theplasticsurgeon

My first build for this GB, this Matchbox A-20G Douglas Havoc. Originating from an exchange that I did at Jet Age. Photo of parts tomorrow, but the decals are mandating the USAAF version, Just look at those Frence roundels! I've built this kit 3 times previously, so anticipating a quick trouble free build.

My first completion of 2024.

Thanks for the images Patrice, I have the same kit for this GB, but haven't unsealed the box yet - but liking what I'm seeing. Having built every other readily available manufacturer's P-38, and every other scheme, I'm really keen to see how this one shapes up. I'll be planning to build Miss Ann, on the boxtop.

Completed.

Undercarriage, and doors. And up onto her pins. No nose ballast in this model! Just one landing light left before completion now.

Decals - USMC VMCJ-2 There's some confusion on the decal instructions, with inconsistent annotation. And a load of unused NO STEP stencils. I used them up on the slats and flaps. Not measured, but I'd bet coin that those elevators are the larger size for the RF-8G. . .

Son and heir gave me this kit for Christmas - it must be a sign, it even says D-Day.

Tim's Revell 1/144 Fw190A8

Completed photos.

1310 decals fitted. 1419, canopy framed, and prop and that exhaust panel. 1506 Declaring completion and an underside photo Elapsed duration 18:02

Cappucino break time, whist paint is drying. 1031, Airbrushed upper surfaces Humbrol 246 Grey. By 1100 I'd made camo masks from an old photo. And at 1138 I'd airbrushed camo pattern with Humbrol 245 greenwq The rest will be by hairy stick.

0942, Airbrushed Humbrol 247 Helblau undersides. It's now resting whilst I upload, and chose two contrasting shades of grey. And reset my camera clock!

I found the receipt for this kit in the box. £1.99 on 25 Aug 2012, planned for an airborne scene attacking B-17 Fortresses. 21:29 I've thinned down the undercarriage components, to build as in-flight. Assembled the fuselage. And joined the wings and fuselage, and done some filling.

Now that the holiday and furniture sales adverts have started on TV, joining you with this kit with this option, and parts. Official start time 20:05

Unmasked - I'm very happy.

Masking, using the canopy masks. Then painted black and masked again. And the underside. In preparation for airbrushing Humbrol 166.

Airbrushed Humbrol 22 gloss white underside.

No - but I've found it now.

I'm finding the same. Massive N printed on the parts map over parts 32, rear fuselage strakes - not used on this version, so that figures. BUT it's also on part 17, the undercarriage bay divider which IS used. Confusingly, there's a similarly shaped but un-numbered part on the wing sprue - I might have used the wrong one! A section on the ECM fairings for RF-8G only (and parts 25, 70, and CP9). These are RF-8A instructions! No mention of part 13, a ribbed bulkhead inside the canopy. Good job I've made a few other Crusaders. There's no mention about location of the cameras (parts 42), for this version. I'll add other points as I notice them.

I set some measures in 2013 - to try to introduce diversity into my builds, so I'll be ticking those off as I go. They're not always achieved. . . 1, At least 12 finishes during the year - so average > one per month. Achieved by Easter. I need to review this figure now that I've retired. 2, At least one non-aircraft - Academy M35 truck, Airfix Bofors. 3, At least one 48 scale. - Airfix Seafire, Esci Kfir. 4, At least one other non-72 scale. Revell 1/144 Fw 190A8. 5, At least one FAA. Airfix Seafire, Sword Harrier T4N, Xtrakit Scimitar, Airfix Dominie COD.

It takes a lot of work and attention to detail, but the reward is there to see.

Interior preparation. It's difficult to see exactly how this all comes together. Cockpit is Mirage grey. Intake duct,and undercarriage bays - white, Camera bay - black. Exhaust components - grey. Cockpit bits. There's no instrument decals in this kit, so all painted. The seat picture that I found shows silvery grey seat harness, and straw coloured parachute straps. Yellow and black face curtain handle. I'm leaving the seat loose until I've confirmed its height. Edited later - as result of comments later in this thread: This seat is correct for the RF-8G, but not for the A version. Which starts a trend, leading to a conclusion. Interior view, intake duct, cockpit, cameras, undercarriage bay, and exhaust installed into the fuselage half. Final view of the cockpit Fuselage assembled, and the wing. Dryfitting revealed that I needed to trim a the inner edge of the lower wings, to avoid the wing sitting proud. Wing fitted. I'm very happy with that! Just visible, oval shaped flats on the exhaust, for the cooling scoops. The fuselage is optimised as an RF-8G! Scraped off with my scalpel now.

A kit that I've been looking forward to, since it was announced earlier this year. This RF-8A is the same engine as the F-8A fighter, very much a first generation Crusader, single slats, and pre-dating the intakes and strakes around the tail. Decals, which look superb. US Marines option, operating from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This is the option I'll be building. US Navy option. Plastic parts, lightly engraved detail which looks great. Unlike other Crusader kits, this one doesn't have an option for raised wing. Clear parts and the seat, and a canopy mask to help with painting.

Very good to see, and an excellent result. A kit that has joined my stash, as an unsaleable donation at Jet Age, so good to see a great result. Thanks for posting.

Same answer as I was going to give. I also never saw one. Built for a specific job, with known limitations - and a lot that I will never understand. That orange plug into the back of the slave unit, is the multiple operating pipe for the engine. But I have enjoyed two rides behind this similar concept at Severn Valley Railway. Actually an 08 and 09 pair. Paired nose to nose, to give the leading driver a better view. These are NOT multiple operating, so there is a driver in the trailing cab, driving that one. Probably receiving signal information from the front driver on a two-way radio.