Gary,
Thanks for stopping by and liking what you see.
Joel

Started the long decaling process even though I haven't painted the two drop tanks,or even started the landing gear as yet.

I did have to finally make a decision as to which paint scheme and markings I was going to do. Turns out it was a no brainer:

A-4F sn.#155018 from VA-164 "Ghostriders" onboard the USS. Hancock, circa 1971.

What makes is a no brainer is that the markings painted on are "Lady Jessie". Just couldn't resist.

I'm planning on doing the decaling over 4 work periods, right side, left side, bottom, and stencils. Just finished up one side minus the stencils.



Joel

Great pick for the markings Joel! I was anxious to see what you went for. "Lady Jessie", indeed.

Best wishes,

Ian

Great choice, Joel!
Before the age of radar-reflective paint, there are some great schemes to be found.
Before my recent return to the hobby, I'd always done decals last. I've recently discovered how much more difficult I made it for myself.

Gary

Hi Joel

Your Scooter is looking sweet! Love the painting and "modulation" - thank you for also giving your mix ratios for the various paints you use.

I have been eyeing some 1/48 ESCI A4E/F's at my LHS - any advice/feedback on these models? Is there anything specifically one should look out for?

I would want to use these for a Falklands War setting.

Regards,
Kobus

Ian,
Glad you like my choice. I've been eyeing it for sometime, but just kept it to myself.

Joel

Gary,
The paint schemes before the low visibility era, especially the Navy and Marines, were really colorful, which is one reason why I model jets.

Basically, the build part of the build is over. What's left is drop tanks, stations, and landing gear. Gear doors, flaps and slats are painted as well.

So I'm thinking that you're referring to decaling before weathering. The reason does make a lot of sense. I've post shaded with the paint mottling to represent fading from the elements. I'm going to add some level of weathering as I prefer various levels of operational looking aircraft.

Decals as they're on just about every sheet I've ever seen are in the pristine colors of just painted with the proper FS numbers. Now apply them after weathering, and you get a representation that literally has little to no relationship to the rest of your model presentation. One or two repaints of an insignia could be realistic, but not really for the entire aircraft without the aircraft being stripped and repainted. Therefore, no weathering.

So I make the weathering process to include the decals. The end result is that they blend in with the rest of the model in a somewhat realistic manor. At least that's my goal.

Here's a few examples of what I'm referring to.

Heavily weathered:


Lightly weathered with a final dusting of light earth to blend in the markings:


Joel

Kobus,
I'm not that familiar with the ESCI offering, so I googled it to check it out on a few of my usual review sites.

Basically, it's a re-release of the 1980s vintage ESCI Skyhawk kit. Overall, the outline is pretty accurate, but it has a combination of recessed and raised panel lines for no apparent reason. As usual for that era kit, the cockpit is as basic as it can get.

The Hasegawa kit is a much better offering, and a much new molding. The kits here are similar in price. So if you have access to purchasing the Hasegawa kit, go for it. For that matter, the Eduard Limited edition Scooter Vietnam kit is an upgrade to the basic kit, and the decals are fantastic. While I still feel that some other AM parts from Eduard should have been included, it's another option to be considered.

Joel

Hi Joel

That's looking really nice!

I remember building a Revell Skyhawk back in the late '60s (Yep - I'm showing my age! ). I think it was 1:48(?) - probably the first kit I ever saw in that scale. It had a real Wow-factor for a certain 10-year old modeller, but I expect it would be terribly crude by today's standards. That said, it was a pre- dorsal hump version - and the Skyhawk was much prettier without it.

All the best

Rowan

Hi Joel

Thank you for the feedback - much appreciated. I think those kits at my LHS ARE the original 1980's kits

I'll think I'll give them a miss and look for the Hasegawa kit. Eduard kits are VERY rare [and expensive] in my neck of the woods.

Keep up the good work!

Regards,
Kobus

Progress continues at my usual snail's pace.

Decaling is done except for the main struts.

I've eased up some on the weathering, since I wanted the Scooter to look like its only been on combat tour a short time, so I applied a enamel pin wash for the recessed areas, then did a oily sludge wash with Flory's Dark wash, followed by a few additional blotchy sludge washes. The top side got a lighter sludge wash application using a mix of Flory Dark and Light wash for a less dirty effect.

Once dry, I applied a protective Matt coat using Winsor & Newton's Acrylic Matt Varnish. Needless to say I'm more then just impressed. This is now my standard go to Matt medium.

You'll notice in the pictures that the canopy is on the cockpit, but not straight by any means. I just put it there and forgot about it, so I didn't loose it as I had to apply the Matt clear coat to it as well, then remove the masking. Once done, the canopy will be in the up position.

