1/48 Tamiya A-1J “Sandy” Part 2

Gallery Article by Vince Pedulla on Dec 26 2013

 

 

A-1J “Sandy” US Air Force, Vietnam 1968

The AD Skyraider-A Modeling Journey in 1/48th Scale in Seven Parts

This is part two of my A-1 Skyraider journey. This models was built parallel to the Navy bird, and went together just as effortlessly. I used the Air Force specific parts such as the antennas and dished wheels. The only thing I added was a True Details resin Yankee election seat, which was added by the Air Force when they obtained the Sandy

A note: All my Skyraider models share a few common traits. All of them (except the AD-6 & AD-5W, which were unarmed) have gun barrels & pitot tubes made from hypodermic needles. All were painted with Testor’s Model Master or Tamiya acrylics and weathered with oils. I also used AK Interactive washes to replicate the always present oil and fuel stains on this dirty bird. Aerials were created with EZ Line strands. Beyond that I used a variety of aftermarket parts & decals as described in each model’s individual article.

A word about the Tamiya kit…wonderful! Goes together without any drama and is very nicely detailed straight out of the box. But like any kit…there’s room for improvement!

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The US Air Force obtained ex-Navy Skyraiders for use in Vietnam, as they lacked a slow and heavily armed airplane to use for Search & Rescue (SAR) missions. Both this model and the two seat AD-5 were used until the late 1960's. The three tone camouflage is iconic of this conflict. Many of these airplanes were later turned over the South Vietnamese Air Force. 

I again used Model Master acrylic paints, followed by pre and post shading and heavy chipping on the fuels tanks with Berol pencils. Kit stock decals were used and went on fine. The gun barrels & pitot tube was made using hypodermic needles. I also used AK Interactive washes to replicate the always present oil and fuel stains on this dirty bird. Aerials were created with EZ Line strands. Most of the weapons slung underneath were from the Tamiya kit, with the exception of the two True Details napalm canisters. This model was an interesting contrast to the grey Navy counterpart also used during the Vietnam conflict.

More to come in part three…where I start to get serious with a converted Korea Skyraider!! 

Vince Pedulla

ModelerV Studios

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Photos and text © by Vince Pedulla