ESCI | No. 4045 | 1:48 | Douglas A-1H Skyraider
2022/23: OOB build of the vintage 70s ESCI 1/48 kit.
So I thought I'd build another ESCI from my stash, see what I could make out of it. Beginning the build... A bit of scraping and gap filling around wing root...
Sanding centre seam. Obviously it's not a Tamiya kit! The Corsair in the background is nearing completion also.
Cockpit and Vallejo filler being used. Underside has had a primer coat applied.
Further (more aggressive) blending of seams...
Primed and more filling tweaks...
Post panel line shading. I will dull this back down somewhat.
Further post shading and hardpoints attached.
The light isn't great, but you can see the shading has been overpainted.
Scribing external tanks.
Engine work...
I'll tidy this up!
Looking better.
Nose attached and general tidy up all round...
Top colour applied. I'm using Hataka Light Gull Grey again.
Masking for nose cone and for metallic leading edge.
Smoothing out finish.
I will also smooth down nose join.
Heavier panel line post shade being applied to the flat colour, I'll blend this back quite a lot.
Some problems on this build when removing the tape - I will resolve.
Retouching white.
Cleaning up the white.
Masking and painting black.
Beginning to look more like a Skyraider colour scheme! 👍
Touch-ups on paint issues, painting leading edge silver and also decided to add a non-reflective black to the top of external tanks. Instructions do not denote this - but what the hell!
In the end I hand painted the silver leading edge.
Silver leading edge...
Masking for the curve on fin, used a circle template and masking tape to make shape...
Trouble with primer (again!) this is unusual for me.
Initial shading and detail for wing and touching up overspray on rear fin.
Decided that I'd add steel detail to nose as on other leading edges - just for interest 😉
Picking out some of the detail kit has... And also working on adding shade, dust, dirt and grime directly to paint prior to a varnish coat and subsequent weathering.
I've seen some VERY dirty Skyraider images! Keeping it fairly restrained for now as I'm working directly on my un-varnished 'nude' paint work.
Gloss coat prior to some decal action...
Remedied the earlier paint primer issues and now ready for some weathering/staining and further propeller destruction!
Let's see how well the original decals hold up...
Few splits and cracks here and there... Of course I am always extra careful when handling.
First few on - not too bad. I can do something about that film in a few days when I'm sure everything is dry.
I'm not a huge fan of lots of microsol/set, it can over soften/destroy aged decals. Usually the issues are remedied by just water and being extremely delicate... Though I do also use decal softener when needed.
They're not adhering too well, carrier film is also pretty thick. The 'bee' split both sides in at least five places, however I've persevered and got a decent(ish) result. I encounter these issues a lot when building these old kits and utilising the original decals - but that's kinda the whole point of what I try and achieve - using everything that's original.
Decal action continues, several daily applications of Decal Fix later...
Pretty happy with the undercarriage and general dirt at this stage. Rear wheel isn't that well molded though.
I know, I know the wheel wells should be white.
I couldn't resist painting red on flaps either, it's all completely historicaly inaccurate!
Коментарі
103 1 February 2023, 11:44
NeilHello Rui 🙂 hope you're well. Thanks for dropping by mate, great to have your interest 👍 thanks to others for the likes also 👍
1 April 2023, 11:58
JohnLooking good! Once again you are doing an older kit justice 👍 How many of these ESCI kits do you have in your stash anyway? 😉
11 April 2023, 14:04
NeilThanks John 👍 very kind... The answer is... Too many! I think I may have a problem! 😆
12 April 2023, 23:35
NeilCheers Chan Li! 👍 I'm sure I'll do my usual and ruin it soon enough with too much weathering! Haha! Though tbf not sure you can over-weather/grime a Skyraider?
6 June 2023, 13:15
NeilHi Rui 🙂 You're super kind. Thanks very much, someone with your skills commenting on my efforts at weathering is much appreciated 👍 Propeller, canopy and most of it is now complete, just got to add the ridiculous exhaust staining these things get and then we should be there 🙂
30 October 2023, 10:59
TreehuggerAny idea if the 1000 lbs bomb can be fitted plausibly under the center pylon?
The build guide states the two bombs can go onto the other two pylons in place of the other two fuel tanks.
Edit: Oh, wait this is not the Tamiya kit apparently, heh the decals looked the same.
30 October 2023, 11:30
Neil@Treehugger, yes, sorry mate, I can't advise. As yet again I'm building an older 'crappy' ESCI kit! Though to be fair this one ain't too bad 👍 I'm sure someone with more knowledge than I will be able to offer help though, I've seen a fair few mates build the better Tamiya kit...
2 November 2023, 10:28
CaptGPFFor all the primer failures you have had to endure, this is turning out great! Only advice I can give on the primer is washing that parts prior to priming, as well as de-tacking the tape.
13 November 2023, 17:23
Thomas Bischoffbuilt this back in the eighties - the kit is not bad for its age and you turn it into a beauty 👍
… and I love your attitude to historical accuracy - lol
13 November 2023, 20:04
NeilHi CaptGPF, thanks very much for feedback and suggestions. I'll take them onboard. I do wash kits first and I've also got some de-tacking cloths. But for the most part I tend to save 'em for decorating the house/gloss work 😄👍 you're very kind to say encouraging remarks.
15 November 2023, 21:24
NeilHi All, Have added final reveal imagery for this one also...
As I already said on my Corsair, I have a bit of a soft spot for Esci kits. In my youth a 1/72 scale Esci was an affordable choice for me, so I still enjoy building them in this larger scale very much... I endeavour to build these oldies as 'tight' as I can and to have some basis of modern style weathering, etc. Not always an easy task when dealing with older raised panel line kits and poor fitment.
Thanks to all who took time to comment on my efforts and who liked. As always you're very kind to comment on my fascination with building an 'oldie' rather than putting my efforts into building a modern kit! I also apologise in advance for utilising my usual disregard for complete historical accuracy. I am aware that the wheel wells shouldn't be zinc chromate green, I just wanted to break up the grey! As others have said before... My model, my way! Haha! 😉 👍
22 March, 13:55
CaptGPFWow! That really turned out great! Chan nailed it - the weathering is just spot on ('not heavy or too light), and adds to the worn look.
22 March, 14:03
Grant Lehmanthats a beauty... I have this kit... how was the bee decal ?? any tricks to it?
22 March, 23:46
NeilThanks Guy, Grant and Neuling 👍 very kind of you 🙂 @grant: my only tip would be no solvent softener use, if like me you intend use the original decals. They're over 40 years old and just won't stand up to a lot of fiddling and shrinking due to a setting agent. Plus it's quite a large decal. So I cut in half before wetting and got it to settle that way. It took a bit of care, and you can see a join if you look super close. But then I build these oldies out of the box with an understanding that they'll never be perfect! 👍
23 March, 12:24
Daniel SchlosserHello Neil, you Esci-Kit turned out very,very well!!! Awsome!!! I am building the same kit in the AD 6 Able Dog version right now. Hope mine will be as cool as yours. Again: very good work especeally on these old kit!
23 March, 13:17
NeilHi Daniel 🙂 thanks very much! I will check out your model definitely. I'm sure your build will be awesome work also 😉 thanks to all who have recently liked too 👍
23 March, 20:59
Album info
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider (formerly known as the AD Skyraider) is an American single-seat attack aircraft in service from 1946 to the early 1980s, which served during the Korean War and Vietnam War.
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