Booty003 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1/72 Trumpeter North American RA-5C - Vigilante, RVAH-13. USS Enterprise 1972. Task Force 77. With the increasing U.S. military involvement in Vietnam after 1964, RVAH-13 was added to the mix of RVAH squadrons participating in combat operations in Southeast Asia. In conducting pre- and post-strike reconnaissance, the RA-5C would incur the highest loss rate of any U.S. Navy combat aircraft during the Vietnam War, and RVAH-13's experience would more than reflect this. On 28 December 1972, during Operation Linebacker II, RA-5C BuNo 156633 was lost in combat when it was shot down by a Vietnam People's Air Force MiG-21. The pilot, LCDR Al Agnew, successfully ejected, was captured by the North Vietnamese as a POW and repatriated to the United States on 29 March 1973. The RAN, LT Mike Haifley was listed as MIA until his remains were returned to the United States in August 1985. Here is my 1/72 Trumpeter RA-5C using Print Scale decals. The only thing I've added is the prominent brake lines on the landing gear. A very nice kit, overdone rivet and panel lines for some but I dont mind them. A slight wash really springs this to life for me. Airbrushed using Vallejo Model Air, Flory Dark and Grime Wash and sealed using Xtracrylix Satin Varnish. A massive and impressive looking aircraft, very pleased that I have added one to the collection. Phil. Thanks for looking. Phil 52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abandoned Project Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Nicely done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 That's a stunner of a build Phil.what a finish on her,only the Yank's could design something that big for carrier use! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Beautiful model of a beautiful aircraft! Well done Hard to believe something that big was routinely flown from carriers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Very nice build of an elegant aircraft. Looks impressive and you nailed it. Cheers, Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 That's a real beauty, Phil. The Vigilante was a real hunk of aeroplane, wasn't it! Your build is great and captures the brutishness of her very well. Of course, it was essentially two F-104s strapped together by virtue of having two J79s. They must have sounded fantastic! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfinished project Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Fantastic presentation of this carrier borne monster. 👏👏👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmm Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 My favourite Vietnam-era jet and this is one of the finest builds I've seen of it. Beautiful work. What an elegant machine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Wow! The nicest Vigilante in the scale I have seen for quite a while. Very nice build of a very capable airplane that was well-liked by those who flew them. The restrained weathering and panel line detailing is refreshing, as well. How did the model go together- anything major to look out for? Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Absolutely superb to see one done so well. It does look like a really nice kit. Also like the photography of the deck equipment and carrier base. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Joyce Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Very nicely built and finished, Phil! The overdone panel lines and rivets don't bother me either and actually enhance the kit, at least on your build. There is a Vigilante on display here in California, where I live, at the Castle Air Museum, which I have visited several times. Yes, it is a massive airplane! Cheers, Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 A great build, and fantastic display and photography as well, interesting finish with the wavy white line on the moving surfaces, something very different 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Smart looking build! With lotsa Trumpeter rivets all over… 😉 Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Yes, very nice. As noted, the wavy line on the upper surface is unusual, any info on that? I also like your flight deck tractors and crew, great stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Superb work, I love it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booty003 Posted November 20, 2018 Author Share Posted November 20, 2018 Thanks guys. The kit goes together really well apart from the rear panel where the hook is. Bit of a tricky one to get looking okay whilst avoiding a step on 3 sides! The cockpit is lovely - very detailed and would look fab with the canopy open. I prefer mine closed so miss out on the detail. The wavy line on the upper wing wasn't by design - without checking references I masked up just the flaps after spraying them white, didn't realise the white went straight across the wing! I then noticed a few photos of the Vigi with a wavy line so used a touch of artistic licence and applied it to this. Looks different at least!! Phil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antti_K Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Oh I like this! Great job with less than perfect kit. I have one (stalled project) on the pipe line and your Vigilante clearly shows that a very attractive model can be built out of Trumpeter's kit. Cheers, Antti 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikolay Polyakov Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Stunning work Phil! 👍 Cheers, Nikolay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Looks great, was wondering if thereever was a good kit of the A-5 in 1/72. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Great build with very realistic dirt/exploitation traces... Cheers J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djos Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 SUPERB! Also like pictures on carrier deck....great model and presentation Best regards Djordje 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Wonderful model of one of my all time favourite aircraft. AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Terrific. A great paint finish and I really like the tableaux with the groundies etc. I've always like this impressive beast, even if it did have a relatively short operational career. With today's tighter defence budgets I wonder whether a longer life would have been eked out of it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adey m Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 That is stunningly superb Phil, it has to be the best one I've seen. Beautifully photographed too. An absolute booty......... Regards, adey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Great work, the aircraft has a certain brutal beauty & you've captured it well. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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