RalphSarc

Yeah we had an amazing three months adventure and looking forward to our 2024 travel plans.

Might be sorry for this decision however I installed the nose gear and intake nose from step 5. Any bets on how many times I break off the nose gear, lol??

Thanks Harv.

Thanks Peter. For an old kit it’s still a fun build. Looking forward to using the metallic paints again,

Installing 18 parts L32 and 18 L9 for a total of 36 tiny push rod assembles this morning. How fun but loving all this detail. Need to reach out to a few friends for their thoughts on wiring the engine.

After an hour of cleanup, careful sanding and dry fitting the cylinder halves fit perfectly.

I built a very old but well engineered Revell 1/40 kits years ago that was great fun. The 1/32 Trumpeter kit is much more complex over the Revell kit. I love the detail it offers.

Were looking at a spring 2024 trip across the bottom part of the US.

Oh thanks. I’ve yet to build a 1/16 scale kit. However Santa has my Christmas list, lol!!

Oh thanks. Its been a fun kit.

I used Tamiya Bronze lightly on some of the upper and side access panels to give the a bit of definition. There’s also some on the engine panels however it’s hard to see.

Yeah so far this has been a breeze to build. I’m sorta partial to Tamiya kits.

Years ago I suggested that LSM start a new section where builders of 1/48 scale aircraft kits could post build threads along with their completed kits. I wonder with all the “large size” Space kits available if there would be interest in a “Space the Final Frontier” section! Hope you enjoy my first attempt at using Tamiya’s line of acrylic metallic paints!! Ralph.

Test fitted the upper hull to the lower suspension hull. Really nice fit. I’m loving this kit!!

Completed steps 4 and 5 installing the finished suspension plus stapled and test fit the tracks.

While enjoy a quiet Saturday morning cup of coffee I completely step 5 assembling the nose wheel assembly and remembered to add weight to the nose. The instructions give no mention of a possible tail sitter or adding weight however it’s always better to be safe than sorry!!

Completely step 4 assembling the main landing gear. I’ll paint and detail them however wait until the end of the build to install.

Also had to deal with a sprue tab on the top of each cylinder that needed sanding so the two halves would fit perfectly.

Oh man each cylinder had ejection pins that need to be cleaned up this morning!!

Boy it’s been a day of nothing but ejection pin removal!!! Parts K8 and K7 had ejection pins inside each cylinder on each part preventing a proper fit. I had to be very careful as each cylinder was very fragile however was able to remove them all.

A bit of history: The Douglas A-1 Skyraider played an important part in the Southeast Asia War. Its ability to carry an immense amount of weapons and stay over the battlefield for extended periods of time made it a powerful weapon. This aircraft provided close air support to ground forces, attacked enemy supply lines, and protected helicopters rescuing airmen downed in enemy territory. Designed during World War II for the U.S. Navy, the Skyraiders almost disappeared before they had the opportunity to excel over Southeast Asia. In the high-speed, jet-age world of the late 1950s, the Skyraider seemed to be a relic of an earlier time. It had performed well during the Korean War, but the Navy had decided to replace it with jet aircraft. However, Skyraiders proved well suited for fighting against the guerrilla-style war waged by communists in Southeast Asia. The "Spad" Arrives In the early 1960s, the United States provided South Vietnam with increased military assistance and training to resist communist forces, and the U.S. gave Skyraiders to the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). In 1961, U.S. Air Force instructors started training VNAF pilots at Bien Hoa Air Base with Skyraiders in VNAF markings and their tail hooks removed. Gradually, the USAF instructors started flying combat missions with the VNAF pilots over South Vietnam. Redesignated the A-1 in 1962, the old Skyraider soon got the nickname "Spad" -- referring to the French fighter used in World War I. U.S. Air Force Skyraiders The first U.S. Air Force Skyraiders, two-seat A-1Es, arrived at Bien Hoa Air Base in May 1964. They were assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron (later the 1st Special Operations Squadron), which operated under the call sign Hobo. Other USAF squadrons flew Skyraiders from bases in South Vietnam and Thailand under the call signs Spad, Firefly and Zorro. Wherever they went, the Skyraiders provided critical close air support to ground forces and other operations, such as defoliant spraying or supporting the insertion and extraction of special operations teams inside enemy held territory along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Sandy to the Rescue Air Force Skyraiders in Southeast Asia are probably best remembered for their support of search and air rescue missions. Operating under the call sign Sandy, the A-1's ability to fly over a downed Airman for an extended period complemented its massive firepower. Whereas jet aircraft often had to leave an area for refueling or rearming, the Sandies provided nearly continuous suppressing fire until helicopters could extract downed Airmen. The A-1E on display (S/N 52-132649) is the airplane flown by Maj. Bernard Fisher on March 10, 1966, when he rescued a fellow pilot shot down over South Vietnam. For this deed, Fisher received the Medal of Honor. The airplane, severely damaged in further combat in South Vietnam, came to the museum in 1968 for preservation. TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: Four 20mm cannons and a wide assortment of bombs, rockets, mines, grenades, flares and gun pods Maximum speed: 325 mph Range: 1,500 miles Weight: 24,872 lbs. maximum

Moving along!! Assembled the flaps and wings in step 3 plus drilled the holes to attach the under wing hard points and fuel tanks. I then attached the wing to the fuselage. Skipped ahead to step 8 I installed the real tail feathers just for fun!!

Oh thanks. I have a few Korean War kits I’d like to build this winter.

Good Morning!! Well the Sabre and s started!! Really simple kit so should build rather quickly and looking forward to using metallic paints again! Step 1 and 2 complete. Built the really simple cockpit, seat, control stick and seat. Since the cockpit is so small I’ll do some simple detailing before attaching the canopy. Installed the exhaust cone and glued the fuselage halves together.

Yeah it’s all his fault, lol!!! I’ve been a member here for 10 years or so chiefly building aircraft kits and even won the Ju88 GB years ago. However when James suggested building armor, well it was love at first build, lol!!! I still enjoy aircraft kit builds but I’m truly a member of the Dark Side, lol!!!