Purplethistles tartan scooter ***Trapped aboard***

[Purplethistle]

Nice detail, but raised etching....oh well!

[Marek]

That is actually quite nice model, raised panel lines are OK for me.

[Stuart]

lovely kit - Raised Panel lines - love 'em!

[Purplethistle]

Reckon I'll just leave the raised panel lines, rescribing is not my strong suit.
I'll be doing this one as a VA-46 Clansmen a/c, but not the exact box one.
The alternate decals are for AA 416 the A-4E of John McCain, but I'll be doing it as AA 417 of Lt. Dave Dollarhide. Both a/c were destroyed in the fire aboard the Forrestal, but Dave was able to exit the cockpit, suffering a broken hip in the process.
Back in the days of actual letters and photocopies sent by Air Mail, I contacted Tailhook magazine to ask for details of VA-46 a/c markings and Dave replied with copious amounts of colour photocopies and text. He is active on the web these days with 'The Skyhawk Association' and a 'VA-46 Clansmen' site.

[Purplethistle]

Found this whilst getting my research notes together. Dammit! now I NEED to do a SLUF too!

Extremely chuffed to see that Dave has included some of my paintings at the start of this video

[Purplethistle]

D'oh! on the box and instructions it says that the alternate decals are for VA-46 Klansmen! It should be with a C....That's a different bunch altogether!

[Martin R]

D'oh! on the box and instructions it says that the alternate decals are for VA-46 Klansmen! It should be with a C....That's a different bunch altogether!

I've seen this on e-bay and been tempted a number of times. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this.

regards,

Martin

[Purplethistle]

I've seen this on e-bay and been tempted a number of times. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this.

regards,

Martin

Well, if the video of tartan clad planes accompanied by 'Mist covered mountains' and 'MacCrimmons Lament ( Smile in your sleep )' don't move you to it, then I fear you may have 'Gone native'

[Purplethistle]

Dave says 'Hi'



Still got to add seatbelts and the blue and white on the tartan flashes on the helmet

[Stuart]

Hi Dave!

[Clashcityrocker]

Good morning Dave.

Hal

[TomW]

I'm seriously envious of your figure painting skills

Regards

Tom

[Purplethistle]

Cheers Tom.

Not a lot of progress worth photographing so far. I'm spending a lot of time trying to figure how to get this put together and painted without breaking off any of the myriad of antennae, tiny fins and other assorted sticky out bits that come already moulded onto the fuselage and wings. In order to minimise potential damage, and because the Skyhawk is so damned tricky to spray once assembled, I've decided to 'Get my white bits done' before assembly. The rudder tail and aileron upper surfaces will be done to finished standard and the lower surfaces two coats. Instead of model filler on the lower surfaces, I'll be using a handy wee silicon sealant applicator tube that I picked up in Poundland. It can be smoothed with a damp stiff brush before it hardens and should only need one spray of Gloss White to cover.
Unfortunately there was a major seepage of paint on the top surface of the ailerons that, having been left unnoticed overnight, had mixed with the masking tape adhesive to make a sticky mess. Cue much rubbing with a turpsy rag among the wee stubbly bits on the upper wing

[SteveC]

That is a fine looking pilot figure, and you are right, finishing him, if not the aircraft itself, as a Klansman would have been something very different

Regards,

Steve

[Purplethistle]

That is a fine looking pilot figure, and you are right, finishing him, if not the aircraft itself, as a Klansman would have been something very different

Regards,

Steve

Cheers Steve,

For one thing, his hat wouldn't have fitted in the cockpit!