A-1J Skyraider "Do it Sandy"

[Night Owl]

In between my new armored obsession and a big diorama project I like to return to aircraft. I have always wanted to do something from the Vietnam war era. Also I don't have any props in my collection so this plane fits the bill. I havent decided on a decal set but I would like to do a Sqn that is not well known. So a behind the scene project is looking at photos and finding decals. Love the scene in "Flight of the intruder" when William Dafoe calls in "Sandy" the loitering Skyraider. Anyways should be fun looking forward to the final coat.

 

 

I am goint to add expansion packs and detail kits but the kit seems pretty good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ill get into the kit here tomorrow and post some more on the paints and start of construction.

 

Oct 15th update

 

Layed out engine parts there are two options one with the cowl doors open and one closed not sure the purpose of the doors but when they are closed you cannot see the engin details. 

 

looking at several engine photos a well seasoned engine has several types of metals predominant is the main cast with a almost beryllium or off gold hue. I found an almost perfect match in the Tamiya spray cans I just decanted some and transfered it into my airbrush.

 

 

 

After spraying a wash to replicate the burnt hydraulic fluid and oils the photo is a bit orange but the final finish looks very close to the photo. I just need to add some detail painting of the other metal surfaces.

 

Tomorrow's plan to start on the cockpit I realised that the expansion pack for the cockpit has a Navy seat I do have a Airforce seat ready to go.

Edited October 16, 2019 by Flaps out
Update

[Red Dog]

Love this aircraft especially fully loaded (even with a toilet on board https://theaviationgeekclub.com/time-u-s-navy-1h-skyraider-dropped-toilet-bomb-north-vietnam/)

Will be visiting regularly to see your progress (and get tips on building one of course).

 

Will be doing 'Spad Dad' from this sheet when I get round to it .

If there's any that you like from this sheet your welcome to to the leftovers.

Cheers

Good modelling

[corsaircorp]

One mre Spad to look at !! 

Good move, the seat included in the CMK kit is for USN Spad !!

I'll follow, if you do not mind it !!

CC

[spaddad]

Looking forward to this.

[Night Owl]

Its been a while but I did finish this great beast here are the photos of the rest of the build. 

I applied a Aires wheel well kit it took alot of grinding and cutting what I found is the after marked wells are too thick and dont allow the wing halves to mate so I had to grind off the backside to almost tissue paper.

Rough fit

You can see here the problem!

 

 

After grinding

 

 

Next it was onto the A-1 Skyraider Folding Wing Set, Wolfpack WP72010 this part of the kit replaces the wing after the original portion is cut away.

 

 

 

Folding wing assembled for fit but not cemented.

 

Next onto priming and shading

I used the mottling method spraying a primer gray coat then flat black through a green scrub pad and lastly pick up the panel lines seperatly, then a light mist coat of the bottom shade USAF light gray.

 

 

 

I decided to use the Top Notch paint mask for the Skyraider 

 

 

If you look close you can see the applied mask. The idea is to spray the lightest coat first in this case the tan then apply mask blocking the tan and then spray the light green, add the next mask pieces then spray the dark green. After all spraying remove the mask to reveal the camouflaged. There is also a mask to protect the underside gray.

 

 

 

 

 

All masking removed now it's decals I decided on going with Vietnamese Airforce unit 518th Fighter Sqn AOA Decals.

Decals were amazing no problems as you can see vibrant colours.

 

I did not like the walkway decals it just liks like a decal so time to do a quick mask and spray.

 

 

Edited April 6, 2020 by Flaps out
Spelling

[Night Owl]

MIts been a while but I did finish this great beast here are the photos of the rest of the build. 

I applied a Aires wheel well kit it took alot of grinding and cutting what I found is the after marked wells are too thick and dont allow the wing halves to mate so I has to grind off the backside to almost tissue paper.

Rough fit

You can see here the problem

 

 

After grinding

 

 

Next itvwas onto the A-1 Skyraider Folding Wing Set, Wolfpack WP72010 this part of the kit replaces the wing after the original portion is cut away.

 

 

 

Filding wing assembled for fit but not cemented.

 

Next onto priming and shading

I used the mottling method spraying a primer gray coat then flat black through a green scrub pad lastly pick up the panel lines seperatly then a light mist coat of the bottom shade USAF light gray.

 

 

 

I decided to use the Top Notch paint mask for the Skyraider 

 

 

If you look close you can see the applied mask. The idea is to spray the lightest coat first in this case the tan then apply mask blocking the tan and then spray the light green, add the next mask pieces then spray the dark green. After all spaying  remove the mask to reveal the camouflaged. There is also a mask to protect the underside gray.

 

 

 

 

 

All masking removed now it's decals I decided on going with  Vietnamese Airforce unit 518th Fighter Sqn AOA Decals.

Decals were amazing no problems as you bcan see vibrant colours.

 

I didnt like the walkway decals it just liiks like a decal so time to do a quick mask and spray.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 6, 2020 by Flaps out
Spelling

[spaddad]

orsum

[RidgeRunner]

Very nice. I admire your choice of markings and the finish is superb 

 

Martin

Edited April 4, 2020 by RidgeRunner

[Aigore]

Awesome spad!

[corsaircorp]

Wow !! Really great job Congrats !!

I enjoy these Viet Namese markings, and the weathering is top notch !!

Congrats again !!

Sincerely.

CC

PS, Did you publish it in the RFI section ?

[SAT69]

Now that's very realistic looking. The oil dripped onto the center-line tank is a great touch. Never seen that done before.