Skyraider gen - specifically French AD-4/AD-4N

[Wez]

Got a hankering to make a couple of French Skyraiders in 1/72nd using some Modeldecal and Model-Art decal sheets, my kits are the Hobbycraft (which I believe started life under somebody else's banner - Tsukada?), and, a Hasegawa kit which I originally paid the princely sum of £8.99 for! If only I could buy it at that price now (instead of having to sell an arm, two legs and a kidney)!

I've a question regarding the cockpit colour, interior green or dark gull grey?

I'm sure I'll think of more as I plod on.

Any help gratefully accepted.

Wez

[Jon Kunac-Tabinor]

Hi Wez - going from memory but I think AdeL'A Skyraiders were ex USN anyway - and my guess for the timescale of when they were made is interior green ( though that could also be with black above the consoles too).

Also - the finish is I think an overall aluminium pant rather than NMF , though they did get very weathered in service so the paint would be quite lustreless and dull.

You'll also find that the main underwing pylon ( ie the one you see with drop tanks attached on USN vietnam Spads) is the earlier rounded front one, like here....

http://www.pictaero.com/en/pictures/picture,73448

( the black painted weapons pylons are typical too)

And just to add some interest you see plenty of pics of Spads Francaises with GSB Corsair drop tanks dangling beneath too - which adds a touch of interest.

I have some French info on these machine which i dig into, si tu veut...

regards

Jonners

[Wez]

Jonners, thanks for the info and I'd certainly be interested in any more info you dig up.

Found this website regarding French operations over Algeria, if you go to the gallery there's plenty of Skyraider pictures which will prove helpful,

http://www.frenchwings.net/algeria/gallery/

I've also found this site which should be useful:

http://skyraider.org/skyassn/otherpics/borne/borne.htm

Regarding the drop tanks, I've always thought they were more like Bearcat tanks rather than Corsair tanks (unless they're the same thing).

Wez

[Wez]

You'll also find that the main underwing pylon ( ie the one you see with drop tanks attached on USN vietnam Spads) is the earlier rounded front one, like here....

http://www.pictaero....s/picture,73448

Does anybody know if they're the same width as the angular ones that come with most of the kits ('cos they represent A-1H/J's), do the have the same chord-wise length as th angular items (obviously I'm wondering whether it's worth hacking the kit pylons about)?

Wez

[Homebee]

THE Book about French Skyraider

http://www.aircraft-navalship.com/produit/avions/1763

http://www.aircraft-navalship.com/uploads/attachment/produit//produit_1763_a2fb1e96e0c3ea5553f9ebf179308d54.pdf

V.P.

[VG 33]

Hi

This is a very interesting subject. I have this book at home if you can wait for until next week-end.

Patrick

[Wez]

Thanks guys for the help especially Homebee for that 2nd link and yes Patrick, I'll be more than willing to wait until next weekend for anything you can provide from that Book.

Regards

Wez

[Radalt]

I have got a old 1/48 ESCI 'French AD4' Skyraider in the Stash and intend to get it started soon, so this is all usefull stuff - shall be following .