Building an A-1H Skyraider in

Online Review

Building an A-1H Skyraider in USN Service

1/48thScale

Kit: Tamiya TM61058 Douglas Skyraider AD-6 (A-1H)

Accessories: None

Paint: Gunze Sangyo (MAH), Testors Model Master (TS)

Decals: Kit, Spares Box

References:

Skyraider in Action, SS1060, squadron/signal publications, 1983
Warpaint Series No. 18: Douglas Skyraider, HB0018, Hall Park Books, Ltd, no date

Colors:

MAH001 White Gloss
MAH012 Flat Black
MAH051 Light Gull Gray
TS2015 Flat Clear
TS2017 Gloss Clear

Prior to this release by Tamiya, the only worthwhile kit of the Skyraider was Monogram's 1/48 scale offering. While Monogram's release was and still is good, the Tamiya offering is built to a newer standard one we modelers have come to expect from the producers of our newer kits. The AD-6 (A-1H) kit is molded in light gray plastic, with recessed and raised (when appropriate) panel lines. Options include open or closed speed brakes dive flaps to some of us and raised or lowered landing flaps. The interior surfaces of the speed brakes are beautifully detailed, as are the speed brake wells, but I have never seen an A-1 in person or in any pictures on the ground with open speed brakes. The same goes for the landing flaps; all my references say these were never open while the aircraft was on the ground. I built my Skyraider with the speed brakes closed and flaps up. For whatever reason, Tamiya has released several kits recently with instrument panels with blank instrument faces and also provide a decal for the instrument panel. I, for one, like this feature, because I can create more realistic looking instrument panels using a combination of decals and plastic kit parts. After painting the instrument panel Flat Black, get out your punch and die set. Using the appropriate punch, remove the instrument faces from the decal and apply to the proper position on the instrument panel. When dry, apply a drop of your favorite clear gloss to the instrument faces. After a light dry brushing, you'll have a great looking instrument panel. I have done this with three of Tamiya's recent releases and the results are worth the extra effort. This kit is typical of all Tamiya kits, with great engineering which allows the parts to just fall together. No filler was used or needed. The only thing I added to this kit was a decal for the seat belts and shoulder harnesses.

I painted the undersurfaces White Gloss, then the uppersurfaces were finished in Light Gull Gray. The anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit was Flat Black. Floquil Bright Silver (available at many hobby shops) was used on all leading edges to replicate the natural metal surfaces found on the actual aircraft. Gloss Clear was sprayed on the model prior to applying a combination of kit and after market decals. The kit markings are for an A-1H assigned to VA-176 aboard USS INTREPID during operations over Vietnam in 1966. After-market decal options for Skyraiders are available from several companies. I changed the aircraft's modex from 409 in the Tamiya markings to 405 using AeroMaster decals. A coat of Flat Clear was applied after the decals dried, followed by a light wet sanding with worn 6000 grit sandpaper to achieve the dull finish I wanted. With painting and decaling completed, the landing gear and landing gear doors were then attached. Now it was time to select the external stores to hang underneath this Skyraider. Be careful with your choices if you are doing a Navy A-1; the USAF only used some of the kit-provided ordnance. The final step was to dip the canopy and windshield in Future floor wax. After they dried, the clear parts were masked, painted, and attached with white glue to the model. The AD-6 (A-1H) was another great release by Tamiya. We can only hope they keep up the great work. Since the release of this kit, it seems they have has done so. Tamiya has recently released the A-1J in USAF camouflage and markings (TM61073). Morris J. Duet

High quality detail and engineering are hallmarks of Tamiya's kits; the A-1H is no exception. Dry-brushing brought out the detail of the Skyraider's Wright R-3350 radial engine.

The Tamiya instrument panel was enhanced when the kit's instrument decals were punched out and applied to the panel. Clear gloss was then applied to the instrument faces to simulate glass.