1/48 Monogram A-26C Invader |
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Gallery Article by Darius Aibara
on Oct 11 2003 |
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I saw this kit
advertised in Fine Scale Modeller shortly before its release and it was a
stunner in its gloss black finish. Upon release I obtained the kit from
the local model aerodrome and set to work. The kit was built out of the
box with the addition of some True Details resin wheels. I also added
throttle controls to the cockpit using spare plastic rod etc. and cut out and
replaced the forward access hatch with one made from plastic card.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The model is a real tail sitter and with a glass nose the addition of
compensatory weights could be difficult. Fortunately the engines are
sufficiently forward of the C of G to enable enough weight to be sandwiched
between the engine back and the wing.
I chose to model an
all-black Invader of the 34th BS/17th BW USAF which was based at Pusan Air Base,
Korea in 1952 using the kit decals. The model was primed using Halfords
grey spray acrylic paint and then given a couple of coats of Halfords satin
black spray paint. Following decaling, a coat of satin varnish was applied
to dull down the finish. Photos of Korean War Invaders showed there to be
heavy weathering around the engine nacelles and so I tried to replicate this by
dry brushing various shades of grey and dark brown. Fuse wire aerials were
added to finish the job.
Darius Aibara
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