What an amazing kit!
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Wow. Very nice clean build and paint. I personally like models with light or no weathering. Awesome job all around.
Very nice build, it does leave me wondering though… why would a US Navy bird sport the Norad patch on the canopy??? Thanks for the pics…
A very nice build! I too occasionally like to see minimal weathering, and you’ve done very well. Keep up the good work.
Take care,
Mark
VF(AW)-3 was the only US Navy squadron assigned to shore based air defence. The “Ford” had phenomenal climb and speed for its day. I think they were based near San Francisco
Nice job! I’m building that same kit - just past the office stage now. How did the Tamiya decals work for ya?
BTW - Dave, I think Skyrays were part of the intercept defense network out of FL during the Cuban Missile Crisis and thereafter for awhile. Would that warrant the NORAD badge?
Ray
Decals were pretty good. Used SolvaSet and Sol. Wing tanks took the most # of coats to lay down.
Very nice build of a very nice kit. Great work.
Regards, Rick
Very Very nice,excellent job.
A very excellent build of the Skyray. I’ve always liked that VF(AW)-3 scheme. Well done!
Thanks for tyhe info on the Norad patch. I spent 25 years in Norad from 72 to 96 and the only Navy birds I had anything to do with were the 6B’s out of Widby(probably spelt wrong) Island in Washington and they were only loaned to us for Electronic Warfare Exercises.
Navy Squadron VFAW-3 flew the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray when they were the only Navy Squadron ever assigned to the USAF’s NORAD. They were stationed at NAS North Island at San Diego, CA. They were temporarily assigned to McDill AFB, FL during the Cuban Missile crisis. Cmdr Eugene Valencia, a WW-II Hellcat ace was CO when the unit won NORAD’s trophy as best interceptor unit in 1957 and again in 1958. Very embarrasing to the USAF. The FORD’s phenominal climb rate was indeed the reason for it’s assignment to NORAD. It set records for 9,850 ft in just 44.3 seconds; 40,000 ft in 1 minute 53 seconds and 49,200 ft in 2 minutes 36 seconds. The F4D was armed with 4 20mm cannon, Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles as well as assorted bombs and rockets. Not all at once of course.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Thats a sweet looking build you have there thx for sharing. That kit is on my very long and extended wish list.
very good build!!! I want one now - love the scheme!!!
An interesting tidbit sent to me by a fellow Peilkan club member. Looks like the “Ford” was quite a plane!!