Derived from
the successful A-6 Intruder, the EA-6B Prowler, a defensive electronic
countermeasure platform for the United States Navy, first entered service
in 1971. Combining a fully integrated electronic warfare system with
long range, all-weather capability, the Prowler supports strike aircraft,
ships and ground troops by intercepting, analyzing and effectively
neutralizing emissions from enemy early warning capabilities and
electronic weapons systems. Over the years EA-6B improvements have
been many and varied to meet current and projected threats including the
incorporation of the “high-speed anti-radiation missile” (HARM) and
improved jamming capability. The Prowler is projected to be
operational through the year 2015 (http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/ea6.htm).
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I used
Kinetic’s excellent 1/48 kit to represent an EA-6B Prowler (161348)
assigned to VAQ-137 “Rooks”, aboard USS America CV-65 during 1991 that
took part in Operation Desert Storm - the U.S. led air offensive of the
Persian Gulf War that drove Iraq’s forces from Kuwait.
Enhancements
to the Kinetic kit include:
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1) Aires
EA-6B Prowler cockpit set
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2) Eduard
canopy masks
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3)
Scratch-built brake lines
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4) Super
Scale decals 48-436 Desert Storm EA-6B Prowlers VAQ-131, VAQ-141,
VAQ-137
Camouflage was the
three-toned medium gray over dark gull gray over light gull gray.
Weathering, including paint touchups common to modern US naval aircraft, were
performed with various tints/shades of the base colors, oils and pastels.
Enjoy!
Eric Hargett
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