A4C Skyhawk VA-83 Rampagers

[SOFModeler]

I decided that my ground troops needed some close air support so I am building an A4C Skyhawk. This is a tribute to my dad, who flew the A4, A7E Corsair II, and the S3 Viking in the US Navy.  I found some decals on eBay for the A4B with the squadron insignias for Attack Squadron 83, aka The Rampagers, my dad’s attack squadron. The ship is not the same, as he flew on The Kennedy, but I figured it’s close enough.

I attached some photos of my dad on his first cruise in 1969, when he was 24. Even now he can’t believe the Navy let a 24-year old fly that jet.

I told him the decals were for the B model and he told me that a friend of his that he learned to fly A4s with went to a B squadron and he went to a C squadron.  Apparently, The USS Shangri-La was so small and the instrument panel on the B model was so bad that the new guys were not allowed to land the A4B at night on the Shangri-La!

The A4 was my dad’s favorite plane. I haven’t build an aircraft in awhile but I am putting some figure painting tricks to good use like oil washes to fill in panel lines and create some grime and hydraulic fluid on the wings and undercarriage.  
The A4 I got from Hobby Boss didn’t come with a pilot so I had to order some.  After building some helos I have determined that a fast-mover has fewer parts and should be an easier build.  
I love this era of aviation. This was truly the golden era of jet aviation. The technology was just so that it provided significant challenges to the aircrews and really required them to be the best. The aircraft had beautiful full-color markings and the danger was very real.  It also cost more to train a pilot than it did to build an aircraft. There was no doubt that the value of the aviator and his skills far surpassed the cost of the airframes. 

[SOFModeler]

Panel lines filled in with a black oil waah then rubbed off with a soft paper towel. 

[ArtyScout]

I like your panel line pin wash. BTW, what scale is this? 

[SOFModeler]

52 minutes ago, ArtyScout said:

I like your panel line pin wash. BTW, what scale is this? 

Thanks! 1/48

[Proud Kraut]

Great to see that you have started another project. Excellent work so far.

[SOFModeler]

I love doing decals ❤️.

[Scott C.]

Looking good!

[Just an Old dude]

That is looking good.  I have a stupid question.  Now that I am retried, I am dabbling in modeling again.  I haven't done so since I was kid.  So, you actually apply the decals while it is still on the sprue?  Just trying to learn.  

 

Thanks,

 

OD  

[SOFModeler]

15 hours ago, Just an Old dude said:

That is looking good.  I have a stupid question.  Now that I am retried, I am dabbling in modeling again.  I haven't done so since I was kid.  So, you actually apply the decals while it is still on the sprue?  Just trying to learn.  

 

Thanks,

 

OD  

Hi OD.  I put the decals on while they are still on the spruce trees because it’s more stable and I can lay it flat. Water transfer decals are fun to apply and bring the model to life but they require a real steady hand. After applied, I put on a couple coats of clear, flat spray. This seals them in and takes off the glare. 

[SOFModeler]

15 hours ago, Just an Old dude said:

That is looking good.  I have a stupid question.  Now that I am retried, I am dabbling in modeling again.  I haven't done so since I was kid.  So, you actually apply the decals while it is still on the sprue?  Just trying to learn.  

 

Thanks,

 

OD  

I have some other model work I have posted on this site if you are interested.  In my experience, painting and building models is way more about technique and experience than talent.  The talent I think is imagining a unique scene then Using the skills and technique to build it.

[Just an Old dude]

Thanks SOF,

 

Good to know and makes sense.  Thanks for answering my question.  

 

OD