1/48 Tamiya Douglas A-1H

US Navy Skyraider

by Cyril Worley

--------------------

 

The subject of my build is a US Navy Spad NM300 “Knight Riders” of the USS Ticonderoga, back in April 1964.  It is modelled with wings folded and tied down on to a carrier flight deck. 

I used the Cutting Edge Wing fold Conversion Set as the main substitute for the kit’s wings, as well as the resin Cockpit set from Aires.  Other parts used were, Tie downs from Tom’s Model Works, chains from Verlinden Productions and finally a resin US pilot figure from Legend Productions.  Decals used were one of the three selections supplied with the kit.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

I began by replacing the kit’s cockpit with the highly detailed one from Aires.  Next the wings were replaced with the resin ones, leaving the wing folds for the last.  All cannon and the wing stays were made from telescopic hypodermic needles.  The tail wheel was scratch built as the kit part is a solid unit.  Extra detailing was also  scratch built.

 Finally the model was painted using Testors and Humbrol paints.

 

The carrier flight deck was made from scrap board covered with a very fine grade of wet and dry abrasive paper, to simulate very fine grain of tarmac. The photo etched tie downs were glued down into their appropriate holes in a regular pattern. 

This was given a few coats of extra dark grey.  The model was finally pined down to the base and the tie downs added.  The pilot was also added to show how big an aircraft the Skyraider was.

Cyril 

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Cyril Worley