A-1K Skyraider, -Desert Storm- USMC ***FINISHED, Pg. 9***

[TheChronicOne]

Without a shadow of a doubt, I have reached THE MOST difficult, frustrating, and tedious aspect of the entire build; gluing the rockets on. Of course this means I've advanced to the stage of having to do fiddly bits and it's been disaster the whole way through. The stuff that's normally a problem... the gears and gear doors all went on in less than 5 minutes then here we are later and it took one hour to get just THREE stupid rockets on. I have 9 left to go....     Not only that but the drop tanks pylons were garbage and had the rear of the fuel tanks literally on the ground. Also, something wasn't right with the tail wheel and arrestor hook area.... the stupid wheel was floating in the air while the aircraft rested on the end of the hook. I followed all the directions to the letter and test fitted everything multiple times.. it's not like I've glued anything on upside down or backwards... it's just this is all a terribly designed pile of garbage. Did anyone at airfix actually build this after they made? Did they just assume everyone would build this "in-flight?"  I've had to snap and break things apart and cut and saw things and re-arrange things, etc. It's not been pretty and damn sure ain't been fun.

So anyway....  have to finish the rockets but I repaired the other stuff already. After the rockets I just have the gun barrels then I can work on my copper and plastic modifications/additions. 

[TheChronicOne]

1.5 hour later, I've managed to get two more rockets on.     I have to stick one on and let the CA dry up nicely before I start the next one. The alignment grooves on these rockets are ever so slightly mismatched from one another so I've have to push some forward and some back to line them up properly and this has made this whole process very tedious.

[DogfighterZen]

I know what you've been going through, not with the rockets but with landing gears... while unpacking some of the models i took to the show, i manage to break off the landing gear on 2 planes and a vert stab of the PoAF F-22 Raptor...
Had to glue it all back on and let it dry overnight... but those rockets seem like they're even worse than what i had... just take a brake and you'll sort them out in no time when you get back at it.

[TheChronicOne]

You're right mate... I need to chill . I'll tackle it tomorrow.     I was unprepared.... of all things on this build, I thought the simple gluing of these onto the pylons would be the easiest thing and it has wound up being the worst thing. 

[TheChronicOne]

All done! I finished the rockets then scratched up that antenna on the fin and the light post position light thing then tried to knock as much gloss out of this as possible. Not going to be able to get any more flat or satin for a good while so I just used up what I had on hand and it did a pretty good job!  It still reflects some but I have a ton of lights very close to it so I can't help that. Outside conditions are a NO GO for picture taking and I kind of think this thing would blend into my tile I typically use anyway.  I still plan on getting some outside though just for that reason.

I think it turned out pretty neat. I kind of like it!

[DogfighterZen]

Kinda like it!? I love that thing! The camo came out so good, Brad! And everything else looks very good too. Excellent work, brotha! 

[comrade harps]

In the immortal superlative of Bruce McAlvany: "delicious!"

[Dizzyfugu]

That's pretty! 

Well done, and highly deserved Whiffie nomination. 

[PR19_Kit]

It's a 'ChocolateChipRaider'!   

Cracking job Brad. 

[zenrat]

Brad C, that is awesome.
Excellent job.

[Old Wombat]

Came out brilliantly, Brad!

Don't think I've seen the choccy-chip done better (&, if I have, not by much). Top effort all 'round!

[zenrat]

...Don't think I've seen the choccy-chip done better...

Indeed.  I was looking at my two attempts recently and this is superior.  Well done mate.

[Nick]

That looks wonderful! 

I suddenly have a craving for ice cream.... 

[kitnut617]

Bang on Brad  love it 

[NARSES2]

Camo certainly works, well done sir