Fleet Air Arm A-1H Skyraider Finished

[Fatboydim]

What If III Group Build.

After the Torrey Canyon disaster in March 1967, the RAF and the Royal Navy came in for criticism as 25% of the 42 bombs dropped missed the target. The main reason being was, not the lack of skill by the Pilots but bomb technology was lagging behind aircraft technology. The Royal Navy was asked to form a ground attack squadron to help develop tactics with the new bombs being developed for the armed forces. The squadron was to be land based, but able to operate not only from Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers, but also U.S. Navy Carriers when required as some of the trials would be from U.S. Ships. The decision was taken to obtain Douglas A-1 Skyraiders from America. The American Navy was phasing the Skyraider out, and starting to receive the LTV A-7 Corsair II. Not only could the Skyraider operate from US Navy Ships, but the American maintainers knew these aircraft very well. Another advantage, was the fact that they would cost less to operate than front line jets such as the Buccaneer.

They would be based at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk) in Cornwall. The Skyraider had been operated by the Royal Navy before with the AEW version of the aircraft, so had some experience of the type. This squadron would be operating for approximately 2 years during the trials period. The aircraft would be painted in Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky, as were other Royal Navy propeller aircraft of the time. The responsibility was given to 700 NAS, which was, and still is to this day, an Intensive Flying Trials Unit (IFTU). Originally formed in January 1940 at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) in Orkney. It was intended for the squadron to be formed in January 1968, to 1970 operating with the Suffix letter A. Thus being known as 700A NAS. At the same time, 700 squadron would also be carrying out IFTU duties with the introduction of the McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom II FG.1. This squadron would be known as 700P NAS .

As the intention was for cross deck operations with the American Navy, a decision was made to paint colourful tail markings as was common with US Naval Aircraft at the time. On account of the squadrons connection with hawks (formed at HMS Sparrowhawk, and now stationed at HMS Seahawk), it was decided to incorporate a bird of prey in the tail art work. 700A operated sea trials on several Royal Navy ships including, HMS Ark Royal (R09) and HMS Eagle (R05). USS Forrestal (CV-59) was the first American ship 700A performed trials on while she was in the Mediterranean during 1968. As they were based in Cornwall, they became known as the Pirates of Penzance by the Americans. This led to a Pirates head being painted on the engine cowl of their aircraft.

In September of 1969, the Skyraiders of 700A embarked on the USS Independence (CV-62) for a NATO exercise in the North Atlantic (NORLANT). During this exercise, the USS Independence participated in testing the Hawker Siddeley Harrier in flight deck operations. Incidently, 700A would form again in 1979 operating the new BAe Sea Harrier FRS1. The unit would paint the same tail markings on the tails of their Sea Harriers, that was painted on the Skyraiders embarked on the USS Independence during that exercise. After a very successful trials period, 700A was decommissioned in early 1970's. 700 NAS returned to RNAS Culdrose from 1998-2008 operating as 700M NAS with the Agusta Westland Merlin HM.1 and again in 2014, until the present day as 700X NAS testing the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle.

Thank you for looking, Joe

Click on Fleet Air Arm Mk.1 Skyraider for RFI link.

[Col.]

All makes perfect sense to me Joe. Have a feeling the Skyraider will look 'right' in RN colours.

[Fatboydim]

Thank you Col.

This is what I have ready for the What If Group Build III. Under Rule 6, this will be classed as a First Category Entry.

The Tamiya Skyraider. I've made four of these models, and enjoyed making every one of them.

Eduard Zoom set. This is for a A-1J as I couldn't get one for a A-1H.

Quickboost resin sets. Pylons, Gun Barrels , Boot Cockpit Enclosure and Antennas.

An assortment of after market and kit decals all in 1/48th scale.

Mr Hobby Paint & Thinners. I've not used this paint before, but hear good things about it.

Thank you for looking, Joe.

[rmcclure]

Interesting choice Joe - I'll be following with interest.

Cheers,

Roger

[Fatboydim]

Interesting choice Joe - I'll be following with interest.

Cheers,

Roger

Thank you Roger. I've picked a nice easy build for myself. I've got to finish my Airfix Defiant first. Joe

[trickyrich]

Mr Hobby acrylics are really nice to use, when thinned properly, I just use isopropyl to thin, they go on smooth and light. The Semi gloss ones can go on a but funny, but if you use light coats you won't have an issue. The only stuff better than this is the LifeColor acrylics, they are truly amazing and idiot proof!

I like all the "extra" for your build, will follow with interest.

[Fatboydim]

Mr Hobby acrylics are really nice to use, when thinned properly, I just use isopropyl to thin, they go on smooth and light. The Semi gloss ones can go on a but funny, but if you use light coats you won't have an issue. The only stuff better than this is the LifeColor acrylics, they are truly amazing and idiot proof!

I like all the "extra" for your build, will follow with interest.

Thank you Rich, I will bare that in mind when I use them. As you can see, I'm only adding a few extras to my build. You on the other hand are building a monster!

[Colin W]

Hi

You might want to check the paint thinners. The paint is acrylic but you have the thinners for their lacquer range.

Take Care

Colin

[Fatboydim]

Hi

You might want to check the paint thinners. The paint is acrylic but you have the thinners for their lacquer range.

Take Care

Colin

Thank you Colin, and well spotted. I had trouble getting my head round it, but apparently it's the right one. I had been told, but wanted to see it in black and white. This is where I found the thinners information. But I will still try it on a test piece first just in case. Regards, Joe

[Arniec]

I Always use Tamiya X-20A thinner to thin the Gunze paint. That works great as well.

