'Nam "Scooter" - Completed

[wing_nut]

Pick this kit up at the Columbus Nats. This aircraft has always been near the top pf the list of favorites whither it be prop of gas passer. The latter moniker being so near and dear to me

This limited addition kit takes the Hasegawa molding, from what I've read the A4 standard, and adds a few extra goodies. A 2 part resin seat, color PE and a MASSIVE decal sheet. To massive since it makes the marking choice damn difficult.

The moldings look very sharp and crisp and i can't see any flash. One part did have a glaring problem. The nose wheels is molded as a single piece with the strut and yoke. I thought it surprising that Hasegawa would do that considering the size of the nose wheel and its prominence in its position on the model. Less surprising that Eduard left it that way. Oddly enough, there is a resin replacement. Imagine that.   I am sure there a nice resin weapons set out there too since the the only thing underneath is a centerline tank. 

I have toe book open to the scheme I am leaning towards.  I always said if i ever build a scooter the 1st one would be without the avionics hump. 

[doogsatx]

Eduard actually released a Big Sin weapons set for this one. Not bad at all, though TERs were more common than MERs. I'd highly recommend grabbing a set of the Aerobonus ones if you can. Common loadout was ordnance on the outside and bottom mounts, with the inside mount empty to clear the landing gear operation.

[JimD]

Aww yiss. This is a nice one. I've got one and it's on my short list of "to builds." My only complaint is I wish they had thrown their Brassin exhaust in there with it.

You can get a Brassin weapons set: store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/edusin64819.htm but it ain't cheap. I can say that I really liked the set I used on my F-4.

Following with interest!

Edit: Doogs posted while I was typing....sounds like if MERs were more common than TERs you may want to piece together your own ordnance package.

[wing_nut]

I had to chuckle when I saw the 1st 2 reply's. There would have been no point in betting on you 2 being the 1st. Is there such a thing as bet less than even money. But, I expect a lot of feed back from you boys to keep me on the straight and narrow here.

Why throw in the exhaust... when you can BUY IT! When I opened the box i said to myself, "This will be a nice OOB build." I nearly fell out of my chair I laughed so hard. OOB? Oh crap... here we go again with the laughter

[JimD]

I don't think you could go wrong OOB. It's dang nice. But hey, Eduard, if you're going to make the resin exhaust just throw it in there already...don't play with my emotions!

I've apparently got a bad case of Aftermarket Acquisition Syndrome. It seems like I'm on this kick where if AM is available I need to have it...just for the sake of it. I don't know if this will pass, but I can warn you to be weary of it...it gets expensive.

[wing_nut]

AAS? You wanna talk about AAS?

[doogsatx]

So this A-4 shows off a pretty common loadout.



Centerline tank, single Mk.82 on each outboard pylon, TERs with 82s loaded bottom and out. This is a common enough loadout that it even shows up on unit patches and things. It's what I went with on my A-4F just because 1) Aerobonus TERs are amazing and 2) the Snakeyes are a nice visual contrast to the overall gray of my 80s-tastic scheme.

The MER, as far as I know (and I don't know very far) was typically mounted to the centerline. I seem to recall something about them interfering with flaps on the wing pylons, hence the preference for TERs. But I might have dreamed that.



As for the kit itself...overall it's a great one. Personally I wouldn't futz with the resin exhaust unless it's like a perfect drop fit. The kit part is fine and it's not like the Scooter's gas pipe is begging for detail. One thing to look out for - Hasegawa did something weird/dumb/wrong with the landing gear mounting collars, so that one of them actually sits the main strut lower than the other. This is a huge annoyance to fix, but good to be aware of it before you paint (ask me how I know...).

[Tojo72]

So that's a reboxed Hasegawa kit ? I did that many years ago,should be good with the Eduard extras.

[JimD]

So basically the suspension is the only thing that's from the kit? All that PE makes me nauseous. I'm much more a resin fan.

[doogsatx]

Oct 1, 2015 10:07:16 GMT -5 JimD said:

So basically the suspension is the only thing that's from the kit? All that PE makes me nauseous. I'm much more a resin fan.

I bet paint adheres to it really well...

Reminds me of the Voyager set for the Meng FT-17. WHY WOULD YOU EVER DO THIS?

[dupes]

Is that a set of photoetch TRACKS?

That one-piece nose gear always baffled me about the Hasegawa kit...the Hobbycraft offering was far superior in that regard.

Either way it should be a fun build, Wingy!

[wing_nut]

Oct 1, 2015 10:56:18 GMT -5 doogsatx said:

Oct 1, 2015 10:07:16 GMT -5 JimD said:

So basically the suspension is the only thing that's from the kit? All that PE makes me nauseous. I'm much more a resin fan.

I bet paint adheres to it really well...

Reminds me of the Voyager set for the Meng FT-17. WHY WOULD YOU EVER DO THIS?

Thanks for the load out pics. But why did ya go and post the other thing. Having done the 1/2 track and the Marder III Voyager (what's up with these set they make ) major PE builds... I think IO need to the FT-17 also. Wanted do get the Meng kit cuz it looked cool anyway. That's another great "bare nekkid" subject.

Should be fun Marc and I guess I'll have to go for the Eduard wheels.

[wbill76]

Oct 1, 2015 10:56:18 GMT -5 doogsatx said:

Oct 1, 2015 10:07:16 GMT -5 JimD said:

So basically the suspension is the only thing that's from the kit? All that PE makes me nauseous. I'm much more a resin fan.

I bet paint adheres to it really well...

Reminds me of the Voyager set for the Meng FT-17. WHY WOULD YOU EVER DO THIS?

For some, it's like climbing Everest...because you can and it's there!

