Aussie Boston? The Late Version A-20G

[Uncarina]

In the spirit of second chances, along with my reincarnated HE-219 build I'm returned to building a late version A-20G from HK Models. The first time around I made quite a few changes to convert to a late version and address some of the kits idiosyncrasies: 

This time around HK has released a late version G with the exhausts reconfigured, saving me some work!

 

 

 

 

Some of these items like the XtraDecal sheet were left over from my first build, and the two decal sheets in the above photo show my top two choices:

 

Skonk Works of the 410th BG/9th AF, 1944:

 

 

Or an Aussie Boston of the RAAF 22 SQN, known as Hilda Shane, the CO's aircraft.

 

 

As in my first build the initial modifications I made was to strengthen the nose landing gear and modifying it so it can swing into the gear bay during assembly:

 

 

 

 

The only change from the first build was to cut out the plastic strut and replace it with an aluminum rod (no need to paint), and turned the nose gear slightly.

 

To be continued...

 

Cheers,  Tom

Edited September 29 by Uncarina

[Uncarina]

I then moved to the cockpit where I moved the instrument panel back, closer to the pilot's seat:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otherwise the only other modification I made was to thin the armor behind the pilot.

 

Moving on to the turret, I added 0.50 cal flexible ammo belts from Gaspatch:

 

 

 

 

And here's where the build is today:

 

 

Here you can see the impressive metal barrels which come with this release, and my substitution of the photoetch sheet armor with thin plastic. I made this substitution because I have better control over conforming to the fuselage and (the main reason) to promote paint adhesion. And one overall photo:

 

 

After restoring panel lines and rivets I'll be moving onto the engines next.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[denders]

Looking nice, Tom!

 

[Uncarina]

1 hour ago, denders said:

Looking nice, Tom!

 

Thank you!

 

Cheers,  Tom

[MikeMaben]

Great start Tom, have fun 

[Cicchino]

Following this with interest; I so want to do an A-20, but I am holding out wishfully for a DB-7. 

 

Regards

 

John

JXCinJAX Models

[John1]

Nice work.   I’d love to build one of these  but it’s just too big. 

[Dennis7423]

Go Tom, go! Excited to see this come to fruition :-)

 

- Dennis S.

   Mt. Juliet, TN USA

[Uncarina]

11 hours ago, MikeMaben said:

Great start Tom, have fun 

 

Thanks Mike! So far so good.

 

 

4 hours ago, Cicchino said:

Following this with interest; I so want to do an A-20, but I am holding out wishfully for a DB-7. 

 

Regards

 

John

JXCinJAX Models

 

Glad to have you aboard John, and maybe one day that DB-7 will be released.

 

3 hours ago, John1 said:

Nice work.   I’d love to build one of these  but it’s just too big. 

 

John, it would be great to see you work your magic with this kit. Not too much bigger than your Mossie, and with some adjustments the wings are removable, so there's that.

 

1 hour ago, Dennis7423 said:

Go Tom, go! Excited to see this come to fruition :-)

 

- Dennis S.

   Mt. Juliet, TN USA

 

Thank you my friend! I'm working on wrapping up my He-219 build, then it's off to the races.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Martinnfb]

Fabulous work Tom, I am glad to see you back on the subject. Pulling out my cozy chair.

 

Cheers

Martin

[Uncarina]

18 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

Fabulous work Tom, I am glad to see you back on the subject. Pulling out my cozy chair.

 

Cheers

Martin

Thank you Martin! It's great to have you aboard.

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Greif8]

Great start Tom, this is going to be an epic build to follow.

 

Ernest

[Uncarina]

Thanks Ernest! It's a pretty fun build so far. I'm about to start working on the engines.

 

Cheers, Tom

[tomg]

Love the subject - off to a good start.

 

FYI, there is some debate as to whether or not 6QR was "Skonk Works"

 

Will be watching. 

[Uncarina]

2 hours ago, tomg said:

Love the subject - off to a good start.

 

FYI, there is some debate as to whether or not 6QR was "Skonk Works"

 

Will be watching. 

Thanks Tom, glad to have you aboard! I’m aware of that debate, and while absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, I tend to prefer subjects that are well documented. I still haven’t decided however.

 

Cheers,  Tom