Joel

Your A-4 is looking great joel! I really like your marking selection too, I usually dig red markings on gray aircraft. Im really looking foward to seeing it finished!

Mike,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. It's much appreciated.

I too like the red, but any colorful marking become instant favorites. That's why I'm much more into the Jets through the Vietnam period, but not really so much today's boring monotone camouflage jets.

Joel

Nice work Joel. Like that Buffalo, someday I will attempt
one from Midway. Question, wasn't VA-142 Ghostriders? Iwas
looking at doing an F-4B and Ghostriders flew Phantoms from
'63 to end of Vietnam.Just wondering, excellent paint job,
some day I will learn to use my air brush.---John

My bad, I didn't realize there was an attack squadron Ghost Riders also. Wow that's odd to have 2 squadrons with the same name.---John

John, both squadrons did bear that name. VF-142 " Ghostriders" was a fighter squadron that went on to garner fame in F-4's and F-14's up until their retirement in the 90's. One of the many squadrons that fell victim to the PC police which barred satanic or supernatural references in their squadron name. Heaven forbid we should try to scare the enemy.

Best wishes,

Ian

John,
So glad that you appreciated my efforts with the Buffalo. It sure was a challenge to say the least.

Ian,
Thanks for that Clarification. Actually, I had no idea that there were two squadrons that did bear the name. VF-142 Ghostriders. As for that stupid policy, it figures. Like you said, we can't offend anyone, for any reason, even the enemy.
Joel

Excellent work Joel, you are really making me want to dig my Scooter out of the stash looking at your colourful bird.
Looking forward to seeing it finished.
Andy

Andy,
Thanks for stopping by and having a look. I'm also looking forward to finishing my Scooter. Then it's on to a very special build I've been planning for some time. Going to pull out all the stops on this one. I've even purchased more AM stuff for this build then ever before. A 1st for me.

Joel

Hi Joel,
She certainly is an impressive looking build! A feast for the eyes. I like your balance between the markings and light weathering.

Gary

Gary,
Thanks for those much appreciated words.
Joel

Joel,
Another very worthy build every step of the way. I've even managed to learn a thing or two during the journey. Your last couple of builds have been quite informative in your post shading technique. In both this one and your F2A build, when you did your panel shading just prior to decaling the weathering really jumped out at me and I wondered, "how's he going to reign that in?" In both cases once the decaling was done the stark paneling just sorta blended in. I suspect the markings break it up some and the gloss/dull treatment helps blend it together. Bravo for your side! But I have to admit, the end result screams "VMA" (Marine Attack Squadron) out of Chu Lai at me. Case in point:

Navy A-4



Marine A-4



But just to prove I'm mostly blowing smoke, here's one that shows they don't all look like they just left the wash rack:



Excellent job, now let's see a good VMA A-6!
Carry on

DM,
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and have a look. I'm really glad that my weathering processes makes some sense in the final outcome.

For me it's adding layers of weathering for a total effect. So the kind of stark look created by the mottling using my AB, then dealing and sealing, then various sludge washes including some in a mottling application, gives that "used but not abused" look to it, which is what I was striving for. The Scooter is in much better operational condition then the F2A-3 at the time each was modeled.

I can't thank you enough for posting those pictures, especially The Lady Jessie pic.

I'm at the point of the build where I'm adding the final little pieces like the two antennas in front of the windscreen, etc. I've glued on the 5 stations with cleaned up bomb brackets, but I haven't installed any loads out, especially since the kit doesn't supply any other then the drop tanks. I've primed and painted both flat White, but the kit gives you a scalloped red for the fronts, while your picture has a completely different scheme. I think I'll try to make masks and go with what's in that picture.

To be honest about it, I do prefer my Scooter without any loads out, as many are parked on the tarmac that way. Every jet I've built has a full loads out, and I thought for a change of pace go this way.

Joel



Joel

The A4F "Scooter" Skyhawk build has finally crossed the finish line, and the build for now is done. The only thing left to do is paint the new markings on the two drop tanks. But as I posted yesterday, I really do like the look of the Scooter without them, as they just seem to over power the little Scooter's finesse looks.

Hasegawa's molding is really superb, as are the Cartograf decals. As I said from the 1st box review that what Eduard gives you as AM add ons for an increase from $32 to $80, really isn't worth it. And now that I've completed the kit, I still feel that way. Next A4 Scooter I build will be the Hasegawa kit with AM decals.

Joel

Well done Joel! BTW, those sway braces on the pylons are a real treat, aren't they?
I remember how fun they were to get lined up. Anyway, great looking Scooter.

Best wishes,

Ian