[doogsatx]

The one-piece is annoying, but with careful painting it's really hard to notice.

[doogsatx]

Thanks for the load out pics. But why did ya go and post the other thing. Having done the 1/2 track and the Marder III Voyager (what's up with these set they make ) major PE builds... I think IO need to the FT-17 also. Wanted do get the Meng kit cuz it looked cool anyway. That's another great "bare nekkid" subject.

Should be fun Marc and I guess I'll have to go for the Eduard wheels.

I've got both Meng FTs. It's a fantastic-looking little kit. But for the life of me I don't see any need to PE it to death. Especially the tracks - the Meng tracks are very well regarded.

[wing_nut]

Oct 1, 2015 11:20:14 GMT -5 doogsatx said:

The one-piece is annoying, but with careful painting it's really hard to notice.

Already been back to that thread for a little look see. You certainly pulled off the one piece wheel. Well done.

[wing_nut]

Oct 1, 2015 11:20:14 GMT -5 doogsatx said:

The one-piece is annoying, but with careful painting it's really hard to notice.

Already been back to that thread for a little look see. You certainly pulled off the one piece wheel. Well done.


Having seen the reviews and builds of that kit you are correct. But need? Need was never a consideration. It's all about the sickness. AMS, AAS... whatever letters apply.

[Deleted]

Definitely going to have to keep an eye out for this one. I have an old ESCI A-4M coming in to go with my old Monogram OA-4M, so other choosing to build old and frustrating kits to build, can't wait to see how this build comes out.

[sturmbird]

you guys looking to do an A4, F4, an A6, and a couple odd balls here and there, ought to check out Impact Decals. Think they only do 1/48th and 1/32, and if an I-Corps bird is in the plans you need to see the inventory. Kevin also does some Thai Phantoms, and Korean War Corsairs. Have begged him to do a couple sheets of F100's in 48th and 32nd, but so far nothing.
gary

[wing_nut]

Glad to have you along for the ride demon.

Gary, If I can't pick a set of markings from a letter sized sheet of decals... well, then all hope of pulling me back from the edge of the abyss is lost.

I got to take care of my grandson for a couple of day which is a joy beyond description. Add to that working at the bench while he slept, well, not much better than that.

I filled the openings in the IP with a drop of Krystal Klear. After putting in a blob that fills the hole, touching the blob with a finger tip draws off a bit at a time until you're left with a very thin film. This dries... well... crystal clear forming the glass instrument faces. Hard to see in the pics but when this is over the instrument faces it makes a nice looking panel. You can see the different tags of drying





The resin seat is a nice addition to the cockpit and the decal sheet includes a few stencils. Just a few internal bits to add and the fuselage will be ready to button up.

[doogsatx]

Looking good so far and making me miss bench time!

[wing_nut]

Thanks doogs. Why no bench time?

A question to anyone with an answer... The Navy birds of the day are gloss gray. Given these guys were a lot of "work" balanced against what is a pretty good maintenance schedule... How flat do you reckon the paint would get? Flat, semi gloss, satin, eggshell xxnx sorry I just came from Home Depot.

[wbill76]

Off and running Marc! Nice looking office, the IP faces look indeed crystal clear!

[doogsatx]

Oct 4, 2015 17:16:03 GMT -5 wing_nut said:

Thanks doogs. Why no bench time?

Work. Two big presentations tomorrow, and since we're tapped out resource-wise, I've been not only honing the big idea stuff, but building the creative comps as well. It's occupied my bench time the last three nights, and probably tonight as well.

[Leon]

Nice work on the office and IP Marc!

[wing_nut]

Yeah doogs I am well aware of that deal. It was a busy summer for me with my business.

Bill, leon thanks guys

[mustang1989]

Oct 1, 2015 10:56:18 GMT -5 doogsatx said:

Oct 1, 2015 10:07:16 GMT -5 JimD said:

So basically the suspension is the only thing that's from the kit? All that PE makes me nauseous. I'm much more a resin fan.

I bet paint adheres to it really well...

Reminds me of the Voyager set for the Meng FT-17. WHY WOULD YOU EVER DO THIS?




First off I'll say that I'm really looking forward to the rest of this build. Great progress so far Marc! I saw this kit in the Squadron flyer just last night.
Secondly to Doogs question here. Why? To make myself get out of the hobby altogether!!! There aint no way......NO WAY I'd attempt that!

[wing_nut]

Thanks for the comments on he build.

An if we don't stop talking about that Voyager set I'll just have to order one.

[wing_nut]

I checked the A4 build doogs did a while back to see if there are any issues to be aware of as I go along. He was right about the tanks that tail cone piece is bigger then the body of the tank. I figured all I needed to do was sand the end of the tank, since as I moved up the taper that would make the end larger in diameter. First I started with the tail piece cutting off the alignment plug and getting a good square end. I removed the fins since they would be in the way and are thick anyway. My plan worked great. But, and there's always a but, doogs didn't use these so what he didn't know was the ends where these parts joined were not round or the same shape so what I did was only a partial fix but it did make the rest of the filing and sanding easier.







I used tape as a scribe guide to add some detail lost in sanding. A ring of rivets was added in front of the fins.











Hasegawa must have figured that no one on their right mind would ever close the dive brakes so the fit was a little off with some nice steps. Well as you all know, I am not in my right mind so closed dive breaks and a little filing to take down the steps.











Nose weight glued in and the fuselage all buttoned up ready for what I have decided is my most hated steps in a build. Fixing a fuselage seam. Bang seat is just there ofr the photo op.

[wbill76]

Looks like you're well on your way to beating this one into submission Marc. Those copperhead BBs bring back some memories.