Usmcski Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Greetings all, Been watching from the sidelines for awhile, but finally signed up and figured I'd jump in! Growing up in Southern California, my family and I would attend the El Toro airshow every year. One of the highlights for me was always the Skyhawk, and the "Mike" model along with it's OA-4M brother were always prominently displayed. Once Trumpeter came out with their large scale M, I knew I had to build one. Unfortunately, the only markings for a big Marine Scooter anywhere were high-viz, but I always liked the dull gray looks of the low-visibility schemes. Besides, that's how I remember the planes when I saw them in the 80s. Doing some research, I found that high-viz markings in 1/48th scale would be similar in size to the subdued and smaller low-viz scheme. I found myself a nice aftermarket high-viz sheet for the tail markings and oversprayed them to get the appropriate shade of gray; a 1/32 A-7 sheet provided the intake warnings, rescue arrows and ejection seat warning triangles. The squadron designator (VMA-311 TOMCATS) was cut out individually from an appropriately sized letter and number sheet. LAU-10 Zuni rocket launchers and the centerline tank came from Fisher Models, and I spruced up the kit Triple Ejector Racks and Mk 82 500lb bombs with a homemade thermal protective coating, arming wires and appropriate painting and weathering. Hope you all enjoy! Edited January 15, 2015 by Usmcski Kagemusha, Av8fan, SinuheH and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Beautiful build! Welcome aboard! Iain Usmcski 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usmcski Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Thanks, Iain! Here's a few more "glamour shots": Edited January 15, 2015 by Usmcski Kagemusha, Iain and Dragon 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usmcski Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 Tail mid-way through weathering, disregard the ghosts leftover from the wash: Kagemusha and Iain 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usmcski Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 And finally: Thanks for looking! Semper, Ski Kagemusha, Dragon and Lud13 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urs Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Bird with Herpes. Stunning paintjob and built. Both thumbs up. Usmcski 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alaninaustria Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Great build of an iconic bird!! I really like the weathering and finish! Which decals did you use to spruce up the FM zuni pods? Cheers Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Welcome aboard One mighty good looking A4 Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usmcski Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks, everyone! Alan, I masked and painted the large black square on the bottom of the pod, the rest of the markings came from the weapons sheet that came with the kit. Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 That's really fantastic! I'd love to publish it on the website if you'd permit me. Kev Usmcski 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Fantastic work Ski! Love those low-vis markings. I did a similar jet in 48th scale back in the 1980s and, like you, was inspired by those "Tomcats" air show appearances. You have certainly done it justice! Bravo, Rich Usmcski 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usmcski Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 That's really fantastic! I'd love to publish it on the website if you'd permit me. Kev Kev, I'd be more than flattered! Thank you! Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usmcski Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thank you all for the overwhelmingly supportive comments! I don't think my skills hold a candle to most of you, and to read your comments is truly humbling. And it's GREAT to finally be aboard! Cheers, Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgem37 Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Finest kind! Sincerely, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usmcski Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Found some WIP photos of the build. My apologies for the crappy pics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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