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AMT 1/48 ES-3A Shadow


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The ES-3A Shadow was a spin off from the Lockheed S-3 Viking which was designed as a specialist in Anti Submarine Warfare. The ES-3A was developed for Long Range Electronic Reconnaissance (ELINT). 16 S-3's have been converted to ES-3A with numerous antennas and specialized equipment. ES-3A's replaced the aging EA-3B Skywarrior and joined the US Navy in 1991.

ASW and ELINT where used less and less and the ES-3A's quickly had another task, airborne refuelling station. A rather expensive solution.

Only two squadrons where formed, VQ-5 Sea Shadows and VQ-6 Black Ravens. VQ-5 was assigned to Pacific Fleet Squadron and VQ-6 to the Atlantic. The ES-3A's flew as a Detachment (DET) to the carriers air wing. They used the groups letters on the tail.

In 1999 all 16 ES-3A's where retired early and put into AMARG storage at AFB Davis Monthan, Arizona.

Ordinary Vikings flew until 2009, often also a tanker with the well known Buddy Pod and a 300 USG tank on the other wing.

I got this kit from a friend of mine and I have a lot of extra's. I plan to build a S-3B in the distant future where I will be using the Goffy Models sets as well as the Paragon wing folds.

So it's Eduard and Wolfpack. I am thinking of backdating the Wolfpack IP to a ES-3A as some might be seen through the canopy. I don't plan to correct all other panels, since I only have picture of the ES-3A cockpit..

Thanks Erik!

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fltr.. AMT S-3A canopy, ES-3A and the Squadron, which has been vacformed over the other, making it a bit too big..

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Doug's lovely Royale Resin wheels vs AMT..

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AMT vs Wolfpack 133..

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I'll be using Attack Squadron 300USG tank and the Wolfpack set for the Buddypod..

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I like a lot.. IT FITS right away..

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Let's check what will be visible..

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  • 3 weeks later...

ES-3A's had a Vapor Cooling System in the tail. AMT calls it APU, but that's in the regular position, left front. On top AMT's VCS (spare kit)..

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in order to fit the special electronic bays to the fuselage some work is necessary..

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and still..

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underneath still has to be done..

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The white rectangle is the APU exhaust, scratched the vent in front and some repanelling..

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flap track markings, Madonna connection plates and slime lights..

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more sanding..

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Scratchbuilt VCS, Madonna plates and some corrected mounts..

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Wrong and crude. AMT on top, after below..

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wolfpack tailhook compartment..

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rhino models and old Sierra Hotel? intakes..

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rhino doesn't fit exactly, creative sanding combined with a bit oversized rotor within..

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White turns yellow in bleach, who would have guessed..

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scratchwerk for the exhausts..

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side windows are just slightly differently shaped..

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in order for the wing to fit exactly a narrow 0,5 mm has to be removed from the inside of the two halfs..

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to convert a S-3B to an ES-3A some has to give..

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gone..

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after scratching..

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only original cockpit photo I had..

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not bad, especially since you will hardly see later..

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Edited by Sid de Koning
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  • 1 month later...

Today I fainally continued the Shadow. I call the pit ready for mounting in one half of the fuselage. Closing up is next and then some more sanding..

The intake got a tube and a small piece of PE..

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primed..

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with Alclad2 matte 314..

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  • 2 weeks later...

hard to see, but there is now a small custom made window in it..
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scratching..
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the nosegear is far from correct, but I will not correct it..
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nose wheel gear bay..
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Taping off in the previous intakes is almost impossible.. Sierra Hotel Models to the rescue..
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early fans (white) and the late ones (grey)..
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Looking very nice, Sid. Vikings have been on my 'to-do' list forever, but hung up on the back seat positions... Goofy Models being on offering ever to attempt to depict the 'men behind the curtain', visible if the entry hatch ("steps") is deployed. Good to see someone doing one of these...

Regards, Robert

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I know Robert, but there will be a lot of work to get the overhead covers to match.. so not this time..

The engine nacelles..
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two possible options..
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neh, airbrushed Mr. Color 101 Smoke Grey didn't work..
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after Muscle oven cleaner..
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just a test..
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fuel dump could use a bit of work..
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fixed..
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boring underside..

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after some scratching. APU intake is from Wolfpach..

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antenna locations in pencil..

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with slime lights and improved ALD-9 Ferrite loop antenna..

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upperside..

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AMT version of ALR-76.. to be replaced by once again Wolfpack..

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EUREKA.. Hasegawa Polarize finish Cobalt Blue/Yellow TF901.

Today I found out it actually is a very thin film which you can stick to clear parts for a very special effect.

Looking from different angles, different colors appear..

Right windshield has been done..

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putting in all the parts..

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Edited by Sid de Koning
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