1/72 Fujimi TA-4J

by Dennis Brackett

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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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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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Photos and text © by Dennis Brackett