Peter W

Hi Whitewolf - yes it is. Welcome aboard Matt Hi Billn53 - I have debated them several times but, much as you've said, they do look a pain to fit well.

It's been a while since I did a WIP but thought that this one might be worth sharing my impending pain with you all. I thought that I best get this one out of the stash before the Revell one comes along and consigns it even further to the bottom. I'm sure that it will take a while to get it finished as I'm currently doing battle with a Kinetic Intruder and anyone that's built one will know how painful an experience it is. This one is intended to break the pain cycle on that one but will no doubt just create some more. I can't even remember when I bought this but I'd guess that it is well over 30 years ago so about time it was built. I've added a few bits to the build over the last few years too. And if all goes well then she'll be wearing something from this sheet down the line. Nothing too much to report so far but I have started the re-scribing which is going to take a while to complete. Italeri plastic from this era really is poor and has a habit of delaminating if your not careful, so careful I will be. Pete

You have got to be proud to have this finished and looking superb. Every time I look at a picture another bit of detail pops out that would have missed by most of us, even if we were daft enough to attempt it. Your work is a pleasure to follow along with and can't wait to see what's next. Pete

Echo what's been said Craig, really enjoyed the group build and you spent a lot of time being a great host so thank you. Pete

Thanks Craig, it’s been a fun group build to take part in. I’m now going to poke my head above the covers and take a look at the other builds. I’m so guilty of focussing on my own build and missing all the good stuff going on, including your’s which turned out looking great. Pete

Great looking Starfighter and, as said, the paint job is really well done. Pete

Hi exdraken - no these were only used as forward air controllers and wore several schemes during their service. I know what you mean though because it does look like an aggressor scheme. Hi supersonic - I used white-tac to mask the pattern, as shown on the furball decal sheet.

I've had a bit of a lull in the production line lately but managed to get this one across the line today for our very own Skyhawk Group Build. It's the TA-4J Skyhawk kit converted to an OA-4M using the following: Steel Beach - OA-4M Conversion Set Quickboost - A-4 Ejection Seats Reskit - Skyhawk Wheels Eduard Brassin - LAU-10/ A Zuni Rocket Pods Furball Aero - Low Viz Devil Dog Scooters. I took care of one of the kit errors by lifting the front flap area up to be level with the top of the wing. I also replaced the pitot tube with a pin and some tube to make it a bit sharper than the plastic one. Painting was done using Hataka paints which sprayed great but the green really isn't even close to the colour of the decals, which is disappointing. I'm certain the paint is several shades lighter than FS34095 but equally the decals look a lot greener too. Either way it's what it is and I couldn't motivate myself to repaint it. All glossed with Future and then matted down again with Xtracrylix Matt Varnish. A bit of dirt came from Flory Models Dark Dirt and some AK Interactive Landing Gear Wash. All in all I'm pretty happy with how it turned out but still niggled by things that could've made it better. As usual, comment and critique welcomed Thanks for looking Pete

Time to add another to the gallery. This one is the Hasegawa TA-4J converted to an OA-4M using the following: Steel Beach - OA-4M Conversion Set Quickboost - A4 Ejection Seats Reskit - Skyhawk Wheels Furball Aero - Low Viz Devil Dog Scooters

OK, so there I was beavering away on this one and suddenly it was finished. I had a couple of great days modelling over the weekend and crossed the finish line today. Last picture here and then off to update the gallery. This group build has been great fun and can't wait for the next one now. Pete

Thanks for your thoughts on the weapons Craig. I am really struggling to get any definitive information on this part of the OA-4M. Pete

Back with another small update but some good steps having been taken. I started to get the decals on and it soon became obvious that the colour mismatch between them and the paint is quite huge. I used Hataka FS34095 Field Green but it's not even close to the decals. In fact, when I then had to touch up a bit of green on the decals, I used Xtracrylix FS34092 to match them. I therefore have no idea which one is correct but not going to lose too much sleep over it now. The longer I look at then the less annoyed I am, so onwards and upwards. The decals went on without too much trouble but there's always one and this one was one of the MARINES decals that caused me a bit of grief and led to the aforementioned touching up afterwards. Thankfully there weren't that many so didn't take too long. After that I added some dirt using Flory-models dark dirt, which got me here: Next was to add some of the loose bits and get it ready for a matt coat: I'm trying to work out what sort of armament that the OA-4M would carry and, as far as I can see, a combination of LAU-10/A Zuni and AGM-45 Shrike on the outer pylons wouldn't be wrong. If anyone knows different then please let me know before I go too far down a wrong avenue. Pete

I'm back.... Not the most inspiring of pictures nor updates but I thought that I'd better post something to show that I'm still doing something, even if it's at a snail pace. All the colours are on and it's all shiny, ready for decals. I'm finally at the stage where it starts coming together. Back.. sometime soon Pete

Hi Craig, yes but not moving as quickly as I’d like. I’ve got some paint, bottom and one top colour, on it but not there yet. There should be some pictures soon though, just need to get a little bit more focused. Pete

The Airfix kit can still be turned into a great model and this one definitely ticks that box, very nice. Pete

Hijack away Alex, don’t ever a problem when it contributes to the thread 👍

Great looking legs Alex 👍

Hi Alex - annoyingly I only found out that the Eduard ones included that part after I had done this, otherwise I would have taken the same route. I now know for the next one though 👍

Hi Craig, there was a point when I wished I hadn't considered it too 😄. Not too unhappy now it's done though.

Thanks Hewy. Though it about time that I did a little update to show that progress is still going on. I am getting ever closer to the point when I can give it a good wash and get some undercoat on, just a few bits left to stick on. The resin parts all went on without too much trouble and just a tiny bit of filler to blend them in. Next the wings went on and only needed another bit of filler in the wing seams, which has got me here: I also spent a bit of time on the bit I have been ignoring for too long, cutting the front wheel out of the kit part. I did end up separating the fork from the main strut to make it easier and then glued it back afterwards with a small metal pin to give some strength. All ready for the resin wheels to go in later. I've got to make up another pin for them but that will be done in due course. Definitely having fun with this one and be back soon Pete

Beautifully built Calum and equally as well displayed, really like that a lot. Pete

Thanks modelling minion, pretty happy with it as these tired old eyes are making the detail stuff ever harder. Pete

Time for an update. The cockpit came under the radar next and finding pictures of an OA-4M one proved nigh on impossible, so I just went with what's in the box along with the resin seats. Almost definitely not accurate but who looks after it's built anyway 😉. Still got to matt it all down but that can be done later. And one last one of how it looks as I type. It's all going together quite well so far and, fingers crossed, continues to go that way. Back soon Pete

I guess it makes sense when you think that the OA-4M was converted from the TA-4F airframe. Coneheadff just threw me a googly when he mentioned the super fox intakes in his post and I didn’t think beyond that, shame on you coneheadff 😂. Nice looking build though zebra. Hopefully be putting an update on later too. Back soon Pete

Of all the amazing updates on this post none come close to the last. The picture of your gorgeous granddaughter reminds me of my own grandchildren and, trust me, the feelings you have now never go away. Congratulations Grandad. Pete