Popular Post RidgeRunner Posted May 18, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) Hi all, Finally, time has enabled me to get my Skyraider across the line 😊. As you will have seen in the WIP (below) she is one of the former Armee de l’Air (French Air force) machines that were acquired by the Groupment Aerient Presidentiel de Gabon (GAP). Eight aircraft were on GAP strength over time, with four machines, colour-trimmed red, blue, green and yellow, being the longest serving. They flew as part of a broader and varied GAP fleet that included, at the time, other types like the Banderainte, L-100/C-130, Harvard, Fouga Magister and others. These were the last active and armed Skyraiders world-wide, being retired in the 1980s. For those who are interested, TR-KFP “green” is now F-AZDP in France, TR-KMO “blue” is G-RADR in the UK, TR-LQE “yellow” is in France and TR-KMP “red” now resides in The National Museum of Naval Aviation in the US, having been impounded by customs. A sad end for the old girl . Of the others only one was lost – TR-KFR on 14th July 1978 in Lome. They were flown by contracted French pilots, the most well-known of these being Jacques Borne. Jacques was the flight commander and was an ex-Armee de l’Air mechanic (on H-34/HSS-1) and pilot, having amassed more than 6,400 hours on a number of types, including the Fouga Magister, T-6/Harvard, Mirage IIIB/C/E and IVA, and T-33. He maintained a nickname through his career of “Sarcife”. You can see more about him here, albeit in French: http://www.pilotedechasse.org/2017/06/en-vol-avec-sarcife.html and search "sarcife". Google Translate is a great thing! 😊 The subject of this build is Jacques’ machine, TR-KMP “red”. She was an AD-4N. She is built from a Hasegawa A-1H Skyraider kit, supported by some parts from a Sword AD-4W. The latter is a spare ship for this and other builds in the future. For this build I used the side doors, leaving one “ajar” so that it has a little more detail interest, plus the main wing pylons. For the build I have been supported superbly by Jacques’ son, Fred. He provided me with many images of these aircraft, some of which are also available online, and answered questions along the way. Here she is in a shot taken during her Gabonese career: What did I do/use? Well, here goes: a. Inserted the starboard side door section from the AD-5W, cutting the port side door aperture (slightly too low ☹) and used the AD-5W door b. Built the internals for the rear cabin in a generic sense. Used Kristal Klear for the side windows. c. Added different antennae top and bottom of the fuselage. d. Removed the “pitot” and light from the fin tip. e. Used a F-84G wing tank (thanks @Wez) for the belly tank and made the AD-4 shackles from Plastrict rod. f. Built T10 rocket rails and cables with Plastruct rod and wire. Used the AD-5W main wing pylons. g. Used an Aires cockpit set h. Added static wicks with wire i. Re-scribed per AD-4N j. Painted the red trim rather than using decals k. Here and there, as appropriate, I dry brushed with aluminium, black and red. I also left the Flory wash more intense in places to mimic the dirty(ish) conditions of the aircraft. Unusually for Skyraiders she did not have much oil or exhaust staining, as you can see from the above photo. l. Added the foot steps behind the wings, using brass rod. m. Drilled out the cannons and exhausts - Thanks for the prompt Stuart @Courageous 1. Kits – Hasegawa A-1H Skyraider (00780) and Sword AD-4W Skyraider (SW 72126) 2. Decals – Zotz Skyraiders over Africa set (72026) for the national insignia, lion motif and stencilling, Modeldecal French numbering set (No.63) for the “MP” ID letters, Xtradecal black lining and red lining for the walkways, etc. 3. Extra parts – Aside from the side doors – I used a modified F-84 underwing tank to represent the large belly tank used by the French, various antennas and dorsal intake from the spares box, Plastruct rod for the rocket rails, belly aerial poles, belly tanks saw braces, electrical copper wire for the rocket rail charging cables and static wicks, and a few other little bits and pieces. I used an, Aires A-1 resin cockpit. 4. Paints – Humbrol Metalcote Polished Aluminium (27002), Colourcoats Matt Black, Insignia Red, Interior Green, plus various other paints for small details. Humbrol Glosscote and Satincote. 5. Weathering – Flory Dark Dirt and Light (mixes), Tamiya Weathering Powders, Prismacolor Silver pencil (PC949) 6. Colin @Colin @ Freightdog Models kindly donated a couple of Aero tanks but I needed the larger belly tank. I'll keep these, with his agreement, for a later AD-4B build. Thank also to Mike @72modeler for some valuable data. The WIP is here: I hope you like her. Having got this build done I am now working on Jacques’ Fouga Magister and will then add a Harvard/AT-6D to the Gabonese fleet in my display cabinet. 😊. I hope you like her. Martin Edited May 22, 2020 by RidgeRunner 77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 What's not to like, it's been a pleasure watching this come to fruition and contribute to it some small way. You've done a cracking job there Martin, like the subtle weathering too. Looking forward to seeing the Fouga and the Harvard coming to fruition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Lovely big bruiser, that looks kick a55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 It's always nice to see a very well built model that has a very interesting story behind it. I really like the out-of-the-ordinary markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Beautiful build, looks great in that colour scheme, excellent modelling. Wulfman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
