SPA Modeler

Started it last week. There have been several times I contemplated building this kit, only to put it back in the stash because I didn't fancy the paint scheme. All one shade of blue. For some reason any model I looked at, just looked like a toy. Not the real thing. Then I realized the -1A had the tri-color blue paint scheme like the TBM. So I did some reading to see what the major differences were between the two models. Not a ton from what I could find. The canopy being one, and a shorter tail wheel. Those problems were easily solved with the extra kit parts. I read the props were a little different, but I'm just going with what was in the kit. There was a step on the inboard flap on one side that was not on the 1A model, so I filled that in. Also no hard points on the wings, easy enough, don't drill holes, and install those pieces. So I think it will come out representing a 1A model fairly well.













The idea with this one is to have fun with it. I'm probably going to make a pretty weathered bird, I'd like to add a chipping technique to my repertoire of skills. I think I'm going to give the hairspray method a go. I use mostly enamel paints, but I've read it will work with those. So I'm going to give it a try.

Nice, Keyda! The Corsair always has been a favorite of mine. I need to get one so I can build as Pappy’s stead of the Black Sheep Squadron. The history goes on today with various USMC jets from A-4 Skyhawk and the Harrier

Oh very nice! Once the cockpit and engine are painted and installed, the rest of the assembly should move quickly!

Very cool! Can't wait to see you paint it.

Well since the forum was down for several days and I couldn't post we can go straight to the end result, lol.

I wanted to give the hairspray chipping method a try. I tested it out on a junk F/A-18 I had laying around, and was impressed with how well it works, and looks. Even with enamel paint. I did have some trouble getting the intermediate blue to lift, but I think that was because how many layers of paint I had on it. I got distracted and did my "molting" process twice I think. I didn't have issues anywhere else. But leave it to me to give a new method a try with multiple layers of chipping on a tri color airplane. Why I do these things to myself I don't know. I'm definitely a fan of it though, and will be using it in future builds for sure.

This is a totally fictional bird. I did what was required(mostly)to make it into a 1A model. Filled the hole in the flap, used the canopy with the extra rails in it, and the shorter tail wheel which were both provided in the kit. I also paid homage to a certain airplane, lets see if anyone can figure out what that is.

Nice job! That's a great kit. BTW I've always wondered what the white markings on the fuselage just ahead of the canopy are for

keavdog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:01 pm Nice job! That's a great kit. BTW I've always wondered what the white markings on the fuselage just ahead of the canopy are for

I thought that was sealing tape?

Very nice build! and FAST too!

Very nice! At first I was thinking that yours was a homage to the VF-17 Jolly Rogers, but without the skull and crossbones on the cowling. I can't honestly say what the 16 is for... it resembles any one of the hundreds of F4Us that served in the Solomons and Central Pacific.

and yes, to John, the white stuff is tape used to seal up fuel leaks on the tank ahead of the cockpit. I believe it was medical tape, or it could be the standard fabric tape used on doped fabric surfaces for repairs.

Another beauty! I don’t know how all of you build so fast! Bravo.