The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

Thanks for all the kind messages guys. The new job is keeping me busy but I'm settling in well and enjoying it. I did have both pieces of armour on display at the Biggleswade show and they did attract some attention.

As I'm a man of leisure again I've been hitting the bench rather a lot lately and I've got a few things on the go at the moment.

When time (and sanity) permit I'm slowly masking up the B-36.




I think the issue with this model is obvious. It doesn't fit on the bench! I normally resort to taking it downstairs and doing a little at a time while Mrs D is in work.


Otherwise, and slightly more sensibly, I've begun my USS Forrestal project.




Well I did say "slightly". I figured that 4 builds at once would be manageable as they're all the same colour scheme so, from the left:

Airfix A-4B Skyhawk with Bullpup missiles and centre tank. The missiles were liberated from the A-4C kit.

Airfix A-4B Skyhawk with LAU-10 Zuni rocket launchers and centre tank. The LAU-10s came from my spares stash.

I have an Xtradecal sheet for aircraft from VA-83 "Rampagers" and VA-152 "Fighting Aces" plus a Microscale sheet with a different VA-152 aircraft, all from 1960. I did my research on the weapons to ensure that they were correct for the period.

Next is the Fujimi A-4C Skyhawk with MER + 6 Mk.81s, two wing tanks and two Mk.82 Snakeyes. The kit comes with markings for VA-15 "Gulf of Tonkin Yacht Club". This squadron embarked aboard Forrestal from 1968-69 after she was refitted following her disastrous fire in 1967.

Finally, the Academy F-8E Crusader. This is an absolutely stunning kit (no filler so far) that comes with markings for VF-103 "Sluggers" from 1964. The kit comes with optional payloads including Sidewinders, Zuni launchers and a considerable underwing bomb load. I opted for just the 4 Sidewinders on fuselage side pylons as the Crusader didn't really become a mud-mover until Vietnam and the model depicts a slightly earlier machine.

So I have plenty to get on with.

Wow! I like this Forrestal project!
Good to see you rampaging across the workbench again!

Cheers,

David

Nice set of builds. Every time I see a B-36 build, or built, it never fails to impress.

Nigel

Nice looking jets mate!
I can call the Peacemaker a jet for obvious reasons .
That is of course if your putting the 4 burners on her?

Maverick231 wrote:Nice looking jets mate!
I can call the Peacemaker a jet for obvious reasons .
That is of course if your putting the 4 burners on her?

I am. It'll be a B-36D. Everybody likes a 36D

Great projects on the go Daz, including that bonkers big Peacemaker. Did you see those madmen selling a 1/48th version at Telford? I'd need a house extension to display one of those and a bigger car to carry it, or more likely a Transit van!

Dazzled wrote:Everybody likes a 36D

Or even better - a double D
Love the Peacemaker

That B36 is a monster for sure! I thought finding a home for Iwo Jima in 1/350 was hard enough

Those Scooters are looking nice. Not sure I'd have room to build, or display that Peacemaker. What a beast! Good work all around.

Haha oh yes that would have been a better name B-36DD Pacemaker haha imagine the nose art?
Specialises in destroying pacemakers with a great nose art haha.

I'm buying a season ticket for the Forrestal Project.
I don't know if you've seen this site but it can be very useful!
https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/;

VA-83 decals sent to you on Friday and VA-46 decals arrived on Saturday. Muchas gracias amigo.

Another site that might be useful. (although not always 100% accurate, best to seek verification. The VA-46 Cougar was portrayed with the tartan on the tail fin on an X-Y axis rather than diagonal)

http://www.wings-aviation.ch/21-USNavy/ ... -neu-e.htm;

Admittedly, on this bird the diamonds on the tail look daunting to hand paint, but they could be done with cut outs of Microscale green decal sheet and the other markings could be made up from spares.

Daz, you're on fire, man!

More please!

Certainly.

Canopies masked and fitted to the Forrestal quartet and the Shyhawks all have tailplanes and sorted seams.



Some more research has turned up the fact that the Xtradecal sheet isn't accurate, which is rather irritating. It makes little difference to the actual models as they are intended to be built but they do have the year of operation of VA-152 and the squadron name wrong. I found that VA-152 were the last squadron to operate A-4Bs from a carrier and did so, briefly, in 1968 from Forrestal before converting to the A-4E. The name at that time was "The Friendly Squadron" not "The Fighting Aces" and soon after the name was changed again to the "Mavericks". As I said, it doesn't affect the model or loadout choice but Xtradecal, you could do better! They also mis-spelt VA-83s name as "Ramagers" not "Rampagers"


Also on the bench I've made a very pleasing start on my S Tank for the Scandinavian GB.