Revell EA-6A 1/48

[eightfooticeman]

I have been waiting for this GB for a long time. My entry is the Revell EA-6A.











I plan on doing this build on the Skunkmodels 1/48 carrier deck, with blast shield (still in transit from the China). I also decided to replace the kit decals with a set from Impact Models. Please read on for some interesting info about this aircraft.

The Marine Corp’s first production aircraft dedicated to Electronic Warfare entered service with VMCJ-2 in December 1965 and was deployed to Vietnam in October 1966 where it saw continuing service with VMCJ-1 throughout that conflict. Twenty seven of these two-place, twin engine, carrier capable variants of the Grumman USN/USMC A-6A attack aircraft were delivered.

The EA-6A is recognized as the premier U.S. tactical ECM support aircraft in the Vietnam era employing a full spectrum receiving system integrated with up to 20 steerable high power radar jammers housed in 5 external pods, two chaff dispensing pods, and a state-of- the art communications jammer. It was capable of carrying the Shrike anti-radiation missile but did not employ the Shrike in Vietnam due to limitations of the missile.

The EA-6A was the first aircraft employed in a modified ECM escort role, escorting USMC A-6A’s attacking heavily defended targets at night deep in North Vietnam. It was instrumental in reducing losses of Navy and USMC attack and reconnaissance aircraft to SA-2 surface-to-air missiles and radar controlled AAA, and was a key ECM support platform for the Linebacker I & II B-52 raids that ended the NVN air war. Indicative of its performance against the NVN air defenses, none of the Air Force reconnaissance drones were lost when supported by the EA-6A despite flying alone on prescribed routes without maneuvering .

Specifications
Length: 55' 6'" 16.9 m
Height: 15' 6" 4.7 m
Wingspan: 53' 0" 16.1 m
Wingarea: 529.0 sq ft 49.1 sq m
Empty Weight: 27,769 lb 12,593 kg
Gross Weight: 41,715 lb 18,918 kg
Max Weight: 54,571 lb 24,748 kg

Propulsion
No. of Engines: 2
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6
Thrust (each): 8,500 lb 3,854 kg

Performance
Range: 2,021 miles 3,254 km
Cruise Speed: 472 mph 760 km/h 410 kt
Max Speed: 631 mph 1,016 km/h 549 kt
Climb: 6,550 ft/min 1,996 m/min
Ceiling: 37,800 ft 11,521 m

Info from Marine Corps Aviation Reconnaissance Association

Thanks for looking.

[Paul]

Nice choice dude

[robertw]

I hope it builds up well!

[Lee]

Sweet

[martin57]

great stuff hope all goes well .

[UKguyInUSA]

Sweet! It's about time we saw you on here starting a build! great choice and I look forward to seeing your update Jermaine

[Willem]

Cool choice mate. Good luck with your build.

[eightfooticeman]

When starting the build, one can only notice the large amount of flash on all the parts. Almost every piece needs extensive clean up. See image below for an example


Moving along I have the completed cockpit that must be installed in between the two fuselage halves, no way to insert from the bottom.





Cockpit was painted by hand with Tamiya paints. While researching cockpit photos of the aircraft, I came across some photos that showed orange CRT screens, I gave it a go.

I also remember seeing somewhere that this kit was a tail sitter. I glued in some plastic to make a space for weight.


I used old Blu Tac instead of trying to use PVA, I figured I wouldn't get any rattling from fishing sinkers that broke off perhaps at a later date.

Fuselage halves go together. I taped off panels so they didn't get lost considering the kit is mostly raised panel lines. A good amount of filler had to be applied to sort out gaps.




While I waited for putty to dry I decided to try out a technique I discovered by watching the talented Gary Bottoms on YouTube. Cutting out navigation lights and replacing them with clear styrene and molding them to the correct shape.


After molding them I sanded them with a series of sandpaper up to 12000 grit for the desired effect. It's a great technique that I plan on using from now on!

This is where I'm at, stay tuned for more updates!

[Goose]

Nice beginning on this kit.

enjoy it

Goose

[martin57]

looking good , like the cockpit detail good job ,

[chief5437]

Great start, cockpit looks v good

[Paul]

Great work buddy that cockpit looks great

[Lego]

Wan't me to start a whip around for new sanders

Looking good!

[UKguyInUSA]

Cracking start with the cockpit, Jermaine!

Looking forward to your next update now

Cheers,

Martin

[Twokidsnosleep]

Wow you are flying along!
Good info on this plane and hope the kit builds out well for you

[Gingerspook]

Looking sweet good buddy.

[rsrdevon]

That cockpit looks real good! Keep up the good work. You have alot of talent there. Will turn out really nice im sure

[eightfooticeman]

Part 2 of the build has arrived!





Looks to be amazing with great detail!

[FlyingCoffin]

Great start so far! Excited to see the Nimitz deck too, should be a very awesome build!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Oh ya, that is sweet, can't wait to see it all together

[UKguyInUSA]

Nice! That'll be a nice base to set her off on! look forward to seeing you put it all together mate!

[rwsmith14]

Cool the base should be nice.. going to follow this build .

[grover]

Cool the base should be nice.. going to follow this build .

Yup, same. Looking forward to the updates.

[SyntaxModels]

Looks pretty sweet. You did an amazing job on the cockpit! Will have to follow this build for sure!

[eightfooticeman]

Thanks for the comments my friends. I just completed the weathering on the carrier deck and will be posting pictures of the overall progress I've made tonight, stay tuned!

[1001kjk]

Looking good I'm looking forward to seeing more

[JayCub]

Just had a browse through and wow this quite a big project and I can't wait for further updates,
Tom

[eightfooticeman]

Ok, my progress thus far my friends.


Here the deck sits with a coat of Future after I applied a concrete wash to the dimples and a oil wash where the blast shield will be stitting.

Again a coat of Future after an oil wash on the rear of the blast shield and hydraulic system to be mounted below the deck itself.

The EA-6A is almost ready for a coat of primer. Canopy masked and installed.

The last part of this update. The four crew figures for the flight deck primed up and ready for paint. I was quite pleased with the detail on them, hope I can do them justice.

[SyntaxModels]

Hey! You didn't show us the build of the EA-6A just kidding though, the carrier deck looks amazing, those figures will really add a bit of spice to the deck.

[eightfooticeman]

Finally got figures painted and all the base colors down on the aircraft. Time for clear coat and then on to decals! Figures just need a final flat coat and I'm calling them done.

[SyntaxModels]

Been a while since an update so it's great to see some progress! Great job, can't wait for that final reveal

[Twokidsnosleep]

Figures look great, but they are out of order.....The first yellow guy is definitely doing the Y for "YMCA", green guy has kinda got the C the other two can't dance

[eightfooticeman]

Been a while since an update so it's great to see some progress! Great job, can't wait for that final reveal

I'm not what most people consider a fast builder but I always give 110%!

[UKguyInUSA]

Ohhh, that's starting to come together sweetly, Jermaine

Looking forward to your final reveal with this one!

[Paul]

Looking great jermaine

[eightfooticeman]

All done, final photos are in the reveal section for the Vietnam GB. Thanks for following along!