Intruder503 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 (edited) Hello all! I've been around a few months and love the site, the content, and the great contributors on here! This is my first WIP and my first real journey back into the world of modelling. I decided to build Trumpeter's 1/32 A-6E and represent the bird I had the privilege to take care of as a plane captain in VA-115. We were stationed in Japan at NAF Atsugi and deployed aboard the USS Independence. After qualifying as a Plane Captain, I was assigned to aircraft 503 BuNo 152950. She was the oldest in the squadron yet she had lots to offer. While on deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch, she racked up more sortie hours than any other aircraft in the air group! Just a quick note: I am not a rivet counter and my memory is a bit faded. I do appreciate any and all comments, advice, criticism, etc. PLEASE do not be offended if I choose not to incorporate your particular suggestion. It's nothing personal. And here we go! I chose to start in the office. I used the Eduard PE set (first time using PE) and upgraded to Quickboost seats (I used the GRU 7A seats and modified them to my liking). Edited July 24, 2017 by Intruder503 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossofiron1971 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Lovely work sir! Even better with a personal interest... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 (edited) How do I get photos from Flickr to show!?! I've been away from the forum game too long! Got it! Edited July 7, 2017 by Intruder503 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossofiron1971 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 No worries mate, use photobucket and then copy and paste.. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matteo44 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Nice work on the 'pit! Will be following this with interest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 9, 2017 Author Share Posted July 9, 2017 (edited) I got a gift from my mother-in-law for helping her out on a project! I've been needing one of these!! Edited July 9, 2017 by Intruder503 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 (edited) Finally got some time to work on the Intruder. I got the "Birdcage" close to being done. Still have some weathering and whatnot to finish. Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Thanks for looking! Chris Edited July 14, 2017 by Intruder503 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 The kit does not have the upper rung in the ladder so I added that and obviously I added some wiring to represent the wire looms. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of reference photos online for this area. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsahling1 Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 I've built this kit twice now, and if you'd ever like any help, advice, input I'd be happy to help. I thought its one of Trumpeter's best engineered kits with really good fit overall. When attaching the wings to the fuselage make sure you've got everything prepped because it "clicks" into place and removing it can be hard! Also be sure to paint the main gear wells white before attaching them to the fuselage. Nice work so far, I'd recommend AOA decals if you're so inclined. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Thanks for the advice! All advice is welcome! I'm mostly using decals from AOAs Sandbox sheets. However, due to the relative obscurity of my subject (I literally have 2 photos) I'll have to make some of my own decals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Great work, here are some walk around pics including the birdcage and up inside: http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/bill_spidle/a-6e_walk_1.htm Jari 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Jari, those are the only ones I've seen with any detail. I reached out to a few squadron mates but since we were all pretty young (and could care less about the future) and prior to the digital age, no one seems to have any detail photos of any of 115's birds. I appreciate everyone's kind words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Have you tried the Cruisebook site: http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/index.html scroll down for the Indy and the year in question. Jari 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Great work. Thanks for sharing your memories and your build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 I will follow this thread with great interest; not because I am going to build one of these 1/32nd scale Intruders myself, but because I have several of the HB 1/48th scale Intruders. The moulds are similar in most areas AFAIK. On the 1/48th scale Intruders you need to move the inner wing fences inboard. Does that apply to the 1/32nd scale version too? Jens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 13 hours ago, Jens said: I will follow this thread with great interest On the 1/48th scale Intruders you need to move the inner wing fences inboard. Does that apply to the 1/32nd scale version too? Jens I will do my best to keep you interested! Based on my research, I'm going to have to move the inboard stall fence about 13mm inward. Still looking at the outboard fence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 Outboard stall fence appears to be about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 Started work on the J52. I'm only installing the port motor. (I have plans for the other motor ) Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Even though the kit's engines are very well detailed, I added some wire to simulate some piping to give the motor some life. Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr I also have a bit of a secret build I'm doing for this. I'll document it and add it to the WIP once it's complete. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 23 hours ago, Intruder503 said: I will do my best to keep you interested! Based on my research, I'm going to have to move the inboard stall fence about 13mm inward. Still looking at the outboard fence. The outboard fences are fine, only the inboard ones need to be moved. I don't recall the exact measurements, but I believe they are supposed to almost line up with the wing pylons. My first A-6A shows the signs of having the fences moved: Jens 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 They line up just inside of the inboard pylons. If you put them over the pylons they're still too far out (but definitely better than where they started!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 Well Done Sir, The Intruder is the 3rd on my most liked birds. Glad to see one here. I have the détails and scale at hand if you need Something, feel free to ask. Congratulations ! Sincerely. Corsaircorp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 Thanks Corsaircorp, I will most definitely ask if I need! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 A little progress to report. Mostly finished the LH motor. Weathering for the exhaust can was achieved by painting a base coat of rust color then painting a coat of Mr. Metal Color Dark Iron haphazardly then rubbing it down to get some shine. I was hoping to allow some of the rust color to show through just a bit. Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr Untitled by Chris Coggon, on Flickr. Hope you like it! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intruder503 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 Slowly but surely I have been progressing. Not much to share photo-wise but I've knocked out the problem of the incorrect positioning of the inboard stall fence. stall fence move by Chris Coggon, on Flickr I'm almost done with the drop tanks (robbed them from another kit due to the poor shape of the ones from the Trumpy kit). I've got a few scratch-build projects working for this. Hoping to be done with them very soon. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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