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Trumpy A-6E TRAM Intruder - "Raygun 501"


DoogsATX

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Additional diameters of lead wire finally showed up yesterday, so I was able to finally get the cockpit all wired up. I think I want to add a few more bits here and there, but want to place a few placards first and see how much room I have to work with.

 

IMG_20150512_010305-X3.jpg

 

With the GRU-7s in place (added upper hood/ejection pull ring since last photos)

 

IMG_20150512_010422-X3.jpg

 

Also got one of the MERs all the way together. The need to fill the seam slowed things up a bit...moving on to the second one soon.

 

IMG_20150512_010533-X3.jpg

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FINALLY got a bit of a break in the rain last night and a chance to paint some stuff - the main need was the nosegear bay since it needs paint before I can close the fuselage - but I also got to use some of the white on the AMS Rockeyes. A few I need to go back and sand further - for all the detail the surface of the bombs is a bit "rippled". 

 

IMG_20150515_004512-X3.jpg

 

I'm also calling the cockpit - outside of the seats - done.

 

Trumpeter%20A-6E%20Intruder%2005-14-15-3

 

Trumpeter%20A-6E%20Intruder%2005-14-15-1

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Guest Peterpools

Matt

Brilliant front offcie and some mighty excellent progress on the A6

Keep 'em coming

Peter

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Hi Matt-

 

The cockpit looks outstanding, and as always, I am a big fan of your work! I will certainly try the acrylic ink that you used to paint the switch panels.

 

I'd like to offer a suggestion:

 

when I look at your beautiful cockpit, I can see every switch and knob (perfect) but the pilot in me has no idea what any of those switches are for, because they are not labeled and there is no lettering for switch position or function..Imagine a cockpit full of switches and knobs but none of the lettering like "ARM, OFF, ON, TUNE, HF, IR" The poor crew would be clueless! A fine brush and some white enamel applied with a steady hand can give the illusion of switch panel lettering, and is certainly do-able in 32nd scale..

 

Just a thought-

 

Cheers

 

Pete 

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I didn't want to do this. I was hoping I wouldn't have to. But alas...the Intruder is going on ice until the fall.

 

The reason? Spiders. Little eight-legged a-holes who for some reason delight in spraying their butt threads all over the bench and anything on it. Last night, I got to spend 45 minutes clearing webbing off of the Intruder's cockpit. The night before it was the bombs and landing gear bits. The night before, the fuselage halves. 

 

It's not a big deal when I can stash a build away in a drawer overnight, but the Intruder is too big for that. And like the B-25 a few years ago, it's running into the exact same spider problem (I had to put the Mitchell away after spiders set up shop in the bomb bay). So I'm going to apply the same solution - stop fighting it and put the thing away until cooler weather. 

 

First, though, I'm going to get the gear struts together - because no way I'd be able to keep the parts straight otherwise. 

 

IMG_20150518_004230-X3.jpg

 

Final pre-suspension state of the cockpit. The seats are getting washes and I added some white paint to the consoles and IP to simulate lettering. That was a PITA!

 

Trumpeter%20A-6E%20Intruder%2005-18-15-1

 

Trumpeter%20A-6E%20Intruder%2005-18-15-3

 

Also, I'm THIS CLOSE to ditching the Rockeyes. They look fantastic - until paint goes on them and reveals a weird, non-smooth surface. It's kinda like orange peel but kinda not...but sanding and polishing have done jack all to eliminate it and I just can't unsee it. Maybe I'll figure something out by the time I come back around.

 

Trumpeter%20A-6E%20Intruder%2005-18-15-7

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