1/32 Trumpeter A-4E

[UKguyInUSA]

She's coming together nicely...looking forward to some paint go on her now!

[rwsmith14]

she is primed. priming revealed some seam work I have to work on. Payload and CL fuel are done.

[SyntaxModels]

Anticipating the final reveal mate!

[rwsmith14]

seam work complete.. Reprimed.. we'll see what it looks like tomorrow

[rwsmith14]

Primer looks good. seams are acceptable. port stabilizer broke off. Did not like how the inboard wing flaps fit. going to take them off and try again, Pre shading is next. started on the tires( Aries resin), exhaust nozzle -presently coated with Tamiya Gloss black in preparation for a coat of Alclad II Steel. wing pylons and centerline pylon along with the intakes and gear struts are in the works.

[rwsmith14]

Repairs & adjustments are complete. Pre shading complete !! on to real paint. I plan on doing some post shading as well. I have a new camera so much better pictures now !!

[UKguyInUSA]

Getting close to the final hurdle now and with the new camera, I'm looking forward to seeing the final finished shots

[rwsmith14]

Painted using Model Master flat gull gray (acrylic) FS36440. while drying I'm mulling over if I like how much or little, the pre shade is showing through. I like some areas and dislike others. Not going for a worn looking aircraft as noted in the reference pc below. I'll respray some areas. there are two seams that need to be reworked; the port wing root and the portside where the after part of the fuselage meets the forward part. after that I should be good to go. Will take off the mask and touch up the cockpit area then off to the gloss coat stage. In the meantime still have the fwd wing slots to paint and install, plus gear doors, struts etc..


Reference picture.. will go for just a bit more looking wear and tear




too much preshade showing IMO.


looks Okay




overall except for the vertical stabilizer I'm happy with the preshade. Post shade coming



Preshade does not show up in some of the pics. in some of them you can make it out.

[chief5437]

Great progress, it's all starting to come together now! Kutgw

[rwsmith14]

Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll have decals on it.

[rwsmith14]

Base painting is complete, masks removed. have a few touch ups to do and some clean up.. IFR pod installed ( now not to break it off !! ). port and starboard 20MM Gun mount housings installed. still need to paint the area around and forward of the 20MM (black). Once that is done, gloss coat is next in preparation for decals. All misc. item being readied for installed. I.E. struts tires, gear doors pylons.


[/url]

[rwsmith14]

Had a slight mishap.. just getting ready to spray a gloss coat. I dropped the model.,, not too bad but I just finished painting.. now have to breakout the airbrush again. going to have to fix a seam that opened up when it hit the floor. just finished putting on the fwd wing slats...

[rwsmith14]

Don't think this is going to work without some modification. Aftermarket resin Aries wheel set and Kit metal struts.



pay no attention to my lazy Half ass attempt at painting the wheels freehands. They will be repainted and sprayed, the way they should of been done the first time around. !

[rwsmith14]

Just about back to the "pre Drop" status. also doing some other modifications due to errors in Trumpeters design of the A-4E. there are other errors in Trumpeters design but I'll leave them be.

seam needs sanding after Mr, Surfacer 500 applied.


The A-4's rudder runs all the way to the top of the tail but Trumpeter for some unknown reason decided to mold the last segment of the rudder as part of the tail itself. So I cut the tip of the Rudder/tail off and will re-install it on top of the rudder, thereby having a noticeable gap between the entire rudder and the tail.


this A-4E, the spoilers should be blended into the surrounding top surface of the wing and the seam filled to prevent them from appearing movable. I used Mr. surfacer 500. The spoiler is part of the wing and does not move.

[chief5437]

Damn! That's some bad luck there, great recovery though, well done! Lots of progress made, it's gonna look great

[rwsmith14]

! she is ready for a Gloss coat!! still have to install the 20MM guns and various antennas. Canopy and windscreen are just placed. ( ultimately canopy will be open.)

[rwsmith14]

Finally GLOSS !! I used Alclad II Aqua Gloss Clear. Great stuff !!

[rwsmith14]

Decals On.. Kit decals suck !!! The Trumpeter decals were very hard to work with,(seems like the same issues Chief5437's experience on his 1/32 Trumpeter F-8E Crusader build), cracked ripped.. etc.. they are garbage !!! I have the A-4E hasegawa kit and decals and used most stickers are from that set. weathering up next !

[rwsmith14]

Sludge wash was applied.. Wipe On !...

[SyntaxModels]

Looking forward to this one being done mate

[rwsmith14]

Wipe Off.. weathering complete. getting closer !!

[rwsmith14]

SHE'S COMPLETE !!!! here'e a tease.. Stay tuned.. more pictures coming in the "Final Reveal" Thread in the next day or so..