RidgeRunner Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 (edited) Hi all, I reckon I am at the stage with "D-10" that I can start to think about the next Thud. This time - as I've mentioned before - she will be 59-1749, operated by the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron/388th Tactical Fighter Wing and flying from Takhli RTAFB during the Vietnam War era. Sadly she was lost on 23rd September 1967 but like all the Thuds she will have played a pivotal part in the air campaign. For those who didn't know, the Thuds were the heavy loaders in the conflict and only accrued such high attrition because of the demands of them. Like most Vietnam Thuds, '749 was operated with side names, and carried "Mr Toad" (starboard side) and "Marilee E" (Port side). Her she is: As you can see, she operated in the reverse camouflage scheme, which is what attracted me to her. She was also the only one of these reversed machines that a green nose of both sides, so not a true reversal. I like the look of this, particularly from the starboard side. As with "D-10" she will need some mild butchery to get her correct. This will mean changing the spine mainly, although I have yet to ascertain whether I need to remove the strengthening plates on the fuselage and wings. I hope not! She will be loaded with wing tanks, a centreline MER (as in the photo above) and additional appropriate extras under the tips of each wing, courtesy of Hasegawa's excellent weapons sets. She will again be based on the Trumpeter kit, so will need the rivets filled! What I do still need is a good image of the Toad so that I can re-draw it and produce a decal. Any help would be gratefully received! My reference material, aside from the net, has grown while building "D-10". It is now: You can see that I include the excellent Schiffer book (top left/centre) which no fan of the Thud should be without. Well, I'll be getting underway soon but I will only post occasionally to save the boring repetition! Of course, if you'd prefer I didn't at all just tell me Martin Edited June 18, 2018 by RidgeRunner 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 Martin, Does this shed some light on the subject? From the written sources I found, there was conflicting information- some stating that the strengthening plates were a postwar mod, and some others stated that it was done in 1972-73. I'm trying to find definite confirmation one way or the other, but in the meantime maybe one of our resident BM experts can be more helpful? (Where are Giorgio and Sabrejet when you need them?) Mike http://www.finescale.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/3/b/e/fsm-th0406.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 6 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Well, I'll be getting underway soon but I will only post occasionally to save the boring repetition! Of course, if you'd prefer I didn't at all just tell me Boring repetition ............. modelling a Thud? You must be kidding! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 18, 2018 Author Share Posted June 18, 2018 2 hours ago, 72modeler said: Martin, Does this shed some light on the subject? From the written sources I found, there was conflicting information- some stating that the strengthening plates were a postwar mod, and some others stated that it was done in 1972-73. I'm trying to find definite confirmation one way or the other, but in the meantime maybe one of our resident BM experts can be more helpful? (Where are Giorgio and Sabrejet when you need them?) Mike http://www.finescale.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/3/b/e/fsm-th0406.pdf Thanks Mike. Very helpful :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 18, 2018 Author Share Posted June 18, 2018 (edited) I will be using some appropriate parts from these sets: Martin Edited June 19, 2018 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 19, 2018 Author Share Posted June 19, 2018 20 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: This will mean changing the spine mainly, although I have yet to ascertain whether I need to remove the strengthening plates on the fuselage and wings. Having trawled by library and many images of period machines she needs the plates removed. It seems she also needs the ventilation grille over the gun mounting filled as that was a later mod. Hey ho! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 Can’t have too many Thuds. I’m in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 More Thud-workings? I'll follow along, taking notes on the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 22, 2018 Author Share Posted June 22, 2018 (edited) Good to have you along for the ride, Christer. As I said before, it will be an occasional posting only. I will certainly post more when I get the B-model underway, though ;). Martin Edited June 22, 2018 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 23, 2018 Author Share Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) Hmmmm.. Who knows the truth? I've said above that she was destroyed on 23rd September 1967. This is reported as being flown at that time by Major D.S. Aunapu, and hit over Ban Katoi. However, in the "Vietnam to Western Airlines" book, Dennis Wills - her pilot for some of her career and her namer as "Mr Toad" - says she was lost in 1971 hen she took an 85mm round hit and lost undercarriage functionality. What is the truth? Does anyone out there know? He does confirm that at the time of the loss she was being flown by Maj. Aunapu, though. Martin Edited June 23, 2018 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VT Red Sox Fan Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Martin, looking fwd to following your build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 16, 2018 Author Share Posted November 16, 2018 (edited) Hi Erwin @VT Red Sox Fan, To be honest I'd forgotten that I'd started this thread, and I therefore apologise to all for not posting anything. mr Toad/Marilee E is nearing completion now and so it is probably pointless saying too much now. Today the undercarriage went on as well as the wing tanks. The speed brakes had some weathering with Tamiya powders too. Tasks to now complete are: finishing the centreline MER including the decalling the M117s, building the speed brakes, cementing the remaining undercarriage doors, adding the outer pylons and final touching up, followed by an overall varnish coat. Martin Edited November 16, 2018 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 1 hour ago, RidgeRunner said: mr Toad/Marilee E is nearing completion now Looking forward to seeing that one soon then Martin? 😁 Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 (edited) Hi Terry! Yes, I hope so. Unfortunately I won't get anything done over the next couple of days as I have my 60th birthday family party. As you can see above, though, I am nearly there, after a couple of faux pas' on the way, including airbrushing interior green within the camo instead of SEA mid green ;(. I got it remedied, though :). It it is in my mind to set up a new WIP for my next Thud (Trumper D to a B-model) but then I'll have to remember to post updates! Martin Edited November 17, 2018 by RidgeRunner 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarLover'67 Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 My understanding on Mr Toad loss is--made it back to Thailand and crashed near Korat since it could not land at the air base?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 (edited) Hi Warlover67. That may well be correct. I'd like to see something that confirms that. I wrote to Dennis Wills on his email but it is quite possible But I haven't heard back....... Martin Edited March 1, 2019 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarLover'67 Posted December 10, 2018 Share Posted December 10, 2018 My info came in conversation, also these pics were sent to me in web search by our Col. Larson (Squadron Commander) -- check out Port side of aircraft with Mr. Toad lettering... * using iMac w/Safari and pic will not post, anyone with suggesstions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 you should be able to upload to Flickr (if you use it). Then copy the URL of the image and paste in to the post here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarLover'67 Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 (edited) Any updates on Mr Toad art with toad? Edited April 13, 2019 by WarLover'67 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 13, 2019 Author Share Posted April 13, 2019 (edited) Hi @WarLover'67. I've moved on from this build now. Dennis Wills has no record of the art on this machine, sadly. In terms of the port side camouflage it is clear from the picture of Swede Larsson that she carried Mr Toad on both sides. She was completed a few months back .... Martin Edited April 13, 2019 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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