Mach 2: Grumman E-1B Tracer w/ a little help from Hasegawa 1/72

[hsr 2,735]

This is my Mach 2 version of a Grumman E-1B Tracer AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft. This is my 6th Mach 2 kit and I have to say that this was the crudest one I have had to deal with. It seemed clear to me that this was derived from the Hasegawa S2F Tracker and since I had and extra S2F kit I used the wings, landing gear, and unfortunately the canopy from it rather then the Mach 2 ones. I say unfortunately for the canopy because after getting it installed and blended in, or maybe during, it cracked . I have also noticed that Mach 2 seems to have 2 decal vendors. Most of their kits have really excellent sharp, thin decals that go down great, but some have very thick, a little fuzzy ones. Tis kit had the thick fuzzy ones. They still go down great with no silvering. Anyway, enough complaining and on to the pictures.

 

 

I don't usually do much weathering but I tried some light wethering with some engine exhaust

 

 

 

 

 

Like every build there came a time when I concluded, that it was never going to get finished, but I think it came out nice.

 

Next up is another Mach 2 kit, their RB-57F, which so far, looks to be much better and has the thin sharp decals.

 

Enjoy

[theplasticsurgeon 11,054]

Thanks for sharing that HSR. I've got a Falcon vac conversion set and a Revell Tracker. I like the way it looks.

Edited November 18, 2017 by theplasticsurgeon
More info

[hsr 2,735]

As soon as I put the radar "dome" on it it took on a whole different appearance and I started to like it 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle 23,392]

Nice “Stoof” 👍

[Romeo Alpha Yankee 7,490]

9 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

Thanks for sharing that HSR. I've got a vac conversion set and a Revell Tracker. I like the way it looks.

Looks good, I wouldn't mind it on my shelf! 

 

I also have the Falcon Vac-form conversion and a Revell/ Hasegawa kit waiting for the chopping.

[Tailspin Turtle 922]

For future reference:

 

http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/08/half-baked-172nd-grumman-wf-2e-1b.html

 

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/11/trader-and-tracer.html

[Romeo Alpha Yankee 7,490]

On 11/19/2017 at 1:25 AM, Tailspin Turtle said:

For future reference:

 

http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/08/half-baked-172nd-grumman-wf-2e-1b.html

 

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/11/trader-and-tracer.html

Thanks for the links, looks like I am off to find my Falcon conversion.

[Orion 1,150]

Hello There,

Excellent presentation of this famous aircraft.

You did put a lot of effort into this model.

Highest Regards, Orion / The Netherlands.

[hsr 2,735]

7 hours ago, Romeo Alpha Yankee said:

Thanks for the links, looks like I am off to find my Falson conversion.

There is also a resin kit conversion by RVHP that I think is still available, that is supposed to be pretty good. It also has the shape of the radar dome wrong, but they all do.  

[Radleigh 3,161]

Nice! I'm currently working on the RVHP & Hasegawa conversion.... I've no decals for mine so, so I will cross that bridge when I get to it.. 

[Smudge 1,925]

Nice work on that Tracer.

 

I also have both the Falcon and RVHP conversion sets. What a shame that they all leave a little to be desired. Thanks for the links to your blog, Tailspin. At least it shows the way to go re fixing the radome shape.

 

 

 

[FAAMAN 605]

Nice work on a little modelled version of the Tracker

[Dennis_C 1,064]

That's an excellent model especially considering crudeness of the original kit!

And this is something I have to add at some point to my Vietnam war collection...

[glatisant 561]

Indeed,Mach 2 kits are a bit of a struggle at the best of times. Yours is exceptional.

[F-32 4,569]

Nice and unusual, good work, I bet there's not many people with one of those in the collection