replicant Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Very beautiful!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Excellent build. Lovely detail and just enough weathering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 A lovely build with an interesting history behind it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 18, 2020 Author Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) 7 hours ago, Wez said: What's not to like, it's been a pleasure watching this come to fruition and contribute to it some small way. You've done a cracking job there Martin, like the subtle weathering too. Looking forward to seeing the Fouga and the Harvard coming to fruition. Thanks a million, Wez. I'm grateful of your inputs along the way. 5 hours ago, F-32 said: Lovely big bruiser, that looks kick a55 Thanks mate. 4 hours ago, SAT69 said: It's always nice to see a very well built model that has a very interesting story behind it. I really like the out-of-the-ordinary markings. Thanks a lot. You'll know by now that I favour the off beat and unusual. ;). 4 hours ago, Wulfman said: Beautiful build, looks great in that colour scheme, excellent modelling. Wulfman Thanks mate for your kind words 3 hours ago, replicant said: Very beautiful!! Thanks a million, mate 3 hours ago, John Masters said: Excellent build. Lovely detail and just enough weathering. Thank you, John. Much appreciated. 1 hour ago, Pete in Lincs said: A lovely build with an interesting history behind it. Thanks Pete. I like to have some meaning to every build. This one, as I have said, was a second build of the first model I threw together when I returned to modelling around seven years ago. Since then I have had regular and open communication with Fred Borne, the son of Sarcife (Jacques). He has helped enormously with this build and the two upcoming Gabonese builds. Martin Edited May 18, 2020 by RidgeRunner 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 What can I say, Martin- she's a beaut! You really nailed that dull weathered metal finish, and the unusual scheme really sets the whole thing off! I have really enjoyed and learned a lot from your WIP, too. Keep 'em coming, my friend! (Remind me to tell you the story of a family friend who flew Spads in Korea who was going to convert an AD into a crop duster!) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Fantastic Skyraider there Martin, really like the scheme you chose too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignacio Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Fantastic job Martin! Really like the result and it was very interesting to follow your investigation on the subject and WIP. What´s next? Best regards Ignacio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Great job Martin. Really interesting model, conversion, story and nice finish. You've got me wondering how I'd turn a Tamiya Skyraider into an AD-4N in 1/48 now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 20, 2020 Author Share Posted May 20, 2020 (edited) On 19 May 2020 at 3:35 PM, 72modeler said: What can I say, Martin- she's a beaut! You really nailed that dull weathered metal finish, and the unusual scheme really sets the whole thing off! I have really enjoyed and learned a lot from your WIP, too. Keep 'em coming, my friend! (Remind me to tell you the story of a family friend who flew Spads in Korea who was going to convert an AD into a crop duster!) Mike Thanks a lot, Mike. I’m pleased with her. I started to regret adding the static wicks as they kept catching on fingers and breaking off so constant repairs. On 19 May 2020 at 4:12 PM, russ c said: Fantastic Skyraider there Martin, really like the scheme you chose too THanks Russ. You know me - something different On 19 May 2020 at 4:41 PM, Ignacio said: Fantastic job Martin! Really like the result and it was very interesting to follow your investigation on the subject and WIP. What´s next? Best regards Ignacio Thanks Ignacio :). I appreciate that. Next is Sarcife’s Fouga and then the Gabon Harvard. The Super Mystere will feature again because the decals are done and in the post to me :). On 19 May 2020 at 9:29 PM, zebra said: Great job Martin. Really interesting model, conversion, story and nice finish. You've got me wondering how I'd turn a Tamiya Skyraider into an AD-4N in 1/48 now. @zebra I really appreciate that, mate. I love the out-of-the-ordinary :). There were some fiddly bits but it all came together. I don’t know anything about 1/48 but search for an Airwaves PE set, number 48098. That will give you the doors. You would need to scratch the main pylons, centreline shackles, dorsal and ventral