Monogram 1/48 A-4 Skyhawk Blue Angels

[TonyCnyc]

Here's my entry for the Navy SIG. This was a gift from the Mrs.

Monogram 1/48 A-4 Skyhawk Blue Angels
Kit #: 85-5310
Original release: 1977
Rebox with new decals: 2010

Background on the aircraft and the Blue Angels.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single seat carrier-capable attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later by McDonnell Douglas.

The Skyhawk is a lightweight aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg) and has a top speed of more than 600 miles per hour (970 km/h). The aircraft's five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs and other munitions and were capable of delivering nuclear weapons using a low altitude bombing system and a "loft" delivery technique. The A-4 was originally powered by the Wright J65 turbojet engine; from the A-4E onwards, the Pratt & Whitney J52 was used.

Skyhawks played key roles in the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Falklands War. Sixty years after the aircraft's first flight, some of the nearly 3,000 produced remain in service with several air arms around the world, including from the Brazilian Navy's aircraft carrier, São Paulo.

Role: Attack aircraft, light fighter, aggressor aircraft
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company, McDonnell Douglas
First flight: 22 June 1954
Introduction: October 1956
Retired: 2003, U.S. Navy; 1998, USMC
Status: In service with non-U.S. users
Primary users: United States Navy (historical); United States Marine Corps (historical); Israeli Air Force; Argentine Air Force
Produced: 1954-1979
Number built: 2,960
Unit cost: US$860,000 (average cost for first 500 units, 1950s)
Variants: Lockheed Martin A-4AR Fightinghawk; McDonnell Douglas A-4G Skyhawk; ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk

Blue Angels
The Blue Angels is the United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron. The Blue Angels team was formed in 1946, making it the second oldest formal flying aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931.




All six Blue Angel A-4F Skyhawks executing a "fleur de lis" maneuver.


A-4F Skyhawk of the Blue Angels US Navy aerobatic team in 1975.

The "Blues" have flown eight different demonstration aircraft and five support aircraft models:[35]
Demonstration aircraft
Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat: June–August 1946
Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat: August 1946 – 1949
Grumman F9F-2 Panther: 1949 – June 1950 (first jet); F9F-5 Panther: 1951 - Winter 1954/55
Grumman F9F-8 Cougar: Winter 1954/55 - mid-season 1957 (swept-wing)
Grumman F11F-1 (F-11) Tiger: mid-season 1957 – 1969 (first supersonic jet)
McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II: 1969 – December 1974
Douglas A-4F Skyhawk: December 1974 – November 1986
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet (F/A-18B/D are #7 aircraft): November 1986 – present

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What’s in the box:

[DBMiller]

Excellent! I love the A-4 and have build a 1/72 Blue Angel already. Good luck!

[TonyCnyc]

Excellent! I love the A-4 and have build a 1/72 Blue Angel already. Good luck!

Look forward to your build!

[TonyCnyc]

Here's my first update on this build.

Starting off with the pilot and cockpit as usual. Going with in-flight configuration so although not much detail in the kit cockpit, not much will be seen once all is buttoned up. Color call outs in the instructions are completely wrong for the Blue Angels, as well as the pilot figure itself. The Blue Angel pilots wear a blue flight suit and yellow helmet. They also do not use the oxygen mask or g-suit. You can find more on their FAQ page: http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/show/faq.aspx


Since I'm going with in-flight aircraft, lots of putty around the landing gear doors, air brakes, etc. This kit is made for having the gear, air break, leading edge flaps deployed.


Yes, 1977 moulds. Explains some of the fit issues.


Fuselage and wings assembled.


Lots of putty, filler needed on the bottom since I am going with in-flight.




The Blue angels do not have gun ports; had to seal up the holes with some Milliput which I sanded to shape.


Next up will be masking and fitting the canopy and primer.

Thanks for looking!

[rwsmith14]

She's coming together nicely, Tony.. For an older kit it builds into a decent kit

[TonyCnyc]

Here's my next update:

Tried the Badger Stynlylrez primer. Went down nice and smooth.But it did clog up my airbrush which I had to throughly clean.


Base coat of Vallejo Model Air Blue Angels Blue.


Mask and paint the silver edges with Mr. Metal Color Chrome Silver.


And for the first time using Tamiya Masking Tape, it lifted the paint/primer layers.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Awesome build choice, have always loved these planes
They used to rip along at water level for Seafair on Lake Union in Seattle in the summer

[rwsmith14]

Thats cool.. I did not know there was a Vallejo Model Air in Blue Angels Blue. sorry to see the tape issues,, Tamiya tape is usually pretty reliable
Was the Mr. Metal Color Chrome Silver sprayed ?? looks real good !!

[TonyCnyc]

Thats cool.. I did not know there was a Vallejo Model Air in Blue Angels Blue. sorry to see the tape issues,, Tamiya tape is usually pretty reliable
Was the Mr. Metal Color Chrome Silver sprayed ?? looks real good !!

Hi - yes, the Mr Metal was airbrushed on, then lightly buffed. That was the only spot that the tape lifted the paint and primer. Although I was careful to clean the raw plastic before applying the primer, possibly missed a spot. After a touch up and couple coats of Future, now applying the decals. Thanks.

[TonyCnyc]

Excuse the long delay between updates.

Had some difficulties with the decals. They were not opaque enough, nor all the right size for the areas they would cover. Had to mask and repaint the wing and tail tips as well as some touch ups here and there.


Next up will be in the final with another one of my home made stands in the reveal section.

Thanks.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cool!!!
Looking forward to seeing it

[TonyCnyc]

And the finale:

http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 66&t=12964