Cheers,

[Fatboydim]

I Always use Tamiya X-20A thinner to thin the Gunze paint. That works great as well.

Cheers,

Thank you Arniec, that's a thinner I use a lot. Not only for Tamiya paint, but I also use it for Xtracrylix. I'll give it a go. Cheers, Joe.

[Fatboydim]

Hello on the first day of the What If Group Build III. I've been thinking of the markings I intend to use. What I plan to do is, take a photocopy of the side view of the fuselage and enlarge it to 1/48th scale to use as a decal plan. I will then take photocopies of the decal sheets. These can be cut into the sections required and positioned on the plan to give me some idea of what the finished model will look like. I will use the nose and tail art as I know I have room for these, but I will juggle the other markings about to fit on the fuselage, or leave off if I don't have enough space. I can also use this plan to try different painting lines to see which I think would look best. I will keep it as accurate as possible to Fleet Air Arm propeller aircraft markings of the time. Thank you for looking, Joe.

[Fatboydim]

I took the opportunity to remove some of the parts off the sprue. I put the smaller parts in the relevant plastic bag, undercarriage, engine etc. These are cleaned up ready for gluing together or painting, whichever the case. At the same time, I put all the parts I don't need in the spares box. I find this helps me find what I'm looking for. It also looks as if I've made progress with not so many parts greeting me when I take the lid off.

Some of the major parts with the smaller items in self sealing bags.

Thank you for looking, Joe

[Col.]

An interesting way to start Joe. I'd loose track of which part was what number far too easily and end up with the wings on upside down

[FIGHTS ON]

Nice idea, look forward to following your build.

Shouldn't be 700S NAS, the "S" being for Skyraider? ( I read somewhere that even the "A" in the Sea Harier 700 series stood for "'arrier")

More importantly, will the time limit for this Group Build alow you sufficient time for you compulsive micro-meshing/sanding fetish that you have with all your builds?

[Fatboydim]

An interesting way to start Joe. I'd loose track of which part was what number far too easily and end up with the wings on upside down

Thank you Col. If I don't think I can identify any part, I remove the it from the main section of sprue, but leave it attached a small length which contains the part number.

[Fatboydim]

Nice idea, look forward to following your build.

Shouldn't be 700S NAS, the "S" being for Skyraider? ( I read somewhere that even the "A" in the Sea Harier 700 series stood for "'arrier")

More importantly, will the time limit for this Group Build alow you sufficient time for you compulsive micro-meshing/sanding fetish that you have with all your builds?

Thank you FIGHTS ON, I agree, the Suffix letter S would have made a lot more sense but for two things, firstly, during this time span, 700 operated with the letter S when flying the Sea King HAS.1(I missed that when I done my homework). Secondly, and far more importantly, the decal I'm going to use has a A on it ( I'm sure you know the one). Speaking of Sea Kings, Scott got me a flight with 771 during my last visit to see him.

You have a fair point about my micro-mesh fetish. I thought I was cured after my last build (here) , I didn't polish the red paint once! But I just know I'm going to fall off the wagon big time with this build. I can't wait to polish that Extra Dark Sea Gray. I will be able to see my ugly face in it when I'm finished. Don't blame me, it's not my fault the Royal Navy kept their aircraft immaculate at the time! Hope to see your rather nice Phantom at the club soon. Joe

[Fatboydim]

I enlarged the decal plan to 1/48th scale by using the Starboard fuselage side from the kit as a guide, I altered the copy/ratio size until the copy was exactly the same size as the fuselage half, when it was placed upon it. I then copied all three of the decal sheets in colour so I could cut them out individually. After I had cut them out, they were placed on the 1/48th plan in the desired positions to see if they fitted. When I was happy with the positioning, I marked the Top section that would be painted Extra Dark Sea Grey using a black chinagraph pencil to see how this would look on finished model.

Enlarged decal plan in 1/48th scale, Starboard fuselage half, copied decal sheets & kit decal plan.

Decals cut out & placed on plan. The Extra Dark Sea Grey is represented in black.

Thank you for looking, Joe

[MattBlack33]

This is going to look great! Somehow the Skyraider just looks 'right' in that scheme.

[Fatboydim]

This is going to look great! Somehow the Skyraider just looks 'right' in that scheme.

Thank you MattBlack33, I thought of it a long time ago. When I noticed the What If Group Build, it gave me a reason to build it.

[2wheels]

Good looking, and believable scheme.

I'll be interested in seeing the results

[Fatboydim]

Good looking, and believable scheme.

I'll be interested in seeing the results

Thank you 2wheels, the Skyraider is a great looking aircraft, and it's a great looking Fleet Air Arm colour scheme. I'm hoping the two will go together. Joe

[Fatboydim]

Quickboost & kit parts compared.

A section of rail from the kit part is attached to the rear of the replacement boot cover.

The 2 pylons in the center are from the kit.

Thank you for looking, Joe.

[Col.]

Some rather tasty, if not a little fragile, bits there. Am I correct in thinking there was a difference between early Navy type pylons and those on later aircraft?

[Fatboydim]

Some rather tasty, if not a little fragile, bits there. Am I correct in thinking there was a difference between early Navy type pylons and those on later aircraft?

I believe that's correct. I think the change over was from about the AD-4 onwards. These were the larger Aero 14E Pylons. But I think in some cases, the smaller pylons were still used on the AD-4s. I've since looked in a couple of books, and there appears to be a few variations of what pylons were used.