This is a great kit. It's the first time that I have attempted such a big model, and Tamiya certainly impressed. The only real criticism is the raised repaired panels.
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My other first for this model is pre-shading. All the rivets and panel lines were made a little deeper before I sprayed flat black along each line and set of rivets. The model was then sanded thoroughly until I was happy with the effect. I was amazed that this worked so well with the Gull Gray. The tail section was sprayed with
Alclad, the underside with white primer spray can. I also had a number of additions to the kit including Eduard cockpit, Airies afterburner cans, CAM decals, and Quickboost ejector seats and FOD covers.
The story of the real aircraft and crew, and their Mig kill, is astonishing. Both Maj. Lee Lasseter and Capt. John Cummings were Marine graduates of Top Gun. On the 11th September 1972, Lasseter and Cummings were flying lead for a four ship MigCap north east of Hanoi. It took 6 missiles to get the first Mig and they also used up a lot of fuel. A second Mig was damaged by the remaining Sidewinder. Shamrock 201 was hit by a SAM on their way home, the crew ejected and were then rescued. The Red Baron report concluded that the crew had spent too long in full afterburner, some 6 minutes. Cummings later commented that Lee Lasseter was an aggressive fighter pilot and since a young boy his aim in life was to shoot down a Mig. If the writers of the The Red Baron report had known this I am sure that they would have concluded that a full tank of gas and half a dozen missiles were well worth it!
Mark Doherty
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