Flag Plot

  History: The A-4M Skyhawk was the last A-4 version procured for US forces and was used exclusively with the Marine Corps while in front line service. The A-4M's existence was inevitably tied to the development and procurement of the A-7 Corsair. The Navy specified that a follow-on airplane to the Skyhawk be based on a design already in production and optimized for the attack mission utilizing the P&W TF-30 turbofan engine. Douglas Aircraft submitted an upgraded design based on the Skyhawk. In 1964 Voight Corp was award the contract for the A-7 using a designed based loosely on the F-8 Crusader.  However,  Vietnam war attrition ensured the A-4 would stay in production along side the new A-7 Corsair. As the war in Southeast Asia wound down, the Marines were procuring the British AV-8A Harrier "Jump-jet" and revising their doctrine and force structure to incorporate the new V/STOL  technology.  The AV-8A was innovative but limited in its c...

   Now for something completely different! Here's a scale replica of  the Renaissance Master, Leonardo de Vinci's, Catapult: kit  by Pathfinders.  I got this kit as a retirement gift for something to occupy my time while we wait for the Kung-Flu to pass.   The kit is complete; the box contains everything to build the replica including the white glue. Here's what comes the box:  The kit is unfinished wood. So, I started by staining the pieces with an oak colored wood stain and let them dry overnight. Here you can see the stained pieces; looks more natural than the raw pine doesn't it? The instruction booklet is comprehensive; follow the steps as described, and you can't go wrong. Here's the barrel with the attached ratchet gear and the base cross pieces.  Base frame complete:  I used a carpenter's clamp to squeeze all gaps out of the frame base and the barrel stanchions.   Ratchet gear,  barrel, and locking a...

Here's the Italeri AH-1T kit depicting an operation URGENT FURY & Lebanon peacekeeping veteran of HMM-261 embarked on the USS Guam (LPH-9) from late '83 to Nov.'84. The only issues I had with this kit was the canopy: it's undersized as you can see in the pics, & the decoy buckets above the stub-wings had serious sinkholes; filler & custom decals solved that. The decals are from the kit & Hi-Decal sheet, 72-014. A BIG shout-out to Paul B. for this decal sheet and Mike E for the custom made decoy decals.(You may remember the thread a while back) Notice the chaff bucket pic; I think they turned out well. Much better than the kit depiction. Thanks Mike...Paul! A BIG shout-out to Paul B. for this decal sheet and Mike E for the custom made decoy decals. Notice the chaff bucket pic; I think the custom decals turned out well. Much better than the kit depiction. Thanks Mike...Paul! RJ

Here's the Fujimi AH-1J kit depicting an early Seacobra of HMM-369 from the mid-'70s. It's a simple kit with raised panel lines that went together with no issues. The decals are from "Flying Papa's"- a Japanese cottage company. The decals were printed on a dot matrix printer, so I painted in the white & red on the Japanese character. I substituted SSI/Microscale decals from the stash on all the common markings. The kit contains the original style pylons on the stub-wings. This helo was one of the first to be fitted with canted pylons, so I robbed an Italeri AT-1T kit of its pylons. The Zuni rockets are from a Fujimi A-4 kit. RJ

  Here's the USMC edition of the Special Hobby AH-1G Cobra. The SH kit is a gem; it went together well & included a photo-etch fret with color instrument consoles. A few minor annoyances:  the canopy is made to display open but there's very little glue surface, and the main rotor just sits on top. There's no subassembly to allow the rotor to rotate.   Decals went on well with no issues.  RJ 

         Long ago when I was between the 6th and 7th grade, I received a Monogram Hurricane kit for my birthday. T his was the first model I built as a replica and not a toy to play with. I guess that was the real start to my life long hobby. Consequently, I've always been fond of the Hawker Hurricane. As time went on, my modeling interest settled on post-WWII aircraft; I was    never much interested in WWII subjects.       But, when I came across a Revell kit visiting a hobby shop, the nostalgia bug bit me!  Along the way I, also, came by an Airfix kit being sold on a modeling forum.  So, here is a Hurricane Mk IID tank buster in a revisit to my first modeling project. The Mk IID is a special release under the "Airfix Club" label and contains the 40mm gun pods.  The Revell kit depicts a Mk IIC in the China, Burma, Indian  theater.      A few comments about this build. Somewhere alo...

History : "VF-84, initially known as the Vagabonds, was established on July 1, 1955, at NAS Oceana flying the FJ-3 Fury. After deactivation of VF-61 in 1959, VF-84's commanding officer, formerly with VF-61, requested to change his squadron's name and insignia to that of the Jolly Rogers. His request was approved on April 1, 1960. The squadron embarked on the USS Forestall (CVA-59) with CVG-1 in 1957." (Ref 1)  This model depicts an aircraft of that deployment.  The Sword kit of the FJ-3M Fury is a limited-run kit, so some modeling experience is a must to finish this kit. It's a challenging build.  Stipulating that, this kit has quite a bit going for it: finely engraved panel lines, accurate shape and a detailed cockpit. If you want a 1/72 scale Fury, this is pretty much the only injection kit available.  Except for the AIM-9B Sidewinder missile from the Monogram F-4C/D kit, this Fury was built straight out of the box. CALL THE BALL!  RJ References: 1. Seaforces ...

HISTORY:   In June of 1979, Midshipman  RJ Tucker reported to the USS Independence for his summer training cruise. Me and about 100 other midshipmen rotated through the various ship departments and embarked squadrons learning by doing junior officer tasks, drills, ship evolutions and standing watches. I spent a few days with VF-102 one of the 2 airwing fighter squadrons.  I sat in on an intelligence  and a mission  brief, did some maintenance checks with a squadron junior officer, drank their coffee, watched a movie or two, and ate enough for 5 people* in the "dirty shirt" wardroom. This brief insight into naval air culture and routine served me well through my Navy career.   A friend gave me this Academy kit about the same time  I received a Phantom decal sheet from CtA decals. When I saw the VF-102 scheme the memories of  that summer cruise came flooding back! So, here it is with:  * AIM-9s from the Italeri wea...