1/144 LS Fairchild A-10

[DRUMS01]

This has been in my stash for a long time. I went looking for a Russian Armor kit in the stash for the GB and during the foray I fell upon this. Once I saw it the little kit grabbed my heart, so I have to build her. This is not my first 1/144 kit, but it has been some time since I assembled one (I had better eyesight too).

Believe it or not, they actually have detail kits for this 1/144 bird as well (for the landing gear and the cockpit). I purchased them both just to play around and see what was done to call them a "detail kit". After all, the pilots head not much larger than a pin head. I will post photos of them once they arrive. They also have after market decals sets for numerous squadrons and aircraft as well as color schemes.

I was going to buy a second kit to possibly post the flaps and brakes. That way I could cut them from both and sand them thin and apply them to one of the main wings, but thought better of it (?). This will be interesting to see if I can get any detail out of it. The kit appears accurate in size for 1/144 scale. It has panel lines, but they are very heavy for the scale.

I also saw some interesting 1/144 ground scapes from a supplier called "Coastal Kits", one specifically of an aircraft hardstand that would look good with this kit. Does anyone know anything about them, are they any good?

Also, does anyone know if somebody make a NATO ground support crew in 1/144?

Here is the kit, there is not much of it:
















v/r,

Ben

[Modelfreek]

This is great! I really like a good A-10!
This is one of my fav subjects in jets. I just wish Tamiya made a 1/32 version.
Looking forward to seeing this one.

[DRUMS01]

Well I was first thinking of making a mini diorama with air brakes, rudder, flaps posed; possibly one or two access panels open, and the pilot steps extended. Then I was going to get some 1/144 people to add to the foray as ground support members. Add in the detail kits for the cockpit and landing gear, the hardstand base, updated decals, and this could be really fun on a micro scale....

What do ya all think, should I try it?

Ben

[Modelfreek]

Yeah that will be a lot of work in that scale but if you are
Up for it, I say go for it!

[ElCapitan]

Sounds like a challenge, but will be so impressive and worth it!

[DRUMS01]

I noticed on the last message in my thread, I did not provided the massively detailed instructions





As previously mentioned, I decided to add a little more to the little kit. I purchased both the detail upgrade for the cockpit and the other for the landing gear:





Here are the instructions for the cockpit detail set:





Lets take a closer look at the parts. In the first photo you can see the little green block representation of the seat which is the kits entire cockpit. The gray resin detail parts are shown beneath it; there is a cockpit tub, detailed seat, instrument panel, and control stick.



The scale of the kit and the even smaller sizes of the resin make them difficult to cut, trim, file, and fit. Care must be taken not to remove too much of either the kit or the resin. Here is the rough fitting components for the fuselage and cockpit tub (fine tuning still to finish):



After studying many photos of actual aircraft I have not found any photos of all the maintenance bays open while with full armament. Since I want to display it with a full weapons load, I need to limit the open panels to the following; the pilots access ladder, the left leading edge grounding and fuel panel, the canopy, and the critical systems support panel on the right front of the fuselage just behind the cockpit. My logic behind this is that the ground is normally still attached to the left front wing and removed just prior to deployment. Likewise, the access panel for the support systems (COMSEC, Navigation, etc.) on the right side could still be receiving updates prior to the next deployment. The pilots ladder and canopy are obvious. Here are some photos of those panels:



I will only be opening one and not all of these panels:




As for the posed wing and rudder controls, I can only find one photo that support the rudders or elevators in anything other than a straight position while on the ground; I may modify then, I may not. I have seen a few pictures with the split air brakes / ailerons open and the fowler flaps deployed, though it does not appear very common:

This shows both the fowler flaps deployed and air brakes (closed)


And here are the air brakes being deployed while landing.


Here is the main wing with the air brakes removed. I still need to remove the fowler flaps:



Your input is totally welcome....

Ben

[DRUMS01]

More progress....

I am quickly learning the difficulty on modifying 1/144 models. Here are some photos of the new fowler flaps shaped and deployed as well as the access panels opened for the pilot ladder, ECM pad, and the electronics bay on the right. In the second photo, the left wing pylon tip has been trimmed off as well.

[DRUMS01]

I found some 1/144 figures from Gundam. They are not exact, but with minor modifications could work well. Pictures soon.

[Modelfreek]

Holy $#!¥!

