F-105D Thunderchief Memphis Bell II

F-105D Memphis Bell II

I used this project to try out AK Interactive Real Color SEA set. I had been using Vallejo Air paints to do SEA colors but I was not satisfied with the FS34102 medium green, and the FS34079 forest greens being very similar when applied on the model. I had a Trumpeter F-105D in my stash to use the AK colors on. I also used Kits World decals KW172153 for the Memphis Bell II decals.

I decided to do Memphis Bell II as it appears in the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio, using pictures from the museum website as reference materials. I built the model out of the box with the only modifications being a scratch built transparency over the gun bay as it is displayed in the museum and a centerline multiple ejector rack from the Monogram F-105F model.

I primed the model using Tamiya primer and used an AK spatter mask to spray Vallejo Black to mottle the surface before application of the SEA scheme. The AK Real Colors were diluted to approximately 50% with the AK real color solvent and airbrushed with light coats. I applied FS30219 Tan as the top base coat FS36622 grey for the bottom. I then masked the appropriate areas with tape and silly putty and continued the application of the FS34102 and FS34079, I was happy with how easily the AK colors were to work with and I was also very happy with their rendition of FS34102 and FS34089 as it is easy to see the difference in the colors on the model.
Although I had to use the AK solvent which is an added expense over alcohol and water I normally use with Vallejo Air I think the final result is worth the extra cost.

As this was going to be a museum aircraft I only did light weathering using Flory grime, I armed the aircraft as it appears on display with 4 MK 82 bombs with daisy cutter fuses and 4 MK 82 bombs with standard fuses.