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Showing results for tags '1/32 Trumpeter A-4E'.
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This is a deceptively difficult kit by Trumpeter. DO NOT use the Eduard photo etch cockpit interior as it does not fit, and cannot be seen. The canopy is too narrow, so you must build it in the open position. Trumpeter couldn't decide whether to have the kit split in two, in order to see the splendid turbojet, but no stand comes with it. If you want to close up the panels, for flight, PUT THEM IN FIRST, before sealing the fuselage up, and put in some weight. If you don't, you can sink the panel hatches too deep into the fuselage with no way to fix them in place. Finally, the most difficult part, the forward fuselage and rear fuselage are a butt fit on a seam line. No mounting tabs! And of course the forward fuselage is a different diameter than the rear! So lots of sanding and careful application of glue is needed. Press, glue, hold. Repeat. Then sand down the proud edges and fill the sunken areas and carefully re scribe! And watch where you put your paint jar. I hit my jar of Tamiya black and as it somersaulted gracefully in the air, spraying the freshly painted insignia white bottom of the plane, in black droplets. Fortunately I was able to use some alcohol and blend it in as weathering as the bottom of carrier jets were pretty dirty. After four+ months, completed! I was originally going to build John S. McCain's aircraft, but stumbled on these amazing photos of his squadron mate making a barrier landing, while badly wounded. Incredible bit of airmanship! LT Earl survived the war and became a contract pilot for the Navy, flying Naval Flight Officers for training. Special thanks to Joe Mazzerella for designing and printing the custom decals. The kit decals are tissue paper thin, so they tear super easy or curl immediately. The stars and bars are incorrect too. So do yourself a favor and get the AOA A-4 Skyhawk set. They are easy to handle and go down beautifully with a little decal setting solution. Added Modern U.S. Tankmen in Afghanistan from Master Box and converted into medical corpsman. Added 1:32 Late Cold War U.S.-NATO pilot PJ Production resin pilot figure. On to the pics!
