work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderGrunt Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 More More!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted October 5, 2006 Author Share Posted October 5, 2006 More More!!! My three year old son has a new Thomas the tank engine railroad set and I have become a bit obsessed. Thanks for asking. I painted the pilot figure. Then later as I watched "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" I realized I forgot to paint the life peserver on. The wing folds need detailing. The finish needs to be dulled down a bit, and gun barrels in each wing are needed. I also like to display my finished models on some sort of small base. I hope to finish this one off with a carrier deck, wheel chocks, and perhaps another figure. Thanks, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TF51GREGWISE Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Mark when you get her the way you like please post completed pictures of your beauty in the completed build gallery. also if you are ever in central florida drop me a line and I'll show you around stallion51. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted October 9, 2006 Author Share Posted October 9, 2006 Mark when you get her the way you like please post completed pictures of your beauty in the completed build gallery. also if you are ever in central florida drop me a line and I'll show you around stallion51. Roger that on the "completed build photos". Thanks for the invite. Quite timley as well. There is an outside chance I might be out that way within the next few months. Thanks, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted October 9, 2006 Author Share Posted October 9, 2006 Here are a few update pics of my rough final display composition, with base, and figure. Thanks, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Very nice! I like the way that turned out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TF51GREGWISE Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 I like IT :blink: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Weasel78 Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Looks nice but the Exhaust pipes are to hard, the must be softer. Used the Airbrush for Exhaust pipes and mix Revell 75 to 30% and Matt clear panit 70% with a lot of Tinner. Spray with 0,5 bar and the end finsih with a little bit Tamiya smoke and pastelchalk greetings Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted October 10, 2006 Author Share Posted October 10, 2006 Looks nice but the Exhaust pipes are to hard, the must be softer. Used the Airbrush for Exhaust pipes and mix Revell 75 to 30% and Matt clear panit 70% with a lot of Tinner. Spray with 0,5 bar and the end finsih with a little bit Tamiya smoke and pastelchalk ;) greetings Michael Michael, I agree with you, I am not thrilled with my exhaust staining on this one. Fact is my compressor stuffed it and I was unable to use my airbrush. Unfortunately I decided to experiment with a new tecnique. I am hoping, now that I have my airbrush on line again, to go over it to soften it a bit with a mixture very similar to the one you suggested. Thanks for your comments, keep 'em coming. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 Well here it is, my first completed Group Build model on ARC. I finally finished it. I found this old Monogram kit quite a treat to build. It is fairly basic but I think it makes up into decent model. I've wanted a Korean War era Skyraider in my display case for sometime now, and I am pleased with the results. This has been a very positive experience and look forward to many more. My F9F-5 Panther is next. Thanks for looking, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TF51GREGWISE Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 excellent!! :huh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Fantastic work Mark Good to see some dio's I think it gives a great sense of scale to these birds. Just out of interest would the wings be folded with a full bomb load? thinking out loud sorry and I'm sure someone will prove me wrong. :huh: Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VOODOO73 Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Nice work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 Just out of interest would the wings be folded with a full bomb load? thinking out loud sorry and I'm sure someone will prove me wrong. Doc Thanks Guys, for the kind words. Hey Doc here is a pic for you. I do'nt have enough time to search my references for a better example. But you can clearly see a loaded Skyraider with it wings folded behind the bird being readied for launch. Thank you for your comments, they are much appreciated Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Fester Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 I stand entirely corrected Thanks for that info, one to remember. Cheers Doc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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