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HISTORY Under the MDAP (Mutual Defence Assistance Program) the Royal Navy received , from 1951 onwards, a total of fifty Douglas Skyraiders AD-4W. The Royal Navy changed their designation into AEW. Mk1. (Air Early Warning mark one.) Tasking was mainly providing over the horizon radar coverage to protect the British fleet from attack. By doing so they became the first dedicated frontline AEW system. The AN-APS 20 radar was placed in the dome and weighed about one ton. If working properly, it had a range of more than 100 nautical miles. Although , they provided sterling service, they actually saw only combat service during the Suez Crisis in 1956. Normally a "flight" of four Skyraiders were assigned to one carrier. Crew: Pilot, in the Back Office radio/radar assistant and the LT. Observer. THE KIT AND CONSTRUCTION The Esci model (1979) is very basic. I chose the option to build the Royal Navy version in the Suez Crisis paint scheme. Furthermore ; I decided on folded wings and the port (left) side of the Wright Cyclone motor clearly visible. I started with separating the wings on the folding line with a dental instrument (probe). This task is taking a long time, but the outcome is promising. By using a diamond saw , you will lose too much plastic detail. With Evergreen plastics, I filled the four ends of the separated wings. The Waldron punch and die set provided the nuts and bolts. This job done , I focused on the cockpit. Mainly adding 3D vision with the help of Waldron switches and clear plastic covers for the clock instruments. The sides went together quite well. The AN-APS dome was a real problem. There was no alignment of the two parts, so I placed a strut broad-wise, just to make a sturdy contact with the main frame. Glued in place and hardened out , I welded a rod from Evergreen with micro weld into place. This made the whole connection extremely smooth and sealed all the gaps at the same time. The same finishing touch was given to the bulge on the upper deck. All parts were sprayed separately in silver (Revell 90). This gave me the chance to see any mishaps in alignment. Continued with Xtra colour number 121 (Gloss Sea Blue). With the help of Tamiya Tape (6mm), I sprayed on the yellow and black Suez recognition stripes. Decals in the box are good enough to be used. They took set and sol from Microscale The simple engine in the box was updated with wire and Evergreen bits and pieces.. Exhaust pipes were connected to the cylinder system. I added the “firewall and connected the engine to the firewall. The Wright Cyclone in place I turned my attention to the “open hood”.. The plating surrounding the engine was divided on the centreline. The starboard side was glued in place and the port side was opened with a thin metal hinge. Finally, I added the landing gear. Factory fresh build, with no weathering. ready to be delivered to the Fleet Air Arm. During the Suez Crisis the A Flight was stationed aboard HMS Eagle. The flightdeck of the carrier was marked with the identification "J" as from Juliett. The Skyraider did sterling service, but was replaced by the Fairey Gannet after a very short career in the Royal Navy. Specialists on this forum are maybe willing to answer the following question: What was better- The Skyraider or the very complicated Gannet. Regards, Orion / The Netherlands.