THE INSPIRATION A single
reference photo can sometime be enough inspiration to zero in on a new project.
I dusted off this kit after seeing a photo in a reference book called Bandits!
by Dave Parsons and Derek Nelson. I decided to model a TA-4J Scooter
from VFA-127 Desert Bogies based at Fallon, Nevada, 1983.
THE KIT I was pleased
with the fit and level of detail in the Fujimi kit. Assembly, seam filling and
smoothing filled some pleasant hours at the model desk. I build almost all
my models in “briefing stick” style, gear up with no internal detail. In
the smaller scales that I favor, internal detail just never looks right
and can barely be seen through a closed canopy. So I leave it out.
Mounting the model on a thin carbon rod also facilitates handling the model
during the numerous building and finishing steps. The mounting stick also
makes storing the completed model simple. I just poke the rod in a block
of white styrofoam and let the jet fly.
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images below to see larger images
PAINTING The Mig 17
silhouette color scheme on this jet ended up being one of the more challenging
paint schemes that I have attempted. This jet seems to have a quite dark
two-tone desert camo scheme. Particularly troubling was the black
outlining of the Mig 17 silhouette superimposed on a gray TA-4J airframe. A
combination of brush painting and black decal striping was used for the black
outline of the mig silhouette.
With only one photo for
reference, I had some fun and actually used the wing profile of a Mig 17 kit
that is slowly taking shape. I used a tedious series of masks and Model
Master enamels Light Ghost Gray, Dark Tan and Earth and to complete the color
scheme.
DECALS I love to decal
and after all the work on the paint scheme I took a closer look at my one photo
reference in the book. There were almost no markings on this plane that I
could discern other than those shown on my model. This jet seemed to have
a splotchy “field modified” paint job. If the markings were
there, They were so toned down I couldn’t see them at the resolution of my
photo reference. A little disappointed with the scarcity of decals, I
moved on to final gloss coats and weathering.
WEATHERING I usually
weather my models with a dilute oil paint wash that is wicked into recessed
panel lines with a tiny paint brush. I clean up messy spots with a Q-tip and streak the wash in
the direction of airflow. Following this step, Testors clear, flat
laquer completed the painting.
ARC FAN Thanks again to Steve
for providing such a great site for reference, resources and inspiration.
Hope you like the Fallon TA-4J.
Dennis
Brackett
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images below to see larger images
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