Flight Of The Buccaneer-Completed

AeroplaneDriver · June 10, 2022, 09:11:17 PM

The moment that is the highlight of my modeling year! Midnight on the OWGB start day!

After much debate today I stuck with the plan I've had in mind for about 3 weeks.

I'm not 100% sure on the markings or even nationality she will be but for now the most developed, if not most original backstory involves this little beauty going on a rogue mission to take out SAM City in Hanoi in late '72.

Naturally Petula Clark will be playing as I cut first plastic.

NARSES2 · June 11, 2022, 12:50:42 AM

I just got my boxing of that kit out and I wouldn't attempt it in a "One Month Build"

I admire your enthusiasm

and am looking forward to it

AeroplaneDriver · June 11, 2022, 01:16:24 AM

Four hours of work tonight. I'm very much a Night Owl when not working and SWMBO is away. Looking like a Bucc.

I must say this kit is an engineering dream. If the 1/48 one is just this one scaled up I'll be flinging money at Mr Airfix sometime soon. I'll be surprised if I use any filler on this.

It feels weird to see a Bucc with a cockpit that isn't black but we all know the USN specced a Dark Gull Gray 'pit.

zenrat · June 11, 2022, 05:27:28 AM

Mines going to be French with Exocets.

Quote from: NARSES2 on June 11, 2022, 12:50:42 AM
I just got my boxing of that kit out and I wouldn't attempt it in a "One Month Build"

I admire your enthusiasm and am looking forward to it

Second that. You'll be fine, go for it.

AeroplaneDriver · June 11, 2022, 09:52:56 PM

A little over 24 hours in. Construction mostly done and ready give her a primer coat before bed. A few parts left off to ease painting/masking.

After my initial "Flight Of the Intruder" replacement plan I'm now thinking maybe a little later. Found that one of the cheap decal sheets from Hannants last week has some China Lake A-7 decals on it so now wondering how she'd look as a testbed with some orange panels and either a Harpoon or HARM hanging off a pylon.

Gondor · June 12, 2022, 02:10:08 AM

Test bed sounds good, also helps with the back story where the operator only bought a few and used them for test purposes. This helps confused punters at shows as they are more comfortable and releived that their knowlage of operational aircraft was correct when faced with an out of place aircraft.
Starting to wonder of you or Dizzy will finish first

Gondor

zenrat · June 12, 2022, 04:53:39 AM

Of COURSE. Flight of the Intruder.

D'oh!

I've been thinking the reference was to Purple's Flight of the Rat (which is now firmly installed on my cerebral jukebox).

AeroplaneDriver · June 12, 2022, 10:11:18 PM

Thought I maybe had a shot at finishing this in 48 hours bit have a bit of a cold this weekend (negative COVID!) so modeling a little slower. 49 hours in and she's almost ready for a panel wash then getting the gear, tanks, missiles, fiddly bits on and she'll be ready. Hopefully tomorrow.

Anyhoo, here she is an obligatory "in progress, almost done" pic.

US Navy Blackburn/Vought A-7 Buccaneer.

Dizzyfugu · June 13, 2022, 02:07:04 AM

S€xy!

PR19_Kit · June 13, 2022, 02:50:10 AM

Yes, Vought would just about be the right odd-ball partner for those nutters at Brough.

That's looking VERY good already.

Old Wombat · June 13, 2022, 08:30:01 AM

Very sexy!

Mossie · June 13, 2022, 10:10:32 AM

Short work! Would take me a week just to think about building it!

DogfighterZen · June 13, 2022, 11:07:08 AM

Captain Canada · June 13, 2022, 01:26:09 PM

Groovy ! Looks awesome.

AeroplaneDriver · June 13, 2022, 05:16:10 PM

Well here she is. Quite a lovely kit. Not cheap at all but I'll be on the lookout for another for an OOB RN build.

Backstory is still being written so I'll post in the "Finished" thread once it's done.

US Navy Blackburn/Vought A-7C Buccaneer AGM-84 Harpoon test aircraft, Naval Weapons Center-China Lake c.1978.