Finn Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) I think in order to save weight they took two of the pylons off, one on either side and only the inboard and outboard pylons are plumbed for fuel so they kept one of the inboard pylons one in case they needed to add a fuel tank. Most likely the range to the target meant the number of bombs loaded so 8 seems to be the maximum number. The ones on 312 and 301 are Mk-83 1,000lb bombs with Mk43 fuzes for airburst. Some a/c had all 6 pylons left on so it is best to check which a/c # you are doing to see how the pylon situation was. For a listing of what the bomb loads were for VA-46 check here: http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/doncoms/Display.php?irn=16019305&QueryPage=http%3A%2F%2Fcollections.naval.aviation.museum%2Femuwebdoncoms%2Fpages%2Fcollections%2FQuery.php in the pages in the link where it says fuel 12.2 indicates 1 external fuel tank and 10.2 means no ext fuel. Jari Edited June 12, 2017 by Finn red Dog and Bravo52 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Here are some details on the KA-6D, they carried chaff/flare dispensers, note the empty housings forward of the refueling housing in the first pic during a non combat mission. What load they had during the war is unknown, probably all chaff as they most likely they remained on the friendly side of the border. Also the red lights are on which probably indicates no fuel flowing since no hook up yet: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6417562 contact, green lights, fuel flowing: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6392174 Jari red Dog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Dog Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 Thank you Jari, very useful information. Make sense about the wet pylons, i was wondering what kind of yaw trim such an asymetrical load would require? regarding the intruder, very useful info as well, i noticed that there are red lights also on the rear outboard pylons great details, thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Dog Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 the next challenge wasn't expected before painting i need to close the canopy. but it seems the zacto's canopy wasn't meant to be closed, it's too long and conflicts with the glareshield. first scary moment, but that one is usual, was to separate the canopy from the support. My usual procedure for that is to use tape to mark where i need to cut and using a brand new blade, i make mutliple light passes until the blade go through. patience and slow motion required. the problem gets worse when the black box glareshield is positionned. I tried the kit's part as well, it's slighly better but not perfect. placing the vacformed canopy illustrates how big the step actually is without pressure, to try to make the fit better, I modified the windscreen structure by shortening it a bit and lowering it to leave enough thickness for the vacu formed part. I also modified the Black box glareshield to allow the front windscreen structure to be lowered into it (sorry for the blurry picture) The joint between the nose and the vac canopy is now better and the canopy should be flush with the nose. I still have the side issue to solve where the glareshield push too far outward the windscreen structure. That probably lower the top of the windscreen, creating that step between the tilting canopy and forward windscreen. I'll need to adjust the glareshied accordingly so it doesn't touch the windscreen structure. I also thing that i'll lower the pilot just a bit more for more clearance. because if the helmet touches the canopy, that's also a reason why the forward windscreen won't be flush. I guess it's not a problem that arise when zacto's part are used for an opened canopy as in most cases. I may have screwed up somewhere too and i'm really concerned having to bond that canopy strongly. Usually dealing with vacu formed canopy, the more natural rest, the better. If you have to pressure glue them, it's not good. More to come, thanks for looking Starfighter, F`s are my favs, LSP_Paul and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClumsyDude Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Dude, awesome work ... looks great. Jim A-10LOADER 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 (edited) Good recovery with the canopy windscreen fit, this pic shows how it looks on a real one: http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=14626 and this one: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6467770 Jari Edited June 15, 2017 by Finn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Dog Posted July 2, 2017 Author Share Posted July 2, 2017 Been travelling lately so couldn't work as much as I wanted on the A-7E. But that gave me time to evaluate that canopy issue. I wasn't satisfied with the above tries as whatever I did, I always ended up with a gap somewhere or a heavily twisted vac form canopy that I would never succeed in gluing. So in the end I decided that the best course of action was to separate the windshield from the canopy and deal with the gap where they meet rather than trying to avoid a mess on the front of the windshield where it meets the nose of the aircraft: I have been stuck for a long time trying to address this so hopefully this will get me moving again. Scratched quickly an oxygen hose and comm wires for the pilot The huge pocket on the Blackbox glareshield gave me doubts for that version so I sanded them smooth and added details as I could see on A-7E pictures. Not fully realistic but that will do I glued the Zacto's canopy frames together before placing them on the model, that ensure i won't have a step between the windshield & canopy frames Pilot is ready, insides are all cleaned and ready to go and the usual maps and datacards have been slided against the glass Frames have been added Now the canopy can be cleaned and coated in future and then will ge glued on. By the way, is the front center windshield part tinted in light blue? Glad to be back, thanks for looking LSP_Paul, F`s are my favs, KiwiZac and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-10LOADER Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 The front center windscreen appears to be a bluish green. I think if you use the Alclad " Armoured Glass " you'll be fine. Great work so far on this project. This will look really cool when completed. Steve red Dog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Dog Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 Thanks Steve, That confirms what i've been detecting on pictures indeed not sure i have the alclad, but I do have some transparent blue A-10LOADER 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Here are a couple of windscreen views: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6433160 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6468508 Jari A-10LOADER 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-10LOADER Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 There ya go, Finn is THE MAN at finding reference shots !! Good job Finn. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Driver Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 I always wondered, what will happen if Easter Egg paint is used for that purpose. Never tested it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbetty Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 very nice work!!! i used green gunze paint deluted with future on my builf for the tinted windshield (maybe its a little too dark): http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=26035&page=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerhard Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 That pilot looks superb!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark31 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 So far i know pilot going on mission don't have patches notting on them to trace just there mil ID card Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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