This kit with a few parts (struts) from the old Airfix kit. I used the White Ensign P/E. The rear compartment is scratch built with detailed 30. cal gun, radio equipment and decking. The transparencies are  Falcon Clear Vax. The A/C is marked as # 1692, USS Pennsylvania, 1940. Decals are Aero Master.  Paint is Tamiya Acrylic. The catapult has been in my box, unbuilt, since the 1970s.  It is injection molded and came from a classified ad in the old Scale Modeler Magazine.

I purchased this kit from Dean’s Model Stop in the spring of 2007 during our annual pilgrimage to Midland for a contest. Many years ago I had built the Monogram Skyraider, and was quite happy with the kit. I was always intrigued by the Tamiya kit, but somewhat put off my the higher cost. The Dean’s price was reasonable so I made the purchase.

     I planned to apply a SEA camouflage scheme to this model. Prior to any assembly I created masking profiles from the wings, stabilizers and fuselage halves. I used the kit parts to draw the limits of the various colors on these profile, and labeled each color. I planned to use the kit decals for this build rather than aftermarket decals, although I did have an old Super Scale Skyraider stencil sheet that would also be used.

     The clear parts were dipped in Future floor wax and allowed to dry for several days. The rear view mirror came from the Eduard mirror set (48 409).

The instrument panel is moderately detailed: the switches and gauges are presented in raised detail, but gauge dial face detail is missing. An instrument panel decal is provided. I had three choices: use the entire decal, punch out and apply each dial separately, or use an Eduard photo etch placard for the instrument panel. I decided to use the kit decal and punch out the dials for individual installation. This method took about two hours and a steady hand to accomplish. A drop of clear epoxy was applied to each dial face for the lens.

     The ejection seat is three parts, and seat belts are provided as decals. Here again Eduard photo etch seat belts were used for a more realistic appearance.

The engine was built per kit instructions, painted flat black and dry-brushed with Rub-n-Buff silver. Ignition wires were added using copper wire.

     The chin air scope is a separate part and has an impression of a mesh cast at the back of the throat. I carefully opened the intake, removing the cast screen and super glued a small piece of brass screen on the inside of the opening. Now, that looked more realistic to me!

     I planned to have the fuselage dive brakes open, although none of the reference photos appeared to indicate this configuration was “normal“ I was going to exercise artistic license. The wings consisted of a bottom full span assembly and two wing tops. The wing flaps may be installed up or down. I chose the down position. I also cut short lengths of brass tube for the wing 20mm cannon. The pitot tube located on the vertical stabilizer was also replaced with telescoping brass tubing.

     I used Gunze Sangyo paints for this model. Once the paint had thoroughly dried for two days a thinned wash of burnt umber was applied to all panel lines. I used silver and steel Prismatic artist’s pencils to create chipping and scratches. Chalk pastels were applied with a medium-size stiff brush to create soot and dirt stains at various access panels. Exhaust staining was created with thinned Tamiya flat black.

     The Future floor wax was airbrushed over the entire model and allowed to dry for 24 hours. Decals were then applied, each be rubbed down to a q-tip to remove all wrinkles and bubbles. Everything was sealed with Floquil flat finish.

     The wing tip navigation lights were removed, and small holes were drilled holes with a pin vice. Short lengths of clear sprue were inserted into the holes. The ends of the sprues were painted with Tamiya clear red and green, and later a small amount of epoxy was apply over the sprue to recreate the bubble lens. The same treatment was given to the navigation light on top of the vertical stabilizer.

     Eduard Remove Before Flight Flags (49 009) were added to all pylons. Fine copper wire was used to attach the flag to the individual pylon. This detail helps “busy up” the model.