That’s some small detail. my eyesight doesn’t work that way anymore lol. Looking great so far
And the Gundam gear will provide some good detail. Have a look for some discarded circuit boards or old
Bits of radio’s and the like. I scavenged parts like that for an old F-16 build and I’m planning out some
Bits for a future 1/32 f-14D all panels open build. Looking forward to seeing this come together

[DRUMS01]

Moving forward:

Finished speed brakes with previously completed fowler flaps:







And the figures have arrived:



Now its time to start painting the cockpit. I am a little concerned on how I am going to make the HUD device in this scale...

The pilot ladder is giving me fits as well....

Ben

[DRUMS01]

Just a small snippet, the ejection seat. The colors are based on photos...

- gray frame
- OD bottom cushion
- dark green back cushion
- medium gray headrest
- light gray top
- yellow ejection handles
- zinc chromate green ox. bottle
- gray belts



Also ordered better decals with different station / unit markings to choose (both tactical and colored). I may try to add decals to the seat and possible the cockpit (if I can find something appropriate).

Pictures when they arrive..

v/r,

Ben

[DRUMS01]

Finally getting this together. You would think that it should be so much easier than a full scale kit simply because of its size, but that is the exact reason why it is so challenging and time consuming. It is now assembled. I am waiting for the new decal sheet to determine the color scheme but I am leaning on NATO green cold war camouflage. I will begin working on the weapons load and figures. Oh! before that I still have to create the boarding ladder...

Here it is:



This shot shows the replacement cockpit better:


Here is a better view of the speed brakes deployed:


As always, please let me know your thoughts..... THANKS!

Ben

[DRUMS01]

Making a little more progress with base coat, camouflage, pencil panel lines, and clear coat. I've also been working on the ordnance, landing gear, and Bandai 1/144 figures for the scene. Still waiting for the hardstand base and decals......

[DRUMS01]

Update... I finally received both the base and decals. Pictures of more progress soon.

Ben

[DoubleDigit12]

Looking nice Ben, looking forward to next update :th

[DRUMS01]

Thanks DoubleDigit12...

I am currently on my third attempt at making a pilot ladder in scale and it appears to be working out. This kit has given me new respect for those making accurate 1/144 kits. I am also planning out the figure locations. Here are a couple tease photos of the base with the mostly finished aircraft. Many of the aircrafts features have been modified. The decals are not from the kit either (more on this in the next e-mail); the panel lines are by lead pencil; and weapon stripes are hand painted. I will still be adding wheel chocks, ground personnel, support equipment, pilot ladder, etc.

My next photos I hope will be of the completed diorama, thanks for looking.....





Ben

[DRUMS01]

More progress....

1) Created USAF Generator Cart from scratch( less wheels/tires from spares).

2) Created oxygen / nitrogen cart from scratch.

3) Created pilot ladder from plastic (it took three attempts to get it right).





I have also modified one of the Bandai 1/144 figures to appear as climbing the ladder to the cockpit (not shown). Before starting, I never thought it would take this long to finish a 1/144 project.

Hope you like it so far.... comments welcome.

Ben

[DRUMS01]

FINALLY DONE!

This took way longer than I thought it would and has cut into some of my Group Builds. Anyway, here is the mini diorama of an A-10 with ground support. The base is from the UK by a company called Coastal Kits. The figures are modified from 1/144 Gun-dam/Bandai. The kit decals from LS were terrible. They were very, very thick and would not go on anything other than something completely flat (regardless of the setting solution). I purchased decals from Print-Scale (a Ukrainian company). They covered very well, were very thin, and though a challenge to apply, really helped the kit. The small flat trailer on the right of the fuselage came from Shapeways via a 3d printer. The single canopy was cut apart to show the after-market cockpit from RetroWings (some cutting and test fitting was required). The landing gear is also from RetroWings and was a big upgrade from the kit parts. If you read the whole thread you would notice that I repositioned the ailerons, fowler flaps, speed/air brakes as well as opened the pilot ladder, electric test panel, avionics access panel, and left sponson nose piece. All of the repositioned and cut aways were created from scratch. Since A-10's normally do not require any large ground support devices I scratch built a small European portable generator as well as a rack for nitrogen and fire supression.

In the scene the flight officer is barking out orders. The pilot just completed his walk around and is climbing into the cockpit for pre-flight checks. The chock blocks have been removed and the crew chief is wired into the comm. panel and running last tests. Another crew member is removing the ground strap and securing the left sponson cap while another is inspecting one last time the mounting of the weapons, and there is the crew member standing on a trailer running a last update/patch on some of the avionics. In less than 10 minutes she will be in the air.

While a big challenge for me (in 1/144), it was also very fun. Every product from the providers mentioned worked very well. I could've continued tweaking this SMALL kit but enough is enough... for me at least. I hope everyone enjoys it and as always, your comments are encouraged.

v/r,

Ben