Zoukei Mura A-1J Skyraider USAF

[Jan_G]

Hi guys,

time to start another build. Was thinking about some real combat aircraft, so this one will be my first summer project.

 

 

I bought this set for half the retail price (Aires A-1H cockpit included as well). My plan is to do fully loaded USAF Sandy with fire extinguisher and MJ1-A loader on the scene.

Some words regarding the kit. Its truly amazing, full of parts. I didnt find lot of evidence (only 1 full review) of this second issue A-1 kit from ZM. Main difference between this one and earlier A-1H issue is, that you get all parts from the first one + new parts to cover A-1J differences, you get A-1H manual + new one just to cover A-1J option and 2 decals sheets (USN and USAF). So you can build even Navy bird out of it.

The most important is that its made only from 1 type of gray plastic, so I think that this one is definitelly better choice, if you are looking for ZM Skyraider kit.

 

 

I plan not to spend lot of time with not visible interior stuff. Will use only interior elements which are important in terms of the strength of the whole.

I will focus on cockpit details, wheel bays, engine and overall clean build. The most important will be paint job and quite heavy weathering. And yes, weapons

Will use Gunze C and H paints, and for the first time will try Mr. Paint stuff for the camuflage (I saw here in the forum some evidence of great results achieved with it)

 

here we go...

first - cockpit

 

Aires interior

 

and comparison of details resin vs plastic

 

In the beginning I wanted to use original part and decal for instrument panel, but after comparison with the photos, I decided to go with PE one

 

thanks for looking and any comments or advices are welcome.

jan 

Edited June 28, 2016 by Jan_G

[Thunda]

Exciting looking build. Will be interested to see how well the Aires interior fits- the resin is obviously in a different class regarding detail, but Ive heard Aries can often be miles out regarding fit.

 

Have always liked the 3 tone USAAF camo from Vietnam- that coupled with alot of exhaust staining that Spads were prone to will make for a very striking bird. Will be following with interest!

[Mr b]

Brings back memories........have fun.....built one few years back......personally I did not like it a lot.....but that's just me and it does built up to a grand model......I include a pic of mine

 

 

Watch the instructions if not mistaken the arrester hook does not blend well......and the engine lots of test fitting is recommended

 

Love the Aires pit...looks good

 

Cheers

Brian

Edited June 28, 2016 by Mr b

[Eraucubsfan]

Awesome choice, agree with Mr B above. Not exactly the easiest kit.  I started mine, but gave up on it.  Here was my WIP on ARChttp://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=281936&st=0&p=2684484&hl=eraucubsfan&fromsearch=1&&do=findComment&comment=2684484

 

Watch the front end, especially the engine and exhaust. Test Fit!  

[IJ001]

Great subject:

 

http://heritageflight.org/collections/a-1-skyraider-the-proud-american/

 

I appreciate that this is a restored machine, but if you follow the link to the 360deg cockpit view, it may give you some ideas, just a thought. Looking forward to seeing this one come together.

 

Ian.

[Jan_G]

Thanks guys for the advices and links.

Btw Brian, really great looking bird! like that finish, perfect job  

 

just a smal update....

building internal structures. have to wait till glue dries. I skip back to plastic cement for this build because of strength of all main big parts, even I like more to work with different CA glues

till yet the fit is great, almost no cleaning of the parts needed.

 

resin parts cleaned up and ready for gluing and painting

 

Was thinking at the begining that for display base I will use True details PSP base, but after checking many pictures I didnt find no A-1J in Vietnam on it.

Common pictures depicts A-1 standing on concrete surface or on M8A1 mat.

Was trying to find M8A1 dispaly base in 1/32, but it seems there is nothing out there. If I'm wrong just pls let me know, would like to get it.

Otherwise I will prepare som boring concrete dispaly base

 

thanks for looking

jan

[Jan_G]

small update...

 

parts ready for coat of Mr. Surfacer 1000

 

interior in basic Grey with post-shading done already

 

used GSI gloss black for instruments areas and base grey mixed with white for subtle drybrush

 

interior green and basic glossy white used for the interior 

 

thanks for looking

jan

[Guest Clunkmeister]

Jan, I built the Navy version and it builds up beautifully, with the exception of:

A. The rear fuselage fit. I found that if you don't install the rear bulkheads that actually support or do anything, leave them off.

B. Also watch the wing fold joint. It's poor, weak, and tends to sag. I secured mine open.

 

Jan, you're a machine! A real model building machine!

[LSP_Paul]

Looks Great Jan! You should have this one done by Friday right?      One of the things the Air Force did to the J model when they took them over from the Navy was include landing lights and their fairings out at the ends of the bottom wingtips.

They should be on your kit. I built my J from the ZM Navy kit and had to build my own. A friend cast me what's on the ZM kit, and they appeared oversized, so check your references if it matters to you. I am sure most folks won't even notice. There is also a LOT of visible detail ( plumbing and fittings ) that's not included in the kit that goes primarily to the pilot's left side, next to the canopy retraction/yankee extraction seat rail behind his head. I am mentioning these things because they are much easier to plan for and include now rather than later.  If you're going to build the wings extended, think about doing a spar extension/reinforcements  make them "solid" I can still pick my kit up from the end of the wingtip and not flinch.   I would not trust the wing hinge alone to hold it all straight over time the way it comes in the box.

I'll be following along.

   

 

 Paul 

[Jan_G]

  On 7/4/2016 at 7:05 PM, Clunkmeister said:

A. The rear fuselage fit. I found that if you don't install the rear bulkheads that actually support or do anything, leave them off.

B. Also watch the wing fold joint. It's poor, weak, and tends to sag. I secured mine open.

Thank you Ernie!

will keep my eye on the rear fit,

The fit is most important for me during the build stage because filling and sanding is my nightmare 

[Jan_G]

  On 7/4/2016 at 7:15 PM, LSP_Paul said:

They should be on your kit. I built my J from the ZM Navy kit and had to build my own. A friend cast me what's on the ZM kit, and they appeared oversized, so check your references if it matters to you. I am sure most folks won't even notice. There is also a LOT of visible detail ( plumbing and fittings ) that's not included in the kit that goes primarily to the pilot's left side, next to the canopy retraction/yankee extraction seat rail behind his head. I am mentioning these things because they are much easier to plan for and include now rather than later.  If you're going to build the wings extended, think about doing a spar extension/reinforcements  make them "solid" 

Thanks Paul for head-ups!

Didnt realize that landing lights could be oversized and I would not mind If I knew that  will try to fix it somehow now

good point with the wings, Yes I want to have them extended and fixed so will use probably steel rods to stregth them.

Regarding cockpit stuff...I plan to close  fuselage to with main interior part to let it dry at least 2-3 days

and will work on yeankee seat separately, original kit part is really bare one and cries for more.

Will try to do my best to depict the details, thanks for the evidence, you have share with me couple of really nice pictures of yankee seat 

 

jan

[Mr b]

Thanks Jan..glad you liked my rendition.

 

Nice progress.............interesting never knew that Gunze had that dark shade of Interior Green..........would be obliged if you could tell me which set does it belong too....need one fairly soon........

 

Best Regards

Brian

[Guest Clunkmeister]

Jan's a machine! I think he's not really a person, but a machine...

 

Just insert your favorite kit in the front, and a week later,... 'Poof', out comes one of the most perfectly built and weathered builds to ever Grace these pages.

 

Amazing!

[Jan_G]

small upadte

overall fit is great, some minor fit issues with Aires cockpit but nothing significant

 

thanks for looking

jan

[alaninaustria]

Great work so far! This is such a big bird in 32nd scale!!