antenna/aerials. Its all possible. A cockpit set would be good too. You would also need to scratch the rocket rails. Finally, and well worth the investment, woyld be the book "les Skyraiders Francais". It is in French but it is superb! It has all the detail that you would need. Martin Edited May 22, 2020 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 Great build, I really like the finished model. And it's a very unusual and interesting subject too, that it's something I'm always happy to see in these pages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 22, 2020 Author Share Posted May 22, 2020 12 hours ago, Giorgio N said: Great build, I really like the finished model. And it's a very unusual and interesting subject too, that it's something I'm always happy to see in these pages I really appreciate that, Giorgio. Thank you. You know me well now! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 Very impressive work made on that Skyraider. So an epic build can be had with 1/72. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Fantastic Spad sir even in the Non traditional markings these are great looking beasties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loloskymaster Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Very nice build of Sarcife's Skyraider ! I love when a build is so well documented and the story around the plane is interesting. I have a 1/48 french AD-4 in progress and your plane is sometimes in my reference books so, it is not unknow for me. I will follow you Fouga Magister build if you share the WIP. Congrats, Lolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 That's a fantastic looking skyraider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig88 Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Superbly done indeed! Thanks for the info and it's great to see a Skyraider in other markings, out of the usual. Miguel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Martin..........I really enjoy the background and ultimately the end result of your continuing series here. The unique markings only add to the beauty of the subject. I remain impressed!!!!!!!!! Well done my friend!!!!!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 21 hours ago, Lightningboy2000 said: Very impressive work made on that Skyraider. So an epic build can be had with 1/72. Martin Thank you, mate. Absolutely it can :). 18 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Fantastic Spad sir even in the Non traditional markings these are great looking beasties. Hi Dennis! Thanks for that. Much appreciated. PS: Spad was a US epithet. In France they were often referred to, affectIonately, as "Sky"s 15 hours ago, loloskymaster said: Very nice build of Sarcife's Skyraider ! I love when a build is so well documented and the story around the plane is interesting. I have a 1/48 french AD-4 in progress and your plane is sometimes in my reference books so, it is not unknow for me. I will follow you Fouga Magister build if you share the WIP. Congrats, Lolo Thank you Lolo. I guess you count the excellent "Les Skyraiders Francais" within your library! Is your build a straight AD-4, retaining the speedbrakes? My Fouga is almost complete and nearly ready for primer so I wont post a WIP. 13 hours ago, invidia said: That's a fantastic looking skyraider. Thanks mate. I am very pleased how she turned out. 13 hours ago, Mig88 said: Superbly done indeed! Thanks for the info and it's great to see a Skyraider in other markings, out of the usual. Miguel Muchas gracias, Miguel. Not following the crowd is my mantra 10 hours ago, Sky Keg said: Martin..........I really enjoy the background and ultimately the end result of your continuing series here. The unique markings only add to the beauty of the subject. I remain impressed!!!!!!!!! Well done my friend!!!!!! Mike Hi Mike! Thank you, sincerely. I appreciate tour comments very much. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty84 Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 Hi Martin, as the others already said a really superb Skyraider and a great background story 👍 I now officially blame you for wanting to do one in 1/48. I've finally found a source for the Zotz decals and a Tamiya Skyraider so they will be ordered soon (as if my stash isn't big enough already ) Cheers Markus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loloskymaster Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 10 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Thank you Lolo. I guess you count the excellent "Les Skyraiders Francais" within your library! Is your build a straight AD-4, retaining the speedbrakes? My Fouga is almost complete and nearly ready for primer so I wont post a WIP. Martin Hello Martin, No, the airbrakes are welded as I saw on the pictures of the real planes. So I did make the metal strips that were welded on the airbrakes. I will share my build soon. Of course, I have this excellent book nad the Air Fan special issue "Les Skyraider dans l'Armée de l'Air"! I'm waiting to see your Fouga finished, then Lolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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